**FUTZIE NUTZLE Interviews FISH FINGER About DUBSTEP**
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 11:26 pm
F.N. - What is Dubstep?
F.F. - Dubstep is a genre of music that emerged from the same underground that embraced the early U.K. Garage, Hardcore & Jungle. It's roots and influences are the same. Dub, Reggae, Hip Hop, Jungle, Drum & Bass, Breaks, House, & Trance.
Most tunes are produced between 135-145BPM(Beats Per Minute) and are driven by the drums, subbass, and an overlayed bass with L.F.O.(Low Frequency Oscillation) used to create a wobble effect. This isn't true of all tunes but its used quite a bit, so its worth mentioning. Reverb and Delay are used to create space in the tunes which I think is one of the more important factors.
I'm usually pretty bad at describing these things technically so I hope that made sense.
F.N. - Where did the genre originate?
F.F. - England definately, argueably Bristol & London from my understanding, haha.
F.N. - What year?
F.F. - I think I read somewhere that there were Garage & 2-Step tunes being remixed in the typical Dubstep half time rythm as early as 1999, and then it caught on by late 2002.
I've been listening to electronica for a long time and there are tunes that would have been considered Dubstep in the early '90's if the term were around at that point. Instead they were coined "Downtempo."
F.N. - What direction do you think the genre is headed?
F.F. - In my opinion, the genre will peak and then burn out like most other genres, and only the hardcore will carry on.
I still enjoy making Old School influenced Jungle tunes with the Amen & Apache breaks, so before you ask if i'll be one of the hardcore the answer is yes.
F.N. - Do all genres of music fade away or burn out, and are there future classics being produced?
F.F. - Burn out might be to strong of a term but they definately peak and come down.
In my opinion there have been classics produced like Matty G. - West Coast Rocks(Caspa Remix), MRK1 - Sensi Skank, and The Widdler - Sensi Samurai. There are quite a few others, but yea, any true dubstepper knows these tunes and will consider them classics later.
F.N. - Where do you want to take this music if you have an influence?
F.F. - I can't really say that I want to take it anywhere, because I make music that I like and then the bonus is that some enjoy my work.
Im not a musician so I feel lucky to put tunes together, really. I guess I developed a decent enough ear over the years to get some things done. I have a long way to go.
I do hope that my work is influencial. It's nice to think that what I do might inspire someone.
F.N. - In your mind this genre must have a value. What is it to you?
F.F. - The value is just being involved right now, the recognition will come in due time.
Again, i'll mention the early Jungle scene that I really wished that I would have played more of a role in looking back had I not been so focused on soccer, but that's a whole other story.
Dubstep now is what the Jungle scene was in the early '90's. It's on fire and there are some killer parties and badmon tunes going down. I guess it's peaking, haha, and I'm really glad to be a part of it. I'll be able to look back and say that I missed out on the Jungle but I was neck deep involved in the Dubstep scene.
F.N. - Where is Dubstep most popular now?
F.F. - England of course, and most Western and Eastern European countries have a scene now. Parts of South America, Asia, Japan, Africa, Austrailia and more.
California has a great scene and its growing really fast. San Fran seems to reign supreme now, with L.A. right in there. Santa Cruz is really coming on strong especially over the last year and a half, and the vibes are killer!
Alot of artists are earning a following putting in hard time at the controls pumpin out big tunes from the Golden State.
Antiserum, Ripple, Dubsworth, Babylon System, DJG, Blackheart, Matty G., Djunya, DZ(when he's not in Canada), Eskmo, 6Blocc, Megalodon, NTRLD, etc etc. All of the U.S. artists on my Crossroads Records label are from Cali; Twitchdubz, iWhomp, Experiment1, and The Builder.
Gotta mention the Euro side of the crew, The Occultist, Hardplace, iFa, Stressor, Vee, and Sparc.
Big Up to all those guys for sure!!
F.N. - Big Up? What does that mean?
F.F. - Hmmmmm...Big Up is like saying "much respect, I like your productions, keep it going."
All of those rolled into one, or take one out depending on who your Up'n. At least thats my take, haha.
F.N. - Who are considered the top producers?
F.F. - Well, this is only my opinion.
