LM1 began producing trance back in 1995 under the name Red Devil but then had a long break from music before finding drum & bass three years ago. So far he's had releases on labels like Dispatch, Outsider, Levitated, Translation, Absys, Cov-ops and Offworld, his own imprint. He's about to release his debut album so we caught up with him to find out more...

Tell us more about the album you're releasing...
The album is a chance to release tracks I've saved over the last year along with new material. It's been a headache picking the tunes but I think I've chosen the best and it shows some variety with my style. The album starts off straight out the block with club tunes, chills towards the centre and picks up again into the more full-on club tunes latterly.

What's the thought process behind the title?
Redshift is the title track and encompasses all the elements I like about drum & bass: spacey atmospherics, straight-up riffs combined with a shifting mysterious background, a deep full bass and driving drums.

What did you set out to achieve with it?
My main plan was to make a good album's worth of tracks that could all stand up on their own while representing my different styles within drum & bass without having to look outside the genre, which in turn helps keep me fresh. I'm very glad minimal drum & bass got accepted, it gave me a chance to revisit my old ambient styles.

How does working on albums compare with singles?
I know this album is more about getting my tunes out there rather than exploring a theme, but I'm looking forward to trying something different for my second album, writing tracks especially for it. It's going to be a totally different approach, one I'm looking forward to. I produced ambient albums in the beginning of my career so the idea is very appealing to revisit that what I know now and apply it. Two of my favourite albums of late have been along a theme: Antibreak's stunning 11 Shades of Night on Redmist and ASC's Nothing Is Certain. I think it's one of those things we all want as producers, to make an album worthy of repeated listens that takes you on a timeless journey.

Can we expect anything different on it?
I'd say my main style is melodic atmospheric and yet I like many styles within drum & bass so it encompasses minimal ambient dnb, atmospheric light drumfunk, chilled ambient grooves, driving club tunes and even one dubstep tune called Cold Blue.

Who have you collaborated with on it?
I collabed with Glen Easton, he's a massive talent and I feel we're musically on the same page, so it had to happen. We've done two tunes with one to appear on a later compilation, and I'm securing an album from him later in the year as I like his style so much.

It's coming out on your own label Offworld, tell us about the label briefly...
I've been running my label Offworld since the start of 2010, initially just to release my own material after ASC's Cov Ops label closed but it's gathered pace since and I've picked up a lot of artists I admire. While I'm always aware of whether artists and tracks will be well received by others, I'm putting out music I feel personally first and foremost and with a core group of artists such as Scenic & Advisory, Seathasky, Method One and an amazing new talent Oscillist. Offworld's focus is on melodic / atmospheric drum & bass whether it be contemporary melodic or old skool influenced, or even the new minimal style. I host the Offworld Show on Bassdrive every third and fifth Monday 8pm - 10pm GMT.

I notice your label has a few albums due this year, why is this?
It was more timing than anything, while I was preparing my album I approached my favourite artists Scenic & Advisory and Seathasky and asked them if they'd like to have albums. I feel the album format is much better to introduce the artists and listeners together, rather than a track here or there. The albums were nearly all finished at the same time and while I feel bad having artists wait a long time to put out product I think it's a very worthwhile venture. I also have a regular series called Offworld Transmissions in which I showcase new talent and I'm also preparing a minimal compilation featuring regulars and new faces.

What else are you working on at the moment?
I'm producing new tracks, collaborating with Rogue State, working with Lee from Future Engineers, exploring new styles within drum & bass and I plan to make more darker tinged tunes like Wake Up which is forthcoming on Levitated. For my label I have plans for a new online shop selling mp3s and exclusive tracks, CD compilations and Offworld tees. I also have plans to gig a lot more when I get all the hardware necessary.

Anything else you want to tell us about?
Yes, I'm featuring on a 12" dropping soon on Peer Pressure with Linden called Remember, my tracks Sentience is appearing on Paradox's forthcoming Age Of Outsiders 4 compilation which will be pretty special I think. I also have my remix of Future Engineers' Ellipse dropping on vinyl on Absys later. Finally I'd like to thank all the Offworld artists for their amazing music and fans for their continued support, shouts to everyone at Bassdrive!

 

LM1-Blue Mountain Ep by Offworldrecordings

 

Related Links:

• Introducing: LM1
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• Helios - First Dream Called Ocean (Stray Remix)
• Rotation Deep Interview

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