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Zen

Zen is concentrating on his Flip Audio label this year with a number of 12"s scheduled for release and many new projects on the go. We spoke to Zen to find out more...

Flip Audio is coming in leaps and bounds this year by the sounds of it. Last year saw its beginnings, what were your immediate thoughts when approaching the making of a record label?
As with any producer eventually there will come a point where you've been on many other record labels and the time feels right to create a brand of your own.

My immediate thoughts were that I wanted another outlet away from the Grid sound where I could experiment with my sound, touching on slightly darker elements as well bassline tunes, as well as experimenting with other genres.

There as so many new labels popping up almost on a daily basis, so I think 2010 needs to be quality over quantity for Flip Audio. Also, being a designer, it gave me the opportunity to use my skills to brand the label, with the logo, artwork and website. I always wanted to make the track and design the logo and artwork as a full package.

Support is coming from Grooverider, DJ Hype & Crissy Criss; how does it feel to garner support so early in the label's life as well as your own as a producer?
Having support from Grooverider, Hype and Crissy Criss has been an important factor, if a DJ likes a tune, they will play it regardless of the label it's on.

I think the support has stemmed from being a producer for a long time, I haven't just been a producer for two or three years and then thought "I'm gonna set a label and release something every week". I've been with Grid for many years now as well as being on Formation / Reformed records, so the decision to start a label when I did has helped give it support, as people have an idea of what I'm about by now.

You mentioned there are some different genres inbound for the label this year, what styles are we talking about?
The label has just had drum & bass releases so far, but later this year we will be experimenting with some different tempo styles in the shape of dubstep and breaks, as well some different drum & bass projects.

Would you say that incorporating these different styles allow for your listeners to better expand their pallet of musical taste as well as your own producing pallet?
Yes, definitely. Music hasn't been so diverse, listeners are really spoilt for choice and more willing to listen to embrace other styles. Also as a producer it's always fun playing with different tempos, melodies and beat patterns and putting your own spin on things. So yes, it expands the production pallet and well as the listeners pallet... surely this can only be a good thing.

2010 is going to be a big one for Flip, any details on what's due and when?
The Full Effect remixes (FLIP004) by Crystal Clear and myself have just dropped. Currently doing the rounds on promo is Zen – That Sound / Bionic1 – Terawave (FLIP005), with full release at end of February. In the pipeline is a Beat Em Up remix by Tantrum Desire and a breaks and drum & bass remix by myself and Bionic1.

Look out for some collabs with myself and Crystal Clear, a project with Twisted Individual and a dubstep project featuring some well known MCs. For regular updates you can check the website.

Words: Nick Bleeker