Dubstep’s underworld maestro Culprate  has a new EP out this week. Inspected Records’ Nightmares In Reality veers across different aspects of dubstep and beyond, and who better to tell us about it than Culprate himself.

 

 

The new EP continues to show off your crafting and your deliberate approach to the music you make. Tell us about your drive and determination when it comes to music.

This EP is an exploration into variation. I wanted to bring together all the aspects of my current situation, into one EP as a kind of narrative to the past 12 months, the ebbs and flows that I hoped I'd never have to face.

 

The thing that drives me the most is subsequently the only thing that disappoints me about my music. My own potential… Though this is obviously my burden to bare. It makes me try harder each time to make something better than before…

 

 

The new EP is out now. Can you tell us more about where the ideas for the tunes came from?

It's a difficult question to answer. Every time I sit to make a tune, I start off with an idea that gradually changes depending on my mood at the time.

I'm not necessarily in control of what I make. I just let things happen naturally. Essentially, the EP has been inspired by the various circumstances I have encountered over the past year.

 

 

The different tracks show off different sides of the Culprate character. Take us through the tracks from your perspective.

Hall Of Mirrors is a metaphor for being around many people but none are sentient – i.e. maturing as a human being to find none of your friends have done the same. Trying to dispel your shortcomings, being met with cynicism and sarcastic jealously.

 

Two is an exploration into hypnosis and my pondering actions towards people and how it may affect them. Eventually coming to the conclusion that there's nothing I can do but expect the situation and overcome it. With that comes an overwhelming sense of wellbeing.

 

Nightmares In Reality is a hint at my battle with addiction. Although all the lyrics where written by Maksim, they came at a poignant time for me and was relevant to my situation. 

 

 

 

 

Tooth Fairy is a metaphor, for getting a gift in exchange for a piece of my old life. I'm a free man. Something all of us take for granted.

 

Diablo represents the enthusiasm I have for the future. Its fast tempo is an attempt at motivation. The name insinuates a negative premise, but in my opinion it's a lesson in looking at your life with more flowing perspective, rather than the fragmented mindset perpetuated by the media.

 

 

Why have you gone for more vocals on this EP?
Vocals are something I have had very little practice with. They evoke emotion. The human voice is a very complex mixture of waves and harmonics impossible to replicate. The human ear is specifically designed to react to these waves and harmonics more so than others. So using vocals helps make a deeper pallet of sonic textures without confusing the listener.

 

 

You’re well known for the remixes you’ve done – Are there any artists you’d specifically like to work with?
I'd really like to work with Noisia or Amon Tobin. There are many more who I'd love to work with but they are either dead, or far too intellectually intimidating. Like Richard James, Tom Jenkinson and Brian Eno.

 

 

Could there be a Culprate LP on the cards?

Definitely! I love concepts that carry through, like the old prog rock bands used to do. It makes the whole thing seem like it has a point to it instead of just random songs compiled in an arbitrary order.

 

I'm going to really try and explore in the forthcoming months, as I did with my album ‘Colours.’ That was a lot of fun to write and the response has been amazing.

Related Links:

• Label Profile: Dubsaw
• Label Profile: Dubsaw
• Screwloose Release Remix Album
• KOAN Sound Guest Mix
• Friction - Led Astray: Video

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