MakeItGood x FatKidOnFire #109 - Seizure
Today sees us release our next MakeItGood x FatkidOnFire feature, and this time Seizure’s in the hot spot! For those of you who don’t know, Seizure runs successful label Fent Plates, and is also a DJ/Producer. We sat down with Za to find out more about the label and what he’s up to. Make sure you grab his mix, which takes you from 128-140BPM, it’s a little different from our usual 140 business!
Who is Seizure ?
My name is Za and I’m 21. I am a Hip Hop & Dubstep producer and DJ. I am currently studying Aerospace Engineering at The University of Southampton but from a little town called Gerrards Cross. I run a couple of labels, an avid graffiti artist, urban photographer and a medium term stock trader. Ahah! Not sure what else to say really!
What got you into producing Dubstep? How long have you been doing it for?
I started producing when I was 13, originally only making Hip Hop. I heard DMZ in about 2003 / 2004 and was completely blown away. I immediately stopped making Hip Hop and made the transition over to Dubstep, solely focusing in producing chilled out music.
What software do you use to produce your tracks?
Since day one I’ve used Fruity Loops as my main interface but also use Sony Acid, Audacity and Cubase. My main source of samples and recording comes from my Condenser microphone set up where I record most the instruments you hear in my tracks. So I don’t really spend a lot of time using software and would rather spend the time using real instruments.
Turntables or CDJs?
I only use 12”. I have never used CD decks or know how to use them and I don’t think that will ever change. I have always got my own tracks cut to Dubplate or tracks that I really like by other artists cut to Dubplate. I cherish everything that surrounds vinyl culture and feel very sad that the new DJ just can’t be bothered with it all and would rather use a laptop. I feel like they’ve missed out on something truly special. Discussing mixing styles and what not, I have changed a lot over time. I like to sometimes mix one bar off, which is what you’ll hear in the mix I’ve done for you, where the track drops and then drops again just one bar after each other. It sounds different. Also, I don’t mind when listening to a mix and hearing the track go off just a bit and you feel and hear the DJ pull it through, it just seems more real, organic, rather than this automated BPM matching software these days.
What’s been your best gig and if you could DJ alongside anyone, who would it be?
Errmm, this is a tough one. Best experience whilst Djing has to be at Beach Break Festival. Really enjoyed it and felt honoured to be asked to play. Saying that, my favourite sets to play in general are at the Soul Cellar in Southampton. It’s the only venue which really allows me to play exactly what I want to and the sound system in there is beautiful.
Dj alongside anyone? Phaeleh.
Who are your top 5 dubstep producers at the moment; and why?
- Phaeleh – As mentioned above, easily the best producer out there and still completely under rated.
- Asa – Genre defining and genre changing music, pushing the boundaries and exploring all sorts of emotive music within Dubstep and elsewhere.
- Kasket – A new kid on the block, but definitely a person to look out for. His latest release absolutely blew me away, especially “A Sony For Sunday”.
- Dfaultuzer – An unknown artist with a unique sound. I’ve never heard anything like it, be sure to keep an eye out on him.
- Djwanka – Deep Medi artist. Unbelievable drum patterns, inspirational synthesis. That’s enough said really. Check out his clothing brand too.
You founded Fent Plates Records, tell us a little about why/when you started it?
I took a gap year in July 2009 and by July 2010 I had decided to start the label. I wanted to really push the intelligent aspect of the Dubstep scene, putting out melodic and timeless music by a range of talented artists. We originally started off digitally and it was always going to happen that we started putting out 12”. Now every release will have a 12” followed by the digital release. Fent Plates also pushes the graphic designers, photographers and other people working behind the scenes. That is why we brought out a clothing range near the end of 2011. Fent Plate is all about the music and we hope to continue pushing the deeper aspect of the scene and bring forward as many talented artists as possible.
Any forthcoming releases we can look forward to?
I have two EP’s coming out on Bass Taste Records, one at the end of April and the other at the start of July. I have a remix coming out on Fent Plates in June which is part of the next big Fent Plates release which is a CD album by a very talented artist. I have a Hip Hop album coming out with my partner in crime within the Hip Hop scene, De Main. The album will be given away for free as part of the local newspaper in Southampton. And I think that’s about it! Ahaha!
Have you got any advice to upcoming producers/DJ’s?
Not much really as I’m in the same boat. I suppose the only thing I can say from a label head point of view is to stop sending demo’s in like crazy, the more an artist gets DJ’s to play their music and the more they work to deserve a release, the more a label will take notice.
Any shoutouts?
There are truly too many, but I’ll have a go! Arif, Saira, Miz, Kareem, Akash, Sunil, Rameez, Asa, Keith Vaz, Box Mouse, Kochari, Twitch, Blind Prophet, Gnome, Macabre Unit, Demon, N-Dread, A-List, Fused Forces, Rob Sparx, Roqqert, Dee Ellington, Quantax, Blynk, Gantz, De Main, dfaultuzer, Pledge, Paleman, Kiev, Numa Crew, John Maveric, Pulsar, Sykes, J-One, Phrex, Pressa, De Real, Triggy, Netrik, Badhair, Module, Basic A, Whyrez, Eamon, Ollie P, Hudson, Mike Ball, Matt Bredikis and all the other writers that are part of the upcoming website. The SUSUDjsoc, Guro, Nicky J, Keem, Taz & Moe at Phoenix, easily the best pressing plant in the world. I think that’s about it! Sorry if I forgot ya!
Seizure’s mix is another one that we are extremely proud to have in the series, so make sure you get this on your system! Check out Seizure on Twitter, Facebook and Soundcloud.
Track list:
1. Arge Numa Crew – Feeling Macaco VIP [orthcoming White Peach Records]
2. DJ Crazy – I Need You (Breach Remix) [Dirty Bird Records]
3. Ill Blue – Meltdown [Numbers Records]
4. Breach – Fatherless [PTN Records]
5. Champion – Motherboard [Hardrive Records]
6. Champion ft. Ruby Lee Ryder – Sensitivity [Fomula Records]
7. Mosca – Done Me Wrong [Numbers Records]
8. Champion – Lighter VIP [Formula Records]
9. Mosca – Bax [Numbers Records]
10. Redlight – Stupid Feat Roses Gabor [Digital Soundboy Records]
11. GoldFFinch – Point Of Entry [877 Records]
12. Seizure – Business (Crusty dubplate) [forthcoming Bass Taste Record]
13. Mz Bratt – Selecta [Hardrive Records]
14. Lapo Numa Crew - Infama Feat. Ninjaz & Charlie Dakilo [forthcoming White Peach Records]
15. Headhunter – Futurebound [Tempa Records]
16. Rob Sparx – Broke Feat Roqqert [Fent Plates Records]
17. Asa – Leave The Light On (Stumbleine remix) [Fent Plates Records]
18. Eddie K – Starlight [Hench Records]
19. Rob Sparx – Try To Remember Feat Dee Ellington [Fent Plates Records]
20. Lung & Maxx Roach – Booty Call [Deadplate Records]
21. Seizure – Khaali – Very Old Crusty Dubplate 2008 [forthcoming Bass Taste Records]
22. Botz Numa Crew - Nobody Can Stop Us [forthcoming White Peach Records]
23. Phalaeh – In The Twilight [Afterglo Records]
Let us know what you think of Seizure’s mix and interview via Twitter or Facebook.
Lara
