Getting down with DOWNLINK

Downlink: One of the most respected Dubstep artists in the world and resident of my original neck of the woods, BC Canada! We were lucky enough to get a few of our burning questions answered by the man himself...who even managed to slip us an exclusive bootleg! Hear it first on Dubstep Democracy and check out one of the greatest new talents on the Dub scene...

To read a 2012 interview click HERE 

Q. How do you the UK and European as opposed to North America in terms of the dubstep crowd?

A. I haven't been to the UK or Europe yet, so I can't really comment on how the crowd varies from the crowd over here. I plan on heading over for some shows probably in the fall though so I will find out soon enough if they are just as amped and crazy as ours.

Q. Tell us about your software... what programs and pluggins have you been using?

A.I work mainly in Logic, though I often rewire Reason in for certain things. As far as plugins go I use quite a few. For synths Massive has got to be my favorite. I love the way it sits in a mix and the interface allows me to get the sound I'm after pretty easily. Other synths I like are Sylenth, Vanguard and all the Rob Papen stuff. For processing I use lots of the Logic built in stuff and also Sonnox and Waves plugins. Camelphat is great too.

Q. There's been some massive dubstep tracks coming out of BC, what is it about the water out there that makes such good producers?

A. Hahahaa!!! Nobody can say for sure. The scene is really healthy out here and I think our distance from the UK could perhaps be giving us a different perspective on the things. Rottun Recordings is based here in BC and our crew is pretty focused on being at the forefront of filth. Then again it could just be the the legendary lake monster Ogopogo is said to reside in the very waters that we drink from everyday... Hmm... Monster water? Who can say for sure.

Q. How did you come to be involved with the boys from Rottun Records?

A. I met Datsik online when we were both starting out producing and began talking and trading beats. We collaborated on a track together and remained in contact. Excision runs Rottun Recordings and since he and Datsik lived in the same city they began working together and releasing tracks on Rottun. It wasn't long before Datsik was showing Excision my tunes and he liked what he heard so he signed me up. We all met at a huge festival out here called Shambhala and we got along great. We hung out more after the festival and eventually I just moved to Kelowna as it seemed like the sensible thing to do to further myself along this musical path.

Q. How did you start out making music, what has your journey been like so far and why dubstep?

A. I started dabbling in production with Reason 2. I had been playing dnb/jungle since 2000 and decided it was time to try my hand at production. It was hard at first cuz I would just get stoned and mess around figuring stuff out, making cool sounds and stuff. I really enjoyed learning synthesis and how to program drums and stuff. I eventually took an audio engineering course which was ultimately a waste of money, but it kind of gave me the motivation to take production more seriously. I became disillusioned with producing after dnb hit a bit of a stale phase (in my mind anyhow) and messed around with breaks for a bit. Still, it wasn't until I heard dubstep that I really began to get excited about production again. It had the elements of dnb that I liked, but it was new and fresh with so many unexplored avenues.

Q. What is one thing you'd change about the electronic music scene?

A. I wouldn't really change anything but if I had to pick something I guess less drugs would be nice. Less egos and shitheads within the community would be nice too. I don't like the snobbery and attitidue that I see developing between the different subgenres in the scene. Take it easy bro! You know?

Q. What is one artist or group, dead or alive, that you'd give anything to see live?

A. That's easy. Nirvana.

Q. most memorable djing experience?

A. Hard to say really. My favorite moments in sets are when I drop my tracks and people just go absolutely bonkers. Makes me smile every time.

Q. you favorite 5 bangers...

Liquid Stranger - Ripple

Excision & Subvert - Rude Symphony

Numbernin6 - Hunt You Down

Downlink - Containment Failure

Downlink & Excision - Heavy Artillery

Q. and finally. Whats next for Downlink?

A. I have an EP for Rottun on the go. Also collaborations with Excision due out soon. Collaborations with Datsik in the works. There is a constant flow of new material coming out of the lab and I am excited for the future. I am eagerly awaiting a work VISA for the USA so that I can head south and drop bombs. A UK tour is tentatively scheduled for late September, so your ears to the ground. Visit - www.myspace.com/downlinkdub Support me by buying my music and not stealing it. www.beatport.com has most of it.

Peace n Dub

-Downlink

Also Downlink has been nice enough to give up an exclusive bootleg

check it out HERE