- DC BREAKS ARE COMING BACK DOWN UNDER -

DC Breaks are coming back down under!

The DnB masters are returning for another Aus/NZ tour playing 10 shows in 10 cities.

Biography

Anyone with a passing interest in the busy drum n bass scene have heard of DC Breaks. After all, they are on the verge of taking their popularity to the next level. Over the last two years the duo have become a staple on the global DJ circuit which include multiple festival appearances like the UK's NASS Festival, Arcadia stage at Glastonbury (you know, the fire breathing spider stage), USA's Beyond Wonderland, and Prague’s infamous Let it Roll.

Since signing to Andy C’s Ram Records they’ve carved a reputation for delivering world class remixes for some of the biggest names in pop. Their work on singles by Paloma Faith, Lady Gaga, Lana del Rey, Tinie Tempah and others, and a production for Example (a cut featured on the ‘Playing in the Shadows’ album), have made the world take notice. From their song writing ability to their wide-ranging DJ support, the producers’ output has shone through in playlists across the dance music spectrum. From BBC Radio1’s Annie Mac, to 1xtra’s Mistajam and revered music icon Zane Lowe, they’ve received a plethora of A-list spins.

Their recently released debut album 'Different Breed’ (signed to RAM Records), has been met with huge anticipation from fans and the music media alike, and has gone a long way to cement their reputation as a future scene leader. To celebrate their debut LP release, the duo will head to Australia and New Zealand for their biggest Antipodean tour yet, a 10-date monster which will see them visit all the major cities. 

I was lucky enough to have a little chat with them about their favorite shows, production technique and a few other bit and pieces. Check it out!

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Q. Tell us how crazy it is for you to look back on your journey through music. From the start of your production days to touring the globe and releasing music on the leading record labels. How does it all make you feel?

Oh yeah definitely!  I don’t think we ever even consciously did it either, our progress was quite incremental in the beginning, and then we suddenly looked around us and we’re signing to Ram Records, DJing side by side with the likes of Andy C and High Contrast etc etc…. I guess we still feel amazed by it all, and lucky!

Q. Describe your sound in 3 words... 

Bass, Drums and…

Q. From previous tours around Australia/NZ, is there a specific gig that you are looking forward to the most? 

I think the reason we and many other DJs love touring this part of the world is that all the shows tend to be great and we look forward to each and every one!  If there had to be one which stands out above the rest, then it’s probably Perth - I think we’ve played there more than anywhere else and we’ve played several clubs and festivals so we know it well.  The crowd there are really into bass music.

Q. If you could have ANY set up(equipment wise) that you wanted for your live performances, what would you have? 

It would be great to be able to replay our tracks with a live band of some sort, and actually be able to improvise live the gnarly basslines.  But we still haven’t figured out how to make it work in our heads yet!

Q. Now for the same question we ask every artist, What program and plug-ins are you using to write your tunes? 

We’ve been on Logic since the beginning.  We keep meaning to check out other DAWs but we tend to have too much work on our plates to take the time out!

Our favourite plug ins are probably the Slate Digital stuff for EQs and comps, Fabfilter and Sound Toys for more creative plugs, a few Waves ones, and then Serum and Predator for nasty bass sounds, and the Virus TI for the more lush pads and strings.

Q. If tomorrow was your last day to live, What would your last meal be? (you can have anything you can imagine) 

Roast Beef Forerib, Chianti, Dauphinoise Potatoes and some buttery salty kale

Q. most memorable show you’ve played to date...

Arcadia at Glastonbury 2015, in that enormous spider which shoots fire out of its head.  Yep that one.

Q . If you could see any artist, dead or alive, who would it be? 

Jimi Hendrix

Q. What advice would you give to aspiring artists? 

Always try to find your own sound, something that defines you and seperates you from the crowd.  It could be a certain synth or two, or the way youmix down, your drums etc.

Q. And finally... What's next for DC Breaks? 

We’ve just done the UKF Podcast #96 so check that out, and we have a remix for London Grammar coming very soon.  And then, well, I guess its onto the next album!!

- RENE LAVICE COMES DOWN UNDER -

 It's been a good week for us! Two RAM Records heavy hitters in a week.

This time we catch up with Canadian Drum and Bass producer, Rene LaVice. He hits Australian shores on the 17th of June to kick off his tour of 5 shows.

