It may need come as a shock when it was introduced that S.P.Y, the elusive DJ, producer and now label boss of DARKMTTR Information, could be taking up the legendary XOYO in London for the entire of November. The Brasil-born mega DJ typically solely picks the gigs he’s actually enthusiastic about and, along with his launch schedule, each label and private, many followers may marvel how S.P.Y might find time for 4 Fridays. Seems it was a easy choice for him.
With the well-oiled machine that’s Bizarre Science Promotions operating most D&B gigs at XOYO (they’ve additionally acquired the likes of Grooverider, Andy C and the entire Kool FM lineup slotted for December and early 2024), and a ready-made lineup at his disposal, the primary three gigs have gone off and not using a hitch and the collection nearer, happening this Friday, guarantees to be an incredible sendoff for S.P.Y and firm. The likes of Calyx, MC GQ, Etherwood, Lowqui, IAMDOOMED, Alley Cat, Voltage, Kyrist and Flava D on the roster, each week was as gorgeous and vibey because the final, with a brilliant blowout for the final date (learn on to search out how who the particular visitor will probably be tonight).
We don’t need to yammer on an excessive amount of in regards to the different stuff we chat about, as a result of S.P.Y gave a great deal of glorious solutions, however suffice it to say if you happen to have been on the lookout for ideas and methods from a grasp producer in addition to how he does his A&R, that is the article for you. Per his title, S.P.Y normally retains his secrets and techniques shut so YEDM feels very fortunate he was so open on this article and we admire his taking the time. Now learn on and luxuriate in spying on S.P.Y.
As a producer who appears to reside within the lab and who solely does the gigs you actually get pleasure from, what made you determine to do a residency at XOYO?
XOYO is such a legendary membership, so I felt fairly honored to be requested to host a residency there. It’s an incredible alternative to curate my very own lineup and share with folks, the DJs and producers that I actually admire and respect. Funnily sufficient, it’s truly acquired me spending much more time within the studio as I’ve been busy finalizing new tracks to play on the residency. I do know that everybody who’s coming all the way down to XOYO are there as a result of they like my sound, so it’s actually rewarding to have the ability to drop some unique new tracks and mixes only for them.
We’re nearly midway by the November dates (at time of interview); what have been a few of your observations in regards to the gigs? What are you trying ahead to within the upcoming gigs?
I can’t consider we’re already midway by! The group on the first two nights has been completely unimaginable. They’ve been so up for something and have actually been vibing to the entire DJs, it’s such an incredible feeling to get to play to such a responsive crowd. It’s additionally been nice to get to see the opposite DJs play. Normally I’m so busy touring that I’m out and in and onto the following present. For every evening of the residency I’ve been there from begin to end and have gotten to get pleasure from everybody’s units and actually profit from the evening. Every evening of the residency has a very completely different lineup with a unique sound, so I’m trying ahead to dropping some extra dubs on the subsequent two nights. I’m additionally actually trying ahead to going again to again with Bladerunner and Flava D, that will probably be particular!
How did you choose the lineups for every week? How did you determine to work with Lowqui as your MC?
Whereas it looks like it will be very easy to curate a lineup, it was truly actually troublesome as there have been so many individuals that I wished to guide. I used to be fortunate that the ultimate lineup had everybody that I actually wished and every evening has come collectively properly. I wished to make every evening distinctive, so the 4 lineups replicate that. I take heed to a very large number of drum and bass so I felt it was essential to cowl all of the completely different sounds that I get pleasure from.
I actually like working with Lowqui, he’s acquired an incredible vibe as an MC, he’s a mad hype man and he at all times interacts effectively with the group. It’s additionally been nice to work with another MCs in the course of the residency too, like Inja, Stamina and SP:MC, they every have such a singular type and add a unique taste to my set.
Coming off XOYO for a bit, you’re on 12 months three of your DARKMTTR label and it appears curation is essential to you, and that you just’re not on the lookout for massive names to launch but it surely’s extra in regards to the sound. How would you characterise the sound of vibe you typically go for? Is it solely you on A&R, or have you ever introduced in some assist?
The sound of DARKMTTR is basically various. The label releases all the things from darkish and minimal, to moody and musical, though I really feel like the entire releases appear to have a deep, heavy undertone to them, even the extra atmospheric tracks. I at all times knew that once I began a label I didn’t need it to be pigeonholed into only one sub-genre so I actually wished it to replicate my style in music. It is just me doing the A&R for the label and I actually get pleasure from doing it. I exploit a DJ-based strategy to A&R and the very first thing I ask myself when choosing a monitor is, would I play this in my units? Each monitor that I’ve signed to the label is one which I’d – and do – play myself. I’ve at all times wished to do A&R and it’s considered one of my favourite components of operating a label. It’s actually rewarding to find new music and assist producers work up their tracks in order that they’re able to launch.
What are some stuff you’ve discovered over the primary three years of DARKMTTR about operating a label? How has it measured as much as your expectations once you began it?
