When you’re of a sure age, you possibly can most likely keep in mind the origins of dubstep, this tremendous wonky style with a slower tempo and pitched and distorted synths popping out of the UK. Virtually 20 years later dubstep has developed into one of the crucial well-liked genres in dance music on either side of the pond (extra on that later.) We bought the possibility to speak with UK dubstep veteran FuntCase. Hailing from Bournemouth, the DJ/producer James Hazell, higher referred to as FuntCase, has been a mainstay on Flux Pavilion’s Circus Information, maybe the UK’s premiere bass music label.
Earlier this yr, FuntCase launched his first ever music video for his tune “Flames.” This was one thing of a shock for his followers, because it strayed from his normally filthy dubstep sound. However, as we mentioned, James shouldn’t be a person to be tethered to at least one style. James and I chatted about longevity as an artist, his DPMO model, new music, and his newly found ability as a gamer.
Hey James! Thanks for chatting with us. You’ve been on the UK bass scene for over a decade. Inform us the way you first bought into making music, how the scene’s modified over time, and the way you’ve modified with it?
“Yeah, 14th yr as FuntCase now which is actually fairly insane. Not a whole lot of artists make it past a sure shelf life and even handle to remain constant so I’m eternally grateful. So, ever since I can keep in mind, my mum had been DJing and I used to be all the time round listening to the stuff she performed, which was just about principally drum n bass. Till I used to be 18, I didn’t even just like the style, not to mention strive my hand at DJing. However earlier than I bought into it, I used to be all the time messing with this music making program on the ps referred to as ‘music’. I’d emulate tracks I favored, like ‘tune 13’ by Blur and different tracks. I made my very own tracks right here and there however I most popular copying tracks. Someday, my mum had met this new man who was additionally a DJ and we went spherical his home at some point and he launched me to motive. This was fairly thoughts blowing on the time as a result of the ps video games have been extraordinarily restricted and motive was enormous as compared and free to make something I wished…and from there the remaining is historical past.”
DPMO has all the time been your model, however you correctly launched a label again within the coronary heart of the pandemic. Inform us what made it the best time to launch a label and what’s it like operating a label?
“It was all the time a dream of mine to personal a clothes label and my very own document label, so it’s all the time been a purpose however it correctly began forming in 2017 once we launched not solely the primary clothes label season however the first DPMO compilation, which was born out of the concept there was a lot good music from new artists that it wanted a house. After speaking to my administration and Circus, we felt like a compilation was an important thought for this, very similar to the compilation Andy C had in drum n bass referred to as ‘Nightlife’. We actually felt like there wasn’t a dubstep model of this and we determined to kick begin it off, as I had a lot ridiculously good music from artists that simply weren’t discovering houses. The label itself was totally launched on the finish of 2020 with a collaboration EP with a bunch of artists I actually favored the fashion of. The timing was nice as we felt like there was sufficient expertise on the market that we might contribute correctly, with out being a direct competitors to different labels in our class.”
What sort of new music are you engaged on proper now? I do know you branched out into extra melodic territory with “Flames.” What are you drawing inspiration from now?
“‘Flames’ for me was actually a COVID occasions impressed observe. I used to be writing a whole lot of musical stuff throughout these occasions as we DJ’s had no reveals to play, subsequently any of the angrier energetic stuff we weren’t capable of check out within the golf equipment and gauge in the event that they labored. Was a tremendous observe to work on, one thing totally different for me and one thing I actually loved having Dia Frampton on as she’s such a tremendous singer and particular person. Proper now I’m engaged on a bunch of recent stuff of all several types of kinds. I’m working to complete two EPs, one will likely be a solo EP and one collaboration EP for DPMO. My solo EP will even have three dubstep, one bass home and one drum n bass observe on, so I’ve been actually having fun with working with all several types of kinds.”
I do know you simply performed Misplaced Lands, which is in fact the mecca for bass music right here within the States. What makes that occasion so particular and what differentiates the US crowd from the UK crowd?
“It’s type of referred to as the ‘Dubstep Superbowl’ and that’s actually so true. The group there, are there for just about the entire line up, so all the things tends to be good musically. Additionally artists like myself went there, even once we weren’t enjoying, simply so we might hang around and community and watch some superb new skills. When it comes to US to UK crowds I’ve stated this so much and it rings pretty true today, however the USA crowds are much more concerning the picture of issues so that they costume up and virtually have headbanging competitions on rails, which is superior. The UK is a little more stripped again and the crowds dance to themselves, however when a observe goes off it REALLY goes off they usually demand rewinds and go mad, which is a few of my favorite reminiscences within the scene as an entire.”
Talking of European festivals, I do know you’ll be enjoying Rampage in Amsterdam (November 4-5). Inform us what followers can count on and clarify to an American like me what makes that gig so particular?
“Rampage as a model is simply good and we should always all be thankful for its existence fairly actually. I’ll be enjoying a Drum n Bass set there as one thing totally different but additionally it’s in a brand new metropolis for the model. Rampage as an entire is only a European mecca for dubstep and drum n bass and everybody ought to dream to go there not less than as soon as in the event that they haven’t already.”
I heard you’re a giant gamer too! What do you play and inform us concerning the on-line gaming group that you just’ve develop into part of?
“So, over COVID I mainly grew to become a full-time twitch streamer and it was superior. I’ve been a gamer since I can keep in mind however my current go to video games are Rocket League and League of Legends…I play an entire heap of video games however these are my principal go to. I additionally backed a recreation on kickstarter years again referred to as ‘Prodeus’ which is mainly a modernised run and gun fashion recreation just like the basic ‘Doom’. The sport has a stage designer in it too and over COVID i made a decision to attempt to study it and make ranges and now i design ranges correctly on it! The primary map I made on there was really ‘Peach’s Fort’ from Mario64 and it’s now the very best downloaded community-made map on the sport!”
Thanks James! Any phrases or recommendation for the followers?
“Thanks from the underside of my coronary heart for supporting me all this time and maintaining me round for this lengthy. I hope in time I can develop to a stage the place I can convey you some tremendous superb distinctive reveals and past!”
Get your tickets for Rampage right here and keep tuned for updates on FuntCase’s upcoming EP. Take a look at this video of his efficiency at Rampage Open Air to get a style of what’s to come back!
