ALL CREWS INTERNATIONAL: US PART 1

In our new blog series we’re chatting to some Jungle Drum & Bass crews around the world about their favourite tracks, events and what they’re all about.

This edition is strictly stateside business. We’re chatting to a few Jungle Drum & Bass heads from across the United States, where Jungle Drum & Bass has been rolling out since the 90s. Read on for the full US JD&B debrief..

Iris

Out of all of the tunes you’ve produced, which two were your best and why?
Good question! Cold Brew is definitely one of them. That was one of the first tracks we did in bitwig. It was done at the height of the pandemic when we were all deep into isolating and it’s really reflected in that track (the whole EP really). It’s really one that ended up being a great dance floor track, it’s dark, it works really well with a crowd, and really was a step up for us production-wise with the quality of it.

Second one I think I’ll have to go with Accurate. I think this one kind of caught us by surprise, we really liked it of course and it’s got a really great bass line, but I didn’t anticipate how well others would be into it as well. I think it really speaks to how getting a lot of movement, funk and variety in your bass line can really influence the groove of a track. The same can be said for Cold Brew as well.

You’ve DJed all over, what is the most memorable experience you’ve had as a DJ?
Current most memorable is probably getting the opportunity to play for DJ Marky’s ‘Marky and Friends’ night in São Paulo, Brazil. It’s one of those shows that I’d never in a million years think we’d have the opportunity to play. Marky is one of our absolute favourite DJs, producers and curators of music. Being invited to play his night is one of the biggest compliments of our music we could possibly get. We spent a whole week there eating the food, walking around and hanging out with some amazing new friends. The crowd for the night was so into the music, they were up front and getting down the whole night from 10-7am!

People mention your tunes as being ones they play a lot in their sets, who are some producers you’ve been drawn to in your sets?
I’d love to say we aren’t predictable in the producers we play but I’m afraid we are. Break is always top of the list, DLR, Molecular, Genic, Submotive, Philth, HLZ, Zero T, more recently Black Yukon Sucker Punch and Klippee and really any artist that’s great at churning out those techy rollers or the classic techstep sound that’s able to infuse a lot of funk into their tracks. The vibe is always key and trumps anything else.

Find Iris on: Soundcloud

Lenore

Tell our All Crews readers all about Elements.
Elements is a Jungle Drum and Bass weekly I co-founded w/ Crook in January ’99 at the Phoenix Landing in Boston. The venue is known for its intimate and welcoming vibe and heavyweight sound. We’ve brought in pretty much all the JD&B legends and continue to support up and coming talent near and far, as well as embrace all of JD&B’s uptempo sub-genres and sister genres. The current residents are myself and Furious (Shawn Conte).

Who do you feel like you’ve learned the most from as a dj?
Well, I taught myself how to do the mechanics of DJing, but I would say the greatest inspirations were when I was a fan. Local DJs like DJ Bruno, Tim Haslett, Jidé Max, Jordan Dare and Marky Gee all inspired me to start buying records and probably subconsciously influenced my DJing.

Besides Jungle Drum & bass, what are some other things that are important to you?
House music for getting me on this path initially, animal rescue, my three cats, and the importance of arts/music education in childhood especially for underserved communities and girls.

Find Lenore on: Soundcloud, Instagram

 

Arietta

Like Brian Belle-Fortune the author of All Crews, you are a practicing Nichiren Buddhist, how has your practice influenced you as a DJ and producer?
I could go on for hours about this – studying and practicing Nichiren Buddhism has completely transformed the way that I view myself as a person and artist. Although I have practiced on/off for over a decade, I became consistent about a year and a half ago. Since that time I have been able to release mental artistic burdens I’ve held on to most of my life, and write music that is completely in alignment with who I am, it just flows now. Next month I’m releasing two remixes, later this fall I’m releasing an EP, and I’m just about done with my first album which will come out at the top of 2025.

Tell our All Crews readers why you love producing Drum & Bass?
For me personally, I feel like it’s the electronic genre that I have the most space to write music the way I was trained, classical and Jazz composition. I don’t feel restricted by certain parameters or style, and the listeners have a wide palate of appreciation for the sound.

You play out quite a bit, who are some of the producers you’re rinsing in your sets?
It really depends on the set! For dance floor sounds, which I’ve been doing most of my career, you’ll find folks like Sub Focus, Mandidextrous, Bou, Whiney, and S.P.Y. For jungle shows I really love playing out Dacamera, Rainforest, and Total Science.

