Features

Aaron Jay

Influence Records owner, Aaron Jay, has more than a few strings to his bow when it comes to drum & bass. Having followed the somewhat natural progression of DJ to producer (or vice versa in some cases), he now finds himself adding a third string to his musical bow in the form of his own record label, which has been providing an outlet for up-and-coming talent for the past two years.

"I've always liked the idea of owning and running my own label. Obviously I'm a DJ first and the label was born out of a few things really," explains Aaron. "At first it was just another way to express myself and to demonstrate what I think is good music - I don't want to say drum & bass.

"Frustration was another reason I set it up, I'd been in this game for about seven years, resident at Swerve for four of those and hadn't really got to the place that I wanted to be and thought a label would be a good way to make my mark on the scene. And the final and probably the most important reason I set it up was because I wanted to represent new talent."

With labels such as Creative Source and Hospital dipping into Influence's talent pool, there is no doubt that Aaron has a well-trained ear for new artists, and with a determination that can overpower any problem that comes with running a label, Influence's reputation is well-deserved.

"I've always loved finding the next thing, the next sound, running a label gives you a channel to bring new people through," says Aaron. "It's tougher doing it like that as sales are never as high compared to when people have heard of the artist before but I don't care, I want people to take a risk when they buy an Influence record."

Being able to control every little aspect of Influence's operation allows Mr Jay to put his heart and soul into a genre that he loves, so what are the best and worst parts of running a label?

"Best thing is being in control of the sound I want to play and represent the most, not letting just labels dictate what's in my bag," answers Aaron. "I get sent a huge amount of music, something like 200-300 tracks a month, which is a blessing and a curse as I feel it's my duty to listen to all tracks as that's how you discover unsigned talent, but at the same time it takes an age to go through them all!

"I've got producers from all round the world on my back for feedback and I can't always get back to everyone, although if you do hear from me, you know you did good!" laughs Aaron. "I would say I do love the time just before a track comes out, the feeling of putting something out there for people to listen to and enjoy, but it is stressful at times, for the right reasons. Finally, I get to talk to and meet a vast range of talent from all round the world, it always amazes me how far and wide drum & bass is accepted and loved in, places you just wouldn't think it would be played."

Deep liquid is the name of the game where Influence is concerned with Lynx, Data, Bal and Eveson all contributing to the cause, but with so much success already, what's the next step for Influence?

"Good question, if you listen to DJ Shadow's Entroducing album at the beginning there's a sample that goes 'It's not really me, it's the music coming through me' and that's just how I feel about the label," says Aaron. "When I listen back to old sets I've recorded it's clear that the music has evolved but in my mind it feels like it hasn't that much. I guess I'm always looking for new producers that switch up the sound and change the way things are done, Lynx and Data are a good example of this. These new producers and their creative output are the ones that ultimately change the soundscape of drum & bass. I guess what I'm saying is I and the label will move with the times as and when I hear something new and innovative."

Aaron has made an exclusive mix for Kmag, and he certainly has put his magical musical touch to his set, so what's in store for the listener and what makes a great mix?

"I think this is a typical mix from me, starts off rolling and goes more experimental towards the end, not forgetting that it's a journey to the deep side. Depending on what time I play at a gig I'll always go this way although I tend to go in a bit harder and more experimental the later I go on," he explains.

"What makes a good mix is the ability to tell a story while at the same time entertaining. If you want to play at clubs you've got to know how to make people dance. Warming up for Swerve for years hopefully made me master the art of getting people up off their butts and on to the dance floor moving their feet.

"Also tight mixing is a must especially with this music. Get it wrong just a tad and you're in trouble! Finally, play from the heart, play what makes you move, if you think it's good music chances are it is!"

Influence is set to be a busy label in the coming months, here is what Aaron had to say about its future operations:

"We recently released Bal's The Out There EP, which has had support from dBridge, Commix, Flight, Lynx and Marcus Intalex. The new year will see the release of Dave Owen's huge 12" featuring Still Waters and Feeling Kinda Blue which has been battered by Fab and Groove on Radio 1.

"Other 12"s next year from Atom, Specific, Soul Intent and Eveson. I'm working on an album project which will see me and Lynx reunite in the studio as well as showcasing some fresh new talent like Mr Joseph, Notion & Edward Oberon. DJ wise, more gigs at Fabric and overseas and Swerve of course."

WORDS James Bass