Carasel MC has been praised by promoters, DJ's and ravers for his positive attitude, lyrical style, versatility and overwhelming enthusiasm for drum and bass music. He is currently the host of choice for Sigma, N3gus, Stanza, Dr Meaker and Run Tingz crew and has performed for many of the biggest brands in d&b, Hospitality, UKF, One Nation, Random Concept, Renegade Hardware, Raveology, Hysteria, and Bedlam. Demonstrating his versitality towards music, Carasel has been working non-stop on a hip hop project entitiled Progression, which is set to be released on September 24th. We catch up with him for the low down. 

Carasel, it all seems to be going off for you, hosting for loads of different DJ’s at so many different events and festivals, how does it all feel?

I’m happy right now! It’s the busiest I have ever been and I have a huge passion for the music. What makes me that little bit happier is the fact I seem to get work from such a variety of different events, it helps keep it varied and exciting and I have a great love for the full spectrum of d&b so its great to host on lots of different styles. We call it ‘different flows for different shows’. The Carasel live show is really kicking off as well and I cant tell you how enjoyable it is to perform your own tracks live.

 

Progression LP is about to drop on September 24^th, can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind the album?

I guess in inspiration is ‘Progression’. It’s me evolving from a host into an artist that actually makes credible tracks. The LP is 90% hip hop so its probably not what people would expect from me but response so far to the tracks we have let go have been amazing and I am really excited to let it go.

 

It features some of d&b’s best lyrical talents, including Dynamite MC, David Boomah, Eksman & Stamina MC, such a wicked collection of talent, how did it all come together?

I’m really honoured to have these features on the LP, these are people I really look up to and respect and its great they have all come through for me. Not only that, but they have all absolutely smashed their features out the park, they all bought their A game and I feel that is a testament to the strength of the beats we are working with. The responses after I sent them the tracks were all so positive.

 

H.I.Y.W is the first single off the Progression LP and also AFT Records debut release, can you tell us a bit about the tune?

We opened with that track as we thought it was a good lyricaly solid intro for people to hear me spitting on hip hop. ‘Hate if you want we let the music speak for us’ is just a message to everyone that we are just doing us rather than bitching and moaning, we just put our heads down, work hard and let the music speak for us. Make sure you check the video for that one.

 

 

The single is also backed by very strong remixes from Stanza, Gold & N3gus, how did they come about?

I am part of a collective called Ambush along with Stanza and N3gus, so they were obvious choices for remixes, Gold is also a good friend. I just reached out to them and pretty much gave them free reign to do what they want and it's turned out great. Hearing Stanza come back with a minimal techno mix and Gold’s 2 step mix was really fantastic and the response has been positive. The whole LP will get the remix treatment with loads of big names lined up, all given free reign to do what they want, so I expect some really experimental and amazing things to be done to the originals.

 

 

Do you have a personal favourite on the LP?

So hard to say it changes all the time, but Ripped produced by Dr Meaker, Watchers with all my Ambush team and Coming Home are my favourites at the moment. Seriously the LP is my baby and I am really happy with every track on there, I have worked so hard to make sure there are no fillers.

 

What else can we expect from you in 2012?

More videos from the LP, the remix package, more shows and more music…. This LP is just Progression and we keep on progressing and attempting to climb the ladder.

 

Anything else?

We have a launch party for the album 23^rd of September @ The Croft Bristol.

 

My label AFT has monthly at Elbow Rooms Bristol last Thursday of the month always free entry.

 

Progression is out Septemeber 24th.

 

 

Words: Laura Charalambous

Related Links:

• Podcast 24
• An Insight Into Birmingham's D&B
• N3GUS Guest Mix
• Glade Festival Returns For 2012
• Murdock Goes Off The Radar

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