DOA: Budding producers and DJ's look up to Friction, a story of success
in Drum & Bass. How do you feel as a role-model? What would you say to those
obsessing about recognition? Don't obsess! Just work very very hard and don't rush things. Wait until you
are totally confident that you have the best possible demo you could give
out. As for being a role-model, it's great. I just try and do everything to
the best of my abilities and be try and make as much time to chat to people
as possible (sometimes when you've got 1hr to do a 2hr drive to another club
its not possible though!), because I know what its like, I've been there.
I've been the person wanting to achieve, wanting to get a chance to get on
the decks and play, so I can relate.
DOA: Where is Friction heading? Do you have a plan, or do you take things
as they come? I really want to write an LP next year. I think I'm gonna have to take some
time off DJing to do it though, but it's something that really excites me. I
don't feel like I've ever had a chance to really put 100% into my production
due to the fact I've always had such a heavy DJ schedule so I think the time
is right. If I do it I'll write some other genres, do some mad
collaborations etc, fully go to town with it.
DOA: What should we expect from Shogun over the next months? Obviously the biggest project at the moment is the Next Level 2 Mix Album
(released 30th October), which we've put a huge amount of work into. I'm not
usually happy with anything but I think this album is a really good
representation of Drum & Bass as a whole, and literally covers the whole
spectrum of the scene.
The Klute 12" (Revolution / Most People are Dicks) is to follow just after
and then we're pretty much covered until the middle of 2007 with a release
schedule that looks something like this:
SHA011: Back To The Jungle EP - State Of Mind
SHA012: Down The Line (Ft. MC Fats) - Alix Perez
SHA013: Back To Your Roots Remix - DJ Friction & K-Tee
SHA014: Mind 2 Mind / Smokescreen - Spirit
We've also launched SGN:LTD, which aims to branch out and deliver cutting
edge Drum & Bass from some of the hottest new talent within the scene.
Spectrasoul took care of 001, Then the Survival 12" is up next (Tron / Keep
it Coming), followed by The Funktastics (Honey / Angel Story) and then later
in the year Alix Perez & Sabre's beautiful `Solitary Native'.
We're also really excited by our first exclusive artist signing to Shogun,
the groove-merchant known as `Alix Perez'. We're going to be working very
closely with Alix for the foreseeable future, eventually concluding with an
Artist Album. He's such a talented guy, and has so much incredible music
waiting to be unleashed, so watch this space.
DOA: What's your angle on digital vs.. vinyl? Is the medium still
important? Of course. We have just started selling Shogun digitally but I'm a vinyl
junkie and we have to remember that is where our scene came from. You can't
fight the future but I think that we have to also remember our roots.
DOA: A lot of DOA's readers are aspiring DJs, how should they feel about
the "dub plate culture" as we know it? Is networking more important than
talent? How did you cope with these issues when you started out? Hmm ok. Well I mean, lets be honest, there is not much of a dubplate culture
anymore really. There is a few of us who receive tunes and get our dubplates
every week and are passionate about it. But I'll play in a club and most
likely have a dude coming on after me with a few pre pitched CD's, keeping
the pitch on +2.4 and roll out like a don. I'm sure they will use the excuse
that they want to put on a good show but it doesn't wash with me. DJing is
about skill and being able to make a crowd dance because you can beat match,
know what tunes work with each other, read a crowd, the list goes on. What
aggrieves me is the fact that these guys are making DJing something where
you don't need skill.
As far as getting the tunes you just gotta be patient. If an up and coming
DJ comes up to me and says, 'Friction can you give me any dubplates', I just
tell them straight and try and explain the process of how I can only send
MP3's of my material to a few select people. It's frustrating when you're in
that situation cos you wanna have the newest tunes as a DJ but you have to
get around that. It's even harder now as well because the big producers are
tighter with who they give their music to because there is just so much
piracy. The way I would cope with it when I was younger would be to try and
do anything I can to create a set that stood out from the rest.
DOA: How did the 1Xtra show change your career? I think its safe to say it was a big part of my career. It gave me the
chance to show thousands of people the style of music I like. Everywhere I
go I get asked about it and I do miss it immensely. The problem with it was
it was too much too contend with as well as a full time DJ career, studio
and running a label which, I have to say, wouldn't be in the shape it is now
if I'd have stayed.
DOA: Out of the new producers with releases this year, who scores highest
in Friction's books? Obviously all the artists I've signed to Shogun for a start. Alix Perez has
got so much potential. He knows how to roll out a hook and I can see his
sound starting to be more versatile already. Spectrasoul are still learning
but are clearly a great talent. Aside from them I'd say Survival is coming
through in a big way, Break has been making tunes for a while but has
started to come through more this year too. Blimey there's loads of peeps, I
could go on forever!
DOA: Out of the recent gigs, which one did you enjoy more? There have been so many good ones but Shanghai stands out for pure energy.
Funktion in La was amazing and anytime I play in Brighton cos its my
hometown and all my mates are there!
DOA: What's an average day like in Friction world? If you speak to my agent or label manager they would probably say this: Late
for everything, disorganised and forgetful! I mean there's always a lot to
do. I take my career very seriously but I still make a lot of time to see my
mates, it's very important to keep your head on the ground. My 7 year old
son Charlie is turning into a seriously talented footballer which is a huge
part of my life too.
The `NEXT LEVEL 2' (Mixed by DJ Friction) is released on 30th October 2006
on Shogun Audio. Available on Double CD
For more info, check..
www.shogunaudio.co.ukwww.myspace.com/nextlevel2
