Big Up Podcast

The mastery, craftsmanship and care in Dr. Res's production is evident in every aspect of the work he puts out into the world. His latest release Lung Kidnapping, via Spanish finest Disboot label, shows that taking time, personal approach, organic collaborations and authentic field recordings go a very long way and result in highest visual and audial quality of the final creation. It's a similar approach that Dr. Res took with this mix we present to you today with pride. We hope it will make your journey wherever you are going a lot more special. We asked Barcelona native David Torres (Dr. Res) about his life in Poblenou, his strange lung anomaly, what he smokes in the studio, and where he records his found sounds..

Created almost entirely of field recordings and found sounds, Bambooman's forthcoming Dulcet EP via Sonic Router is undeniably one of the most authentic, original, and exciting releases of this year. Here, in the HQ, it's on repeat. Unfortunately it consists of only 7 tracks (plus digi bonus remix), and we need more of Bambooman than that. So we asked the young Yorkshire native, Leeds resident, to put together a mix of the music he likes, makes, and plays out. He came back with a mix we'll be rinsing for a while. We also chatted with Kirk (Bambooman) about his mischievous field recordings, puppy sounds in his new EP, and his memorable gig with Samiyam.

Hatti Vatti. The name you might not have heard until his recent album 'Worship Nothing', which we've been playing on repeat for the past couple of weeks. For the fans of deep electronic music (we're talking Synkro's emotional vibe, Bluetech's intricate production, or Indigo's 'genreless' subs), Hatti Vatti makes music that’s actually wrong to compare to any of these inspirations, as it sounds both wicked and beautiful, sincerely emotional, effortlessly personal, and unique to Hatti Vatti. Polish producer put together a beautiful musical journey for Big Up readers, and shed some light on his new album, studio vibe, and the current state of the “music scene” in his country.

One of the most humble people we know in the underground bass scene, Matt Weare, known to you as Thelem, does not hold back when it comes to making music. Laying down the beats without any excuses, and generously supplying bass, Thelem goes all out with the low and heavy. That is also the case with the new mix he composed for us with his new 140 and 170 bits, as well as the tracks from some other producers that he is feeling at the moment. First Big Up Podcast of 2014. This ain't easy listening.

Even if you have been living under a rock in early 2013, you still probably heard TMSV's "Dem a Talk" – the energy on the track is way too much! Fast forward to now, and TMSV's track entitled "Too Much" is ringing out of headphones and sound systems around the underground globe. From the sound of it, when it comes to music, Utrecht native Tomas Roels doesn't fuck around. This past weekend at his first North American appearance for Reconstrvct in Brooklyn, we all had a pleasure to hear it for ourselves. Wether you were there or not, you can re-live (virtually) the ever-eveolving energy of TMSV's live set.

As Brooklyn is counting days down to Reconstrvct this Saturday, we have chatted with our most anticipated headliner of the night – Ipman and convinced him to record a mixtape of his current influences and beats he is feeling at the moment. The result is a sick mix of dark and heavy with quirky and melodic – in a true unpredictable style of Ipman. Listen up.

Somewhere deep in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, young Kevin Santana (Mock The Zuma) plays video games, samples ghostly voices from old movies, and produces electronic music, influenced by UK’s deep bass (or post-dubstep if you will) movement. But the sound of Mock The Zuma cannot be discarded as yet another post-dubstep producer. His unique background of growing up in the most violent zone in the world outside of declared war zones might be to blame. He attributes the ghostly sound of his music and much of his productivity to the atmosphere of the city. But just like young MTZ himself, we are optimistic about his future, upcoming gigs and releases, which he talks about with a sweet humbleness in the following interview.

Atlanta's native, LA transplant, deeply rooted in local music scene, Matt Rosenzweig, a.k.a. Deco, reminisces the times when things were a lot slower, less disposable, and more valuable. When we listened to our favorite album hundreds of times for months or even years, before moving on to the new thing. It was the time when the dubstep scene was a small family, eager to progress and innovate. Having been there and having seen things change over time, Deco took the most authentic feelings of the time, mixed it with the conceptual approach and progressive taste in music he acquired over the years, added a healthy dose of quality and perfectionism, and wrapped it in a good-looking packaging to produce his debut LP Timescales, which is deservingly getting lots of attention at the moment

Today is a good day. We’ve got a mix from Silkie. In our 4,5 years of existence, we have endlessly tried and failed to get this man behind the decks to make an exclusive mix for us. The man is so busy having fun touring the world, that the closest we got to it was a 6-page-spread interview in Big Up 11, where Silkie shared what annoys him, how he saved a life, and that making beats is not really that fun for him. Last Saturday Silkie finally recorded a mix for us while playing at Wobble in Rio De Janeiro. Mind you, it is a live set, complete with 4 rewinds, a couple of needle skips, and naturally the latest tricks sand dubs Silkie’s got in his bag. So listen up, it’s a long 1,5 hr ride, as soulful as ever, which might bring back some memories…

