JDNB Interview: Konquest

Konquest needs no introduction if you are into your neurofunk. With release's on C4C Recordings, Eatbrain, Bad Taste Recordings and most recently Evolution Chamber alongside Volatile Cycle and Dropset with 'Close Your Eyes'. We thought we would have a quick chat and find out more about the latest release.

Hi and thanks for talking to us here at JDNB.  First of all, introduce yourself and tell us what track got you into drum and bass?

Now that’s a tough question. The track that really got me into the darker side of drum and bass I love was when I heard Konflict - “Messiah” for the first time in a Tech Itch mix.

How have you seen the Neuro scene develop over the years?

Before I was Konquest, I was producing under my alias “Block Dodger” since 2005. So I was around when traditional neuro coined by Ed Rush and Optical was morphing into modern Neurofunk when labels like Lifted and Vision started to appear, And that was a really interesting and exciting time. Today, labels like Evolution Chamber are now taking the reins as the younger generation becomes the older. Watching neuro evolve has been fascinating as no other genre pushes the boundaries of music production in the same way.

What's your go to studio snack?

Ramen, every time.

Your latest track ‘Close Your Eyes’, out now on Evolution Chamber, is a huge epic link up with VC and Dropset. How did you find the process of making the track with the others?

We don’t have set processes, but I am very much a melody, lyrics and intro guy. I set the theme if you will. Obviously in my solo tracks I concentrate more on the dnb side of things. But in this project, I mainly concentrate on the parts I excel at. We all do. That takes the pressure off of all of us. That doesn’t mean we can’t delve into each other's roles. There are no rules here. 

It's not your first time working together as a collective either is it? Guessing you must love working together?

As I touched on a little before. I think that working to our strengths makes working together a really easy stress free process that produces great music with very little tension. Ultimately the best music is made through good vibes. I guess that’s why we make good music. 

I hear there may be an alias in the pipeline?

Well, obviously we have thought about it. It’s a big risk and would take a lot of dedication to a new project. Volatile Cycle and myself have actually done it once before with our good friend Barbarix, but we ended parting ways (on great terms).  We understand the delicate balance of 4 musicians under one name and its challenges. Definitely not ruling it out.

What advice would you give to any aspiring producers that are looking to get their tracks heard by labels?

Number one, learn to take rejection. Not everyone is going to love your music. Even the most talented producers on the planet get rejected. So not giving up, or getting disheartened by others opinions, is absolutely essential. Know your value and stay focused on your goals. If I’ve got this far, then so can you. 

What are your Top 3 Evolution Chamber tracks?

In no order:

Magnetude: Falling

Ekwols: Nervous

Skrimor: Boogie Woogie

What can we expect from you in the future, any more releases on Evolution Chamber?

Of course, you can expect more from me and the boys and also the solo stuff we are all working on individually.

Thanks so much for your time, lastly any thanks or shout outs?

I just wanna give a shout out to all the guys at Evolution Chamber.. But specially James, from Magnetude. We’ve been friends for 15 years and watched each other's careers grow from nothing to who we are now. James is an asset to the scene and contributes a lot of positivity towards the future of neurofunk.

'Close Your Eyes' by Volatile Cycle, Dropset & Konquest is out now on Evolution Chamber: Download / Stream Here

Konquest Socials:

Facebook / Soundcloud / Instagram

Evolution Chamber Socials:

Facebook / Souncloud / Instagram

Interviewed And Edited By: Chilla

Published: 05/06/2024