It may need come as a shock when it was introduced that S.P.Y, the elusive DJ, producer and now label boss of DARKMTTR Data, can be taking up the legendary XOYO in London for the entire of November. The Brasil-born mega DJ usually solely picks the gigs he’s actually enthusiastic about and, along with his launch schedule, each label and private, many followers would possibly surprise how S.P.Y may find time for 4 Fridays. Seems it was a easy choice for him.
With the well-oiled machine that’s Bizarre Science Promotions working most D&B gigs at XOYO (they’ve additionally bought the likes of Grooverider, Andy C and the entire Kool FM lineup slotted for December and early 2024), and a ready-made lineup at his disposal, the primary three gigs have gone off and not using a hitch and the sequence nearer, happening this Friday, guarantees to be an important sendoff for S.P.Y and firm. The likes of Calyx, MC GQ, Etherwood, Lowqui, IAMDOOMED, Alley Cat, Voltage, Kyrist and Flava D on the roster, each week was as gorgeous and vibey because the final, with a brilliant blowout for the final date (learn on to seek out how who the particular visitor will likely be tonight).
We don’t wish to yammer on an excessive amount of concerning the different stuff we chat about, as a result of S.P.Y gave a great deal of wonderful solutions, however suffice it to say should you had been on the lookout for suggestions and tips from a grasp producer in addition to how he does his A&R, that is the article for you. Per his title, S.P.Y normally retains his secrets and techniques shut so YEDM feels very fortunate he was so open on this article and we respect his taking the time. Now learn on and luxuriate in spying on S.P.Y.
As a producer who appears to dwell within the lab and who solely does the gigs you actually take pleasure in, what made you determine to do a residency at XOYO?
XOYO is such a legendary membership, so I felt fairly honored to be requested to host a residency there. It’s a tremendous alternative to curate my very own lineup and share with folks, the DJs and producers that I actually admire and respect. Funnily sufficient, it’s truly bought me spending much more time within the studio as I’ve been busy finalizing new tracks to play on the residency. I do know that everybody who’s coming right down to XOYO are there as a result of they like my sound, so it’s actually rewarding to have the ability to drop some unique new tracks and mixes only for them.
We’re nearly midway by way of the November dates (at time of interview); what have been a few of your observations concerning the gigs? What are you trying ahead to within the upcoming gigs?
I can’t imagine we’re already midway by way of! The group on the first two nights has been completely unimaginable. They’ve been so up for something and have actually been vibing to the entire DJs, it’s such an important feeling to get to play to such a responsive crowd. It’s additionally been nice to get to see the opposite DJs play. Often I’m so busy touring that I’m out and in and onto the subsequent present. For every night time of the residency I’ve been there from begin to end and have gotten to take pleasure in everybody’s units and actually benefit from the night time. Every night time of the residency has a completely totally different lineup with a distinct sound, so I’m trying ahead to dropping some extra dubs on the subsequent two nights. I’m additionally actually trying ahead to going again to again with Bladerunner and Flava D, that will likely be particular!
How did you choose the lineups for every week? How did you determine to work with Lowqui as your MC?
Whereas it looks as if it could be very easy to curate a lineup, it was truly actually troublesome as there have been so many individuals that I needed to e book. I used to be fortunate that the ultimate lineup had everybody that I actually needed and every night time has come collectively properly. I needed to make every night time distinctive, so the 4 lineups mirror that. I hearken to a extremely extensive number of drum and bass so I felt it was vital to cowl all of the totally different sounds that I take pleasure in.
I actually like working with Lowqui, he’s bought an important vibe as an MC, he’s a mad hype man and he at all times interacts effectively with the gang. It’s additionally been nice to work with another MCs throughout the residency too, like Inja, Stamina and SP:MC, they every have such a singular fashion and add a distinct taste to my set.
Coming off XOYO for a bit, you’re on yr three of your DARKMTTR label and it appears curation is essential to you, and that you simply’re not on the lookout for large names to launch nevertheless it’s extra concerning the sound. How would you characterise the sound of vibe you usually go for? Is it solely you on A&R, or have you ever introduced in some assist?
The sound of DARKMTTR is basically assorted. The label releases all the pieces from darkish and minimal, to moody and musical, though I really feel like the entire releases appear to have a deep, heavy undertone to them, even the extra atmospheric tracks. I at all times knew that once I began a label I didn’t need it to be pigeonholed into only one sub-genre so I actually needed it to mirror my style in music. It’s only me doing the A&R for the label and I actually take pleasure in doing it. I exploit a DJ-based method to A&R and the very first thing I ask myself when deciding on a observe is, would I play this in my units? Each observe that I’ve signed to the label is one which I’d – and do – play myself. I’ve at all times needed to do A&R and it’s one in every of my favourite elements of working a label. It’s actually rewarding to find new music and assist producers work up their tracks so that they’re able to launch.
What are some belongings you’ve realized over the primary three years of DARKMTTR about working a label? How has it measured as much as your expectations while you began it?
