Walsh is a DJ / producer from Croydon and has been part of the dubstep scene from its garage roots. In 2010 he founded Biscuit Factory Records and the first release, a co-production between himself and Benga, was one of the year's top selling records. The label has since released music from artists such as Benga, N-Type, Chimpo, Tes La Rok, Biome, Matt-U and Benton, and the next release is an EP from Walsh & Kutz. Walsh tells us all about himself and Biscuit Factory.

Where are you from and to what extent would you say this influences your music?
I'm from Croydon ways, where I'm from is a big influence towards my love for music. I live on a hill so when I was very young I could pick up most of the London pirate stations crystal clear. Dream, Upfront, Delight, Taste, Ice, Déjà, Freek - the list goes on of the stations I would lock onto every day. I was into music from a very early age for sure.

The record shop in our area was also a massive influence in what I'm doing today. Most people know that Big Apple Records is legendary in our scene. Hatcha and John K, the owner of the shop, pretty much got N-Type and myself a regular slot on one of the most popular stations at the time, Delight 103, which was like 12 years a go now. You would be surprised at the list of names that came from that shop, big up all that know.

When did you first try your hand at DJing and producing?
The first go I had on a pair of decks was when I was 13, my mate Rob had a set of belt drives and some dodgy old Citronic mixer. I knew from my first try this was something I would never get bored of. He also was the first person to show me a dubplate. He was like "look at this it's made out of metal!" and chucked it against the wall to prove it! I used to go Wax City with him and buy tunes before I even had decks.

At 14 I begged my old man to get me some decks for my birthday. After a couple of years I got a part-time job in Waitrose and saved and saved until I got a pair of 1210s. Same old story really. Not many got a pair of 1210s for their first decks innit!

Producing came a lot later, but it was something I always wanted to get involved with. N-Type got me a version of Reason in 2004 so I could have a go. It was good fun but I found it frustrating, the ideas in my head were good but I just couldn't get them to sound how I wanted. This is why I have done a lot of collab work with some of the best producers in the scene, they have taught me a lot. I now have much better equipment and so it's better to work with.

What's your studio setup like?
Pretty standard... Apple Mac Pro, Logic, plug-ins and that.

Why did you set up your Biscuit Factory label?
It's something I've always wanted as a DJ. I have a great team who back me at ST Holdings, I had a meeting with them and it went from there. The name for the label comes from my time at college when I used to raid N-Type's biscuit cupboard every day for like two years! I must thank everyone on the label making things happen. We have some really good EP's coming out this year, which I'm excited about.

Tell us more about your new Walsh & Kutz EP... what did you have in mind when you made it and what was it like working with Kutz?
We didn't plan anything, we just went with the flow, it was great working with Kutz as he's heavy on the buttons, trust me. The EP is a three tracker, Wanted is the A-side, it's a dark jump-up track with sirens and shit going on with a lot of changes throughout. The B-side has a 4x4 techy riddim called g742 and also a dark steppy number called The Warning. I have been caning all three tracks so it's good to get them out there.

 

Wanted - Walsh & Kutz - From the Kutz & Walsh e.p BFR005 by WALSH

 

g742 - Kutz - From the Kutz & Walsh e.p BFR005 by WALSH

 

The Warning - Kutz - From the Kutz & Walsh e.p BFR005 by WALSH

 

Who would be your dream collaboration?
Well, I have been in the studio with some of the best in the dubstep scene so I would have to say someone like Wookie, Steve Gurley, Tuff Jam, Dem 2 or Todd Edwards... I have shelves of their records!

Got any other releases / remixes in the pipeline we should look out for?
I would look out for the Dismantle and Laxx Eps, both forthcoming this year on Biscuit Factory. They're both going to be three track releases. The tunes come from a wide range of styles which is what the label is about and are currently being played by the likes of Chef, N-Type, Hatcha, Skream, Benga, Caspa, etc. which is good to hear.

What else have you been working on in the studio recently?
This mix for you guys and a new tune with Kutz, which is sounding dark!

Are you making any other styles of music apart from dubstep?
Not really but I would like to though. I'm a big fan of deep and minimal tech house music. I listen to Rinse and Point Blank a lot, look out for Darvin Domino, that would be my alias.

Tell us more about the mix you've done for us and how you went about selecting the tracks for it
The mix has a varied selection of upfront tracks from known and up-and-coming artists. The mix starts off deep and dark then progresses into a more club dancefloor selection and then into a housey Ibiza vibe. A range of styles can be heard from minimal half step to 4x4 techno dub. There are quite a few tracks on there that are forthcoming from new label signings Laxx, Taiki & Nu Light.

What do you get up to outside of music?
Cooking! I watch cooking programs a lot on Sky and have been having real go in the kitchen recently. I have had friends over for dinner and everyone is still alive! Apart from that I watch a lot of football, I try and see Crystal Palace as much as I can. Oh yeah, I don't mind a game of poker here and there.

Anything else you want to tell us about?
Yeah, just a quick plug. I have a new online store for the label. You will find exclusive test presses, free giveaways, free tunes, competitions, podcasts etc so check it if you follow the label.
The Kutz & Walsh EP will be out in September but test presses are floating about soon. Also big up you guys and everyone doing their thing. Hope you enjoy the mix.

Download Walsh's Kmag guest mix here

Tracklist

1. Intro
2. Untitled – Biome – Dub
3. No Solution – Ben Verse – Dub
4. Kimura – J Kenzo – Dub
5. Swaying Mantis – Surge – Wheel & Deal Dub
6. Grotesque –Taiki & Nu Light – Biscuit Dub
7. Alone In The Darkness – J Kenzo – Dub
8. Aztek – Razor Rekta – Dub
9. Manipulation – Ben Verse – Dub
10. The Volt – Kutz – Dub
11. Sir Rock A Lot – Caspa – Dub Police
12. Dark Horizons – Mr Boogie – Sin City Dub
13. Numbers – Benga – Dub
14. Number 6 – Soap Dodgers – Wheel & Deal Dub
15. Wanted – Walsh & Kutz – Biscuit Dub
16. Takin Over – Benny Page –Dub
17. Warning – Laxx - Biscuit Dub
18. The World –Emalkay (Trolley Snatcha Rmx) – Dub Police
19. Critical Damage – Laxx – Biscuit Dub
20. Age Of Love – Subscape Remix – Dub
21. Any Steppas – Benga – Dub
22. G742 – Kutz  -Biscuit Dub
23. Last Line – Dismantle – Biscuit Dub
24. The Light – Kutz –Dub
25. World Dance – Dismantle – Wheel & Deal Dub
26. Fulham 2 Waterloo – Caspa –Dub Police
27. Clone – Dismantle – Biscuit Dub
28. Self Destruct –Laxx – Biscuit Dub
29. Get On It – Dismantle – Biscuit Dub
30. Sublimination – Goth Trad – Deep Medi Dub
31. Dig Deeper – Landslide - Dub

Buy all of Walsh's releases here

 

Related Links:

• LAXX Guest Mix
• Introducing: Soap Dodgers
• Introducing: Soap Dodgers
• N-Type Readies Wheel & Deal Dubstep Vol 1
• Introducing: Benton

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