Picture Featuring DJ SS w/ Rollz
Rollz INTERVIEW
Questions By: DJ Medicine Man -MIATexas/EDJ
EverydayJunglist: Tell us how you first discovered Drum and Bass as well as the moment you made the decision to become a DnB producer?† How long had you been spinning before you started to produce?
Rollz: I've always loved electronic music, and have followed many of the genres, but none really stuck as dnb did. I suppose I've been following it now for almost 8 years and have seen it evolve and change a few times at least. I managed to sneak into a rave hosted by Fabio and Grooverider at a club called 'The End' in london when I was 16 (sorry to the doormen) and that was it really, no looking back.†
I did use to DJ at first yea, for about two years before I started producing I guess. I didn't really play out much however, more a social thing, but I always found my self thinking over ideas for the music, but I didn't realize how accessible the equipment needed for producing was actually getting. So when my friend Alex (now producing in the Dubstep Duo 'The Others') showed me how to use the producing software 'Logic' I quickly became absorbed/obsessed!
EverydayJunglist: Describe the Drum and Bass scene from your perspective as a producer signed to a major record label (Formation), and what are some of your long term goals..for example: collaborations you would be stoked to do; possibility of starting your own record label one day; other record labels you would like to release tracks on etc.
Rollz: The scene has taken, in my opinion, a massive boost from the rise of the underground acts: Pendulum, Chase and Status and now Subfocus, and that's injected a really positive interest and curiosity into our scene. The genre has always been notorious for its many flavors and styles, and in my eyes this is still true today. I still love the music as much as I did when I bought my first record, and I still think it has much more to offer.
My personal goals are to help push things forward. Easier said than done of course, but I try to be as experimental as possible while still playing the game. I like to fit in as much music as possible (in some of my tunes) whilst still keeping everything mixed for the clubs.
Collaborations are something I've not put a great deal of thought into, I'm still finding my feet as it were, but I'd love to work with any artists with different styles to me.
I am more than happy with the support i'm getting from Formation, and really grateful for their backing of me as a new artist. I'm just focusing on working as hard as I can to produce the best work possible.
EverydayJunglist:You have only been producing now for 3 years and have been very successful in a relatively short amount of time with an even brighter future ahead..describe to everyone some of the struggles and frustrations along the way and about how much time is required to learn the necessary tools to feel technically comfortable with producing Drum and Bass music.
Rollz: As much as I love producing, It is something that demands an immense amount of time and patience (something I didn't know I had!) as the technical bar has been set very high. The engineering aspect of the genre is very demanding and this has been with out doubt the most challenging aspect for me. Im still learning today! There is a lot of science behind the music, and perhaps half of the time I have spent producing has been learning the physics and principles behind the techniques needed to master to compete with the rest of the big hitters.
3 years (coming up to 4) may seem short, but I can honestly say I have spent hours working on my production on almost every one of those days.
EverydayJunglist: Who (if anyone other than yourself) would you credit with giving you the most useful advice and/or helping you along with your production in the early days when you were just starting out?
Rollz: I didn't really have much help starting out, but once I got to a better standard Dj SS from formation was a big help. It's very hard to get peoples attention in this game as people are busy and don't always have time to listen / or give feedback to demos. But I'll always be grateful to formation for taking an interest in me and providing feedback on my tunes. Motivation is sometimes hard to come by when your learning, you may think your not moving in the right direction, so that helped keep me going.†
EverydayJunglist: Where do you mainly draw your inspiration from in regards to producing your songs?
Rollz: I try and draw it from outside the scene, though obviously I am influenced by the music, otherwise I wouldn't be making it! However I do think this is important, If your influenced by another producer and try to replicate their style, the best you can do is sound like them!†I try to listen to as much music as possible and keep an open mind.
EverydayJunglist: Your first solo EP is set to (hopefully) release around September on Formation and is sure to get serious attention.† Explain, to us who don't know, what the process of preparing an EP has been like for you.† Are you given the assignment/task of creating this EP by DJ SS or did you ask to do it?† How are songs chosen for an EP and pressed on vinyl and essentially prepared for releasing/distributing?
Rollz: After the release of Plugged In / Voice of the Mysterons the label suggested the idea and left it with me really: If the tracks were there, we'd do an EP.
The process was tricky at parts, but ultimately enjoyable. I set out to create an EP of various styles, not just one, and this resulted in a number of different ideas. Perhaps the most challenging aspect of the process was selecting the tracks along with the label, It was hard cutting tracks that you become attached to, but thats the nature of it. Also you have to respect the audience for who your making the music for, some tracks I loved might not have been picked up by the Djs or worked in the club, and this has to be taken into consideration when deciding the final track-list.
