JDNB Interview - Classifyed
First of all, thanks for taking the time out to talk with us. Tell us a little about what you've been up to?
Music wise, I've been really busy in the studio, working on my tracks, building up the studio gear, working on the new label as well as finishing some upcoming projects for a few other labels that I have been working with (Natty Dub Recordings, Sub Heavy Audio) to name a couple. I have not long had a baby boy with my partner Jess, so I am flat out all of the time trying to juggle everything! But I wouldn't have it any other way!
Where did your musical journey begin?
I've always loved music, and I've always loved Jungle / DNB, although I was more into grime in my early teens. I bought my first pair of soundlab belt drives to try and get into DJing (they were hard work lol). But as I got into my late teens the love for Jungle/DNB just grew and grew and knew it was something that I wanted to be apart of!
Talk a little about your influences?
I've had so many influences over the years and not just from a music perspective, but each and everyone of them has helped me in some way to get me to where I am today and for that I'm truly greatful.
We've heard you've spent time learning your production craft from Heist! How was that?
Heist definitely knows his stuff! He's a great person to learn from, especially when you're just starting out to give you the direction you need to find your own path and style. I also have to big up Saxxon as he showed me a lot of stuff in such a short space of time that really helped my production come on leaps and bounds! Can't forget Sam (aka Cabin Fever) as he is always on point with his advice on mixdowns to get them sounding on point!
Classifyed has recently started his own imprint 'Twist Recordings' How's that going for you?
To be fair right now we are just having fun with it and seeing where it takes us. We have put a lot of work in behind the scenes, and have had some great producers on already, we also have a lot of sick artists ready for next year so keep your eyes and ears peeled!
Who do you have signed on so far?
We have had Damageman, J.O.E and myself, we have an E.P coming out from Slix after mine (so theres a little exclusive) and at the start of next year we've managed to bag 2 killer tracks from an absolutly sick producer that I'm sure everyone knows (unless you've been living under a rock) but thats all I can say on that one so far!
Classifyed's brand new EP 'Straight From The Underground' drops on Twist Recordings this December, and we're really feeling these ones!
Pre-Order / Buy Here
Let's talk studio
Top 3 plug-ins?
Hard to pick just 3, I have to say the Slate Digital plug-ins are wicked and love the vibe they give! The Sound Toys Effect Rack is too sick also and I couldn't go without Wavesfactory Trackspacer!
Top 3 pieces of analogue gear?
This is an easy one. The SSL Big Six mixing desk, it sounds sweet as! and is a lot of fun to mix your tracks down on, it has a few tricks up its sleeve that I love to mess around with. Then it would have to be the Looptrotter Monster 2, it sounds so sick on anything from drum breaks to basslines, it just has that dirty sound and quality thats perfect for Drum and Bass in my opinion! Then it has to be the Culture Vulture, theres so much weight and grit which makes it sounds amazing!
Your top tips for the budding producers out there?
Take the time to learn your craft, there are no shortcuts and you really do have to put the work in. Search for and find tips from established aritsts so you know you're getting solid advice, then use that to create your own way of doing things, and develop your own style.
Where can we catch you performing next?
I'm having a little break in December for some family time, but the diary is filling up for next year already, you can catch my in Bristol, London, Swindon, Exeter and all over the South West!
Any upcoming projects we should be on the look out for?
Yes! I have another E.P due out on Natty Dub at some point next year, also another E.P for Sub Heavy Audio as well as my own label Twist, and will be looking at some other labels too. Keep an eye out for some colabs I'll be doing with some wicked producers and there may be a little remix I'm doing for a certain label and a certain artist that I can't wait to let people know about! But I have to stay quiet on that one for now, just know that its going be a big one!
Dream collaboration?
I'd love to work with Break! The guy just doesn't miss! I dont think I have ever heard anything bad from that him, everything he makes is just too sick!
What would you say you like most about the JDNB website?
I love the fact that JDNB are always pushing the freshest and the best music this scene has to offer!
Lastly thanks for taking the time to chat with us, any shout outs or dedications?
First and foremost I want to shout out my partner Jess for always helping me (and for putting up with me for all the time i spend in the studio ha!) She is the Twist Recordings Assistant Manager, and she's been doing a such a sick job with her amazing write ups! Also have to shout out Twist Recordings Co-Ower Daz aka Murka MC, without him there would be no Twist Recordings. The team is strong and we have some great ideas ready for next year so keep an eye out for the releases, the mechandise coming soon, and there may be our own label night in the works, so watch this space!
Classifyed:
Juno / Beatport / Soundcloud
Twist Recordings:
Interview and edits by DJ Onit