All of the artists I mentioned above and then there are the more well known artists like Caspa, Rusko, Benga, Skream, Kromestar, Headhunter, Mala, Coki, Boxcutter, Burial, MRK1, etc etc.
F.N. - How does production differ from a band doing an album?
F.F. - Well, in most cases producers are making tunes on their own without having to wait for the "right night" for the band to get together. Most of us are working in home studios on PC or Mac using sofware programs like Reason, Fruity Loops, Logic, and others.
For the most part, when your inspired you turn on and go for it.
Of course there are collaborative tunes and with all the right software and programs its really easy to share files and ideas.
For instance, im in California. Throught the internet I share files with friends in England or the east coast or anywhere for that matter in minutes.
With this, each artist is given the opportunity to choose what & when he or she will produce and there is no time limit. This also allows for an artist to try their own ideas in evolving the tune.
F.N. - How is the genre itself evolving?
F.F. - There are minimal, 2-step, glitch, jump up, hardcore, and other styles but as a whole they all use the same elements and influences.
F.N. - What styles and elements impress you?
F.F. - I really like the tunes that lean more towards Dub and Reggae, but I also like the LFO effected, darker, wobbly tunes. Dubstep is bass heavy, thats probably my favorite aspect. In the right place with the right system bass will take you somewhere you cant experience anywhere else.
F.N. - So, if the music moves you, it's successful?
F.F. - Exactly.......
F.N. - Will Dubstep remain underground or will it go mainstream?
F.F - I know of only 1 well known attempt to go mainstream, and personally I think it failed big time.
I like Chase, Status, and Snoop, but that did now work out too well in my opinion.
F.N. - Do you think that there is a time limit to success?
F.F. - I feel a clock is ticking yes because again, this will peak. However, Dubstep is still a relatively young and open scene, so I just hope I come up with a classic or two before it's all coming down.
F.N. - Let's take a break and then I want to ask a couple more questions about your productions and your DJ experience.
F.F. - Sounds good.
30 MINUTES LATER
F.N. - You touched on production earlier. How do you build a song?
F.F. - It really depends on my mood.
Sometimes im foolin around with some vinyl and I hear something I'd like to try to incorporate into a tune. I might be watching a movie, and I hear something, a T.V. show, a clip online, whatever.
I like searching online for samples and fills and that can inspire tunes. It's sort of like online crate digging, though nothing beats digging through vinyl.
The majority of the time I start with a basic drum track in Reason or Fruity Loops, then look for the bass tones I like. Then I start filling in gaps with hi hats, reverse snares, small sweeps, synths, samples, and so on.
Tunes usually evolve up to the point where im ready to share them with family and friends.
F.N. - How do you share your work?
F.F. - Well, again through the internet via instant messaging, file share sites, and our websites(digital tunes, myspace, virb, etc.)
There is the occasional CD that passes hands, and in the future i'll get vinyl pressed.
Of course the best way to promote is at live shows as the DJ because its the opportunity to see how people react to you & your work.
F.N. - What's the difference between the way you mix and other DJ's?
F.F. - My personal focus is to mix tunes as flawlessly as possible, no matter what setting. I like to blend tunes and play them simultaneously and keep the mix going as long as it sounds right.
F.N. - I appreciate that you blend/combine songs and beats and that you are still using vinyl. Plus I like music that lingers in a groove!
F.F. - I do prefer vinyl and turntables, but I really dont mind using CDJ's. CDJ's are CD/MP3 players that act as a turntable in that they allow you to cue, backspin, scratch, manipulate the pitch control, etc etc.
I've been mixing for 16 years and after a certain point I learned when to drop the next track and when to take one out. As long as there is pitch control im good, it's like riding a bike.
F.N. - Without training wheels?
F.F. - Hahaha, good one.......
F.N. - I'm surprised how much I like this genre of music. It's not an end all be all, but it fits into musical history, even if only as another rung on the ladder.
This music cooks and I like the humor. Thank you for the interview. I'll be listening.
