MakeItGood x FatKidOnFire #110 - Reamz

Last week saw MakeItGood x FatKidOnFire #109 go live with a wicked 128-140bpm vinyl-only mix from Fent Plates label boss man Seizure, and today sees us sit down with Bacon Dubs’ Reamz…

[Photo by Rewire Oxford]

Who is Reamz?

I am an 18 year old producer from Oxfordshire, UK.

What got you into mixing and producing dubstep? What’s your style - big, dark basslines or as filthy as possible?

I started out using software to record my old band; not really having any idea what I was doing (just messing around trying to make it sound good). I eventually discovered dubstep through a friend so decided to branch out a little and try to produce some. At this time I was using FL Studio with no idea what anything did, I didn’t even know EQ and compression existed! Luckily my friend who introduced me to the music was a producer as well and he helped me out a lot. I produce 140 bass music in whatever style I’m feeling most at the time.

What software do you use to produce your tracks?

I started on FL but now use Logic Pro 8.

Turntables or CDJs?

Will always be mainly vinyl for me. There is an amazing feeling about owning a record and playing it. CDs just don’t compare. However, it’s nice being able to play out unreleased music without spending 40 quid getting each track cut. The mix I recorded [for MakeItGood x FatKidOnFire] was completely CD though as I wanted to showcase the music rather than the mixing.

How long have you producing and DJing?

Probably been producing about a year and a half/2 years now. Been DJing for little over a year.

What’s been your best gig and if you could DJ alongside anyone, who would it be?

The best gig I have ever been to was the most recent GetDarker night at Cable. The RC1 soundsystem they had was unreal and the whole room was vibes all night. No topless, traffic cone-wearing, neon painted c**t getting in my way. Best gig I have played would have to be Ukraine a month or so back. The vibes in that club were awesome. People really seemed to be feeling the music. If I could DJ alongside anyone it would probably be either Youngsta (purely to watch him mix) or Biome (to hear all his dubs). Would have to be on a boat party at Outlook as well.

Who are your top 5 dubstep producers at the moment; and why?

1. Biome - This man is killing everything. Haven’t heard a single tune of his that I don’t like
2. Truth - The amount of tunes these boys churn out is insane!
3. Perverse - Really fresh new take on the sound and they’re really nice guys (Churrrr)
4. Kryptic Minds - Will always be in my top 5
5. Cauze - Seriously, watch out for this boy.

So many great guys to choose from. The amount of talent around at the moment is insane!

What’s the future of dubstep - where do you see the genre going?

I think the scene is actually in a really good place at the moment. As I said, there are so many new artists emerging who are all really pushing the true sound of dubstep. I don’t think dubstep will ever be represented properly on a commercial scale but I don’t see that as a bad thing. Nothing will beat a room of 10 heads vibing to the music.

Any forthcoming releases we can look forward to?

Nothing announced for now. But my new E.P ‘Fear’ has only just come out so go cop that if your feeling it. I am also in talks with a few labels atm but that’s all secret. Follow me on Twitter or SoundCloud to keep up to date.

Have you got any advice to upcoming DJs/ Producers?

The most important thing I would say is be completely honest with yourself about your tracks. If you don’t like how it sounds don’t send it out. Doing so will just give yourself a bad name. But once you are happy with them, send them to everyone. You never know who might like it and what connections they might have.

Any shoutouts?

I would just like to say a big shoutout to the following artists: Sparxy, Skriptah, Hiloxam and everyone else from the Bacon Dubs Crew. Perverse, Compa, Widowmaker, Content, Collision, Formless, Scalade, Occult, Percept, DRTY, Cyntel and everyone that has helped and supported me in anyway. Big up to all!

Reamz’ mix for MakeItGood and FatKidOnFire features a solid selection of dubs from the some of the best up and comers producing the deep and dark sounds. Hit Brad up on Twitter or SoundCloud to let him know if you’re feeling the mix!

Click to DOWNLOAD

Track list:

1. Facta - Surface Tension 
2. Reamz - Fear VIP 
3. Pheral - Untitled 
4. Reamz - Engage 
5. Skriptah - Dark Animal 
6. Alias - Boggart (Reamz remix) 
7. Gantz - Cave Dance 
8. DJ Madd - The Life You Chose 
9. Reamz - Dimension 
10. Kbeatz & Cauze - Nightmares 
11. Reamz - Dusk (Widowmaker remix) 
12. Sparxy - Full Throttle (Reamz remix) 
13. Tallan - East 
14. Reamz - Colony

Let us know what you think of Reamz’s mix and interview via Twitter or Facebook.

Lara

MakeItGood x Bacon Dubs - Sparxy’s April Mix

It’s been a fair few months since Sparxy stepped up and gave us a mix (Christmas I think?) so today sees us release his latest mix for MakeItGood, and this one’s weighty! For those of you who don’t know, Sparxy is our resident DJ, and also runs Dubstep label Bacon Dubs. Click the link below to download his mix, and make sure you follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Soundcloud. 

MakeItGood x Bacon Dubs - Sparxy’s April Mix 2012

Tracklist:

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.

1. 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!
2. Lando Kal – been rinsing his ‘Rhythm’ remix lately, just cannot get enough of his sounds!
3. 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!
4. Corporal F – Adam’s got some awesome sounds and tricks up all his sleeves, he’s constantly sending over ideas and inspiring me!
5. 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

[Special] MakeItGood x Bacon Dubs Xmas Mix