COMPETITION: Sub Club & Deadly Rhythm Present Hyperdub

When you talk about some of the most influential and prolific labels of the last ten years, you’ll find it difficult not to mention Hyperdub. A brief glance at their discography and you’ll notice such game-changing records as Burial’s eponymous debut, Terror Danjah ‘Undeniable’ and of course early efforts by label boss Kode9. Named ‘Dubstep Label Of The Year’ in 2007, it has helped shape the direction of bass music as whole, exploring and exposing the many facets of what has become one of the biggest sounds in electronic music. From Ikonika to Cooly G, Flying Lotus to Martyn, Hyperdub has become an essential platform for an ever-changing scene.

This Friday, some of the label’s most inspiring and exciting artists descend on the Sub Club for a special collaboration with Deadly Rhythm and a Hyperdub showcase which is set to rock the dancefloor to its very core. Headed by Kode9, perhaps one of the most respected artists of the last ten years in British bass music, the line up will see the feverish rhythms of Scratcha DVA intertwine with early affiliates and men of the moment LV, whose forthcoming album ‘Sebenza’ is already being tipped as one of the key releases of 2012. Setting the tone will be local talent and Deadly Rhythm resident Raksha, who after signing to the achingly hip High Sheen earlier this year, is set to do big things in Glasgow and beyond.

For those who are already familiar with Hyperdub’s legacy, Friday night will undoubtedly be an undisputed highlight of the summer, but for those who are perhaps taking a leap of faith or excited to experience something new, it could well be the highlight of the year. Either way, with some of the label’s biggest names on the bill, staying at home is simply not an option.

Check out tracks and mixes by some of the featured artists below as well as interview with LV:









Synth: You recently announced news of a forthcoming second album called 'Sebenza', can you tell is a little about what we should be expecting from it and how (or if) it relates to first album 'Routes'?

LV: We worked with four vocalists on the album; Okmalumkoolkat, Ruffest (a duo) and Spoek Mathambo. All the vocals were recorded in South Africa and the music was all made in South London. We've been piecing it together over the last couple of years. The process was a little slow as the only time it was possible to record vocals was when Gerv travelled to South Africa to visit family. He would grab as much time as possible in the studio with the vocalists, recording over rough beats and then bringing the recordings back to LV hq in South London. We reworked a lot of the music after getting inspired by what the vocalists did, although some of the initial ideas made it through to the final versions on the album. It relates to Routes only in as much as it's the same people making the music but at a different time and with different collaborators.

Synth: We’ve read there’s quite a strong South African House influence on the new record, and certainly the 'Night Drive After-Party Bumble Taxi' mix correlates to that. How does South Africa feed into your music and what is it that inspires you about it?

LV: There sort of is, but it's only one small part of what we listen to and what informs our music. Also South African music is as broad as music from anywhere, and we listen to whatever we can, not just house music.  As to the extent that it feeds into what we do, it's impossible for us to say. And what inspires us about the SA music is exactly the intangible thing that inspires us in music from elsewhere, but if we could tell you exactly what that was then it probably wouldn't be as inspiring after all, If you see what I mean…

Synth: When you all met originally did you find you had similar tastes in music or were you all enthusing about different sounds? How do you think that influenced your direction in the long-run?

LV: We share a lot of our musical taste but everyone has their own little tangent they like to get into which changes all the time. Being in the studio together it helps to have a common idea of what you're doing, but equally it's good to have people pulling you away from your own rut sometimes. It's not something that is discussed though really, we just get on with making music and we see what comes out.


LV: serious flavour

Synth: You didn't sign with Hyperdub til 2007 after some ten years of making music, what initially attracted you to the label, and what were your initial impressions of Kode9 and what he was doing?

LV: Kode9 flew us by helicopter from East Dulwich to Camberwell to see him, then he showered us with cash and vintage liquors while we sat in the hot tub of his roof garden. Obviously we were impressed with that. He's also an easy guy to get along with and he tells you straight whether he likes something or not. Eventually.

Synth: You'll be joining Kode9 and Scratch DVA at the Sub Club, what can we expect from you in a club setting and how excited are you to play the Sub Club? Have you heard much about it?

LV: Very excited to play, don't know what to tell you to expect since I won't know what I'm gonna play til I start. I've heard it's a great club and I'm looking forward to seeing DVA pass out after his third tequila.

Synth: Finally, how do you see LV moving after the release of 'Sebenza'? Is that something you think about or do you keep it very spontaneous and just let things happen?

LV: We've got various bits and pieces on the go at the moment but for now we're focussing on getting the live show ready for September when Okmalumkoolkat arrives. So we'll do that and keep making music whenever we can…

Synth: So there you have it, Hyperdub are officially in effect. With Kode9, Scratcha DVA and LV all passing through, not to mention High Sheen’s ridiculously talented Raksha, this Friday is shaping up to be yet another oversized feather in the Sub Club’s bulging cap. If you’d like to bounce down on the guestlist for free then simply head along to our Facebook and type DEADLYXHYPER on our wall, we’ll select a winner at random this Thursday and notify them shortly after…

SYNTH FACEBOOK

Terms & Conditions: Please note that this prize is for two places on the guestlist for Sub Club & Deadly Rhythm Present Hyperdub on Friday 27th July. There will be one winner. The competition closes at 6pm on Thursday 26th July and the winner will be notified via Facebook shortly after. The winner must be 18 years or older. After we have passed on the winner’s details to the event organisers we then pass on responsibility for entry on the night. 

LV 'Sebenza' will be available August 27th on Hyperdub. Tickets for this Friday's party at the Sub Club are priced at £10 from Tickets Scotland.

Hyperdub Website
Kode9 on Facebook
Scratcha DVA on Soundcloud
LV on Soundcloud
Raksha on Soundcloud
Sub Club on Facebook
Deadly Rhythm on Facebook
Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/299093103519974/