Muffler
Muffler has been involved in the dance music for over a decade, starting back in 2000 with drum 'n bass anthems "Somber / Fury" on legendary Urban Takeover. He is one of the few producers who have had releases on almost all top drum 'n bass labels including Hospital Records, Moving Shadow, Spearhead Records, DSCI4, Commercial Suicide, Frequency / Ram Records, Urban Takeover, SubHuman, SighCo Recordings and Unique Music Records. We talk to him to find out more...
Q1) Can you go back to when you started, what year and how you got into dnb?
A) Back in 1994 I purchased two jungle compilations Jungle Mania and Jungle Hits, that’s when I first heard tracks like Shy FX - Original Nuttah and M Beat - Incredible and got hooked!
Q2) What got you into production?
A) My older brother was doing music on Commodore 64 and Amiga computers at my childhood home and I found it very interesting and wanted to give it a go myself too.
Q3) What aspects about djing do you love the most?
A) When I can play a set that covers all styles of drum ’n bass and take the crowd on a proper journey!
Q4) What have been your biggest releases to date?
A) Dribble on Hospital
Iron Tune on SighCo Recordings, oldskool 2005 stuff
Q5) What's been your favourite track?
A) Right now maybe track called “November” from my new album “Composer”.
Q6) You lead a minimalism lifestyle, can you tell us more about yourself and that?
A) I used to have more stuff, more music gear and more everything, now I’m downsizing everything and feel much happier not owning so much unnecessary stuff.
Q7) What three things are fascinating to you?
A) Music, people, culture.
Q8) Festivals or clubs?
A) Both!
Q9) You have been established now for many years, what keeps you going when so many fade away?
A) Writing and performing music has always been a passion to me, there’s always something new to learn, you are never ready and know it all, I find it inspiring when you hear new producers coming with new production techniques and fresh ideas and hopefully I’m also contributing with something relevant to the scene with my new music.
Q10) To those that may feel that it's difficult in the music industry, what advice would you give?
A) It is difficult and there’s no guarantee that you will have any success. Nobody owes you anything in music industry, it really comes down to people who listen to music, if they find your music interesting or not. Ofcourse it helps if you can get your music out on big label that already has a fanbase.
Q11) Tell us about your music labels.
A) I now have two, Unique Music Records and Muffler Music. Muffler Music is for my own productions and on Unique Music Records I hope to release music from other artists in the future.
Q12) What are your goals now for 2019 and beyond?
A) Make more music and DJ gigs! Maybe another album, but first some singles / EPs.
Q13) Any favourite TV shows or radio programmes?
A) TV: Modern Family
Radio: DJ Dizzy on Bassoradio
Q14) What top 3 producers would you say are your favourite and why?
A) Pendulum - game changers when it comes to production quality.
Benny L - fresh new approach to mixdowns.
Serum - making oldskool vibes sounding relevant again.
Q15) If you were stuck on a desert island and you could choose one track to take with you, what would you take and why?
A) Ludovico Einaudi - Una Mattina .. timeless piece of fine piano music!
Q16) If I gave you £10,000 what would you do with it and why?
A) I would give it to charity.
Q17) Thanks for your time, any shouts and thanks?
A) Thank you! Big up to everyone that’s been supporting me on my way!
Thank you, and all the best for 2019 and beyond.
Interview by Missrepresent January 2019.
