Kent based drum & bass production duo Nu:Elementz are currently climbing to the top of the scene thanks to their energetic productions, so we caught up with them to find out more.

For those who aren't already aware of your music, please introduce yourself briefly...
We're DJs Beanz and Ovadose also known as Nu:Elementz and we're based in Kent. We've both been in the scene for around ten years individually but together as Nu:Elementz, it's been just over three years.

How would you describe your style of drum & bass?
The style that we're known for is more minimal jump-up, but we can play a bit of everything. We've been making liquid, techy stuff more recently, but everyone knows us for our moving, gritty, minimal rollers.

When did you move into production and what would you say has been your biggest release so far?
Ovadose: I started producing about 7 or 8 years ago, I wasn't taking it too seriously at first and it was a bit of fun. After I teamed up with Beanz about 3 years ago, I started paying attention to it properly.

Beanz: I started producing about 4 years ago, putting tunes out on Myspace and then later Soundcloud. It just went from there really. I would say so far our biggest release to date has been Hall of Mirrors alongside Decimal Bass.

What's your set up like? Which hardware and software do you use?
Cubase 5.1, M Audio Oxygen 25 Midi Keyboard, our drums are all pre recorded which we run through as audio, for Bass we tend to use massive but sometimes rewire reason for this too.

Where is the most obscure place you have found a sample for a track?
A lot of our hi-hats and crashes are from Ovadose finding samples from glass bottles and tin cans. Beanz has also recorded vocals for a couple of tracks but most places we find our samples for our tracks are from old films, like 1932 horror films and also a lot of reggae. It all depends on whether we're watching a film and if it sticks out, we'll go back and sample.

What do you enjoy the most about producing?
It's got to be seeing the reaction you get from the crowd, playing on a loud sound system. We make a few tunes and sometimes we're not sure of them but then we get the reaction from the crowd and they love it so it gives you an incentive to keep going. If you play a tune and they're not feeling it, we then know it's time to go back and make changes.

You're based in the London/Kent area as are many up-and-coming DJs and producers, what do you think it is about London that produces such a high amount of artists?
Although it could be said that DnB originated from this area, as well as Bristol of course, I wouldn't say that so much now as there are many producers from all over who are making an impact in the scene. If you go up North, you've got Dialogue, Total Recall, Konichi, Decimal Bass and lots of decent up and coming producers coming with different styles. However, distinguished artists, like Erb N Dub, Majistrate and Harry Shotta all come from our area.

What are you currently working on at the moment? Can we expect a full length LP any time soon?
We've been talking about it but it's not the right time for us just yet. We have got a few EPs lined up, one for Sly on Higher Stakes, and then working for a few tracks for Chronic / V Recordings.

 

 

What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Being signed to Chronic / V Recordings has been a massive achievement for us as the label was a big influence to us growing up. Also playing @ New Year's Eve Innovation just gone, United as One, and playing on the first UK boat party and the second this year. It's been a really exciting journey.

Where do you hope to be in five years time? What is the ultimate goal for Nu:Elementz?
Hopefully get an album out that will be nice and diverse to showcase our versatility. That won't be for a while though; we've still got a long way to go.

Where do you draw your influences from? Which DJs/MCs/artists/musicians inspire you?
Beanz: Loads, there are definitely too many to mention. I grew up listening to old school Reggae and Hip Hop like Dr Dre, Nas, and Snoop Dogg. Drum & bass wise, artists such as Hazard, Twisted Individual, Mampi Swift, Majistrate, Hype & Zinc have been huge influences in my career.

Ovadose: I used to listen to Pink Floyd and they've definitely influenced me. Drum & bass wise, I'd say the likes of Tantrum Desire, Noisia and Drumsound & Bassline Smith. I'd also say that Hype and Zinc were very influential from back in the day too.

What would be your dream collaboration alive or dead?
We'd definitely love to work with Bassman, there's still plenty of time though! Production wise, TC for sure, Roni Size, Hazard, Krust, Die and if we could ever influence Redlight to come back as Clipz that would be heavy, that Bristol sound is what we grew up with.

Which tracks are you feeling at the moment, ones you simply cannot do without in one of your sets?
We're definitely feeling 'Heist v Serum – Live at The Apollo' Sampler taken from The Big Bad & Heavy Album dropping real soon. We've also been pulling out the classics in our sets too, dBridge - True Romance and tracks like that.

So you've recorded a guest mix to accompany this interview, tell us a little about it?
Featuring what we're doing at the moment with some specials of previous tracks, couple of tunes from a few producers we're feeling and a few collabs. Topped off with the lyrical skills of Kombo and Unknown.

Anything else you'd like to mention?
Big ups to Sly and Pacso and everyone at Higher Stakes, Phantasy, Erb N Dub, Ironlung, Nicky Blackmarket, Jumping Jack Frost, Bryan Gee and everyone at V Recordings. Everyone buying our tracks and supporting the scene. All the people who have supported and guided us, Erb n Dub, Funsta, Ruffstuff, Harry Shotta and Majistrate. Big ups!

Words: Joanna Ranson

Download Nu:Elementz's guest mix here

 

Tracklist

1. Nu:Elementz & Decimal Bass - Ticka Tock (Nu:Elementz Special)
2. Nu:Elementz - Short Circuit (Chronic)
3. Scorpio - Li Li Remix
4. Crytical Dub - Break It Down
5. Nu:Elementz & Dub Motion - Ragga Skank
6. Propz & Rowney Ft Trigga - Fly Gal
7. Konichi - Grumpy (Dominator Remix)
8. Nu:Elementz - Supernatural (Turning The Tables EP)
9. Konichi - Infinite
10. Nu:Elementz - Dragon Fist
11. Nu:Elementz - Psychotic (Turning The Tables EP)
12. Ego Trippin Ft Shaydee - Dutty
13. Telekom - Dynamite
14. Konichi - Slugger
15. Nu:Elementz & Telekom - Flawless
16. Dub Motion & Nu:Elementz - Possession
17. Nu:Elementz - Fear (Turning The Tables EP
18. Nu:Elementz - Unknown (Turning The Tables EP)
19. Nu:Elementz - Shadow Style
20. Bass Brothers - Just a Moment (Nu:Elementz & Decimal Bass Remix)
21. N.E.D.B - Land Of Ice
22. Nu:Elementz & Decimal Bass - Sharp Words >>> Generation Dub - Finding The Three

 

 

Related Links:

• Nothing Long Release Debut Compilation
• Introducing: DJ Skeptik
• Introducing: DJ Skeptik
• 29 (Mar 2000)
• DJ Kid Interview

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