You’ve been known as hip hop producers for the last several years after making two albums on Scenario. However recently we’ve noticed a growth in your sound and a slight change in direction. So what’s the deal fellas?
Dom: Well it’s always been the same underneath. We like and collect all kinds of music and always have done. The change is just a reflection of our confidence in our new DJ sets, which include all sorts. The newer records feel right, and seem to be going down well with our fan base and new listeners alike. Our second album was tough; we were trying out some new ideas and sounds. Some worked and some didn’t. There are some tracks on there that sound better now than they did then. I don’t think making great records is anything you have control over, you’re never aware of how long records will last. A truly good record stands up to scrutiny forever. We are also working on some independent projects with the likes of Jess Mills, the Resin Dogs and producing tracks/song writing for artists like Dynamite MC, MC Wrec and Dallas from Fat Freddie’s. Some of these projects involve almost no production at all, just musicianship. After 8 years of making beats and tearing up samples it’s sobering to just work with a guitar and a singer.
There seems to be an increasing influence from reggae / dancehall music in your production recently. Is that a conscious effort or a natural progression into different genres?
Brad: We just love Reggae. It runs through a lot of what we do. Getting involved with DJ Yoda and Antidote to do the Blunted In The Backroom CD was really good for us. The single ‘Blood Fire’ has blown up in a bigger way than anyone had expected. Working with Cutty Ranks was a real moment. I can remember listening to the Trojan ‘Tighten Up’ records when I was a young child. My parents had music on all the time; my father (Jon Betmead) has a great record collection. I was lucky enough to grow up on the likes of Toots and The Maytals and Jimmy Cliff. I’m not complaining! I can’t imagine reggae not having an influence on the music we make. We’re always looking to work with great reggae artists. A track with Toots wouldn’t be bad...
Custom Records is your new label, what’s happening with the new imprint over the coming months...
Dom: We’re arranging the second release now. The label is going to be an outlet for our own stuff and music from other acts as well. It’s a joint venture with Fat City. We set the whole thing up with Matt Triggs, who we’ve worked with for years. Like our sets it will hopefully represent what we’re about – the good stuff without being too specific. Our collections include music from all over the place, if we like what we hear we’ll put it out. Click to read more...
WORDS AND INTERVIEW: JON WREC
PICS: WILL ROBSON - SCOTT
BRAD / DOM