blog // Interviews, Tunes

Scamp (Life 4 Land) interview & FREE download

29 April 2010

On Friday 21 May Braindrop hits Matter for the first time ever. Top psy-promoters Halcyon have invited us to host the excellent room 2 for them, whilst they take care of things in the main arena.

Whilst Room 1 plays host to a jaw dropping psychedelic line up – including an exclusive and very rare live set from international megastars Infected Mushroom, we’ve organised a ridiculously fat up-and coming line up for our room. Joining The McMash Clan will be dubstep badman Flux Pavilion, Planet Angel favorite Cellardore, Braindrop resident Charlie Cutta, your beatboxing host Bass6 and Life 4 Land’s  Scamp.

Scamp is an immensely talented producer who has very cool dreads and makes huge, devastatingly tough d’n'b with a psychedelic twist. He’s a member of Cambridge’s infamous Life 4 Land collective, a crew of underground producers and artists who have had a real impact on the free party scene both nationally and abroad. A massively diverse group, the count the likes of Ed Cox, Monsta (of Goldie / Stenchman / Breakfastaz etc etc art fame), Stivs, Ghost, MDS and Senor Scram amongst their numbers.

We caught up with the Scampy one to ask him some questions about production, the election and other important tings. And the charming chap gave us a free tune of his to distribute for your download pleasure too. Enjoy . . .

BD – Hi mate how are you and what are you doing at this moment in time?

S – I’m all good thanks. At the moment I’m busy writing some new material for the mass of summer parties that await us all this year. Got to be prepared innit!

BD – How would you describe Scamp? What are your main influences?

S – For me Scamp represents dark futuristic dance music that encompasses and creates fusions of various styles in a hi-nrg package. My influences started within the metal and rock scene. People like Pantera and Rage Against the Machine were a staple diet. I went on my first rave ‘exodus’ in 97 and that’s where I found a love for dark d’n'b and jungle. Since then my influences have become too many to list but what inspires me the most is to create tunes that allow you to mosh away any negative experiences that we all pick up from day to day

BD – Where did you get the name from?

S – Scamp has been a nickname since high school due to my cheeky and mischievous nature – and ability to climb lol!

BD – You’re playing in the Braindrop arena at Matter on 21 May. What can we expect to hear in your set?

S – A Matter be prepared for an audio onslaught of dark dnb, hard-tek and dubstep – with the visuals of a dreadlocked nutter going mental on the stage.

BD – What gear do you use to produce?

S – I use only software at the moment … Cubase SL and various VST synths, including Abysynth, Massive and Circle.

BD – Top production tip for up and coming producers?

S – For all the new producers out there experimentation is the key. Try not to go into a track with a preconceived image of genre or you will always be trying to write something that already exists. Just have fun and create sounds that make you pull a silly face and just flow with that.

BD – Any big news? Releases / collaborations / festival dates?

S – I’m working on a few remixes at the moment. We have the Life 4 Land remix of ‘Fire’ about to drop and I recently got the acapellas from the great ‘SMB’ hip hop crew – so expect something filthy turning up with those guys soon. As for festival dates I’m mainly going to be playing at free parties all over the summer with rigs like dmt,toxic,guillotine,trauma etc. Keep your ears open:)

BD – How do you fit into the big Life 4 Land picture? In what way are you all different? And what do you have in common musically?

S – In Life4Land everybody has their own unique style of dance music and I suppose I’m covering the d’n'b heads’ corner. What brought us together is our love for innovative dance music to smash parties with – and that’s what has held us tight as a crew for the last 12 years plus.

BD – What are your thoughts on the upcoming election? Who’s getting Scamp’s vote?

S – Hmmm the Scampy vote obviously ain’t goin to BNP, Conservative or Labour. . . and I’m not sure whether I trust the others either. Still undecided at present.

BD – All time top 3 tunes?

S – Raaa! Top 3 tunes damn now that’s a question. No I can’t do it! There are far too many but 3 random faves spring to mind:

1. Tech Itch vs Dylan – The Legend
2. Pantera – 5 Minutes Alone
3. Nixt- Evil Resident

Thanks Scamp! Check him out on the 21st in the Braindrop arena at Matter. In the mean time download some tunage form the man himself below. Bo!

Scamp and Scrawn – Freddy vs Mephedrone