17th June - HQ Complex - Adelaide

18th June - Bodega - Wellington

19th June - Grumpy's - Melbourne

24th June - Chinese Laundry - Sydney

25th June - Villa Nightclub - Perth

 

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1. Take us back to the beginning... When did you start and how does it feel to be where you are now?

I started in Toronto, Canada. Where I was born and grew up. It feels great. It feels strange in a way too, because after all of the success I've had, I can sense that I'm on the cusp of something even bigger once again. It's not as I pictured it, it's strange, but good.

2. How did you decide to join the Ram records team?

Andy C got in touch with me about the music I had been making. I was releasing on other labels and some of my music was sent to him as well. I was enjoying what I was doing, and Ram wasn't particularly on my radar at the time in terms of a potential home base. I was different and didn't fit the mold, but they were into that. It gave me an opportunity to release my own vinyls and full length albums, those were things I was really excited to do. It was risky signing to small label in the industry climate that I did, but for the most part it worked out and it's been great. It really helped with promoting what I was doing, especially in a scene that often prides it's self on being overly modest about everything. When I asked other people what they thought of the idea I got mixed reactions but it was too unique an opportunity to pass up so I went for it. Sometimes you'll never know until you take the leap.


3. You’re coming back to Aus/NZ this month! What are you most excited for?

Sun. haha! But also just seeing everyone who's there. I've toured OZ/NZ 3 times already, and it's full of really lovely people who have great energy and who are really enjoyable to hang out with. I know the shows are going to be off the chain. It's such an educated audience, I love switching the fader over to the next track and seeing an instant reaction in the crowd, it's thrilling.

4. Tell us about playing gigs in Canada, how does it compare to the rest of the world?

Playing any kind of dance music in Canada, but especially Drum and Bass is wicked. It's got that vibe music like OZ/NZ where Canadians love to have a good time and have fun, but at the same time they know the whole history, even the young ones. It makes for really exciting events that are really diverse, there isn't one singular sound, they're into different artists all the time.

5. Your top 5 tracks to play right now...

off the dome.... Air Force 1 (always), Smooth - Tinnitus, Helium Remix VIP, Culture shock - Steam machine, and this new dubplate I made that I won’t say the name of

6. Talk us through your production set up. What program and plug ins do you like to use?

I'd rather keep it a mystery. I don't think it matters.

7. What do you love most about Drum and Bass?

The way that it allows for uniqueness and real expression. Even the really mind numbing hardcore stuff, it's got a soul to it.

8. If you had to spend the rest of your life in one isle of a super market, what would it be... and why?

The pet accessory or pet food isle because chicks dig guys with dogs

9. If you could see any artist live, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Motorhead. because I loved that band for years, it really inspired me, and I never got the chance. That's going to sound cliché because of how Lemmy's death blew up on social media.... I really didn't understand why that happened. Half the people I saw sharing it didn't know who the fuck he was. There are so many answers for this though, there are a lot that I would see!

10. And finally... What’s next for Rene Lavice???

The never ending world tour continues, the next single is in the pipeline, the podcast is coming back revamped (René LaVice Radio on iTunes), and there are some other projects that I literally can't legally announce yet that are going to be EPIC, so please check out my facebook fanpage and stay tuned :)

- PART 2 - FRANKEE - AUS/NZ TOUR -

Here is part 2 of the previous post.

As part of the DC Breaks, Frankee tour we were also lucky enough to have a little chat with the other RAM records genius on the tour, Frankee.

If you read the post below you can see all the right places to see him in Australia! 

Thanks for the chat mate!

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1. Your style is very diverse in a way that you don't really stick to one sound of Drum and Bass. You've written dark techy stuff but also smoother vocally stuff with rolling baselines. How do you approach each track from a production point of view?

Each track is a different track and in the same respect the process that I go through differs. It really depends on my mood that day/night. There are so many factors that will decide my inspiration for the session.

2. How did you get involved with RAM records?

About 4 years ago I was at a fabric Ram night and I was loaded with 3 demo c.d.s to try and give out. I managed to get them to Andy, Scott and Ray Which luckily enough got some attention. I have however been a massive ram fanboy since i can remember so Ram have been involved in my life for a very long time.

3. Are you excited to hit the shores of Aus/NZ? What are you looking forward to?

Excited is an understatement! I am well and truly buzzing! I’ve already done 2 shows (Wellington and Christchurch) and they have been unreal! If the following shows are anything like the previous then i am a happy man.

4. You've had a pretty awesome run of festival gigs recently, which gigs have been the highlights?

Honestly, Wellington and Christchurch have been a big highlight. Such a responsive bunch and they know there tunes!

