Oxford-via-Bristol producer Lower has steadily been building a name for himself over the last couple of years, quietly piquing the interest of an ever-expanding number of fans, blogs and producers.

He recently had his debut release with his track Heartbroken featuring on Rekordah's brilliant Astro:Dynamics compilation, alongside a host of talented producers that includes the likes of Lukid, Mike Slott, Slugabed and Subeena. His contribution also featured on FACT Magazine's website as the daily download.

Twisting the saccharine melodies of RnB around darker, more plaintive tones, Lower crafts tracks with both vibrancy and depth that are imbued with soul. Rhythmically he amalgamates the loose shuffle of hip hop and the swing of UKG, working an inimitable groove into a variety of different tempos.

Already gathering support from such luminaries as Slugabed, Joker and Lorn, he is most definitely one to watch, so we caught up with him to get the score. He has also been kind enough to give away the stunning All The Way Down, which you can cop after the jump!

Can you please briefly introduce yourself?
My name's Lewis, I'm 22 and I've been making music for about two years.

What kind of background do you come from musically and how did it progress to where you are at now?
Musically... none. I decided it was time to start one of my own.

When did you pick up production and what impelled you to do so?
I suppose it all started on Hip Hop Ejay when I was about 14, but properly while at university in Bristol. In halls, I managed to get a copy of Fruity Loops, so I started to take it a bit more seriously from then on really. Meeting other producers also inspired me to push it further. I saw Rekordah at a few nights, I had Nomad feature on one of my early tracks and I have met up with Joker a few times who has shown me the ways of Logic and helped me sort myself out with a pretty good studio set-up. So being in Bristol has been great.

The reason I decided to start producing is because I have always found that when listening to music I would always improvise in my head with how I think it could be better or how it could progress, so I suppose that was a sign for me that I should just do something myself.

How would you describe your production sound? What threads would you say are inherent to the music that you make?
I like to think of it as a modern take on the 1990s, reminiscent of pretty much the whole of the 90s. There was so much good stuff in that era of music I think. In particular, all the hip hop and r&b. I guess that the 90s would be what I consider to be the core of my sound. My most recent influences, I'd say, come from what the UK has pushed out in the last ten years or so with garage and grime.

I understand that you don't DJ. Is that something you are looking to pick up?
Definitely. I've had a go a few times, picked it up alright. This year is the year I get involved though.

You have just had your first release come out on Rekordah's Astro:Dynamics compilation. How did that come about and how does it feel to get your first release out there?
Yeah, it's quite surreal actually. Before now, I was just making tunes in my bedroom and sending them about to a few mates, I never really expected it to go further than that. So when Rekordah got in touch about featuring on the album I was more than happy to get involved.

Have you got any other releases/collaborations/projects in the pipeline?
I'm in talks with a few people... a few remixes for some talented artists and hopefully some work of my own out there.

Download Lower's All The Way Down

Related Links:

• Punch Drunk's Bristol Dubstep Compilation
• Trailer Trax Releases Free EP
• Joker Test Press Competition
• Bristol Dance Music Documentary
• Joker Interview

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