MakeItGood x FatKidOnFire #97 - Hiloxam
Fresh off the face of giving away a FKOF free download late last year, signing to dubstep’s ‘Best New Label of 2011’ Bacon Dubs (as nominated in the DSF Awards) and releasing his debut EP yesterday, Wil and I thought it was high time we had another chat with rising upandcomer Hiloxam…
Who is Hiloxam?
My name’s Brett Heaslewood, I’m 20 years old and I’m based in Surrey.
What got you into mixing/producing dubstep? What’s your style – big, dark bass lines or as filthy as possible?
I got into production during the later years of school life (around 14/15). I found myself less inclined to do live band work; and more interested in doing some ‘computer work’. I used to spend lunch times at school sitting on Cubase messing about with various different drum and bass loops, basically making drum patterns/ cutting and rearranging breaks.
What software do you use to produce your tracks?
I am now an avid user of Propellerhead’s ‘Reason’, I have been watching the program grow since V3 (and I’m now on V6). With every upgrade so far it has motivated me to constantly be on the ball and I’m always learning new bits and pieces.
Turntables or CDJs?
I started and learned to mix on CDJs after practising at a friends every few days. I tried to mix some of his DnB records and failed! This (unfortunately) put me off vinyl for a long time, but then I thought I’d purchase my own records with songs that I felt comfortable with and gave it another shot. So in answer to your question, I like both! But I definitely prefer playing records, it’s always more exciting when it’s analogue!
How long have you been DJing for?
Not a great deal of time actually; I think I’ve been playing for around 2 years? Maybe 2 and half.
What’s been your best gig and if you could DJ alongside anyone, who would it be?
Tricky question. My favourite show so far would have had to been Switch Up at the Volks (Brighton), it was a comeback show for me as I went off the radar for a few months to focus on actually making tunes. Hearing them on a club system was really nice! I’m not too sure about ‘DJing’ alongside someone, mainly because I get the feeling that is insinuating ‘someone of a higher reputation’. Personally, I prefer to play with my friends. I wouldn’t mind playing another set with Widowmaker… They’re always a laugh!
Who are your top 5 dubstep producers at the moment; and why?
Tricky this; as I’ve kind of been focusing on some other sides of bass music at the moment, so I’ll list them as apposed to ‘strictly’ dubstep.
- Pinch – After going to his Fabriclive 61 launch night, I immediately bought the mixtape. It’s just full of seriously good tracks, and it’s really inspiring to listen to!
- Lando Kal – been rinsing his ‘Rhythm’ remix lately, just cannot get enough of his sounds!
- Laxx – Jamie’s making some wicked movements recently with his ‘Laxx EP’ just release on Biscuit Factory, I reckon this guy’s going to blow soon!
- Corporal F – Adam’s got some awesome sounds and tricks up all his sleeves, he’s constantly sending over ideas and inspiring me!
- 1point5 – When Dan pops on AIM from time to time, I do get a little excited. This guy’s always packing extremely good tracks, defiantly one to check out!
What’s the future of dubstep – where do you see the genre going?
In all honesty? I don’t know. Right now there’s an argument in dubstep between ‘Deep’ and ‘Bro’ or whatever. At the end of the day, it’s all down to personal taste/ opinion. As long as bass music pushes on, keeps moving and changing slightly every now and again I’m happy. New sounds are always exciting!
Any forthcoming releases or upcoming shows we can look forward to?
My first release, which is ‘Silhouette/ Recognition EP’ coming out Via Bacon Dubs, dropped on Monday! Following that will be my release with Dub Force One, which is my ‘Warp Room EP’ featuring the original track ‘Warp Room’ and remixes from Widowmaker/ Buchan/ Soloman/ Malleus/ Majora.
Have you got any advice to upcoming DJs/ Producers?
Just be happy with what you do, if you’re doing something for someone else stop it. Make music that makes you feel good!
Any shoutouts?
Yes, to my girlfriend.
If you heard Brett’s FKOF free download back in December, you’ll know what to expect with his mix for MakeItGood and FatKidOnFire. 28 tracks, 52 minutes and a selection of tunes from the best producers pushing the wide range of bass music sounds we know and love. Don’t sleep on the free download!
Click to DOWNLOAD
Track list:
1. Submotion Orchestra - Hymn For Him (Phaeleh remix)
2. SP:MC & LX One - Hunted
3. Goli & Ashburner - Field Of Vibrations (Benton remix)
4. TMSV - Flow
5. Commodo - Dokument
6. Icicle - Xylophobia
7. Duskdown - Here With Me (DT remix)
8. Hiloxam - Recognition
9. Killawatt & Thelem - Joom
10. Hiloxam - Showin’ U Luv
11. Lando Kal - Rhythm
12. Hiloxam - Drum Lady
13. Widowmaker - Revoloutions
14. Content - Oxygen Shadows
15. Mala - Eyez VIP
16. Goth Trad - Air Breaker
17. 1Point5 - Perimeter
18. Reamz - Dusk
19. Vivek - Danger
20. Sparxy - Shallow Grave
21. Hiloxam - Simulation
22. Kutz - Big’n’Bad
23. Hiloxam - UATM
24. Corporal F - Jungle
25. Kutz - Shapeshifter
26. Hiloxam - Watch Dis
27. 1Point5 - These Times
28. Corporal F & Hiloxam - No Reason
Let us know what you think of Hiloxam’s interview and mix via Twitter or Facebook.
Lara
