VIERS EXCLUSIVE MIX + INTERVIEW

Viers is one of the best new artists Get Low has stumbled across in months.  His productions float from bass music to house to future garage and as we've said before, Viers' productions are drenched with a sheen of understated cool and a clipped professionalism.

His new track 'Werk' gets busy with the wonky sub-bass and click clack of percussion.

 Viers - Werk by VIERS


Whilst '2k8' goes in on Old School Garage flavours from back in the day.

 Viers - 2k8 by VIERS


We're thrilled to present a brand spanking exclusive mix from Viers for Get Low.

Spacial Mix 002 by Viers - exclusive for Get Low blog by Get Low on Mixcloud

You can download the mix from Soundcloud too.


Not only that, he's even spared the time to answer our itching questions!  Fresh.


What's up?  What are you doing right this second?

Other than doing this, I'm having a mint tea and listening over a new EP to see if it is finalised.


How would you describe your sound?

I'd say it has mixed elements, mostly ties in with the "Future Garage" movement, but it has definitely house-y and juke-esque elements.


 Viers - Obsolete by VIERS


Do you feel you've reached your signature sound yet, something definably 'Viers'?

I'm still spreading my wings, I think right this moment its all about the 808 bass and the rhythmic pulse, but I'm sure I'll evolve more in the future.  I think even if my sound seems to drastically change there will still be some elements from the music I'm making now.  Guessing that is what "Viers" is.


What artists do you feel influence your music within electronic music?

Oof!  Too many to name individually.  I'd say right now people like Addison Groove, Pearson Sound, Modeselektor, Jamie Grind, Metronomy, The Black Ghosts and Jitset.
The recent revival of great Grime music from the likes of the Butterz crew has really caught my attention.  But also the likes of Kraftwerk who are probably one of the biggest inspirations and influence, even so I try not to let all these artists sway how I make my music (try!).

 Viers - Kaiser by VIERS

You seem pretty versatile.  'Werk' has got some serious footwork elements, 'Spasm' is decidedly Funky,   and you're dabbling with some future garage bits too.  Do you have to get into a different frame of mind when producing different genres or is it all "bass music" to you?  Target, the 1Xtra presenter from that radio interview calls you a Dubstep producer! Surely not?

I think "Dubstep" has become more than the original kick on 1 and snare on 3 with a bit of sub bass, it's a defining moment so it seems strange it has almost become a "dirty word".  Most if not all of my music hold elements of "Dubstep" in it, without being overly obvious.  I'm sure you could pick a few influences in my tracks like "Night".  To cut it short, I'd say that the "Future Garage" sound is a mash of Dubstep,


 Viers - Sophia by VIERS


Any artists or DJs you've seen live or in the club that made a serious impression on you?

Well recently I went to see Ben UFO and Four Tet, probably the most amazing mixing I have ever seen, especially for full vinyl DJs.  Before I went to see them I said that I didn't like DJing, they changed my opinion quite fast!


Free download of 'Rihanna - Who's that Chick (Viers remix) - 320!


Describe to me your production process.  Do you lock yourself in your room without distraction, hop on lots of different ideas, or do you antagonise laboriously over each track?  Do you work isolated late into the night or is it quite a breezy affair.  Elaborate.


As sad as it sounds I'm quite an isolated person anyway, I tend to stick in my room till about 12pm-4am with lights off speakers on.  In my production process I think the lack of light helps you hear, if I'm in a fully lit room I feel like I'm in the wrong environment to listen to most of my tunes.  I don't use really any hardware and most of my music is trial and error, I rarely sit down and think "oh I want to make this kind of track in this kind of genre", I start with something small and let it grow in front of me.

What other up and coming artists would you tip for us to check out?

Geez haha, too many once again?  Crimson from Canada is being too sick recently, vibing on ol'skool Dubstep and ambient 2-step, gets better with ever production!  Also the likes of Eclectic, iO and Tanka.


 Viers - Dust Of The Record by VIERS


Who'd you love to collaborate on a track with?

I've been wanting to do with Crimson for a long time, but if this is anyone in the world I'd have to say a draw betwen metronomy, Jitset and The Black Ghosts.


You've recently had a release out on L2S Recordings, congratulations!  They've got to be the premier Future Garage label.

Thanks! Whistla is debatably the first person to coin the phrase "Future Garage", it is quite an honour!  I don't think there are that many "dedicated" Future Garage label's, making L2S very important to developing the scene.  Apart from that working with garage legend Duncan Powell was quite an experience, love his remix, takes takes a very nice twist on the original.


