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It may need come as a shock when it was introduced that S.P.Y, the elusive DJ, producer and now label boss of DARKMTTR Information, could be taking up the legendary XOYO in London for the entire of November. The Brasil-born mega DJ usually solely picks the gigs he’s actually enthusiastic about and, together with his launch schedule, each label and private, many followers would possibly marvel how S.P.Y may find time for 4 Fridays. Seems it was a easy resolution for him.
With the well-oiled machine that’s Weird Science Promotions operating most D&B gigs at XOYO (they’ve additionally bought the likes of Grooverider, Andy C and the entire Kool FM lineup slotted for December and early 2024), and a ready-made lineup at his disposal, the primary three gigs have gone off with out a hitch and the sequence nearer, happening this Friday, guarantees to be a fantastic sendoff for S.P.Y and firm. The likes of Calyx, MC GQ, Etherwood, Lowqui, IAMDOOMED, Alley Cat, Voltage, Kyrist and Flava D on the roster, each week was as gorgeous and vibey because the final, with a brilliant blowout for the final date (learn on to search out how who the particular visitor will probably be tonight).
We don’t wish to yammer on an excessive amount of concerning the different stuff we chat about, as a result of S.P.Y gave a great deal of glorious solutions, however suffice it to say if you happen to have been in search of suggestions and tips from a grasp producer in addition to how he does his A&R, that is the article for you. Per his identify, S.P.Y normally retains his secrets and techniques shut so YEDM feels very fortunate he was so open on this article and we admire his taking the time. Now learn on and revel in spying on S.P.Y.
As a producer who appears to dwell within the lab and who solely does the gigs you actually get pleasure from, what made you determine to do a residency at XOYO?
XOYO is such a legendary membership, so I felt fairly honored to be requested to host a residency there. It’s a tremendous alternative to curate my very own lineup and share with individuals, the DJs and producers that I actually admire and respect. Funnily sufficient, it’s truly bought me spending much more time within the studio as I’ve been busy finalizing new tracks to play on the residency. I do know that everybody who’s coming right down to XOYO are there as a result of they like my sound, so it’s actually rewarding to have the ability to drop some unique new tracks and mixes only for them.
We’re nearly midway via the November dates (at time of interview); what have been a few of your observations concerning the gigs? What are you trying ahead to within the upcoming gigs?
I can’t imagine we’re already midway via! The gang on the first two nights has been completely unbelievable. They’ve been so up for something and have actually been vibing to the entire DJs, it’s such a fantastic feeling to get to play to such a responsive crowd. It’s additionally been nice to get to see the opposite DJs play. Normally I’m so busy touring that I’m out and in and onto the subsequent present. For every night time of the residency I’ve been there from begin to end and have gotten to get pleasure from everybody’s units and actually benefit from the night time. Every night time of the residency has a very totally different lineup with a special sound, so I’m trying ahead to dropping some extra dubs on the subsequent two nights. I’m additionally actually trying ahead to going again to again with Bladerunner and Flava D, that will probably be particular!
How did you decide the lineups for every week? How did you determine to work with Lowqui as your MC?
Whereas it looks as if it could be very easy to curate a lineup, it was truly actually tough as there have been so many individuals that I wished to guide. I used to be fortunate that the ultimate lineup had everybody that I actually wished and every night time has come collectively properly. I wished to make every night time distinctive, so the 4 lineups mirror that. I take heed to a extremely vast number of drum and bass so I felt it was necessary to cowl all of the totally different sounds that I get pleasure from.
I actually like working with Lowqui, he’s bought a fantastic vibe as an MC, he’s a mad hype man and he at all times interacts nicely with the gang. It’s additionally been nice to work with another MCs in the course of the residency too, like Inja, Stamina and SP:MC, they every have such a novel fashion and add a special taste to my set.
Coming off XOYO for a bit, you’re arising on 12 months three of your DARKMTTR label and it appears curation is essential to you, and that you just’re not in search of large names to launch however it’s extra concerning the sound. How would you characterise the sound of vibe you usually go for? Is it solely you on A&R, or have you ever introduced in some assist?
The sound of DARKMTTR is absolutely diverse. The label releases all the things from darkish and minimal, to moody and musical, though I really feel like the entire releases appear to have a deep, heavy undertone to them, even the extra atmospheric tracks. I at all times knew that after I began a label I didn’t need it to be pigeonholed into only one sub-genre so I actually wished it to mirror my style in music. It is just me doing the A&R for the label and I actually get pleasure from doing it. I exploit a DJ-based strategy to A&R and the very first thing I ask myself when choosing a observe is, would I play this in my units? Each observe that I’ve signed to the label is one which I’d – and do – play myself. I’ve at all times wished to do A&R and it’s certainly one of my favourite elements of operating a label. It’s actually rewarding to find new music and assist producers work up their tracks in order that they’re able to launch.
What are some stuff you’ve realized over the primary three years of DARKMTTR about operating a label? How has it measured as much as your expectations if you began it?
