Squash Interview | Drum and Bass
New Drum and Bass talent for 2009 in the form of Squash, his tracks have been played on Radio 1 and 1xtra gaining him some well deserved exposure. Find out about how he came up with his name, his history and future plans in nerdbanite.com’s Q&A.
Q&A with Squash
You were brought to our attention by being one of the first artists to be releasing material on the forthcoming Intrigue Music label. Can you tell us how you got involved with Intrigue?
I have DJ Stunna to thank for that. He was playing a tune of mine called ‘P Style’ at a party and Ben (The Insiders) basically contacted me after hearing it. He told me he was starting a label and that he wanted to sign the tune and I happily said yes. It’s very cool to be on a fresh, new label that is pushing artists that I really look up to.
Where did the name Squash come from?
I had to change my Myspace url for some reason or another, and thought “what rhymes with Josh?” and bam! Squash it is.
How long have you been producing music for?
I’ve been tinkering for fun for about four years now but making D&B for about two. Before it was more of a hobby but now it’s an everyday occupation.
What got you into it?
I come from a musical background, so it is something that has always been a part of my life. I have loved the sound and the energy of Jungle/D&B since the first time I heard it about 6 years ago. I use to dabble with making breaks tracks when I was younger but I got into other stuff and sort of forgot about music for a little while. Then about two and a half years back I stumbled across D&B again during a time when I was very sick. Because of my illness I had a lot of free time on my hands (I couldn’t attend college) so after discovering DJ Zincs podcast I was fired up to try and make some of my own tunes!
What’s your production set-up like? Are you working strictly with software?
Currently, I am running logic 7 on a Mac with various plug ins, Mackie hr 824 monitors and I occasionally turn on my micro Korg!
So you are working for hours straight on music, what is your snack of choice that keeps you going?
Most of the time I just forget to eat! I think left to my own devices I’d probably studio myself to death.
Last year saw you release a couple of tunes, what releases do you have forthcoming? Are there plans to release an album?
I have a single coming out on Diverse Products called ‘Black Boar Jungle’ which DJ Bailey has been caning on his show over the last few months. Me and Brother made a tune called ‘Brain Train’, which is coming out on an EP on Influence records at some point this year. I’m hoping to sign some more stuff to Bios Records and I have also been working on a whole batch of new things, which I’m pretty excited about! I actually had an offer to do an album project but I am having fun writing whatever tunes I want at the moment. I’d definitely like to establish my self as much as possible before even thinking about doing an LP.
Your tracks have been played on Radio 1 and 1xtra, how did it make you feel when you heard them being played on such big radio stations? Did you know beforehand or was it a nice surprise?
Sometimes it’s been a surprise and other times I have known. For instance, if a DJ asks you to do a VIP mix for them you can usually count on them playing it! It’s great to get support on the radio and just in general to have people playing your music is a huge source of motivation and inspiration.
Would you be interested in collaborating with any other producers or artists out there?
Yes, definitely, there are a lot of people I’d like to work with at some point and I love getting in the studio with others. The main problem though is finding the time!
What genres of music and artists have influenced you most, in and out of Drum and Bass?
Within Drum and Bass there is a lot of people that have had a direct influence on my tunes, even too much sometimes! This is something I am really trying to move away from. I have listened to so much Drum and Bass over the last couple of years, it’s only recently that I am starting to phase out of it rediscovering artists that I use to get very excited about, like Plump DJs for instance.
What are your top 3 albums outside of Drum and Bass?
Radiohead – Pretty much any of there albums
Cinematic Orchestra – Everyday & Ma Fleur
Röyksopp – Melody A.M.
What are your plans for the coming year?
Just to keep writing tunes, start the DJing thing and remember to eat a bit more!
Tell us about some other talents you have that might surprise people:
I play drums in a thrash metal band and have been doing graffiti for about 8 years.
Forthcoming Releases
Squash – “P Style”
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Hiten Feat. Squash – “Levitation”
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