Name:
Oliver Scott
Location:
The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death, Phoenix, AZ
Affiliations:
Metalheadz, Human Imprint, Gasm, Beta Recordings, Habit Group, The Riot
You've had 3 storming releases already in 05 [Beta/Human/Warm], how would you assess the year so far ?
I complain less, I think. I certainly should. I don't know if 'Winter In America' will come out this year, but basically getting on 'Headz is a major integer on the timeline of my life. It's been a sincere and major goal in my life. Hopefully this is the beginning, though.
What inspires you to create these days ?
Personal struggle, societal conflict, fictional media aesthetics, romantic angst, and escapism.
-Influences[in & outside of dnb] ?
(inside, in no order: Dom, Kryptic Minds, Tech Itch, Violence Kru, classic 'Headz, current 'Headz, Calyx, Photek, Goldie, Dstar, Counterstrike, Johnny L, Blame, Limewax.)
(Outside: Godflesh/Jesu, Fear Factory, M83, Basic Channel/Chain Reaction, Killswitch Engage, Unearth, Caliban, Bury Your Dead, Graeme Revell, Lull, Nas, Kool G Rap, The Refused, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, various classical composers.)
What's the current studio set up consist of ?
At my place I use a PC and FLStudio4.5, and some softsynths, but when I work at Castor's place we use Logic 5 and his ES5000, and a mic. The key is a willingness to sample almost anything. We're not gearheads. We believe feeling comes first.
Vector Burn is one of those producers that stays true to his sound. He hones it and perfects it. There are very few musicians out there that find ways to make sure you know you're hearing one of their songs while at the same time showing you something new and fresh. He's very passionate about dnb and I believe you can hear how serious he is when one of his tunes is dropping in a club. - Castor
Tell us a bit about 'The Riot'.
A collaborative project with fellow Phoenix artist Castor. It's a platform for high-energy dancefloor dnb with consciousness and a provacative, partially politicized aesthetic. We aren't as sanctimonious as 'Rage Against The Machine' were, but we want to inject that revolutionary energy into DnB that bands like The Refused, The MC5, and The (International) Noise Conspiracy did to rock. It's not a heavy handed message, because it's still dance music, but it allows us to raise some ideas as well as try out some musical ideas neither of us might come up with on our own. So far we've got one thing coming on Habit, and another to be confirmed with a UK label shortly.
In your eyes, who's making good dnb today ?
(in no order: Castor, Orion, Photek, HoChi, Infiltrata, Dom, Kryptic Minds, Calyx, Tech Itch, Goldie, Outrage, Amit, Klute, Trust, Mason, Dstar, Subtone, Bulletproof, Pendulum, Limewax, Gridlok, Hive, Keaton, Echo, Noisia, The Upbeats, Evol Intent, SPL, Bkey, Chino, Alliance, Counterstrike, SIlentkiller, Resound, Seba, Blame, Skitty, and more I'm sure I'm forgetting
What got you into music production ?
A reflexive, compulsive urge...I just knew at some point that I had to be a part of and contribute to this amazing thing I had discovered and impacted me so much.
What do you do outside of dnb ?
I go to school for Visual Effects and Motion Graphics, so I spend a lot of time either working on schoolwork or consuming some kind of media; film, still and motion graphic design, all kinds of artistic expression. Lately I've been getting into custom t-shirt designs and riding Castor's lowrider beachcruisers.
VB tracks are known for their unique sound and distinct feel to them. What would you attribute your sound to ?
I've always been focused on this idea of the balance of aggression and grace, that melodic elements can coexist with heavy, brutal elements.
This past year, you played at the WMC for the first time. How was it overall and what were some other highlights ?
Nutty, like usual. Humid, so I was rocking the Jew-fro. Hilights: falling asleep on the beach and getting sunburned as the fucking apocalypse, cleaning up stranger's vomit in my hotel room, seeing the DnB commnuity at it's worst/best/worst again.
Care to talk about the scene in AZ ?
It is a desert in every sense. Life is not naturally sustainable in this kind of environment.
Vinyl or Cd's ?
I have no particular allegiance to vinyl, and that is backed up by technical knowledge of digital audio and fidelity theory. I understand people's attatchment from a sentimental standpoint, but noone wants to admit that it is only sentiment. Why there should be so much luddism in a culture that has been reliant on digital audio since day 1, I'll never understand. From a practical DJ standpoint, it is much easier (and cheaper) to play, preview, and transport tracks digitally. At this point the conversation usually turns to piracy, file leaking, and the old digital DJing sets a bad example when people are still expected to buy vinyl , which I don't buy either. Without turning this into a
soapbox discussion, I'll just say that we need to keep open minds about distribution methods, and I think that CD sales and mp3 sales are viable options.
Mac or PC ?
Whatever gets the job done. I use a PC at home, but have worked on Macs.
Will we ever see a VB album ?
I'd definitely like to, it's just a question of finding the right deal on the right label. I want to do it proper though, with lots of content across multiple media. The vinyl market being what it is, it might have to be done a new way.
Any touring coming up ?
This winter I'll be part of the DnB Liberation Front Tour, which is headlined by Mason, Dstar, Basic Ops, Beet+Bad Lieutenant live PA, and myself, with MCs Armanni and Sharpness as well as special guests TBA. [plug]The tour is now taking bookings through Parcel Management, 513.324.5877 [/plug] I'm taking bookings personally for VB dates as well.
Final shouts..
Castor, Dstar + Gasm crew, Counterstrike and all the metal fans, Headz crew for believing, anyone that's supported.
Editors Note: This interview was completed in October of 2005 by ryan srix. |
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