I’d wished to start out a label for years and I at all times knew it was going to be lots of work however nothing actually prepares you for the everyday actuality of operating a label. It’s been a extremely attention-grabbing expertise seeing the music trade from a label perspective. I’d solely ever seen it from the artist aspect so it’s been fairly a studying curve to see what’s concerned in getting a launch on the market. Scheduling, budgeting and A&R, they’re all issues that you just aren’t accountable for as an artist and should not absolutely perceive, however they’re very important when operating a label. I’m grateful that I’ve a stable crew round me who share the imaginative and prescient of the label. It’s so rewarding seeing the label develop, I can’t imagine we’ve had 21 releases already!
How do you determine which releases of your individual will go on DARKMTTR and which you’ll store different labels? Is {that a} tough resolution?
It’s tough. I launch most of my music on DARKMTTR, however typically resulting from scheduling I’ll search for different labels to launch my music. If I launched all the things I’ve on DARKMTTR there could be no room within the schedule for the opposite artists!
Are there any upcoming releases that tie in with the XOYO residency you could discuss? Did the discharge schedule inform your resolution to do the residency?
The second night time of the residency was truly the discharge day for “Take Me Up,” my new collaboration with IAMDOOMED. IAMDOOMED performed at XOYO the identical night time and it was like an unofficial launch get together. It was wonderful to play the observe with him there and to see the gang response. The discharge schedule didn’t inform my resolution to do the residency, however it was nice that IAMDOOMED may play on the identical day.
Speaking a bit about fashion and sound, in the previous few years you’ve been doing lots of deep and atmospheric stuff however not essentially melodic. What makes you impressed to vary issues up and the way do you provide you with your extra distinctive sounds?
Producing music is such an natural, artistic expertise for me. I can’t drive a vibe or make myself produce a sure sort of sound. My music is an expression of how I’m feeling emotionally on the time, or what’s occurring in my life. Relying on what I’m feeling impressed by I can produce one thing completely totally different to different issues I’ve been producing recently. I spend lots of time engaged on sound design which appears to offer me some fairly distinctive sounds. I even have lots of analog and modular tools in my studio and I attempt to not be too technical with it. Late nights within the studio, a little bit of sleep deprivation and lots of experimentation appear to mix to supply some actually attention-grabbing sounds. Mainly I simply have enjoyable with it and see what I can create!
Having been within the recreation for some time, how is it to create tracks with present strategies versus 15 years in the past? Do you employ a mix of methods? What kind of softwares or programmers do you employ?
To be trustworthy, I haven’t actually modified the way in which I produce. My sound has positively developed through the years, and I attempt to preserve my manufacturing related sonically, however my methods actually haven’t modified that a lot. One factor that I’ve positively modified over the previous few years is my sampling. I used to pattern rather a lot for all of my tracks, nonetheless now I create the entire sounds myself. Studying extra about sound design has opened up an entire new realm creatively for me and it’s actually satisfying with the ability to use my very own sounds. I’ve been having fun with sound design a lot that I’ve even began releasing my very own pattern packs.
I take heed to a extremely wide selection of digital music and recreate a number of the methods from different genres with my very own twist. I’ve been utilizing Abelton Reside since model 5 and I’m actually loyal to it, it’s an excellent manufacturing software. I additionally use a Stable State Logic (SSL) desk for summing my tracks in analog, which creates a very nice heat texture for my tracks and naturally I take heed to all the things via my PMC audio system.
Is there anything you will have arising in releases or gigs that we didn’t point out?
We’ve got a launch arising on DARKMTTR in December; it’s a double launch: a collaboration I’ve accomplished with DJ Restricted and one other of his tracks which has a tremendous vocal. I’m going to be dropping the observe at XOYO so I’m actually trying ahead to seeing what the gang suppose! Rolling into 2024 we’ve a bunch of recent releases and collaborations lined up for DARKMTTR, however I’ve to maintain all the things beneath wraps for now. Maintain your eyes on S.P.Y and DARKMTTR socials to see what we’ve bought occurring.
Any recommendation for brand spanking new producers on the market?
I feel the principle piece of recommendation I may give is to by no means cease studying. Maintain bettering your sound and your manufacturing, continue to learn new methods and watch as many tutorials as you’ll be able to. Additionally, I feel it’s fairly simple to surrender if you happen to’ve submitted just a few tracks to labels and haven’t had something picked up. More often than not, it’s simply that these explicit tracks aren’t proper for that specific label, or perhaps you simply want a bit extra expertise, or you must refine your sound. Don’t surrender, preserve producing and preserve sending in these demos! One trick I can share is to A and B the observe you’re engaged on with an analogous observe that has been launched to see if you happen to’re heading in the right direction sonically.
S.P.Y’s final XOYO set will probably be tonight, November 24 at XOYO. For clips and data, verify S.P.Y’s socials or Weird Science Promotions’ Instagram. For upcoming DARKMTTR releases and to listen to S.P.Y’s newest observe with IAMDOOMED talked about on this article, click here.
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