I’d wished to begin a label for years and I at all times knew it was going to be quite a lot of work however nothing actually prepares you for the daily actuality of operating a label. It’s been a very fascinating expertise seeing the music trade from a label perspective. I’d solely ever seen it from the artist facet so it’s been fairly a studying curve to see what’s concerned in getting a launch on the market. Scheduling, budgeting and A&R, they’re all issues that you just aren’t accountable for as an artist and should not totally perceive, however they’re important when operating a label. I’m grateful that I’ve a stable staff round me who share the imaginative and prescient of the label. It’s so rewarding seeing the label develop, I can’t consider we’ve had 21 releases already!
How do you determine which releases of your personal will go on DARKMTTR and which you’ll store different labels? Is {that a} troublesome choice?
It’s troublesome. I launch most of my music on DARKMTTR, however typically resulting from scheduling I’ll search for different labels to launch my music. If I launched all the things I’ve on DARKMTTR there could be no room within the schedule for the opposite artists!
Are there any upcoming releases that tie in with the XOYO residency that you could discuss? Did the discharge schedule inform your choice to do the residency?
The second evening of the residency was truly the discharge day for “Take Me Up,” my new collaboration with IAMDOOMED. IAMDOOMED performed at XOYO the identical evening and it was like an unofficial launch occasion. It was wonderful to play the monitor with him there and to see the group response. The discharge schedule didn’t inform my choice to do the residency, but it surely was nice that IAMDOOMED might play on the identical day.
Speaking a bit about type and sound, in the previous couple of years you’ve been doing quite a lot of deep and atmospheric stuff however not essentially melodic. What makes you impressed to vary issues up and the way do you provide you with your extra distinctive sounds?
Producing music is such an natural, inventive expertise for me. I can’t drive a vibe or make myself produce a sure sort of sound. My music is an expression of how I’m feeling emotionally on the time, or what’s happening in my life. Relying on what I’m feeling impressed by I can produce one thing completely completely different to different issues I’ve been producing currently. I spend quite a lot of time engaged on sound design which appears to present me some fairly distinctive sounds. I even have quite a lot of analog and modular tools in my studio and I attempt to not be too technical with it. Late nights within the studio, a little bit of sleep deprivation and quite a lot of experimentation appear to mix to provide some actually fascinating sounds. Mainly I simply have enjoyable with it and see what I can create!
Having been within the recreation for some time, how is it to create tracks with present strategies versus 15 years in the past? Do you employ a mix of strategies? What kind of softwares or programmers do you employ?
To be sincere, I haven’t actually modified the way in which I produce. My sound has undoubtedly developed through the years, and I attempt to hold my manufacturing related sonically, however my strategies actually haven’t modified that a lot. One factor that I’ve undoubtedly modified over the previous few years is my sampling. I used to pattern loads for all of my tracks, nonetheless now I create the entire sounds myself. Studying extra about sound design has opened up an entire new realm creatively for me and it’s actually satisfying having the ability to use my very own sounds. I’ve been having fun with sound design a lot that I’ve even began releasing my very own pattern packs.
I take heed to a very wide selection of digital music and recreate a number of the strategies from different genres with my very own twist. I’ve been utilizing Abelton Reside since model 5 and I’m actually loyal to it, it’s a superb manufacturing software. I additionally use a Stable State Logic (SSL) desk for summing my tracks in analog, which creates a very nice heat texture for my tracks and naturally I take heed to all the things by my PMC audio system.
Is there the rest you’ve gotten arising in releases or gigs that we didn’t point out?
We’ve a launch arising on DARKMTTR in December; it’s a double launch: a collaboration I’ve completed with DJ Restricted and one other of his tracks which has an incredible vocal. I’m going to be dropping the monitor at XOYO so I’m actually trying ahead to seeing what the group assume! Rolling into 2024 now we have a bunch of recent releases and collaborations lined up for DARKMTTR, however I’ve to maintain all the things beneath wraps for now. Preserve your eyes on S.P.Y and DARKMTTR socials to see what we’ve acquired happening.
Any recommendation for brand spanking new producers on the market?
I feel the primary piece of recommendation I might give is to by no means cease studying. Preserve enhancing your sound and your manufacturing, continue learning new strategies and watch as many tutorials as you’ll be able to. Additionally, I feel it’s fairly simple to surrender if you happen to’ve submitted a couple of tracks to labels and haven’t had something picked up. More often than not, it’s simply that these explicit tracks aren’t proper for that specific label, or perhaps you simply want a bit extra expertise, or you have to refine your sound. Don’t quit, hold producing and hold sending in these demos! One trick I can share is to A and B the monitor you’re engaged on with an identical monitor that has been launched to see if you happen to’re heading in the right direction sonically.
S.P.Y’s final XOYO set will probably be tonight, November 24 at XOYO. For clips and data, test S.P.Y’s socials or Bizarre Science Promotions’ Instagram. For upcoming DARKMTTR releases and to listen to S.P.Y’s newest monitor with IAMDOOMED talked about on this article, click on right here.