Find Arietta on: Instagram

Despise

Tell our All Crews readers about Recon.
At Recon we embody the spirit of Reconnaissance, exploring beyond the familiar boundaries of the drum & bass landscape. Recon is a collective of passionate DJs and producers dedicated to the underground sounds in and around Jungle Drum & Bass, and breakbeat-oriented music. Since emerging in 2003, Recon has been hosting regular events showcasing innovative national and international artists that are pushing the boundaries.

If you could pick one Recon event, which one is the most memorable and why?
In short, Photek. The Recon Anniversary shows are a yearly highlight, featuring specially curated lineups that represent past, present, and future sounds. The 10 Year Anniversary show remains a crew favorite, with Photek, Ant-TC1, and Sinistarr sharing the stage. Photek played a history set, and it was Ant-TC1’s first time playing in Denver, a landmark achievement.

How did you first get into jungle and drum n’ bass?
In the mid 90s, I used to stay up late watching Amp on MTV which played electronic music videos from Photek, Aphex Twin, Future Sound of London, Goldie, etc. At 16, I started going to raves and was quickly drawn to the Jungle Drum & Bass being played in the side rooms. At 17, I went to London and got to experience iconic nights at The Blue Note and The End firsthand. Soon after I got my first set of turntables and started collecting vinyl.

Find Despise on: Instagram, Soundcloud

Ontology

Do you prefer DJing or producing and why?
Hard to say! Both allow you to take your influences and put them out there in a deeply personal way. One is more straight-to-the-point as it’s a direct connection with the crowd and a total rush, whereas the other can be a total melting pot of expression. It’s super fun to sit down and focus on making a track, really pour what you’ve been digging into it and mix it up. Honestly, I love them both equally.

You have been producing great tunes for sometime now, if you could pick three artists to collaborate on tracks with, who would they be and why?
Would love the opportunity to work with Phineus II, one of the first jungle artists I ever listened to and still an absolute master of his craft. DJ Krust as well would be an absolute treat, one of the best to do it. Pure soul and breakbeat symmetry. To shout out a good friend of mine, Msymiakos is always a pleasure to work with. Every single time we collab it’s just pure inspiration, pure oldschool. The don, still one of my all-time favorites of the modern scene.

What can listeners expect to hear from you for the rest of 2024, going into 2025?
Steadily going down the 95 into 96 route with more hip hoppy jungle and early dnb sounds, faster tempos, together with more focus on atmosphere. More Jungle Tekno and Breakbeat Hardcore as well, expect some crusty A500 breaks! Looking to put more digis out on bandcamp, and with that be on the lookout for vinyl releases and shows into 2025!

Find Ontology on: Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Instagram

 

WHYS

As a DJ, what are elements of tunes that you look for when playing out or recording a mix?
I listen to music and if I enjoy it, I buy it. I try to remain open minded because I get to play in so many different settings, and if a song has me dancing in my seat, then I know I’m on the money.

What other DJs in your area do you love playing parties with?
Some of my favorites are Liquid Giraffe, Trinity Gia, BB Shaine, Nikes, BC Rydah, Phayla, Anna Morgan, Stoney Pie, and so many more, but these are just off the top of my head.

Please tell our All Crews readers what they should expect to hear from you as a producer, for the rest of 2024, going into 2025?
As I allow myself to be where I’m at with producing and actively experimenting and learning, I’m trying to let go of my fear and release more music. I’m currently sitting on some projects which I plan to release in the coming year. Also looking to release music through Dislabel from myself and other artists in 2025, so keep it locked. Much love, y’all.

Find WHYS on: Soundcloud, Instagram

 

Leah & SQRATCHONE – Jungle Vibration Records

Give us some details, when was your baptism to jungle and drum n’ bass?
We began our journey into jungle in the late 1990s. As time progressed we went from dancer, to DJs, to producers, and now own Jungle Vibration Records in the southeast USA.

Tell our All Crews readers about Jungle Vibration Records.
Our mission is to release quality Jungle vinyl featuring today’s North American Jungle producers. We focus on Ragga Jungle, Atmospheric and Drumfunk.

As a label owner, what is quality jungle and drum n’ bass to you?
To us, the artistry in a piece of music is when a track has a sense of timelessness, and it’s compostion seems to touch a person’s senses deeper than music that’s just trying to follow trends.

Find Jungle Vibration on: Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Instagram