JDNB Interview - DJ Zent and Dreambassuk Records Launch
JDNB Interview - DJ Zent and Dreambassuk Records Launch.
At JDNB we bring you the latest freshest news and Dreambass Records is being launched, it has some exciting releases coming up so we are bringing you the latest!
Hey! How have you been and how's things with you in Purley, South London right?
Not too bad Thank you. Actually will be moving up to Manchester sometime this year. Will always love the South but fancied a change up!
Thanks for taking time to talk to me. We love your releases and I love seeing your name pop up in my inbox, you're always keeping it moving! Tell us how you keep yourself motivated?
Well quite simply for the love of drum and bass :) In a bit more detail I have had a passion for sound all my life and in the last four years decided to go full steam ahead into production and djing. I Just love playing music to people and poducing music that people can enjoy.
So keeping things moving, you're launching your own new record label right? Tell us about that and your relationship with James Curtis.
I met James a couple of years ago and we started to bump into each other more frequently. We both quickly realised that we could see our selves working together. I had planned to eventually start my own label and James had the brand already as he has been running a successful events promotion brand for a long time. So we decided to partner up and go for it.
So how exactly are you going to be different?
I'm glad you asked. Well we are going to give our releases the love and attention they deserve and will only be releasing top quality music every 6 weeks for our first year. We have a great team behind us who will be handling art, graphics, videos, marketing and promotion and we also have a dedicated team who will be ensuring quality control of demos approved and final audio mastering will all be done in house. We are also going to make sure we have an even split between headliners, up and coming and breakthrough artist releases as we feel its our duty as artists starting from the lower ranks ourselves.
What styles of dnb are you looking to release?
We are focussing on the grittier side of things. Expect gritty, techy and dark jungle vibes.
Now when people say jungle....... are you releasing proper jungle? ;)
We will definetly be releasing some more original jungle style e.ps. But that will not be our whole focus. When is the first release and tell us all about that. So our first release is on the 15.04.22 and all I can say is its from a Bristol based producer.
Do you have a 3 month or 6 month release schedule? Who's lined up?
Yes we have the entire year lined up. Right I have to drop a few names now dont I! Right, Falco is a wicked Dutch producer, Jayline no introduction needed and of course myself are amongst some of the artists for this years schedule.
That's wicked! Can't wait. So tell us about what's going on in your own personal world?
Ooh. Well over the last five years i've transitioned over from my party days to my healthy days. It has been quite the journey and thankfully i've been on the journey with my wonderful wife Ellle. And as previously mentioned we are moving up to Manchester for a fresh change and another chapter.
Big up Elle. There's a lot to be said for happiness and health! I saw your big release on Co-Lab with my good friends Jim & Benny... that's big bet you're so happy?
Yes was over the moon for sure it actually got signed ate 2019 so was itching for to be released. Gave me a good reassurance and grounding that what Im doing is good, as Im sure your agree the journey of production can be an emotional rollercoaster :)
Haha yes! Don't you know! And are you still mastering? Are you planning on mastering for the label?
Yes I am building up a nice amount of masterting clients now and also have some international clients through fiverr which I master other genres. I also have a humble amount of students which I teach electronic and dnb production which I absolutely love and feel honoured to be able to do. Yes I will be Mastering all music releases bar a few artists. I have some on hand top producers who will also be my mastering quality control.
So about James, tell us about the events and promotions company.
So James runs Dreambassuk Promotions and he is a very efficient person and like myself has a eye for detail. He has had some big names in his events, King Yoof, Ragga Twins, Brockie and Det and has a sick bunch of residents; Dj Uniques, D-Zire, Buzz-b, Swift, M.R.D, Mc petite, T-flex, Mc Murda, Mc Samariton, Turbo man to name a few. He also works with other brands on Co-lab events which is the way. Things are going for medium sized brands nowadays!
Nice one, some good freinds of mine in that list! And your favourite jungle tunes?
I'd have to go for the obvious Incredible lols. But yeah anything from Aries, Jinx, The OG’s Topcat, rebel mc also K jah, Leaf, J-select.
Sad news about Skiba these last weeks.... I think we are all in shock and so sad. Any words of condolence?
Yes of course massive loss and condolences to all his loved ones and nearest and dearest. He was an iconic pillar in the scene, innovator, trend setting Original Don from Day Dot. I think it shook everyone up people that didnt even know him its almost like we all knew him anyways right. Yeah very sad news for drum & bass.
So if you were to plan your perfect line up... who would it be, where and why?
Oh wow. Zent b2b Hazard is the dream, Taxman, Kings of the Rollers, Current Value, Brockie and of course if it were possible to have SASAS together. Then Camo & Krooked, Particle, Klinical, Waey Buunshin. Mcs Inja, Shotta, Evil B , Azza & Grima, Shabba, Det. On A Thai Beach island in the middle of nowhere just to make it even more perfect.
Do you like MC's on your events and who are your favs?
Yes I love Mcs they bring the vibe and we bring the fire without the two at an event something is missing. There is a time and a place for no mc but more than most I think a DJ MC combo is required. Favourite mcs at the mo that I have personally been working with Mc Frost, 1cnko & Mc Stimulator.
Where do you see yourselves in 5 years time?
Hopefully with a more established label and lots of mastering clients and students aswell as a nice number of gigs.
What do you think about the JDNB website?
It’s a great platform and I like how you guys feature free downloads and releases from a lot of up and coming and breakthrough artists you have featured many of mine so I am very grateful.
Where do you go for DNB news?
Hmmmmmm mostly from other people tbh. I spend so much time producing I struggle to keep up with news aswell. But I'm well informed with all the latest goss. Strictly no drama though doesnt interest me in the slightest!
Favourite DAW and VST’s?
Well I'm a logic man have nothing tosay about any other daws to me they are tools to make tracks. If people knew what DAWs some top producers have used to create tracks they would be shocked. VSTs. I mean Serums the go to but I still love the classics like Massive and I'm big on resampling which I use Kontakt alot.
If you could get one artist on your forthcoming rosta to remix one of the tunes coming out on your label, who would it be and why?
Taxman without a doubt. I've followed his style since I used to buy vinyls as a kid and for me his production is where I want to be going with mine.
Any favourite quotes and sayings?
There is no replays! Well, I love hearing your news and watching your journey, thanks for coming to have a catch up with us and we can't wait for the The Remixes by Teej on Dreambass Records! https://soundcloud.com/dreambassukrecords/dj-zent-johnny-relax-teej-remi... https://soundcloud.com/dreambassukrecords/dj-zent-wills-myth-teej-remix-...
Best wishes and all the best for the future.
Interview by Missrepresent April 2022
