25 Years of Technique Recordings - Drumsound & Bassline Smith
Your Drumsound & Bassline Smith project has a unique and recognizable sound. What inspires you about your approach to making music?
We both have a mutual and deep love for all musical forms particularly in the spectrum of Jungle and Drum and Bass and this is what our ethos has been since we first met. Simon, a pioneer in the Jungle movement in the early 90's with his first labels Absolute & Absolute 2, has a passion for Soul / Funk and Rare Groove and has always brought that influence to the table. Andy, an accomplished musician and relative Nu Skool producer compared to Simon, has a history in indie/rock but with a wide varied love for all forms of music from jazz to classical. This creates a huge melting pot for our inspiration when it comes to making music - which may be a key to our longevity.
Essentially, we have, and will always be inspired, to make music that we like as a crew. It doesn't have to follow the trends of the time just as long as it has a raw vibe we can relate to and which works in a club environment - we are happy.
This ethos is mirrored in our label "Technique Recordings" which has meant that we have been able to bring through and develop several like-minded artists to the top of the game over the last 25 years like the mighty Tantrum Desire, L Plus, Vovking, Killswitch new signings Ep & Manski and Knockout.
From Liquid to Jungle to Dancefloor we like to think we cater to a wider audience - an audience that appreciates good quality music.
Please tell us about your two other projects, '2DB' and 'Future Tech'. Can we expect more music under those aliases this year?
2DB and Future Tech were, initially, created as alias' for us so that we could release different styles of music which wasn't necessarily a Drumsound and Bassline Smith production. It was common in the late 90's and early 00's to have an alias for your different projects so 2DB was effectively a more "Jump up" sound and Future Tech was for the more Techy Drum and Bass style. In this day and age it's way more accepted and applauded to be able to make numerous styles so we only use the alias' now on special occassions.
Do you have any production advice for up-and-coming producers and the dos and don'ts of sending demos to labels?
We are bonafide advocates for the "less is more" way of thinking with regards to production. We made some of our biggest tunes, even ones that made the national charts, with the cheapest equipment and with minimal plugins. Over the years we have found, whilst running courses for our Technique Music Academy, that many up and coming producers focus primarily on perfect mixdowns rather than the actual content of the tune itself. Mixdowns are important in Drum and Bass, to a point, but a good tune is a good tune and that innovative / original / creative content should be what people should be striving for in the main. Its all about the vibe.
With regards to tips for sending demos, Firstly keep the introductions short - just a brief summary of what you have been doing and why you think your demo would be good for the label. You certainly don't want to be too over confident. Just say your piece, be humble, and then after a couple of weeks or so follow it up with email if you haven't had a reply.
We have found, in our 25 years of running Technique, that it's as much about your character as it is the music. We don't want to have to talk through managers, be used as a springboard for your career - for you to move on when the going gets good. We want to see loyalty, hard work and a continued commitment to make good tunes because we are willing to put time, effort and money into you. Artists sometimes forget that - but If you can demonstrate those positive traits to a label then that's the best advice we can give to help you get signed.
What does the future look like for Technique Recordings?
Moving forwards we want to continue to release great music and develop our artists to the highest level. We also want to nurture and build new talent to help maintain Technique as a leading player in the world of drum and bass. Keep locked onto our socials for exciting upcoming events and releases celebrating the 25 years of Technique. Peace.
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