Dub Phizix Interview

Manchester's Dub Phizix seems to be popping up a lot at the moment. His track "The Editor" Which features Strategy of Broke 'n' English is due for release on Marcus Intalex' Soul:r imprint, it is currently doing damage on dancefloors all over the world and his tunes are popping up in the sets of some of DnBs biggest names. We caught up with him to find out what is going on at the moment...


Example: So how did you start producing?

Dub Phizix: I've played guitar since I was really young, I played in bands in school but we were shit. I eventually got into Hip-hop and found I could make it with 2 tape decks and a box of records. Long story....Again, that was shit but it got me interested.
Eventually, through Hip-hop I got into D&B by which time I had started using the computer to make loops. I left school at 16 to go and do a Music tech course at City college Manchester where I was taught how to use a Sampler, Synths and Cubase. By now I had decided that D&B was for me and I' spent every waking hour in and around the colleges studios, mithering the techs and generally making a nuisance of myself. Eventually the 100% software studio became a reality and was a much more affordable solution. From then I started building up my own rig and I've been buried in the studio ever since.

Example: How would you describe your sound in 3 words?

Dub Phizix: Deep. Dark. Grooveclaart.

Example: Who are you influences?

Dub Phizix: Photek, Calibre, Dillinja, Digital, MIST, Kemal and Rob Data,
A Tribe Called Quest, Wu Tang, Gravediggaz, The Beatles, The Stone Roses, The Yardbirds, The Who, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, D'Angelo, Dwele, Brian Blade, Mose Allison, Nina Simone, John Coltrane. I could go on all day here....I've probably taken a bit of influence from everything I've ever listened to.

Example: What producers are u feeling at the moment?

Dub Phizix: I'm really into what Sabre is doing. His new album is really good. Also into S.P.Y, Triad, Synkro and Indigo and Spectrasoul, "I was 10" Is a damn fine piece of music
Then the guys I'm working with; Genotype, Skeptical Chimpo. All 3 make really good tunes and do things I'd never think of doing. Working with people like that keeps you on your toes. They never fail to inspire me.   Other than that, the people who are on the Example Magazine mix ive done. I tried to make it cover the artists who I think are doing D&B best in 2010. Artists like DBR, Gremlinz, and Flatliners who have got a great sound going on. Look out for a collabo later in the year. Also really into what a few of the smaller labels are doing. Especially Translation and Broken Audio at the moment. I think both have a great future ahead of them.

Example: Where do you stand on the vinyl digital debate?

Dub Phizix: I think there's arguments for both. My heart tells me vinyl. But my head tells me digital. Vinyl sounds better and generally feels better to play. There's also the history and nostalgia connected to records. Going to Eastern Bloc and buying new records and itching to get home to play them. I can't remember the last time I did that.
   Also having your tune on vinyl is a big moment for any producer. My first was a tune I made with`Hylyf [who is on the mix] we paid the guy and met him 3 hrs later in Apollo car park to pick up the plate. That was a long 3 hrs.

I think MP3s were a double edged sword for the music industry. They opened up the door for easy file sharing and effectively brought the industry to its knees. The most worrying part as a musician is the fact that many young people see music as something which is free. I think that has a knock-on effect on the quality of the a lot of music.

On the other hand, MP3s make life much easier and generally speed up the whole process of sending, receiving, promoting and playing music. Especially with Serato.
I receive tunes via AIM on the same laptop I use to DJ. The laptop is also networked to my studio computer so I send my tunes straight across to it both for Djing and sending to other people. I can't remember the last time I burned a CD

Doing my bit for my carbon footprint and shit

Example: What else is on the cards for 2010?

Dub Phizix: There's tunes on Soul:r, Creative Source, Nu Directions and Translation. Remixes for Utah Jazz, Sonic and Silver and Chimpo and collabs with DRS, Jenna G, Skeptical, Genotype Flatliners and Chimpo. Also djing in various places. More info on my website www.dubphizix.com.