F.F. - Thank you pop, haha. I'm glad you're into it. Here are my links:
http://crossroads.digital-tunes.net/
http://www.myspace.com/crossroadsrecords2009
http://www.myspace.com/smellslikefishfinger
F.F. - Dubstep is a genre of music that emerged from the same underground that embraced the early U.K. Garage, Hardcore & Jungle. It's roots and influences are the same. Dub, Reggae, Hip Hop, Jungle, Drum & Bass, Breaks, House, & Trance.
Most tunes are produced between 135-145BPM(Beats Per Minute) and are driven by the drums, subbass, and an overlayed bass with L.F.O.(Low Frequency Oscillation) used to create a wobble effect. This isn't true of all tunes but its used quite a bit, so its worth mentioning. Reverb and Delay are used to create space in the tunes which I think is one of the more important factors.
I'm usually pretty bad at describing these things technically so I hope that made sense.
F.N. - Where did the genre originate?
F.F. - England definately, argueably Bristol & London from my understanding, haha.
F.N. - What year?
F.F. - I think I read somewhere that there were Garage & 2-Step tunes being remixed in the typical Dubstep half time rythm as early as 1999, and then it caught on by late 2002.
I've been listening to electronica for a long time and there are tunes that would have been considered Dubstep in the early '90's if the term were around at that point. Instead they were coined "Downtempo."
F.N. - What direction do you think the genre is headed?
F.F. - In my opinion, the genre will peak and then burn out like most other genres, and only the hardcore will carry on.
I still enjoy making Old School influenced Jungle tunes with the Amen & Apache breaks, so before you ask if i'll be one of the hardcore the answer is yes.
F.N. - Do all genres of music fade away or burn out, and are there future classics being produced?
F.F. - Burn out might be to strong of a term but they definately peak and come down.
In my opinion there have been classics produced like Matty G. - West Coast Rocks(Caspa Remix), MRK1 - Sensi Skank, and The Widdler - Sensi Samurai. There are quite a few others, but yea, any true dubstepper knows these tunes and will consider them classics later.
F.N. - Where do you want to take this music if you have an influence?
F.F. - I can't really say that I want to take it anywhere, because I make music that I like and then the bonus is that some enjoy my work.
Im not a musician so I feel lucky to put tunes together, really. I guess I developed a decent enough ear over the years to get some things done. I have a long way to go.
I do hope that my work is influencial. It's nice to think that what I do might inspire someone.
F.N. - In your mind this genre must have a value. What is it to you?
F.F. - The value is just being involved right now, the recognition will come in due time.
Again, i'll mention the early Jungle scene that I really wished that I would have played more of a role in looking back had I not been so focused on soccer, but that's a whole other story.
Dubstep now is what the Jungle scene was in the early '90's. It's on fire and there are some killer parties and badmon tunes going down. I guess it's peaking, haha, and I'm really glad to be a part of it. I'll be able to look back and say that I missed out on the Jungle but I was neck deep involved in the Dubstep scene.
F.N. - Where is Dubstep most popular now?
F.F. - England of course, and most Western and Eastern European countries have a scene now. Parts of South America, Asia, Japan, Africa, Austrailia and more.
California has a great scene and its growing really fast. San Fran seems to reign supreme now, with L.A. right in there. Santa Cruz is really coming on strong especially over the last year and a half, and the vibes are killer!
Alot of artists are earning a following putting in hard time at the controls pumpin out big tunes from the Golden State.
Antiserum, Ripple, Dubsworth, Babylon System, DJG, Blackheart, Matty G., Djunya, DZ(when he's not in Canada), Eskmo, 6Blocc, Megalodon, NTRLD, etc etc. All of the U.S. artists on my Crossroads Records label are from Cali; Twitchdubz, iWhomp, Experiment1, and The Builder.
Gotta mention the Euro side of the crew, The Occultist, Hardplace, iFa, Stressor, Vee, and Sparc.
Big Up to all those guys for sure!!
F.N. - Big Up? What does that mean?
F.F. - Hmmmmm...Big Up is like saying "much respect, I like your productions, keep it going."
All of those rolled into one, or take one out depending on who your Up'n. At least thats my take, haha.
F.N. - Who are considered the top producers?
F.F. - Well, this is only my opinion.
