Xzist and Pkay are building this UK based label from the ground up with some of the filthiest tunes in dubstep today. We speak with the owners of Dubsaw as well as their main go-to producer, Culprate, who also supplies us with an exclusive mix.

What got you into pushing the sound of dubstep?

Xzist: For me it was the speed and groove that got me hooked. I always liked half time style DnB, but dubstep had even more swagga. I had been really into grime for a period at university and for me this had a lot to do with it, it was like grime but more produced and fuller. For me there are more open doors when it comes to the production dubstep, the speed and groove leaves the sound a lot more room to grow.

How do you, as a label, differ from the rest?

Xzist: I think the scene was crying out for a label like us, there was a filth shaped gap in the scene that I think we filled nicely. With a mix of big names and new names, we aren't scared to try something different, and with great support from our distributor Z-Audio, we are in a great place right now.

What are your goals as a label? What is your label all about?

Pkay: Our main goal is to help develop our artists to their full potential and really push the boundaries of dubstep. We're not looking to sign tracks to just make a hot 12", we're looking to find talented artists and give them a platform to try and cross that line where other labels may have said 'stop'.

With that said we're not looking for one-off producers. We're looking for talent that we can develop a relationship with and help grow as artists. I guess that's Dubsaw in a nutshell. We're looking for artists not tunes. When we initially signed Culprate, we could have just signed him for the tunes he initially submitted to us. We invested in the artist instead of the tunes and the results have been amazing.

What projects do you have coming up that you are excited for?

Pkay: As far as releases go right now we have Culprate in the studio working on his first full length album... a couple of rumours floating around that we may see a second album of non dubstep material coming as well. DSAW004 will be out in early July featuring Culprate's Trenchfoot / Flagarence, followed by Point.Blank's debut EP and 12" releases from Mr Boogie and Dismantle.

It's in the beginning stages but we're starting to work on a 2 x 12" remix EP featuring some huge names taking on Dubsaw's biggest releases, including remixes by Hulk, KOAN Sound, Veelk (aka I:Gor), and many more. Also, nothing 100% confirmed but keep your eyes out for a possible Dubsaw tour in the next year.

Any words you'd like to leave to the readers and fans out there?

Pkay: We'd like to thank all of our fans, old and new, who have put a lot of faith in the Dubsaw family. Also, all of our producers on the label and those who may not be on the label, but are supporting the sound and what we're all about.

Xzist: I'd like to make special thanks to Brainpain, Matar, and Dom. Also to my Mrs for letting me have another love in my life.

 

 

We also had a chance to speak with Dubsaw's very own, Culprate (above), who is swiftly making a name for himself in the dubstep community. With numerous twelve inch and digital releases on Dubsaw, remixes of Excision & Datsik, and plenty forthcoming originals and remixes, Culprate is becoming one of the genres most sought after artists. Here's what he had to say in our recent interview.

What got you into music in your younger years? What was your musical background before dubstep?

Well, the first music that you could really call music that I got into was the Remarc style jungle when I was in primary school. When I hit my teen years I started to get into metal, as you do, until I found Squarepusher at the start of my college days. This was the point where I began actually making music with the aid of my guitar and Cubase. At first I made strange drum & bass / hardcore. As I left college my music tastes expanded to encompass just about everything.

What got you into the dubstep style?

I think it was, this might sound weird, Caspa's Custard Chucker. It's nothing like my style but it's the first dubstep tune that I remember really enjoying. As a producer it had me wanting to try and give it a go in the studio, and really got me into dubstep.
 
How do you feel you were received just starting off? Also, what do you feel you did to gain an edge or advantage on other DJs/producers out there?

I started off doing drum & bass and never really made a big name for myself. I never really stood out from the crowd but when I got on the dubstep tip, people seemed to really like what I was doing. I think what gave me an advantage at first was I was experimenting with the glitchy/filthy side of dubstep when the majority of the scene was focused more on wobblestep. It helped me create my own identity since I was kind of doing my own thing.

How do you, as a musician, today differ from the musician you were when you first started off?

I think the main difference is my production skill level.  Time in the studio makes a load of difference.  I'd like to think my tunes I'm putting out today are a lot better than when I first started off.  Outside that, I still get my influences from the same places.  I will say though lately, I have been pulling a lot more influence from blues and jazz than I am from my metal influences like I had in the past.

What past projects are you particularly proud of or best known for?

Oddly enough, I am most proud of my Avian life on Mars will be... EP. An IDM EP I worked on that went out on Dubsaw Records and Planet Terror Records as a free release. I like this one the best because I just made music, restriction free. I wasn't confined to the natural boundaries set by dubstep or drum & bass.  You can still download that for free here.

What projects do you have coming up that you are excited for?

I'm currently working on two full length albums for Dubsaw Recordings.  One is an experimental / IDM / electronica album that will allow me to branch out and explore different genres.  The other will be hardnosed, rinse-out dubstep.  I'm really excited about both.

Do you have anything in the works for future collaborations or tours?

In July DSAW004 12" will be out with Trenchfoot / Flagarence by myself on it.  I've got a couple of remixes in the works as well.  I just had a remix of Datsik and Excision's Calypso come out on Rottun.  I also just wrapped up a remix of KOAN Sound's Jumpsuit Adventures that's been getting a lot of hype. A Dubsaw remix EP is in the works that I'll be a part of as well.  Always got something in the works!

As far as tours, right now I'm playing a fair amount of shows here in the UK and Europe.  Pkay from Dubsaw is currently working out the details of a USA/NZ Dubsaw tour.  It's in the very early stages of planning, but keep an eye out for that.

Do you have anything to leave the readers and fans with?

Just wanna give a shout out to everyone who's helped support what I'm doing. I've been very fortunate and humbled by the support I've gotten from making my music.

As an added bonus Culprate has put together a free exclusive mix for the Revoltcast series.

Culprate - Green Final mp3 by culprate

• Culprate

Related Links:

• KOAN Sound Guest Mix
• Top 10 Nastiest Dubstep Basslines Of 2010
• Diamind Records Label Profile
• Friction - Led Astray: Video
• Japanese Dubstep: Greg G

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