EverydayJunglist: You have already shown everyone your variable styles of production and most recently with Drumstep/Halfstep.† No matter what style you make you seem to always have a driving energy buried deep inside your production that make your songs sound fresh and unique..if it is not going to reveal your secret recipe, please explain how you create basic energy in your songs.† Is it layering techniques or just the specific way you master all the sounds you use?..or a combination etc..?
Rollz: Yea I think the half-step progression has given the genre a nice injection of freshness or opportunity, and I've been enjoying trying out ideas, although its always hard to say whether it will take off or not! The concept has been around for ages, but I think there's a different excitement around it now, with ravers being more open to the music they hear.
I do always try to keep my music dance-floor orientated, although I don't think there is any one thing that I do with my production. I make sure all my mixes are loud and try to tick all the right boxes frequency wise. I do layer a lot yes, sometimes perhaps too much. Im often guilty of having too much in my tracks and need to sometimes admit that less is more!
EverydayJunglist: Who have you produced songs with in the Formation family and do share a bit about that experience if you don't mind?† Trading remixes with anyone that you would be able to talk about?
Rollz: I've done a few remixes, one with Medicin and just recently finished one for Greenlaw which should make it out this year, but these were both done with the master files so it was very much me on my lonesome. I occasionally go into the studio with SS and work on a few ideas, but more helping out with mastering the immense number of projects the man has than anything else.
EverydayJunglist: You have some unreleased Drumstep and Drumstep VIP's you have recently made.† You obviously enjoy it, what is your take on this new style and how it is being received by the Drum and Bass community?† Do you think it will grow into something quite big, and how would you like to see it develop?
Rollz: I think it's been good for the scene and has allowed people to try out different ideas, and i've definitely enjoyed working within it. I think its definitely getting a better and bigger response each time, and people seem much more up for it. It will be interesting to see how it develops and whether ideas work or not, but Its great to keep things fresh. I do think the balance is sometimes hard to get, creating something truly different but still workable in the club, but whats the point if it's easy!
EverydayJunglist: Tell us a bit about yourself..what are you like and what kind of things do you do on a day to day?..hobbies; interests etc. (whatever you are willing to share)
Rollz: I can get very geeky when it comes to production, (sometimes too much) but I like to listen to as much music as possible. I play football (badly) and like to get out snowboarding when I can.†
EverydayJunglist: What would you say is your favorite moment of your DnB career so far?..Can you think of a favorite gig or event that you will never forget that you don't mind sharing with us?
Rollz: It would have to be the response I got from Plugged in, when I first heard Groove play it on Radio 1, then Zane hammered it, it was a great feeling, felt like I was finally coming out the other side after years of working with no recognition, it was really good to feel like I was actually on the right track.
EverydayJunglist: What are some of the classics that you carry around to play that you never do get tired of?
Rollz: Ah there's so many, I often change which ones I take. I've been teasing in the Unknown Error Remix of 'more like you' recently, absolutely brutal!
EverydayJunglist: What type of studio set-up do you have?..type of cpu/monitors/production tools/gadgets that you use?..Anything you would highly recommend to any of us?
Rollz: I'm all in the box, although I've got my eye on SS's new Virus TI. I use Logic on a Mac Pro (The tower) with Beringher Truths (Bs) at home, although I'll often do a final Mix on the Mackies down at the studio. I use Massive and fm8 amongst other synths, but I'm finding Massive to be used by almost everyone now, so I'm in the process of learning different synths.
I highly recommend a decent Frequency Analyzer, In fact I couldn't recommend it anymore. The channel EQ on logic on its highest setting is the one I use but there are many others.
EverydayJunglist: What advise can you offer to someone who is driven and extremely interested in beginning to produce Drum and Bass?..what is a good starting point and some things maybe to avoid?
Rollz: The first thing I would suggest would be to invest in some suitable studio monitors, It may sound obvious but I speak to many new producers that don't use any. I think its very important to reference other tunes with good mix downs heavily, using frequency analyzers along with your ears. I still do this to make sure i'm hitting the right points. I think it's important to be patient and not too rush things, get involved with your local scene and try to make quality contacts with likeminded people.
The production is split into two areas really, Drums and Bass and its very important to get a good grasp on each of these.
Also take everything you hear with a pinch of salt, there are no rules in music production, this took me a while to realize but I benefitted hugely once I let go of certain 'rules'. If it sounds good - It is good.
EverydayJunglist: Has there been any discussion on a future US tour that you would be involved with?
Rollz: Hopefully I'll be able to get out for the WMC, but I'll have to see. There is a slight possibility of coming out in October, but I'll let you know if I get confirmation!
More Linkage:
www.facebook.com/RollzUK
www.soundcloud.com/Rollz
www.twitter.com/RollzUK