All of the artists I mentioned above and then there are the more well known artists like Caspa, Rusko, Benga, Skream, Kromestar, Headhunter, Mala, Coki, Boxcutter, Burial, MRK1, etc etc.
F.N. - How does production differ from a band doing an album?
F.F. - Well, in most cases producers are making tunes on their own without having to wait for the "right night" for the band to get together. Most of us are working in home studios on PC or Mac using sofware programs like Reason, Fruity Loops, Logic, and others.
For the most part, when your inspired you turn on and go for it.
Of course there are collaborative tunes and with all the right software and programs its really easy to share files and ideas.
For instance, im in California. Throught the internet I share files with friends in England or the east coast or anywhere for that matter in minutes.
With this, each artist is given the opportunity to choose what & when he or she will produce and there is no time limit. This also allows for an artist to try their own ideas in evolving the tune.
F.N. - How is the genre itself evolving?
F.F. - There are minimal, 2-step, glitch, jump up, hardcore, and other styles but as a whole they all use the same elements and influences.
F.N. - What styles and elements impress you?
F.F. - I really like the tunes that lean more towards Dub and Reggae, but I also like the LFO effected, darker, wobbly tunes. Dubstep is bass heavy, thats probably my favorite aspect. In the right place with the right system bass will take you somewhere you cant experience anywhere else.
F.N. - So, if the music moves you, it's successful?
F.F. - Exactly.......
F.N. - Will Dubstep remain underground or will it go mainstream?
F.F - I know of only 1 well known attempt to go mainstream, and personally I think it failed big time.
I like Chase, Status, and Snoop, but that did now work out too well in my opinion.
F.N. - Do you think that there is a time limit to success?
F.F. - I feel a clock is ticking yes because again, this will peak. However, Dubstep is still a relatively young and open scene, so I just hope I come up with a classic or two before it's all coming down.
F.N. - Let's take a break and then I want to ask a couple more questions about your productions and your DJ experience.
F.F. - Sounds good.
30 MINUTES LATER
F.N. - You touched on production earlier. How do you build a song?
F.F. - It really depends on my mood.
Sometimes im foolin around with some vinyl and I hear something I'd like to try to incorporate into a tune. I might be watching a movie, and I hear something, a T.V. show, a clip online, whatever.
I like searching online for samples and fills and that can inspire tunes. It's sort of like online crate digging, though nothing beats digging through vinyl.
The majority of the time I start with a basic drum track in Reason or Fruity Loops, then look for the bass tones I like. Then I start filling in gaps with hi hats, reverse snares, small sweeps, synths, samples, and so on.
Tunes usually evolve up to the point where im ready to share them with family and friends.
F.N. - How do you share your work?
F.F. - Well, again through the internet via instant messaging, file share sites, and our websites(digital tunes, myspace, virb, etc.)
There is the occasional CD that passes hands, and in the future i'll get vinyl pressed.
Of course the best way to promote is at live shows as the DJ because its the opportunity to see how people react to you & your work.
F.N. - What's the difference between the way you mix and other DJ's?
F.F. - My personal focus is to mix tunes as flawlessly as possible, no matter what setting. I like to blend tunes and play them simultaneously and keep the mix going as long as it sounds right.
F.N. - I appreciate that you blend/combine songs and beats and that you are still using vinyl. Plus I like music that lingers in a groove!
F.F. - I do prefer vinyl and turntables, but I really dont mind using CDJ's. CDJ's are CD/MP3 players that act as a turntable in that they allow you to cue, backspin, scratch, manipulate the pitch control, etc etc.
I've been mixing for 16 years and after a certain point I learned when to drop the next track and when to take one out. As long as there is pitch control im good, it's like riding a bike.
F.N. - Without training wheels?
F.F. - Hahaha, good one.......
F.N. - I'm surprised how much I like this genre of music. It's not an end all be all, but it fits into musical history, even if only as another rung on the ladder.
This music cooks and I like the humor. Thank you for the interview. I'll be listening.
F.F. - Thank you pop, haha. I'm glad you're into it. Here are my links:
http://crossroads.digital-tunes.net/
http://www.myspace.com/crossroadsrecords2009
http://www.myspace.com/smellslikefishfinger