Known for his signature “late-night-bus-ride” sound, Kid Smpl (or simply Joey Butler) does not disappoint this time around with slowed-down Drake, Jacques Greene, joints from VVV, Body Boys, and… wait for it… Tim Hecker. Kid Smpl is taking you on a ride. A very unique, peaceful, and rather relaxed journey. Stand clear of the closing doors…

The mysterious producer Gantz from an even more mysterious land of Turkey does not like selfies. In fact, he prefers no photos at all, trying to keep the spotlight solely on his music. So we asked him questions about the music scene in his country and his new album beforewe got into his pizza fantasies. Three days before taking off for his debut USA tour (where he hits some of the most prolific bass music nights in the States, including Bassic, Sub.Mission, and Reconstrvct), Gantz recorded a mix for you to rinse till you see him live in action. And as you might have already guessed, there is no tracklist.

Like many producers, Leeds-native Tom Wrankmore took to beatmaking at a young age, saving up from his “awful call-center job” to buy an MPC and start making music. His first productions were strongly influenced by hip-hop, garnering comparisons to artists like Madlib and other LA experimentalists. Now residing in London, he has broadened his sound palette and has begun mucking about with house and garage, getting a track signed to Gilles Peterson’s “Brownswood Electric” compilation and dropping various EP’s in 2012. Eliphino is now back with a fresh release and an equally fresh podcast.

Jeroen Snik, who goes by the name Icicle, is a Dutchman known for his dark and cold sounds that set a unique vibe in the drum and bass scene. His influences range from techno to dubstep, creating a distinctive and original sound. With releases on RAM, Soul:R and Renegade Hardware, Iciclemoved to England in 2008, now being exclusively signed to Friction’s Shogun Audio. With a smashing debut album in 2011, the Iceman is now finishing up the last bits of his follow up album. On top of a great podcast he also gives us some cool insights into his new record, live performance and upcoming collaborations. Get in!

“One of my favorite musical producer collectives”, is a pretty good quote to start with when coming from Mary Anne Hobbs. goldFFinch is Yoann and Gilles, a duo from Brussels, Belgium. The experienced duo have let themselves be inspired by current movements in the electronic music, but they always redefined it in their own unique way. The first ever goldFFinch recordings gained immediate support from scene luminaries like Boddika, Loefah and Jackmaster. goldFFinch kept their game going strong ever since, with multiple releases on various labels. Yoann sat down with us for a chat about future plans, working methods and Brussels. He provided an awesome podcast as well.

Mungo’s Hi Fi is a soundsystem based in Glasgow, Scotland which follows the original Jamaican sound system tradition for over a decade now. With a soundsystem that gained international acclaim and a set of selection skills that won over the hearts of John Peel, Jah Shake and Mr Scruff, you know that we’re in good company. Mungo’s Hi Fi is constantly busy with touring, running their label or producing tracks. Their latest album Brand New Bangarang” is a full on collab with vocalist Kenny Knots, a release which appears to be the first of many yet to come…

The landscape of house and techno has changed considerably in the past years. Locked Groove is a part of a whole generation of new faces in house music. With various releases on Scuba’s Hotflush Recordingsand Tiga’s Turbo Recordings, the Antwerp-based producer made quite a big name for himself in 2012. The new year doesn’t mean Locked Groove is slacking. He recently announced the launch of his self-titled label, which sounded like the perfect time to have a little chat. Oh, the man was so kind to throw in an ace podcast as well.

Together with the likes of Gilles Peterson, J.Rocc and a few others he’s the personification of the term “Worldwide”. Besides filming, curating and producing LeFtO is probably best known as one of Europe’s leading tastemakers as a DJ. Effortlessly switching between hip hop, funk, neck-snapping beats, future bass or sexy Brazilian rhythms, LeFtO is forever moving forwards, but always keeping an ear in the past. He showcased this eclectic taste in the exclusive mix for Big Up readers. We also sat down with the man himself to chat about genres, boring radio stations and how he evolved as a DJ.

Amidst piles of dirty snow and polar bears, vodka fountains and nesting dolls, lies a small Siberian town Omsk - the home of incredibly talented musician Ivan Erofeev - aka Aleph. This 19 year-old Siberian gem is not yet spoiled by the fame and countless bookings, and he found the time to put together a mix of his favorite dance tracks exclusively for you Big Up lovers. Put on your dancing shoes and hit play. Na zdorovje!

Atlanta’s based Embassy Recordings just turned three years old and we convinced this healthy little toddler to put together a celebratory mix consisting of the label materials only. The mix by the label bossman Mite turned out amazing as you can hear for yourself...

19-year-old Leeds-based Viers (Jordon Saxton for mom) comes from the prodigy pool we’ve been swimming in lately. With Boddika-esque basslines, Loefah-y rhythms, and Detroit-like vibes, Viers is the hottest rising techno star at the mo. We love to share new music with you, and we kindly asked Viers to put together a special mix for Big Up readers. Can’t say he didn’t give it his best. You’ll like what you hear. Just turn the sub up and turn the lights down… To set the mood and all…