Hi Freak 1c (Outbreak Digital) Interview By SparX – (Hard As Nails)

So tell us a bit about yourself for those who dont know.

 

 

 

Hi my name is Ian Jay i’m produce/label owner I produce hard house, hard trance, techno, I’ve also starting to get into other styles now like dubstep and minimal, so keeping nice and busy.

I co-run a label called Outbreak Digital which is not like other label, all the money we make goes direct to charities such as cancer research, whizz kids charities like that, we been really luck as we have had some of the biggest produces appear on it, from Technikal to Nick Rowland and Guyver, Dave Owens and Jon BW. And have so much more to come too.

 

SPARX – And I have to say that’s a damn good use for a record label and fair play to everyone who has supported you so far.

 

What got you into the music?

 

I went to my first club at the age of 16 in Bristol called Lakota and at the time Bristol was buzzing with many night getting some of the best DJ’s from around the world, with the likes of Carl Cox to The Disco Brother to Jon The Dentist. It wasn’t till later when my mate let me have a go on his decks thats when I got hooked, And never looked back since. Back in 2006 I started working with some of my friends who are now big producers. I learnt how to produce just by watching what they were doing and picked it up very fast.

 

What was the defining moment where it all started?

I entered a competition on a forum to remix a track for a label called Digital Assault with a friend of mine Bonzo and we were the top 3 winners. From then on in I’ve been remixing and brushing up my production ever since. I spent two years at music college called Access To Music on the music production course. This course taught me everything I needed to know to how compressors work how to make synth’s and sound design also down to room acoustics the course was perfect. I’m now studying to become a teacher now for Access To Music and I’m based at the Bristol Center. Exciting times.

 

In the middle of anything cool lately?any tunes in the works?

 

Working on many things just finished a couple of engineering projects with some new people, like Socky & myself called Out Of My Socket which is going to be on Socky’s and Fran’s label Nu Skool, it’s a funky groovy number.

 

Also worked with Jud Roper a new guy from Reading the track is called All Groove, it’s going to be coming out on Outbreak so keep a close eye out for that one. Also just finshed another track with Mark Loannides called Chunky Monkey it’s a chunky hard house number with massive chord stabs and a evil bassline.

 

Recently worked with a producer called The Tom on a stomping hard house track just waiting for a vocal for that one and it’s done, so keep an eye out for that.

 

I’m in the middle of doing a collaboration with Scott Genetik it’s going back to my roots and doing a hard trance tune, really happy with how it’s going and now getting Lucy Clarke to do Vocals for it once it’s all done.

 

I worked with Hilz’e recently on a new one for his label which we called Frequency Vibrations which should be out in the next couple of month. Myself and Darrell White manage to hook up to do another track which has been snapped up by Nik at Toolbox it’s called Golden Gates and think it’s out on the next Toolkit. Also been back in the studio with Gary B working on a few tracks and collaborations, we just finished one with Frank Farrell which is going to be appearing on Rodi Styles label Kung Fu Wax, excited about that release. And me and Mike Franklin AKA Amp Attack have started a new one too which when he is back from OZ we will get done. So yeah been keeping busy plus doing a few remixes for a couple of label such as HardHittin Digital and Fevah Recordings and a remix for a new label called Southwest Filth Association. Also got some collaborations coming up this year can’t say to much but some big things due.

 

Any big sets coming up?

 

Not really pushing the Dj’ing side of things anymore. I think it’s because I’m working, at college, producing and seeing the girlfriend I’m just not finding time to send out demo or email anyone. I get a buzz when I hear from people who email me saying that they drop my track and it went down very well which I find awesome to hear. (who wouldn’t). But I do have a set coming up in Brixton’s Club 414 at a afterparty night called Refresh on Feb 13^th. It’s going to be a charity night and money made will be going to British Heart Foundation and getting Outbreak Digital to help out. I’ll be playing a back to back set with good friend Ben Bennett so really looking forward to this. So if you haven’t anything planned get down and show your support.

 

So tell us a bit about your record label – sounds like an amazing idea! – which charities have you supported so far…when did the idea hit you?

 

Outbreak Digital is ran by myself and Dave Leigh AKA Aftershok (He Produces Hard Trance). We both wanted to do something different and help out charities. So myself and Dave got talking and both came up with the charity label idea. We both work really hard with the label with artwork and promo send outs and all promotion done by just us too so it takes up a lot of time but it’s worth it. We donate our money to various charities to see what ones please head over to our myspace to see what ones we have done so far. Http://www.myspace.com/outbreakdigital we got some really exciting releases due for 2010 and like to say thanks to everyone who supported us throughout 2009.

 

What was the hardest thing as a producer for you to learn?

 

Wow there is hundered of things which are hard as a producer. Main one is Mixdowns getting all the levels sounding perfect, clean and nice spread – out over the mix, this is the one thing that takes some time to do and still I hear from big producers it takes them days even weeks to get the mix perfect. Trust your ears and don’t rush.

