Chelsea: Hi Steve, thank you for taking a moment and talking with us, how about we start with a quick background on your moniker Digital.
Digital:
Digital exists because my dad was a DJ with a sound system, one of my sister’s was a dancer, the other a big pop music fan, my brother is heavily into oldskool Hip Hop and Mum always danced around the house to reggae music. The whole household was into music in a big way. I’ve been Djing for over 3 decades and I’ve been producing since 1993 with over 130 releases and within those releases are 4 LP’s, my next one ‘Total Control’ is going to be the 5th LP.
Chelsea:
And how did you land on the name Digital?
Digital:
Ashanti Sound System from Ipswich let me hang out with them when I was around 14 years old. I showed them I could operate a sound system because I grew up with amplifiers and speakers all around me as my dad had a sound system. In the mid to late 80’s ‘Digital Reggae’ championed by producers like Jammy’s was the big in thing. Digital Reggae was fresh and futuristic because it was made with computers and keyboards so because they felt I was ahead of my time they kept saying, “Yuh digital” or “Di yout digital’ So I thought hey, that’s sounds like a good name so I kept it…… Forward 30 years and ‘Digital’ is a google search hellish nightmare!
Chelsea:
Currently who is/are your favorite non-dnb artist?
Digital:
I would have to say Artists like Bob Marley or Michael Jackson.
Chelsea:
Tell us about this recent release Total Control – Function which is coming out on April 27th.
Digital:
This project consists of straight up DNB/Jungle. I’m not trying to be clever, I made this LP with the jungle ethos I always make music with which is.. I use all my influences, experiences and vibes I’ve collected over the years combined with samples from my record collection and from crate digging. I don’t try and do what other people are doing I only work with my jungle ethos.
Chelsea:
What is your biggest break / thing you are most thankful for to date in your music career?
Digital
I’d say it’s a toss up between my track Deadline as it spread to all DJs worldwide so they all got to know who I am which is rare nowadays. Secondly (it’s more of a personal one) my first release on the great Reinforced Records. When I was buying and listening to Reinforced music I never thought I’d have a release on the label, it wasn’t even a dream but I had a couple of 12’s and I’ve featured on some compilations too.
Chelsea:
Currently who are your top 5 current Drum and Bass artists?
Digital
I would have to say; Spirit, Calibre, Kiljoy, Response & Seba
Chelsea:
Where do you see / hope to see the sound of Drum and Bass evolving to in the next few years.
Digital
I hope to see the sound evolve vibe wise and not engineering wise. There’s so many engineers but not so many artists. I’d love it if everyone would love to stand out from the next producer.
Chelsea:
What is one tip you would like to give to aspiring Drum and Bass artists?
Digital
Be yourself. Put your own influences, experiences, and data into your music. After talking and learning more about Digital I found that when he collaborates with his production artists he tries physically to travel to where his collaboration partners are, rather then working virtually. This allows Digital to really ascertain the vibe and feel of what he is working on and who he is working with and it comes thru in the productions of his tracks.
