For a lot of devoted Drum ‘n’ Bass fans who have seen the genre progress over the years, it’s an exciting time. We’re currently witnessing the rise of the second generation of producers. Drum ‘n’ Bass has gone full cycle and we’re back to a time where producers live and breathe the music, and it shows in current releases. On the front line of the new generation is one of Brighton’s most hard-working and promising producers, Insight.
With releases on respected labels such as Commercial Suicide, Outsider and Horizons (to name but a few), Insight is making big sonic ripples in the Drum ‘n’ Bass world. We caught up with him to learn a bit more about his past and what he’s got lined-up for 2008…
How and when did you first experience drum n bass?
Well I was more a techno head before D’n’B. One of my best mates was playing me hardcore and it caught my ear, but really wasn't until going to the first Metalheadz Blue Note Sunday Session where I knew for sure, it was D’n’B for life. Never looked back since.
What was it about the Blue Note sessions that really caught your attention?
Just the pure experimentation and open-mindedness I guess. The music was in a period of wonderment. Producers were competing. It was like Gladiators and Blue Note was the Colosseum. Such a mixed crowd but seemed so committed.
Where does your name come from?
Ah hit a sore point there! I got my first D’n’B gig quite early in my career and didn't have a name. My best mate was going through some serious stuff and I was helping him a lot, he said I had a lot of “insight” to his situation and feelings, so he said I should use that as my name. Boring really, but it stuck!
When did you start producing, and how long was it before you started making tracks that you were really happy with?
Well I dabbled a bit with my best mate, who was really good at the time. He had so much potential but that's another story. I then decided I wanted to do it seriously and signed up for a production course. The first tune I finished was for my application to that. It actually had some of my best ideas ever in it. I then waited about 4 years before I sent anything out. It was actually Seba who pushed me to.
We had booked him for [Carbon] and he stayed at mine, played him some tunes and he said I should send ‘em to Vibe'z. Rest is history! It's now been about 6 years I've been seriously producing.
If Seba hadn't have stayed over that night, would you be in the same position as you are now?
Good question. Hard to say… but probably. I think what it did do for me was show that a tune can be finished as up until that point I was finding it hard to complete tracks. When a tune is signed, that's it, no turning back, move on to the next idea. So who knows when that would've happened, Big up the Seba!
What have been your personal favourite productions so far?
Well the first, Sweatpants, definitely is up there. It was a track I made for my best mate who's a jazz drummer. One of the most complex and raw tunes I've made. It's hard to pick favourites though, they all mean different things to me. Tomorrow’s Yesterday on Commercial Suicide is up there, because it still gives me goose bumps.
Transmission, forthcoming on Digital Soundboy is one of my best rollers, it's actually been around a while and has inspired other artists, so that means a lot to me too.
When can we be expecting that to get released?
Well Lynx has a 12", then I'm after that. So very soon.
Your monthly Drum ‘n’ Bass night ‘Carbon’ has just had its 4th Birthday - what prompted you to start this night and what’s the current ethos behind the music policy there?
Well I actually started Carbon in 2000 with my best mate Voytek. We started it up again in 2004 because no one was playing the music we wanted. Or booking the artists we wanted to hear. The whole ethos still stands today, it's all about the music.
We've upheld a no MC policy for all that time too and it's worked wonders for us. We don't dislike MCing as a whole, just pro music.
So no Shabba on the M-I-C?
[Laughs] MCs like Conrad, Cleveland Watkiss, GQ, SP, Lowqui and System have flow and can hype a crowd, but what they really have is respect for the music. It seems crazy to me to hear MCs chat over every beat and breakdown at events. Let the music do what it was made to do!
In regards to your DJ sets, what have you got in store for 2008?
Well things are really picking up. I have quite a lot signed, so should be busy. I’ve got a new agent, which is weird. Never thought I'd have someone working to get me gigs. I’m also looking at doing a mini tour of the United States as well; DJing is such a big part of how I produce, so just want to do more.
I get most of my inspiration from playing out, and seeing what works, and try and fill gaps I feel I have in my sets. I never plan any set, so I have to build an arsenal of tunes that can cover situations.
Is that your main inspiration for tunes?
No. It's a cliché, but life is. My tunes are my paintings, my poems, my films, my letters; you know, just how I communicate what I'm experiencing in life. I could have an argument with a parking attendant and it inspires a tune. I just get out what's inside me, what gigs do is put all of it in context.
If you weren’t a DJ/producer, what would you be?
A visual artist…Oh, I am! [laughs]
Which other producers and DJs do you really rate?
Klute, D-Bridge, Instra:mental, Breakage and Shy FX, of course. The guy has an uncanny ear for good s**t. DJ Randall, Doc Scott & Marcus Intalex.
If there was one memorable year of Drum ‘n’ Bass you could bring back, what would it be?
There's all this talk of “the golden era”, but in reality the essence of D’n’B is progression. I'd like to know what I know now, go back to '94 and relive it all and be a producer. That's where the most energy was '94-'97, but there is no reason why tunes can’t be made now to move people like those did.
There's a lot of factors that made that time special, and it will never be like that again, but damn, if anyone believes it will never be that good again, they need to move on and get out. It's an attitude that will hold the music back not move it forwards.
As the second generation of producers are coming through, such as yourself,it’s almost like Drum ‘n’ Bass has gone full circle…
Yeah, they are inspiring the old headz that have had to hold back while the new generations catch up. I have full faith in this music. There's always been shite, always will be, no genre is perfect, but people should look more at what they like and not what they don't.
www.myspace.com/djinsight
bookings contact : Dave @ GRAM Agency [E] dh@gramagency.com [AIM] djhayze001
Forthcoming releases:
Strongbow b/w Tension & Release • Warm Communications (Spring '08)
Transmission b/w Hold On • Digital Soundboy (Spring '08)
Never Always b/w Untitled • Horizons Music (Spring '08)
Bomb Factory b/w Losing Control • Commercial Suicide (Summer '08)
Saburuko • Latency (Insight Remix) • Horizons Music (TBC)