Knowledge 099

SUBJECT 13 33
When the going gets tough, the tough get going, steadily built up our own unique sound and in spreading different kinds of music to people
or so they say, and it’s certainly true of Vibez there’s always a great atmosphere as people go who might otherwise never hear it. It’s the music
Recordings. The London-based label have always to party. The meaning of ‘Acoustixx’ refers to the that counts not the format.”
followed their own path and released the music sense of hearing or the science of sound which is
they believe in. It’s that passion and commitment exactly where we’re coming from.” What about Subject 13 as an artist? “The
that has sustained them and created much Subject 13 album is nearing completion. Fuck
respect amongst the drum & bass community. There are plenty of up-and-coming producers playing it safe – we’re here to create and not just
featured on the album – was this is a deliberate rehash the same old shit! Time and experience
2008 has got off to a great start, most notably plan? “Vibez has always provided a home for new along with being blessed to be able to travel
with the recent release of ‘Acoustixx Live Vol. 1’, a artists, so it was a deliberate plan to make sure and see different cultures and diverse sounds
double CD compiled and mixed by label founder they get exposure as we’re all about pushing have changed me as a writer and producer. I’ve
Subject 13 with vocals by MC System. We’re music regardless of reputation. The wide range of gradually been working towards the realisation
talking music by ASC, Seba, Future Engineers, artists on the label span the globe as Vibez ﬁ rmly that this is who I am; I couldn’t just hide these
Method One and many more, and it’s the perfect states itself as a global label that prides itself on new creative inspirations and experiences, so I
snapshot of what the label’s all about. Likewise, releasing good music from around the world.” decided to put them into the album.
Dave Stewart, otherwise known as Subject 13,
put together this issue’s cover CD and it’s an What essential ingredients do you look “Only a few things in life are inﬁ nite: and music’s
incendiary 22-track mix capturing the sound he for in music for the label? “Vibez is a label one of them. The new Subject 13 album will
brings to danceﬂ oors across the world. that specializes in deep, melodic, energetic cross many boundaries and styles – not to
music whether that’s soulful or dark-edged disappoint my drum & bass supporters but
Dave’s always got plenty to say too and we started atmospherics. I look for character alongside a it won’t be just drum & bass. There’s also a
by talking about the current state of play with real creative edge, something a bit daring. Good collaboration with Resound, ‘Black Magic’,
Vibez Recordings when Kmag caught up with him production is a high priority but probably the coming out on Metalheadz soon; it’s a much
recently. “The state of play at Vibez is very good,” most important thing is the vibe of the tune.” darker, harder style tune.”
he explains. “We’ve obviously been around a long
time and this year we’re going to concentrate Similarly, how did you go about selecting the Time spent in the studio working has gone
on more album projects. There’ll be quite a few music for the cover CD? “I get a lot of music hand-in-hand with a hectic DJ schedule for
individual artist albums and some new mini- sent to me and much of it is really good, but I Dave and it’s been a strong inﬂ uence on the
double albums featuring two artists on one had to choose what I thought would best reﬂ ect shape the album has taken. “For me DJing is
double CD with eight tracks each. the diversity of style and sound I play as a DJ, primarily about moving the crowd. Great DJing is
produce as an artist and I sign as a label manager. not always about ﬂ ash mixing, seamless mixes
A few of the tracks are not on my labels but they and clever tricks; it’s about creating a buzz on
are tracks I’ve been rotating heavily on my travels the danceﬂ oor. Improvising your selections and
and deserve to be here.” feeling the crowd’s direction – it’s so important
how a DJ interacts with their audience.”
How have the current changes facing the
music industry such as digital releases and Vibez has always been a ﬁ ercely independent
downloading affected Vibez as a label and label and you’ve done your own thing – how do
what are your plans for the future? “Vibez you think that it ﬁ ts into the current drum &
Digital is our new outlet for digital releases bass scene? “It was always about having a vision
and we are embracing the format 100 per cent. of a label that could stand the test of time, a
These releases will be exclusive to MP3 and label that’s based on its own ideals and musical
mobile phone services, and we’ll continue to do integrity. There’ll always be a place for Vibez as
promotional vinyl releases but digital is very long as the music remains good. We need vintage
important to us also. We’ve just signed a MP3 labels in the scene to give it a long term history.
“It’s a concept I’ve been toying with for sometime and mobile phone service deal that will take us Drum & bass would be much stronger if more
and I’ve ﬁ nally developed it. There’s no pressure into the next phase of how music will be sold and of the labels from that beginning era were still
on the artist to write a full album and they can distributed in the future. about, but shit happens and I guess only the
push it a bit further than an EP. All the CDs will be strong survive, as they say.
accompanied by a sampler vinyl EP too. I want to “Vinyl purists may be quite surprised to see this
build a platform for artists signed with the label but we ﬁ rmly believe the artist, the label and, “Music is your own experience, your own
to be seen as producers of real substance.” most importantly, the buyer will beneﬁ t. Many thoughts, your wisdom,” says Dave in conclusion.
more releases will be available along with some “If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of you. They
Tell us a bit more about ‘Acoustixx Live Vol. 1’ exclusive new concepts. There’s never been a teach you there are boundaries to music but
– what’s the idea behind the name ‘Acoustixx’ more radical time in the music industry where there’s no boundary to art.”
and the events of the same name? “The Acoustixx change has brought about new ways of thinking
sessions are based around the Vibez parties at and doing things, and this falls right in line with www.vibez.info
Café 1001 on Brick Lane in east London. We’ve the Vibez ethos. We praise the role of downloads www.myspace.com/vibezrecordings
K32-34_Subject13.indd 33 23/4/08 12:47:25
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