JDNB Interview: Innerground Records
Fresh off a release from Fluidity and with artists like Marky & S.P.Y, Drumsound & Bassline Smith on the roster we catch up with Eugene to see whats cooking over at Innerground music.
Hi Eugene thank you for Taking Time to Chat With us here at JDNB.
Thanks for having me.
With the label hitting 20 next year please tell us where it all started.
While I’ve only been with the label for just over 2 years, the history of the label is obviously vast. It really all started with (DJ) Marky and XRS, who took the label on in earnest with Oliver Brown and Edo van Duijn. Although it was officially founded in 2003, it had been in the works since the late 90’s. XRS managed to get his hands on a dubplate pressing machine that was extremely rare at the time, and was able to press out the first few dubplates that were handed from DJ to DJ. And the rest is history!
What was the main ethos of the label back then?
I think Marky was bringing his energy to the UK in a way that no other D&B producer or DJ had done before. The ethos of Innerground has always been pioneering the best Brazilian-esque ‘sunshine D&B’ that Marky has become synonymous with. This was the early beginnings of Innerground’s sound, a sound that has continually reverberated throughout the label’s history. Everything has grown from there.
What Tracks and producers would you say were the main driving force for the label back then?
The main driving force of the label back then were (DJ) Marky and XRS. When Marky & XRS featured on ‘The Brasil EP’ on V-Recordings in 2001, this was one of the first times they had been heard as a duo together worldwide. Then later on, LK (feat. Stamina MC) really launched Marky and XRS’ names globally as it was such a huge hit. This led to the first official Innerground release, In Rotation (INN003CD), which was a groundbreaking album in the scene.
What are your top 3 tracks on the label from back then?
DJ Marky & XRS - Breeze (feat. Cleveland Watkiss)
DJ Marky & Bungle - No Time 2 Love
DJ Marky & Bungle - 25th Floor (VIP Edit)
What would you say have been the labels 3 biggest achievements so far?
The first one that springs to mind is reaching our 100th release in November of last year, Innerground 100. It was a really special milestone for the label and testament to its endurance over the years. Secondly, Innerground 100 going to #1 on the Beatport Top 100 D&B Albums Chart was a massive achievement, one that we are still very proud of. Another notable achievement was our collaboration with Serato, where DJ Marky & Makoto created the ‘Serato Control Tone’ vinyl. This was a breakthrough in vinyl technology at the time; allowing DJs to load a song onto a vinyl within the Serato software, and play the song as if it were imprinted on the vinyl. There are a few other achievements that come to mind like some syncs to games like FIFA Street, but those are the main ones.
I hear you have a release from Melinki & D’cypher coming up on the 6th of May, would you like to tell us about the release.
Yes! Following on from their huge collaboration track on Innerground 100, Melinki & D'cypher are back at Innerground with two more sensational floor fillers 'Down Down Down' and 'I Should'. Enchanting vocals and dark breaks make this a Single you’ll want to keep on loop.
Both accomplished producers in their own right, Melinki & D'cypher are guaranteed to bring something special to the table whenever they collaborate - check it out on Beatport exclusively until the official release on Friday 6th May!
Pre order: Beatport
Do you have any tips for any budding producers on signing with a label like yourselfs?
I think to paraphrase a past Marky interview - ‘be yourself’. Try not to copy others, as you may end up blending in with the myriad of other tracks out there. Stay true to your sound, and believe in it - that’s what will make you stand out.
Is the label taking submissions for new track and if so where should artist's send them too?
Yes! We listen to all submissions - link is: Demos
What else should we expect to see from the label going forward?
We have a lot of exciting projects in the pipeline. Expect releases from Quadrant, Iris, Colette Warren, Trex, along with our 20 year anniversary & more..
What are the top 5 best selling Innerground music tracks?
DJ Marky & S.P.Y. - Mystic Sunset
DJ Marky - Silly
DJ Marky & Bungle - No Time 2 Love
DJ Marky & S.P.Y. - Yellow Shoes
Drumsound & Bassline Smith - Sanctuary 93
What would you say you like most about the www.jungledrumandbass.co.uk website?
I really enjoy your Heavyweight Boxers & Shadow Boxers series, it’s a great way of discovering upcoming artists and new tracks.
Thanks for your time. Lastly, any thank's or shoutout's?
Massive thanks for having me, and big shouts to Marky, Oliver, Sonny and Luke. Check out Melinki & D’cypher’s brilliant new Single - ‘Down Down Down / I Should’, out now exclusively on Beatport. It’s currently in the Top 10 of the Beatport Top 100 Drum & Bass Releases, so go show it some love!
Innerground Socials:
Soundcloud / Facebook / Twitter
Interview conducted and posted by Danny Jenk
