Cluekid has been a prominent dubstep producer for some years now. He's produced with the likes of Skream and Cotti and runs his own label Bullfrog Records. He's got a new 12" out on Subsonik Records soon so we caught up with him for a natter...

Your latest tune is coming out on Manchester dubstep imprint Subsonik, how did that come about?

I've known Subliminal for a long time, he's supported my music from very early on in my career. Whenever I'm in Manchester we'll always meet up and have some cucumber sandwiches and discuss things with a cup of tea or have a curry.

 

If I remember rightly, I was playing a gig in Manchester and I dropped Shatner Chop. It went off and Subz, who was hosting the set, called for the rewind. After he asked me what I was doing with the track as it wasn't signed and I said he could have it for Subsonik.

Original Tearout, the release's A-Side, has a heavy jungle influence, as do some of your other tracks. Were you into jungle when you were younger and was it a conscious decision to use this influence in your tracks?

I was too young to be going out to jungle raves back in the 90s but my aunty Zia was a big raver. I'd always hear her playing jungle and hardcore, I used to love it. 

 

It definitely was a conscious decision to add a bit of jungle to my tunes. When I first started listening to dubstep I felt it needed a bit more old rave put into it. I really liked dubstep but felt it sometimes lacked the energy of jungle. I attempted to combine the vibe of old skool jungle with the tempo and groove of dubstep. Sometimes I'll just build jungle at 140.

The B-side of the Subsonik release is called Shatner Chop, it's got a very different sound to the A-side, how would you describe it?

I dunno really, I'd like to think of it as a roller, nothing too in your face. I don't feel that producing or DJing should be purely about reloads. I'd like to think the track captures the essence of a certain fight move.

Where does your interest in Star Trek come from?

I've loved Star Trek from a young age. Me and my mate were proper into it, we knew ship specifications and everything. One thing I admire is the fighting style of James T Kirk. The forward dog roll technique is an essential combat maneuver. At one point Sgt Pokes and myself were going to start a Kirk training school, teaching people the self defence of Kirk. We never started our school due to lack of government funding.

 

Sandsnake is one of your biggest tunes to date. How did you end up working with Skream?

I can remember I was playing one of my first gigs. A lot of the dubstep boys were there. Skream, Chef and I think Loefah were on the stage at the time. Skream asked me if I wanted to do some work and we took it from there. I think Sandsnake was the second tune we built. This might not be exact as it was quit a long time ago. The experience of working with Skream was good.

You are a member of the first generation of dubstep producers who were there at the start. How does it feel to be one of the elders of the dubstep scene? And does the pressure of having to produce new and interesting tunes affect how you work?

No, it doesn't affect how I build at all. Maybe a couple of years back I'd put too much pressure on myself thinking I always have to make beats 24/7. But now sometimes I won't build for ages and other times I'll build all the time. I'll only go in the studio if I'm in the mood, I rarely force myself any more. I don't see the point in doing something if I'm not enjoying it.

We have heard you're a drummer, do you have any plans to link this into your dubstep productions and is it an advantage when making tracks?

I'd say it's an advantage with drum programming, knowing how the beat should sound and be put together. I haven't got any plans to do any live stuff but saying that I've done a tune with me on the drums and my dad on the bass, it sounds like old dub.
 
How do you think the genre has changed in the last few years as it's become more popular?

It's changed in quite a few ways. It's definitely become more hyped up and in some cases noisier. Saying that there are people I enjoy listening to who still push the sound I'd describe as dubstep. Sounds change and the more people that get into it, the more varied the sounds are gonna get. I'm not necessarily saying it's a bad thing but I'm not a fan of the high frequency bass sounds.

What's in the pipeline on your own Bullfrog Records label?

The next release is going to be a Cluekid and LD EP. Featuring I Don't Wanna Cry on the A-side, which has had a lot of support, and a track called Jupiter 9 on the B-side. Both tracks are on the jungle tip. I've got a few things lined up for the label but I don't wanna mention anything just yet.

What other genres of music do you listen to away from dubstep?

I like lots of music. I enjoy listening to a lot of rock. I like bands like The Who, Oasis, Blur, ZZ Top and Cream. I'll listen to most genres. A bit of jazz, country, folk music, some 80s tunes, Chas & Dave...

Who are your favourite producer in the dubstep scene right now?

I haven't really got a favourite. I'm feeling producers like Silkie, Quest, Seven, LD, RSD and Kryptik Minds.

What tune can you not live without at the moment ?

Ossie's Dream by Chas & Dave!!!

• Cluekid

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