I’d needed to begin a label for years and I at all times knew it was going to be a whole lot of work however nothing actually prepares you for the daily actuality of working a label. It’s been a extremely fascinating expertise seeing the music trade from a label perspective. I’d solely ever seen it from the artist facet so it’s been fairly a studying curve to see what’s concerned in getting a launch on the market. Scheduling, budgeting and A&R, they’re all issues that you simply aren’t answerable for as an artist and will not totally perceive, however they’re very important when working a label. I’m grateful that I’ve a strong group round me who share the imaginative and prescient of the label. It’s so rewarding seeing the label develop, I can’t imagine we’ve had 21 releases already!
How do you determine which releases of your individual will go on DARKMTTR and which you’ll store different labels? Is {that a} troublesome choice?
It’s troublesome. I launch most of my music on DARKMTTR, however typically because of scheduling I’ll search for different labels to launch my music. If I launched all the pieces I’ve on DARKMTTR there can be no room within the schedule for the opposite artists!
Are there any upcoming releases that tie in with the XOYO residency which you could speak about? Did the discharge schedule inform your choice to do the residency?
The second night time of the residency was truly the discharge day for “Take Me Up,” my new collaboration with IAMDOOMED. IAMDOOMED performed at XOYO the identical night time and it was like an unofficial launch social gathering. It was wonderful to play the observe with him there and to see the gang response. The discharge schedule didn’t inform my choice to do the residency, nevertheless it was nice that IAMDOOMED may play on the identical day.
Speaking a bit about fashion and sound, in the previous couple of years you’ve been doing a whole lot of deep and atmospheric stuff however not essentially melodic. What makes you impressed to alter issues up and the way do you give you your extra distinctive sounds?
Producing music is such an natural, inventive expertise for me. I can’t drive a vibe or make myself produce a sure sort of sound. My music is an expression of how I’m feeling emotionally on the time, or what’s happening in my life. Relying on what I’m feeling impressed by I can produce one thing completely totally different to different issues I’ve been producing currently. I spend a whole lot of time engaged on sound design which appears to present me some fairly distinctive sounds. I even have a whole lot of analog and modular tools in my studio and I strive to not be too technical with it. Late nights within the studio, a little bit of sleep deprivation and a whole lot of experimentation appear to mix to provide some actually fascinating sounds. Mainly I simply have enjoyable with it and see what I can create!
Having been within the sport for some time, how is it to create tracks with present strategies versus 15 years in the past? Do you utilize a mix of methods? What kind of softwares or programmers do you utilize?
To be sincere, I haven’t actually modified the way in which I produce. My sound has positively advanced through the years, and I attempt to preserve my manufacturing related sonically, however my methods actually haven’t modified that a lot. One factor that I’ve positively modified over the previous few years is my sampling. I used to pattern lots for all of my tracks, nonetheless now I create the entire sounds myself. Studying extra about sound design has opened up an entire new realm creatively for me and it’s actually satisfying having the ability to use my very own sounds. I’ve been having fun with sound design a lot that I’ve even began releasing my very own pattern packs.
I hearken to a extremely big selection of digital music and recreate a number of the methods from different genres with my very own twist. I’ve been utilizing Abelton Reside since model 5 and I’m actually loyal to it, it’s a superb manufacturing instrument. I additionally use a Strong State Logic (SSL) desk for summing my tracks in analog, which creates a very nice heat texture for my tracks and naturally I hearken to all the pieces by way of my PMC audio system.
Is there the rest you may have arising in releases or gigs that we didn’t point out?
We have now a launch arising on DARKMTTR in December; it’s a double launch: a collaboration I’ve finished with DJ Restricted and one other of his tracks which has a tremendous vocal. I’m going to be dropping the observe at XOYO so I’m actually trying ahead to seeing what the gang assume! Rolling into 2024 now we have a bunch of recent releases and collaborations lined up for DARKMTTR, however I’ve to maintain all the pieces beneath wraps for now. Hold your eyes on S.P.Y and DARKMTTR socials to see what we’ve bought happening.
Any recommendation for brand new producers on the market?
I feel the principle piece of recommendation I may give is to by no means cease studying. Hold bettering your sound and your manufacturing, continue learning new methods and watch as many tutorials as you’ll be able to. Additionally, I feel it’s fairly simple to surrender should you’ve submitted a couple of tracks to labels and haven’t had something picked up. More often than not, it’s simply that these explicit tracks aren’t proper for that exact label, or possibly you simply want a bit extra expertise, or it is advisable refine your sound. Don’t surrender, preserve producing and preserve sending in these demos! One trick I can share is to A and B the observe you’re engaged on with the same observe that has been launched to see should you’re heading in the right direction sonically.
S.P.Y’s final XOYO set will likely be tonight, November 24 at XOYO. For clips and information, examine S.P.Y’s socials or Bizarre Science Promotions’ Instagram. For upcoming DARKMTTR releases and to listen to S.P.Y’s newest observe with IAMDOOMED talked about on this article, click on right here.