Your Spacial Mix 002 for us is sick.  Is that the kind of thing we could expect from a live DJ set from you in the club?

I'd say its as good and expection people are going to get for a while, I won't be playing out until probably late next year when I get everything sorted!

I'm trying to put together a "live" set, it will be done on my laptop but I might intergrate my vinyl into it somehow, I want to make the DJ set more original I suppose.  Also I wouldn't want to bore the crowd with "Future Garage" all night, I'd throw in a few ol'skool bits.


 Viers - Grrl by VIERS


What future releases or developments from Viers can we look forward to?

I'm working on a 8 track EP for Waaga Records, also Sophia is due out on Subdepth at some point in time... can't be very specific because I don't know much!
A live set will be coming soon, I'll try to get round the UK at some point in time but everything is a bit up in the air at the moment, can't say much haha!



You can buy Viers' latest release 'NIGHT' on L2S Recordings today at Juno Download.

 Viers - Night/Night (Duncan Powell Remix) [L2S Recordings Out 10th October] by VIERS

Get Low interview with Elijah Butterz

The Get Low blog caught up with Butterz label boss and Rinse's young grime upstart Elijah to talk about his upcoming Rinse: 17 Compilation CD alongside partner in crime Skilliam.  It's an interesting insight into the mentality behind composing a mix CD, read it!


How did you go about selecting the tracks?  Did you want to represent the scene as it is right now or make it a more of a classics collection?

The tracks really selected themselves.  They are mainly tracks we have heard from the first loop, draft and idea, and we have seen them become great pieces of music over time and essential parts of our set, and as releases on our label.  They are all tracks made in the last year or so, along with a few recent bits.  The only classic is 'Ghetto Kyote' which is one of our favourite grime tracks ever, that has really stood the test of time.  I think it is pretty much what we will sound like when you hear us play ou too, I think that was important to do that as we don't play out that much.




Did you have any issues with licensing any of the tunes you selected, and did that hamper your choices?

All the tracks were made by our musical friends so it was really straight forward.  We were involved in making a lot of the music happen like Starkey and Trim - This Ain't Me, P Money - Boo You, Royal-T and Terror Danjah's collab, so it was the best place for those to get heard.


Did Rinse let you do your own thing or did they play a part in the music direction and style of the mix?

They gave us the freedom to do what we wanted, I think if they had to tell us what to do, it wouldn't have meant we were the right guys for the job.  We had a few months to think about we were going to do it, so certain tracks we didn't pla much so they remain special on the CD.

What kind of grime mix-tapes have inspired this CD?  Has there been any DJs that have informed your selection and mixing style?  Slimzee is a big reference point for a lot of Grime DJs.

When I started I was lacking inspiration from other Grime DJs if I'm honest, and that has fueled my motivation to get to this point I guess.  Plastician had a CD on the Rinsessions tape pack that I loved, and that is the closest thing I can compare this to.  Most other mixes are with an MC or a crew, or have other genres old and new mixed in.  We kept it grime, 2011/2012.  You will struggle to find anything else like that at the moment.

When we talked to Jackmaster about his Fabric mix he admitted he was very nerveous about putting a mix out there on such a pedestal and getting it scrutinized by so many.  Do you feel similar?

To me it is a documentation of my first two years on Rinse.  If we haven't entertained you at any point over the last two years and you don't like it, then that's fair.  I see it is as for the people that have been entertained, staying up late to listen, downloading the podcasts and coming to the shows and generally supporting the label and its artists.  It won't turn me into a high profile DJ, especially because I don't play across the board music.  As long as those people who have been following enjoy it, I don't care to be honest.  I wish I had a CD from certain eras of DJs I used to follow.  Most of the admiration I have for my DJ peers is just based on memories of sitting indoors listening to them on radio or catching them in a rave.  Having something them on my shelf alongside all my other musical heroes would be a beautiful thing.  So many DJs from pirates in the last 15 years that have been forgotten because of the lack of documenting through CDs and no radio podcasts, even though they played vital roles in all the music scenes we have now developing.

And finally, what's your favourite mix of yours or Skilliam's on the CD?

From the beginning bit to the end.

---

ELIJAH & SKILLIAM WEBSITE

BUTTERZ SHOP

BUTTERZ TUMBLR

Remember to cop Ben UFO's Rinse CD too.

The Vice Guide to the Congo > PART 1

If there's one thing we love here at Get Low HQ, it's Vice documentaries.  They rock.  I've shown nearly everyone the Vice Guide to Liberia, and the fact they managed to secretly capture enough footage to create a whole documentary INSIDE North Korea is plainly hardcore.

