Ventus. – Keep it Real [New Identity Recordings]

Ventus is a versatile producer and DJ from central UK in Sheffield – with a focus on drum and bass, this artist has shown a considerable amount of talent and dedication to the craft of dance music. In ‘Keep It Real’, Ventus explores an unfolding life in the local music scene, sharing love, growth, fear, compassion, and a future-pointed vision. At the young age of 25, it’s still clear that the artist has a deeply personal connection to his music and has no intention of slowing down. Part of the Formation Records Group, New Identity Recordings produces a funk-laden and more soulful sound, full of rolling liquid influence as well as deeper cuts, and while this offering is hard to categorize, the soulful recording and clarity in mixing keeps me coming back. I have played every single one of these tracks in different settings, and ‘Keep It Real’ is full of these delicious moments that stick with the listener in the best way possible.

A short preview of the title track is available on Sara Lasoul’s Instagram. Sara’s rich and heartfelt vocals are the glue by which these songs are fastened.

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I was able to catch up with Ventus briefly while he was on a weekend holiday, and he offered these words about this engaging and diverse EP:

Starting with ‘Keep It Real’ Featuring the amazing Sara La Soul on vocal duties. This track all stems from mine and Sara’s shared vision of keeping it Real. Really its about staying true to yourself and helping others through times. Good vibes, we need more of that.

 

‘Day & Night’ symbolizes nightlife and the euphoria and loss that often comes with it. In my mind there’s a story about this tune. A naughty fella goes out leaving his girlfriend at home only to cheat on her and be caught and the tables turn. He messes up and she moves on all in a ‘Day & Night’. Feel like that really fire’s the point home.

 

‘Crazy’ is my baby; I spent too many nights dancing to this one by myself like a nutter. This one is 100% about my love for music. It’s my love song to music. Like a happy,reminiscent memory. At the time I made this, things weren’t going so well. Living with people that weren’t healthy and practicing bad habits. It’s great for them, for this track to see the light of day.

 

MO aka ‘Move On’ is a tune made to look back on my love life with a tear in my eye. Good times and bad, all making me who I am now. This tune reminds me of 6am sunrises after the best night ever, paired with the realization that all good things must ultimately come to an end. That doesn’t mean it’s sad; better to have loved than to never have loved at all.

 

For me the ‘Keep It Real’ ep is about the past, progress, and moving on to better things, and I’m sure a lot of people can relate.

Ventus is clearly doing this for the love, and through our short conversation it became clear that he values community in this journey dearly. When I asked him why he was dedicated to drum and bass, we got into a little bit of a conversation about local music and what has been happening with the Sheffield crews:

The thing that keeps driving me to make drum and bass is the passion. The love for the music, and a purpose to prove to myself that I can do it. I’m sure it’s different for a lot of people, but that is just what feels right to me. DnB in Sheffield, for me, is new to be honest. I’ve been pottering about for a couple of years and I’ve seen most of the (local) venues now, and met some amazing people in the scene.

… Planning big projects and building a fan base takes time and care to bring the right stuff to the table. (I’ve been) also playing gigs with absolute legends in the scene, more than I can name in an article. With the releases I’ve been carefully crafting, I will be playing a lot of shows around the north (of Great Britain), which is giving me the chance to showcase all these new tunes and test out what works. Being able to play shows like this gives me a great platform to see what is what with some regular hometown gigs.

I also wanna thank the Formation Records crew. Legends in the game, the lot of them, and it’s nuts how much they’ve accomplished while pushing the scene forward.

I love to see producers that have such a high standard caring about the culture, no matter where from. If you’re around Sheffield, you can catch Ventus live at Strictly Skankin alongside a RIDICULOUS lineup for DJSS’s birthday. 

Look for “Keep It Real” coming out on New Identity Recordings in early September 2024. As soon as more previews are available, this article will have them!