When it comes to Drum And Bass in America, very few places actually deliver. Yes we might have a DJ or two scattered throughout every state. But very few have a scene, the full package. So of course I have to big up all that New York has to offer. It has promotional crews like BP2DNB, and the original Konkrete Jungle. Some of finer fabrics that I have owned over the years have actually been crafted by the legend John Murphy, the plug at New York Junglist. Some of the #USDNB leading producers reside within New York like Pish Posh, The Burner Brothers and the one Liondub. But it does not stop there, it is also home to some major Jungle Drum And Bass export services like Liondub International, Patrol The Skies. The title names Digital Terror Recordings and it too.. is a exporter of the finer things of Drum And Bass music. The “AUTOMATA EP” brings something new to the table, something different. We got the privilege hearing this release bit by bit and I have to say I never heard of Stompz before and I’m really kicking myself for waiting this long to discover him. I got to talking with Mr. Masseo, Digital Terror‘s front man and he got me linked up with Stompz so we could get a little more familiar.
dEEb:
Take yourself back to a time before Drum & Bass, how did you get in with the music thing from the beginning?
Stompz:
Well, i was raised by my parents on a mostly ska and reggae, which obviously instilled that ragga vibe in me from the get go, and i got onto the prodigy from my dad when i got to maybe 10? But i also came up on a lot of punk music and naturally got heavier and heavier, found myself playing in a few bands as a drummer and now you can find me slapping polyrhythms off my knees on the bus to likes of Meshuggah.
dEEb:
What was it about Drum & Bass that made you want to start producing it?
Stompz:
There were a few things I think, firstly seeing Hazard for the first time at my local (World Headquarters, big up the Lively Up crew every time)*gotta shout the homies* Seeing the guy so focused playing his own tunes and seeing everyone going off on one to em made me really wanna do the same thing and catch on that same vibe. Then listening to a lot of old Annix tunes from like around the time their Inception EP came out got me really pumped to make some weird and interesting stuff, which is why i think i tend to produce across most subgenres. And finally Emperor vs Mefjus at imagination set, hearing disrupted kick off so hard made me so hyped to make music and try and get to that stage, thats still probably my favourite set to date.
dEEb:
Do you ever feel like being creative or having a unique sound being somewhat difficult seeing how there is so much Drum & Bass?
Stompz:
It can be quite difficult i think at first, it took me a while to find my sound but i think i’ve started to over the past year or so. You’ll probably notice a lot of my music due to come out in the coming year has a kind of similar running theme and vibe. But i feel like if you have a vision of what you want to make is important, weather its unique or not, and personally i think it’s up to the listener as to weather or not it is. But drum & bass has been around for a long time and i think it will be for a great deal more, and new artists are popping up and pushing things all the time, i hope i fall into that category myself.
dEEb:
Producing, arguably being the most important roll in Drum & Bass. How else do you contribute to the scene as ‘Stompz’?
Stompz:
I feel like production is a large contribution of course, but i also feel like playing sets that resonate with people is really important too because that’s where you get your intimacy with the music. I really try to shape my sets to the vibe that I want and to be something i would like to experience in the club myself. But i also feel like communicating with the wider scene i.e. promoters, locals, fans, label owners, and people who contribute in other ways like yourself is also really important, because we are all trying to push the same thing, and love the same music, and i feel like the family ethic and sense of connection in drum and bass is fundamental to why people love this scene. Not only that but i feel like it’s super important to be real and be yourself, which is what i try to do. After all i’m just here cos i love the music too.
dEEb:
Before we wrap things up here, one final question. Where were you three years ago, and where would you like to be three years from now?
Stompz:
Oh goodness, 3 years ago i was very unfocused and more concerned with going out, than contributing, but i feel really switched on and in tune with the scene now, i’ve only been in it 2 years and i feel like I’ve achieved a great deal, so I’m just hoping I can stay on the ball and continue to contribute in my own little way. I’d like to be gigging regularly of course, but i also wanna be more involved. There are a lot of labels id like to be a part of, in all sub genres, for example i’m huge on everything critical tend to push, and at the moment I’m hugely influenced by all the dark stuff hazard has in the locker at the moment and id kill to get involved with playaz at some point (a man can dream). But to be honest, I’m happy just doing what i’m doing and watching everyone kill it right now. Like seeing my boy Bou annihilate the scene at the moment has me motivated and Kings of The Rollers are right up there at the top now and it’s and absolute pleasure to be communicating and collaborating with these guys and just being a part of the same thing they are.
Stompz latest and what I would consider his breakthrough in audio production is currently out on the digital market place containing 5 of his latest Jump Up Drum And Bass tunes! So if you haven’t already be sure to cart that release if you haven’t already and definitely follow Stompz on SoundCloud as I expect more from him later this year!