Vice head to the Democratic Republic of Congo to see what the deal is with all the conflict minerals.  The country is rife with strife but also hold 80% of the world's supply of a mineral that is required in nearly every mobile phone and computer.

It's this demand for technology in the modern world which is fuelling the country's violence.

You can watch the whole series HERE.

Vice's journalism is second the none.  Get on this.


- @dashgetlow

FOUND Launch Party >> HIDDEN

FACEBOOK EVENT

Event description:

"Justin Martin represents Claude Von Stroke's Dirtybird label and officially opens FOUND this Friday, bring all sounds of house, bass and his very own hybrid of the two to an extended 3 hour set!

Instra:mental join with a style that sits in the realms of D&B, Techno, Electro and Hip-Hop.  T.Williams supports with his mixture of of UK House & Garage.

  A1 Bassline brings Tighten Up Records label mates Kavsrave and Alfie as well as Garage era leaders, Dem 2 to celebrate their 1st Birthday!  Deadly Rhythm Soundsystem take to the remaining arch to supply us with all the best in current bass music."

£10 Advance tickets are still available, but we reckon not for long.

Samurai FM exclusive mix ft. CYANTIFIC

Cyantific pulls out a great mix dodging the Drum & Bass and storming an exclusive alternative set for Samurai FM.  He's one of the best DJs in underground music hands down, regularly working 3 deck sets LIKE ITS NUFFIN.  Solid picks.

GET LOW SUNDAY SESSIONS vs BELOW THE LINE >> LOCK TAVERN >> 2ND OCTOBER

Get Low is back to take control of Camden's own Lock Tavern once again on Sunday 2nd October.  We're signing off the week in style with an array of musical delights topped off with a mean roast, cheap beverages and an evening BBQ.

As always, we've put together a tasty line-up and we've also teamed up with Below The Line who bring their DJ squad who tore up the Outlook Beach parties at Outlook Festival, but are also helping us stream and record the entire thing live on their highly anticipated site.

LINE-UP

ILL BLU

This has been a long time coming and we're proud to finally be hosting Rinse FM stalwarts Def1 and Jreel.  This is funky as it should be done.

 Ill Blu - Meltdown EP (3 Track Sampler) by Numbers 

JAMES FOX

Deep bass driven music is the name of the game, a subscape where Mr Fox excels.  Pushing his sound from Dubstep to recent future house sounds, come and get absorbed for a special Sunday set.

NIGHTOWL

We've crossed paths with Nightowl a few times in the past year and he always impresses.  Effortlessly slaying dancefloors and pulling out tune after tune from an Alladin's cave of a racord bag, this will be an absolute treat.

Check out his most recent mix:

 NightOwlMix#06 AUG11 Redux by NightOwl

WACHS LYRICAL

Producer/DJ/Promoter, Liam seems to breathe the industry.  With a strong belief that you can't pigeon-hole music by basic genres, come get a masterclass from Wachs before he returns to the US to complete his schooling of our trans-atlantic cousins.

**Wachs Lyrical absolutely smashed the Outlook Festival beach parties.  Killer DJ! **

 Electric Sound Stage 002 August 16th by Wachs Lyrical

D-RAIL

With a new found passion for Moombahton and Dancehall, make sure you get down early to catch the Get Low regular in action.

 MOOMBAHTON! MIX 2011 by D-RAIL

DUBLOKE & STICKIE DAVID

The two masterminds behind Below The Line.  Keep an eye on this lot, with the launch of Below The Line TV on its way, big things to come.

 Dubloke in the Basement by Yeti in the Basement

GET LOW CARTEL & MADBOY ZIMBA

You know how we do it and you absolutely love it you shlaaaags.

Oh by the way...

The first 10 people who tweet "#GETLOWroasts" get a legendary Lock Tavern sunday roast for only a fiver!  Trust us, they're something special.


- @dashgetlow

Audio Doughnuts 1st Anniversary + last AD night review

Click on the fliers to check the event on Facebook.

You can buy tickets here.

Audio Doughnuts bring out another long line-up event this time at Hidden.  The main headliner is being kept underwraps, but look out from a live set from Rustie, who's currently been to blame for a number of heads exploding due to this anthem:

Grabbing LV & Joshua Idehen is a savvy move after their excellent Routes album, and you can be sure there's going more than a few gunfingers when this one drops:

I'm most excited about seeing Oris Jay (aka Darqwan) for some old school dark garage riddims.

  My Girl, My Girl (Oris Jay Remix) by Oris Jay aka Darqwan 

There's a whole bunch of free tracks to download on the Oris Jay soundcloud page, highly recommended.

