The drum & bass world has been experiencing a process of reinvigoration of late, yielding some of the most forward thinking and innovative sounds we've heard in years. In no small part responsible for this are the Autonomic crew. Their series of podcasts, plus their labels Exit and NonPlus+ have been leading the way for cutting edge drum & bass this year.
Their latest signing, ASC, is no newcomer to the scene. Having been releasing some fantastic music for nigh on a decade, on labels including Nu-Directions and Looking Good, as well as running his own imprint, Covert Operations, he looks set to take the next step up in his career over the coming months with a new album due on NonPlus+ early next year and a new approach to making music that has shifted the boundaries and removed the limitations. His first release on the label 'Porcelain/Focus Inwards,' due out very shortly, sets the blueprint for his new direction, and it's breathtaking.
He makes his fabric bow on November 20th when Autonomic host Room Three, so we got together for a chat with him…
For those that don’t know, can you introduce yourself and your music?
I write electronic music, mainly at drum & bass tempo under the name ASC.
How did you first get into drum & bass, and then on into production?
I got into it from the old hardcore days. I started listening to local pirate radio stations around about 1992 and I was hearing these amazing tracks. I ended up getting deeper into it and started DJing on pirate radio when I was about 15. I was getting curious as to how these tracks were being made, so around about the same time I started messing around with early programs on the Atari ST, such as Cubase, Traxx & Noisetracker. I've been hooked ever since!
Despite a rash of recent interest, you’ve been on the scene for some years making great music, why do you think things have started to really snowball for you of late?
I think as of late, drum & bass has almost gone full circle back to its roots in some ways. I remember someone once saying to me that drum & bass moves in cycles, and I believe that is what's happening right now. It's a great time for deep, expressive and forward thinking music at 170bpm and fortunately for me, being involved with a crew on the cutting edge of that has definitely helped me.
You’ve always been quite focused on atmospherics and beats, plenty of examples of some amazing drum programming…how do you see yourself as having developed as an artist over the last ten years or so?
There have been so many changes for me over that time, from really taking note of the music that has influenced me so far, right through to the plethora of new techniques and habits I've accrued over that time in studio. Music aside, it's been a great journey for me so far, having learnt so much, and striving to better my previous work.
After a few flat years in terms of innovation in D&B, in the last couple of years some really exciting talent has started blossoming, and the scene is on the cusp of a special moment in terms of creativity. What are your thoughts on the state of the scene generally, and electronic music at large?
For someone like me, who’s always approached things from a perspective which isn’t perceived to be ‘flavour of the month’ so-to-speak, the current state of drum & bass is like a breath of fresh air. There are a lot of people trying new things, lots of experimenting and lots of new talent being given the opportunity. Long may it continue!
How did the hook up with the Autonomic boys come about?
I’d been swapping music with Damon from Instra:mental for a while and I decided I’d had enough with the current direction of my productions, so I was striving for a new challenge. I started to experiment more and I had passed on my track ‘Porcelain’ to Damon. It seemed to be good timing, what with NonPlus+ just taking shape. After good reaction to it in their sets and on the Autonomic podcast, Al & Damon signed up a bunch of my stuff, including ‘Focus Inwards’ and also ‘Starkwood.’ We’d spoke on the phone about each others ideas and goals for the music and a few days later, I was offered the chance to work with them on a closer basis and write an LP for the label.
dBridge has talked about the ethos of your crew being on moods and sounds, not tempos or genres. Has that always been your approach to music production, or has that developed more recently?
Definitely. It just so happens that I’d mainly focused on writing my music at drum & bass tempo, but my goal first and foremost was to always convey emotion and mood through my work. Obviously hooking up with Instra:mental and dBridge seemed like an effortless match in terms of where we are all coming from.
How do you see the relationship between drum & bass and other electronic genres developing over the next few years, and where do you see yourself fitting in to that?
I’m not really sure where I see myself fitting in, because if I’m honest, I tend to write my own music and not focus on what’s going on elsewhere. I tend to get too distracted and influenced when I do that! There’s an obvious link with dubstep which seems to have only gotten bigger with the half-tempo and Autonomic stuff that is doing the rounds right now. I hope this continues and people keep their minds open to the possibilities of what could come from the music, rather than dismissing it because it’s labeled differently to what they might be looking for.
You’re working on your first album for NonPlus+ at the moment, how’s it going and what are your aims for it, musically?
It’s nearly finished actually! There are two more tracks to be completed; one collaboration with Instra:mental, and the other a collaboration that dBridge will be providing his vocal talents for. There are also other collabs with Consequence & Vaccine. Other than that, I’m just striving for the most musically accomplished LP I’ve produced so far.
What’s happening with Covert Operations now you’ve signed with NonPlus+?
Nothing. I decided to stop the label a few months before I signed to NonPlus+, as I felt it had run its course. I didn’t really want to change the direction of it just for the sake of keeping the brand name going, so I felt it was time for something new, which eventually led to me teaming up with dBridge & Instra:mental.
What can fabric expect from an ASC DJ set?
A ton of exclusives, mainly showcasing what’s coming up on my LP, plus a bunch of other stuff I’m feeling – all in the Autonomic style.
How come you moved to America?!
I met my wife over here while visiting San Francisco in 2004, so I decided to move over here and give it a go. She produces as Vaccine for those unaware!
Can you give us three drum & bass tracks from any period in the genre’s history that were inspirational for you…
3?! Now that’s probably the toughest question to answer so far, as there’s been so many inspirational tracks for me over the years, so I’m gonna do 5!:
FBD Project – Journeys
Blame – Visions of Mars
Polar – 5AM
Listen here: http://www.certificate18.com/generic/polarootb_outofrange_sample.htm
Future Bound – Sorrow
Banaczech – Ipcress File
Listen here: http://www.last.fm/music/Banaczech/_/Ipcress+File
Catch ASC alongside Shackleton, dBridge and Instra:mental at Club Autonomic in Room Three on the 20th November.
