FreQ Nasty started his career with labels such as Botchit & Scarper and Skint in the 2000s. He is known for collaborations and remixes with names such as Fatboy Slim, Kelis and Roots Manuva. His career in bass music has taken in drumstep, glitchhop, dubstep, drumstep, and pretty much everything else. 2011 saw the release of Dread At The Controls on Californian label Muti Music, and now he is back with a new single, Bon Merde, out now on High Chai, with a range of remixes, from artists including Liquid Stranger and B.R.E.E.D. We chatted to FreQ about the new release, his career so far and his future plans.

It's safe to say that you have come an incredibly long way in terms of time, space and in your music – can you tell us about any highlights of your career so far?
Collaborating with reggae legend Junior Delgado before he passed, playing Burning Man fest with the Cali fam over the years, managing to live and work from the beach in Cali, and learning to chill out and make music without getting stressed about how well it does or who likes it .

Over the years, you've collaborated and worked with a diverse range of people and in lots of genres. How has this happened and what have you drawn from your experiences?
I have always liked a lot of different kinds of music so it has been pretty natural. I loved working with Junior Delgado. When I walked into his studio, he had a huge pic of Bob Marley on the wall and one of John Lennon right beside it. His musical spirit transcended genres or colour or religion, but he still maintained his own unique perspective and his desire to uplift all people with his art.

Your new release is out on April the 10th – can you tell us about the track and the remixes that are coming out?
I'm making a diverse range of music right now and this one is more on a drumstep/glitch hop vibe . Liquid stranger has done an epic drumstep remix, FS has turned in a sick dubstep mix and BREED has done a banging reggae-style drumstep mix. Knight Riderz have come with a glitched out moomba style thing. All very cool and the label High Chai from NYC is at the forefront of the new eclectic bass scene that's emerging outta the US right now.



What's good shit for you?
I meant the music, but apparently some of the remixers thought I meant weed and they used the part of the Ragga Twins vocal sample that was bangin' on about smoking marijuana. I guess I should have made it that way, calling the single Bon Merde!

You've also launched a new label, FreQ Nasty Records. What are your plans for the label?
It's really something where I can release my own music and collaborations that I do with other artists I admire. It allows me to drop whatever I like, whenever I like, and not have to think too much about how it fits in.

It looks as though you are incredibly busy with other releases and side projects, give us an insight into that side of things...
After being out of the loop studying for the past few years, it's been wicked climbing back into the studio and reinventing the way I work, reinventing the FreQ Nasty sound. Working with some of my favourite artists is a fun way to expand the way I think about sound and music and to have a laugh with my mates at the same time.

Anything you'd like to share with the Kmag readers and any shout outs?
Big ups to all the bass pioneers, DJ geeks and weekend warriors. See you in the summer festy season!

Words: Gideon Thomas

Download FreQ Nasty's Bon Merde Bass Nerd Mixtape here.

Tracklisting:
Baconhead - Black Cherry [Eat Concrete]
AnTenNae feat XOchitl - We have the Power [Muti Music]
Minnesota - To the Floor [Unreleased Dub]
DCarls feat.Maxim - Jump [Play Me Records]
FreQ Nasty - Bon Merde (Original Mix) [High Chai Recordings]
Stanton Warriors - Shoot Me Down (Sigma Remix) [Punks]
Tim Ismag - Desty Rave [Screwloose Records]
Eddie K & Statix feat. Astronaut - Anymore [HENCH]
Varien - Nights In Bangalore (Dirt Monkey Remix) [Play Me Records]
Die Antwoord - I Fink U Freeky (FreQ Nasty Remix) [freqnasty.com]
FreQ Nasty - Dread At The Controls (FreQ's 'Get Your FreQ On' Edit) [Muti Music]

Related Links:

• 29 (Mar 2000)
• Breaks Booty Reviews
• Breaks Booty Reviews
• Top 10 Booty, Bass & Breaks Of The 00s
• Top 10 Booty, Bass & Breaks Of The 00s

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