Audio Doughnuts always has a ton of residents, so if the future music and weird beats aren't your bag, you can be sure to be skanking away in Room 2 to the skilled smaller names.

I went to the last Audio Doughnuts on the Sunday of Notting Hill Carnival.

This was the flyer

I rocked up to Corsica Studios relatively late (around 11.30pm-ish) to behold a lengthy queue trailing from the front.  Thankfully I had a press pass (natch) so was also to skip on through.  Corsica Studios is a funny ol' club, with it's unintuitive layout of corridors and sparse decal.  However, this had to effect of making the proceedings feel more like a house party than a clubnight, albeit a house party with a hefty Function One soundsystem.

  I walked into the main room to the sounds of Mella Dee from Mista Men smashing it with a high energy set stirring the thick soup of people on the dancefloor.  Besides awesome DJ sets, Mista Men have recently collaborated with Detboi for a release coming out on Hervé's Cheap Thrills label. Zoop.

After Mella Dee's set we went outside for a fag and general vibing with the friendly crowd before Boddika took to the decks.

I was crushed to find out my old SF pal Kozee couldn't make it, it turned out that UK customs turned her away at the border and made her fly back to the US!  She needs to get back over here sharpish.

Boddika played a 45 minute set and went in hard with from the outset mixing magnificently.  The fact that he can switch and hold usual bass heads so significantly with his detroit style electro is a credit to the innovations of his production.  His analogue sound flourished on the Function One speakers immersing the dancefloor deeply.

Highlights of Boddika's set was this tune getting wheeled:

Boddika finished on this anthem:

 Acid Jackson by Boddika 

 His set left me thinking that Boddika could be one of the most important recent producers in the UK right now in UK bass music. 

French Fries had the unenvious position of being the following DJ, a tough role considering Boddika's class act.  He switched the vibe and took things downtempo for a dark poised set, there was no 'Senta' style galloping here.  French Fries was billed very late in the night, so the low brooding beats fitted the night's progression.

On the train home from Waterloo I was nudged by a ticket inspector who found my ticket outbound curious as the train was heading back to central London.  What felt like a blink actually was a lengthy slumber on the train, missing my stop twice going both ways.  An indicator of a great night, no?

Watch out for our Outlook Festival review, coming soon!

- @dashgetlow

Klose One - Late Summer Nights

Late Summer Nights Mix by Kloseone on Mixcloud

KLOSE ONE has just done a tasty new mix floating between the newly coined Warehouse, House, and Moombahton.  As always with Klose, this is a scorcher and there's some serious blending here from a master of the craft.  Him and Rattus are some of the best DJs out there.  Big up yous.

- @dashgetlow

Trim - Notice Now (T Vicious remix)

Here we've got a great future bass/garage track with Trim's one-of-a-kind flow on top.  The result?  An absolute RIDDIM.

 Trim - Notice Now (T Vicious Remix) by T Vicious

T VICIOUS is part of a new school of young producers and DJs making filthy tear-out Dubstep.  I like the odd bit of filth here and there, but as a whole, it's not really my bag.
What's currently setting T-Vicious apart from the rest is his adventurousness in breaking out of the pidgeon hole and experimenting with different genres and soundscapes.  If you're a new producer reading this, diversifying your sound will seriously help your career in many overt and subtle ways.  DO WELL.

I played this tune during my set at Outlook Festival.  Watch for it.

- @dashgetlow

Melé >> Starlight EP

MELÉ releases his new EP tomorrow and it's an absolute bloody stormer.  Not bending to anyone's will, Melé somehow manages to tap into frequencies that slaps your ears into demanding your full attention.  Classy stuff.

  He's only 19 which makes me want to cry and wring my hands at my wasted youth of video games, weed, internet sleuthing and porn...

 Melé - Starlight EP by Mixpak 

... In hindsight, not much has actually changed.  =(

- @dashgetlow

Pharrell >> Tokyo Rising

Palladium Boots smash it with the documentaries, having previously done features on UK's pirate radio scene and Detroit's burgeoning creative scene.

This time they've got Pharrell travelling to Tokyo, Japan to look at the aftermath of 3/11 - when the Tsunami hit and Japan risked nuclear meltdown.

- @dashgetlow

Viers - Spasm

 Viers - Spasm by VIERS

This is Viers' new track, fresh from his hard drive.  He's not sure if he's entirely happy with it, so tell him your thoughts.  I think it's dope.  It's set for release on Waaga Records later this year (or maybe next year).

- @dashgetlow