5. We're pretty excited to hear you and DC Breaks under one roof, what can we expect from the show?

I can speak for D.C Breaks and myself and say we are excited to be out here. Expect Complete mayhem, loud and proud dnb and generally a heavy party.

6. Which one of your productions was the most fun to write and why?

Im having loads of fun writing my new material. I had a bit of writers block recently and I’m at the other side of it now so I’m really enjoying getting really musical at the moment. If i had to pick one already released track it would be gully simply because it only took me a matter of days to make. Those tracks are quite often the best.

7. Tell us about your production set up, what software and plug-ins are you using?

I use logic 9, Some Mackie 824’s and some plugins including Fab filter, T-racks, waves and various other stuff. I would really like to try some of the analogue emulation plugins like Slate and Uad. Guys if you’re reading…. :-)

8. Standard Frankee live show set up...

3-4 decks, a mixer, some loud and clear Monitors, cool lighting, some beer and depending on what mood I’m in some cheeky shots of vodka.

9. What do you love most about Drum and Bass?

Everything, Im truly and deeply in love with it.

10. And finally... What's next for Frankee?

Lots more exciting gigs, A remix which will be coming out in April and an imminent release on Ram which we are currently finalising.

- DC BREAKS - FRANKEE- AUS/NZ TOUR -

It is now very well known that DC Breaks and Frankee are on the continent and well into their Australia/NZ tour. 

They're in New Zealand as we speak and will be hitting Australian shores as of the 3rd of March!

I also managed to have a little chat with 

DC Breaks and they seem pretty keen to be back down to the southern hemisphere again!

enjoy!

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1. You two guys have been one of the more talked about acts in the Drum and Bass scene over the past few years because of the continuous massive tracks you've been writing one after another, how is this success story making you feel?

Well we write stuff that we like first and foremost so if other people are feeling it too then that's great! We spend a ridiculous amount of time working on our music so it's really satisfying when people love the tracks and want to play them or rave to them.

2. You’re on board with one of the most driving Drum and Bass labels in the world, RAM records. Tell us how you got this massive hook up and how has it felt since you jumped on the roller coaster of RAM?

Andy C first got in touch with us after he heard some of our tunes on a small label we were releasing on in Scotland. It was around the time that Dan and I had started collaborating on tracks together and Ram's interest really spurred us on to write more stuff as 'DC Breaks' (previously we were called Kryptik and Samurai). This was back in 2004 (I think!), since then we've managed to keep going and growing and developing our sound and reaching more and more people around the world, which is awesome because it's brought us all the way out here to represent!

3. Tell us about your live set up at a typical DC Breaks show... 

We play off 4 CDJs, which means we can play a lot of music, typically about 65 tunes in a 90 minute set. It makes our sets very energetic and allows us to cover a lot of ground within the genre as we like to play lots of different sub genres of DnB.

4. Your 5 favorite tracks to play live at the moment...

There's a ton of good DnB about at the moment. Noisia & The Upbeats' 'Dead Limit' is still smashing it for me. Also really liking Tantrum Desire 'Nationwide Rocker', June Miller and Teddy Killerz 'Wildlife', Bensley 'Tiptoe' and Andy C 'New Era'

5. What software and plug-ins are you using to write your music?

We use Logic, tons of different plug ins, some notable ones are, Serum, the Slate plug ins, Ozone and all the NI stuff!

6. If you had to spend the rest of your life in one aisle of a supermarket, which one would it be and why?

Well if there was a hardware aisle I'd go for that so I could build some kind of A-Team style tank and bust the hell out of there, haha!

7. What are you most excited about for your Aus/NZ tour?

Honestly the best thing about playing out here is the crowds you get, they're so responsive and up for raving. We've played Wellington and Christchurch so far on the tour and both nights were great, everyone here just fucking loves it!

8. Which musical artists do you look to the most for inspiration?

I find inspiration from all over the place, I love it when you find a random old sample that can spark an idea off for a whole track. I've started going back to old vinyl to find ideas, it was something I always used to do and was very common back in the day but not something that people really do anymore so much. Sometimes you can just find some absolute GOLD.

9. If tomorrow was your last day to live, what would you have for dinner?

Chateaubriand, a ridiculous Bordeaux, salted caramel truffles, cheese!

10. And finally... What's next for DC Breaks?

Our next single will be out in March, we're touring extensively here and on Europe and our debut album will be out on Ram / BMG later this year.