 

Favourite food?

 

Mmmmmm pizza and Chinese obviously not together that would be wrong, but they are my top two.

 

Who has been the biggest inspiration for you within the scene?

 

Yeah really look up to a few producers such as Paul Janes he is an anthem machine and production is second to non, really do look upto him. Another is Paul Maddox his sound is extremely clean and tight and really impressed by all his work he does. I also look up to Dom Sweeten and Dave Owens these two guys really do some outstanding work and always excited to hear what they do next. Another one who I feel doesn’t get the recognition he deserves is Frank Farrell he is unbelievably good and production is second to non. Also love anything Mike Franklin aka Amp Attack does he really is pushing out a great sound for himself and sure he will have an immense year this year.

 

Any influences on your music outside of Hard House?

 

I really been getting into the Dubstep and breaks scene right now from producers such as Rusko and Caspa to 501 and NumberNin6. Also loving the electro disco sound from producers such as Grum, Phonat, DJ Mehdi this sound really takes me back to the 80’s and remembering watching classic TV like Miami vice and stuff like that classic. Really like the house scene right now from producers like Riva Starr, Jackbeats, Calvertron, Micky Slim, Criz D could go one and on now haha. So many good producers out there.

 

 

Weird question – but does the way you feel on a day effect the music you make?

 

Not really it normally effected if I made a wicked sound in Logic or if I brought a new sample pack and a sound in there triggers off ideas for new track. I feel it more effected by what I listen to haha, like some days I would listen to some funk or soul from Isaac Hayes or Marvin Gaye to Miles Davis or Quincy Jones and then the next day I might be listening to something from The DJ Producer or Dave The Drummer and pick up some ideas from the overall feel of the tracks I’ve listened too.

 

Who is your favourite nrg producer?

 

So many producers I like from Paul Janes to Dom Sweeten, Dave Owens to Equinox, Paul Maddox, Frank Farrell, Darrell White, Amp Attack, Jon BW, Nik Denton, SQ, Pierce Rooney, Chris Comben, Manik, Hilz’e. Also have loads of respect for new producers such as Rich Resonate, Ross Homson, Matt Capitani, The Tom, James Taff, Pocock, Venkman, Gary B, Jody 6,

 

SPARX : -Jody 6 And James Taff I can say myself are damn good producer/engineers

 

Have you ever had a really strange thought and laughed to yourself in public – getting weird looks from random people?

 

Hahaha do this all the time, I work as a Lifeguard as my other job and the amount of times i’ve done this thinking of something funny that’s happened and laughing out loud and the swimmer looking at me like I was a fruit loop or something.

 

SPARX – Something you have in common with our very own Resh from Hard As Nails then mate!

 

Any Final Words you what to say or plug?

 

Yeah. Track of mine is out now on Combat Recordings called Flodden so go buy it now. Couple more tracks out so please show your support and like to say thanks to everyone who buys and plays my tracks out. Also a tune myself and Darrell White done back last year called “JetStream” is out now on Encoded Digital.

Also our new Outbreak release is out now SQ – Save Me and a track from Nathan McClymont – Brok3n so go buy them from www.trackitdown.net

 

If you would like a track engineered please send me an email to: hifreak1c@hotmail.co.uk this is also the same email address if you would like to get in touch if you would like anything remixed for your label. Thanks for your time and support and look out for future Outbreak Release on Trackitdown and due soon on other music stores too.

 

 

AND DONT FORGET THE NEW HARD AS NAILS RECORDS CD IS OUT THIS MONTH – NAILGUN 002 – SIMON VEGAS E.P

 

Tracks by Simon Vegas  with Riggsy, Bazza B , Nice Guy Danny Roberts, DNG, Craig Main And Steve Gillen!

Tracks include:-

PANIC ATTACK

UPRISING

GHETTO BITCH

NOISE POLLUTION

WARNING

THE MACHINE

AUDIO FUCKA

DROP IT

I KNOW THIS

CALM B4 THE STORM

UNLEASH THE FURY

WHO THE FUCK R U? (BONUS CD TRACK)

SAMPLE DOWNLOAD LINK  http://www.sendspace.com/file/bc0tb6

This is our installment of old school Birmingham U.K Hard NRG before we start smashing out some freaky ass stuff.  Make sure you check out DROP IT , NOISE POLLUTION and GHETTO BITCH if you like your filth!

 

Available from www.toolboxmusicshop.com in the next month.

Enjoy !

SparX, Resh And The Hard As Nails Team

 

-          P.S if you wish to join the Hard As Nails Mailing list or want to be included in the DJ ONLY mailing list please send your details and email to hardasfukhouse@hotmail.com – all additions to the dj only tune mailing list are by consent of Hard As Nails and subject to our conditions and judgement.

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