How many of us, hand on vinyl, can say that we really knew what we were doing in our youth? I may have been smoking in the locker room but Brackles, from age 15, was working his groove behind the decks, forging a sound that stands out from the crowd with its timely blend of all things garage, grime's roughest cuts and the most uplifting funky and house.

To his credit, this form of 'evolutionary dubstep' reunites the steps (thankfully) and slows down the tempo for a soulful, luxurious melody. We met before his regular show on Rinse to chat about the ever-changing bass music scene, the challenge of working with vocalists and duties that come with hosting a radio show.

Hi, have you had a haircut?
Erm, no, about six weeks ago. Though some of my press photos show me with long hair!

You look different – what did you get up to this weekend?
I went to Afrobeats at the O2 with my brother.

Reworking world class music with an African accent... So, how does Rinse Present differ to your earlier stuff, like Songs for Endless Cities or the Glazed single from 2008?
Glazed is probably the first tune I ever made, I'd call it dubstep – I'd been influenced by the likes of Tectonic and Peverlist, both Bristol heads. Then I refound my love for grime and then funky emerged in around 2007, which had a big influence on me, as well the big clubs and record producers. I also listened to a lot of broken beat and began to work those sounds more into my tracks.

What were your early influences – your parents? Did you study music?
I did piano for a bit but I didn't really like it!

Neither me, parents love to force it!
My parents were into a lot of different sounds. My dad liked Prince, rock bands, some folk music, classical jazz. I suppose that was quite a good starting point. I started DJing when I was 15 that was the thing all my friends were doing, my brother got decks before me and I decided that if I wanted to get bookings and play live, I would have to raise my profile and starting producing material. Not all DJs do but to me that made sense.

So, how would you describe your sound? People talk about 'future garage' but I hear that really winds you up!
I hear the words 'future garage' and I think what! I just don't see how it's future...

It sounds fun and exciting, inspiring! Do you prefer 'new school knob twiddler'?
What does that mean? I've not really thought about it! I'm more interested in making music; I don't worry about the labelling. No DJs are really that bothered.

So, how did this album come about?
It was suggested by Rinse years ago – it was the first time I had worked with vocalists, so it was good learning how to make space for their voice and mixing it with the instrumentals. It was a case of me suggesting the people I'd like to work with and then Rinse approaching them, they came to record at the Rinse studios – I feel privileged to have the likes of Lily McKenzie and Terri Walker on it. In the end, we had about 30 or 40 tracks and we had to cut it down to ten for the album, though there are a few bonus tracks floating about.

Yeah, 12 on mine. So, how do you see your role at Rinse: Education? Entertainment?
For me it's about playing people records that they haven't heard before – it doesn't have to be dubplates but something new, rare or interesting. At the moment, it's Champion, always FunkyStepz... I've been here since late 2009, doing my weekly show, before that I was covering every now and then.

Do you have any fantasy remixes or line-ups?
Argh, some of the garage legends like Tuff Jam. Karl Brown retired years ago but I think Matt Lamont is still doing the circuits. Wookie has made a big comeback recently.

If you could have written and produced any tune, and released it on your own label what would that tune be?
I don't know, probably something by Kraftwerk! Maybe Computer Love.

And to end things, are you up to anything unexpected this summer?
I might move to Bristol, a mate of mine has a room coming up for a few months. It might be good to get to know another city that has a proper scene, also my sister lives there! Then, of course, the usual slew of festivals.

Words: Kim Wilson

 

Read full review of Rinse Presents: Brackles - Brackles on Boomkat.com ©

Related Links:

• Brackles Launches New K7 Mix Series
• Fwd>> + Rinse Cardiff Preview
• Brackles Interview
• Kmag Rinse & Repeat Blog
• Shortstuff & Brackles On Blunted Robots

Like it? Share it!
Sign up for more with the Kmag weekly newsletter.