Lost Interview
We've got an interview from a very special guest, who is among the elite crew of H.E.N.C.H. Recordings artists and one the most talented producers in the UK at present, Lost.
Our Subsplash Guest Mix from Lost is on the right.
The Interview
First things first, how did you first get into music and when was it that you discovered dubstep?
I first got into music when I purchased this graffiti video (VHS at the time lol) called "London's white trash" which was basically footage put together of Croydon's biggest graffiti artists at the time, hitting up the streets, ally ways and trains. It was backed with a badboy DnB mix over the top mixed by Ser (he owned the graffiti shop in Croydon couple hundred metres down the road from big apple records). Ever since then I loved bass driven music, but then because of the area I was in and the people I used to hang around with I started to move off of DnB and I took an interest in Grime. During the time I'd left school and started college, started fucking around on Cubase in lesson when I wasn't suppose to, trying to make grime. My grime was always really dark so none of the MCs wanted to vocal my tracks lol... Then Grime started to change and I wasn't really feeling it anymore. I had a couple of mates round mine one night for some drinks when I was about 16 and we tuned into kiss on a random one and I think Hatcha was playing, or it might have been a guest mix I cant remember now. I'd never heard the tunes that were getting played or that style but I loved it straight away. I got a cassette tape out and recorded the show! Since then I never looked back!
Your first release, 'Neck Back' was included the Croydon Dubheads EP on Sin City Records. How did you get to know Hatcha & N-Type?
I remember Hatcha from way back when I used to go into Big Apple to by my grime! I doubt he would have remembered me though lol, I was young. Then couple years down the line Kromestar introduced me to him as a producer, when I was at my early stages of making dubstep
Hatcha then introduced me to N-type the day I gave them a copy of "Neck Back" then a few days later I got a phone call from Hatcha asking if they could sign the track to Sin City.
It wasn't long before you caught the attention of Jakes and joined the H.E.N.C.H. Crew, were you surprised in how quick you were noticed by some of the biggest names in the scene?
Yeah I was very surprised, when Hatcha told me that Jakes was thinking about signing me to the label I was over the moon, I was nervous as well because I wasn't sure if I was ready. I wanted everything to be perfect and I didn't want to rush into things but an opportunity like that I couldn't say no. I had previously let down an offer from another label not long before and needless to say i'm so glad I did! I'm still learning and progressing everyday, Jakes and the Hench family have been so supportive in my progression.
You've recently released your second single on H.E.N.C.H. as well as the King Of The Trees single on Black Box, with both releases being available on both vinyl and digital release. Do you believe that both formats can co-exist or do you think the rise of digital will be the death of vinyl?
I think the rise of digital so far has already changed the scene and music. It's the DJs playing out and in their bedrooms, doing mixes and buying vinyl that's keeping the culture there. Digital format is so accessible and it's so easy to release music this way, it cuts out the distributors and pressing BUT there's no quality control. Anyone can set up a digital label and release garbage without losing out (if it didn't sell).
What do you think of the scene today? Dubstep has moved off into so many niche markets now, do you think that this has helped the fan base to grow?
The scene today is crazy, Dubstep is global now and so many people are listening to it, a lot of big celebrity mainstream artists are jumping on the bandwagon too which is kind of scary because that opens the genre to a whole new crowd. This could then lead onto something else but that's not necessarily a bad thing; it's healthy for the genre. As long as everyone keeps it original, not matter what type of dubstep your listening to... your still listening to dubstep.
A lot of producer's from other scenes such as drum & bass, house and even breakcore have dabbled in dubstep over the last couple of years. Are they any other styles that you would like to try your hand at?
YES! I love music and I want to make everything!!! I'm being serious!
Over the last year or so we have seen a few artists including Skream, Caspa and Benga being played on mainstream daytime radio. Could you see yourself reaching this level of media attention?
A few years back I never saw myself signed to a label, flying to different countries to play my music I make in my bedroom lol, it's weird. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see!
You have a couple of forthcoming singles with Hatcha coming out on One Gun Salute including an absolute banger in 'Why So Serious'. Have you got any more collaborations in the pipeline?
I do indeed, I've got one on the go with Minus from HENCH. I also teamed up with local Croydon boys "Mutated Mindz" (also Subsplash residents). There's some I can't mention now but I can tell you that I've been speaking with Sticky, Adam F, Jakes, Kutz and Coki all concerning collaborations and remixes.
What inspirations do you draw from when you are writing a new tune?
Everything around me, things that interest me, weird noises, even when I'm on the underground waiting for a tube the sound of it pulling into the platform makes me think a tunes going to drop.
I'm not a boffin but I love technical stuff. I can get influenced to make a tune in the weirdest of ways.
There are a lot of young people getting into music production as home production is becoming cheaper and more accessible than ever. What software and hardware do you use to produce your beats?
I run FL Studio on a PC with a 24key Axiom midi controller I never use and some hi-fi speakers.
And finally, are there any dubstep producers you've discovered recently that we should be looking out for?
Yeah, there are a few, Firstly Mutated Mindz - their stuff is rude, local boys as well. Look out for them! Next year will be their time. Also Bukez Finezt, good guy from Germany - sent me some new bits I'm battering at the moment. Also Minus (Hench) watch out for his stuff! New track he has done with Eddie K and Beezy is tearing the dances! (Watch out for our collaboration also) I can't think of anymore off the top of me head! I'm sure there's plenty more.
Text and interview by Lee Brockett
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For bookings please contact Lostproductionz@hotmail.co.uk
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