AvrgJoe

AvrgJoe was kind enough to make us an exclusive mix for all you lucky post dubstep, UK Bass heads out there! If that wasn't already enough we also talked with him for a bit and then wrote it down for you to read. You can dowload the mix here.

Introduce yourself. Who are you, what do you do and where do you do it? 

My names Joe. I'm a producer from a quiet little town up north called Frodsham. Lived there all my life since about 8 months ago when I started my degree at Uni of Arts London. I'm pooting along with my course, but I'm enjoying London for the scene. With the somewhat iconic 'boiler room' just 2 minutes away from my Halls, I'm starting to realise this is the place I need to be!

How did it all begin?

God knows really man. I've always dabbled. One of my mates was an MC and I couldn't do that for shit, so I just downloaded Fruity Loops and started making beats.

What are your musical roots and what is doing it for you at the moment? 

Just always loved music. I can't pinpoint one moment where I've been into it less than I am now. It's always been pretty important to me. So I have tooooo many roots man! Hip-Hop, House, Garage, Soul, R&B, Grime... List goes on really. You could play me an old grimey banger like Ruff Sqwads 'Tings in Boots', or a Rhodes and Bass fuelled slow jam like 'What You Won't Do For Love' by Bobby Caldwell, and I would be chuffed with either haha. At the moment I'm just engulfed by UK Bass music. Everyones making huge tunes at the moment. Whether it's coming out of Hessle Audio, R&S, Punch Drunk, Pictures Music, Young Turks... It's usually amazing stuff. Even the upcoming labels like Four 40 Records, 3rdeyeldn and Bullet Train, all releasing great tracks.

Can you tell us a bit about your setup and how you build tracks?

My uni room desk is just filled with my equipment, it never sees uni work! Couple of sub standard old monitor speakers, my trusty old HP Pavillion computer, M-Audio midi keyboard and my Traktor S4 Kontrol. I produce on Reason 4.0 because I'm shocking at torrenting and have never been able to get hold of the better software like Cubase or Ableton. Its all right to work with though and I'm well comfortable with it.. but I will be switching to something else soon probably! When building the tracks I usually just grab an acapella, chop up the hell out of it, make something cool sounding and go from there. I always start with the vocal though, I just find my tunes come out better that way.

Are you planning anything in the way of bigger projects?

I'm half chilling now really. My first EP was released a couple months ago now and it's doing well. It's being helped along by some big backings like International DJ Magazine and everyone is just being well helpful asking me to do interviews, mixes, collabs ,remixes just to get me out there! I'm having fun with it all at the moment! I've nearly finished the next material I'm going to put out. Haven't spoke to labels or anything yet but there will be another release from me soon!

Anything you want to plug before we go?

My release! Avrg Joe - NY Diesel EP. [Four 40 Records] Out now on juno and trackitdown! Some nice remixes on there from Skanky and Crypt!
Big up Boots'n'cats for the shout! Cheers!

TRACKLIST

Avrg Joe - Kiss Kiss Remix
Skanky - Do You
Jay Haz - I Wait For You
Xpress 2 Ft David Byrne - Lazy
Koreles - MTI
Wiley - So Amazing
Untold - Anaconda
Dark Star - Aidy's Girl Is A Computer

Interview with: BEROU

We got an awesome interview with bass music producer Berou! Bosting collaborations with the likes of Canblaster this guy is definatly one to watch.

Why not listen to his latest vibes while you read about him...

Dabo-Huetos (Berou Remix) by Berou

*****

Would you kindly introduce yourself for all those bootsncats readers out there!

Im Berou, I come from the north of France. From a mysterious city which looks a lot like Manchester. I currently live in Brussels, Belgium. And make music alone or with my homies from Club Cheval or from Pelican Fly (the new Brussels based label)

Can you tell us who are you main influences how music has affected your past?

My biggest influence is definitely hip hop. This music is my first love. When I was 13 I discovered New York hip hop. And all the east coast rap. I was a big fan of Dj Premier, Ghetto Boys, Fat Joe. I was also totally in love with Aaliyah. Her sensuality, her voice, her producers. She was so perfect. So talented (RIP). I also enjoy some West Coast Music: Eazy e, E-40 Bloods vs Crips (my favourites I think), the old Ja Rule tracks, Z-Ro, Dom Kennedy, Smoke Dza' This is not west coast club music, but just VIBES, Im sure you all know what I mean. After this step of my musical life I was more into RNB (still Aaliyah). To be honest I love R.Kelly but he has never been one of my gods. I think Ive been totally mind fucked by the first track of the first album of Lloyd: ATL Represent, you know the track featured by Ja rule (the beginning was something like: I want to introduce you my 18 years old n**** Lloyd. Damn, Im always so moved by this track).

At this point I am been more interested in the South of the USA, but I dont really have a favourite rapper in the south. Im still hooked on the West Coast weed vibes music. Freddie Gibbs is another example of an amazing guy, but there is nothing better than the next album of Smoke DZA whose title is "THC" (best sum up possible of the project).

When I was 20 I discovered electronic music. It was the French touch music trend era, there was no way not to listen this music. I think my tastes in were pretty "main stream" during 1 year. All changed however when one of my mates introduced me to Sam Tiba and Canblaster, beginning a long friendship. Sam was also a lot into hip hop and ghetto electronic music. But Canblaster was the ONE to know all the electronic music in the crew. Ive stolen his vinyls when he was sleeping before to learn about Detroit Music, Chicago house and 2 years ago he gave me the chance to listen some UK bass shit. I totally fell in love with this because of 2 reasons: the melody (I remember that B more music was the "stuff" when I discovered UK scene, and we cant say that b more is very melodic). It has been a big slap for me. The second reason is the energy in the uk bass music.

Between this, Ive play piano since I was 11 years old. So you can better understand how melodic aspect is important for me.

What kind of music is really doing it for you at the moment and what are you busy with at the present?

I dont know if I can really answer to this question. Cause I am not really a digger for the current producers. All the stuff that I receive in my mailbox come from friends. But in my friends there is: Lucid (I love his music approach), Samename (a guy from Manchester, just remember his name uk people because this guy is fucking gifted), Bosstone (also an Australian, he is my vibes brother I think), Sam Tiba, Canblaster and Mister Tweeks.

In the non-friends group, I am a big fan of Sampha, Kastle, Salva, B Bravo and Chaos In The CBD. But for the last 3 or 4 months Im really digging UK Garage/2 Step. I am also a lot into Chicago house, RNB, all this new west coast scene (Currensy) I cant give you names cause there are too many names that I like.

At the present I am very busy with remixes. I dont know if its frequent in music, but I always remix guys that I like. Ive remixed for Dabo for Bossman Records. At the moment im working on a remix of Bosstone for a release on a new amazing Australian label. Im also working with Mister Tweeks from Pelican Fly, with my men Dj Slow and Kid strike too. Gonna make a remix for Kidnap Kid on Squelch and Clap. I also have a track to finish with Canblaster. So, yes, very busy.

What can we expect from you in the future?

New remixes for friends. One of my values is to only work with friends. I need to know a bit about the label manager to work with him. Its always good to be confident.

I also maybe working on original tracks and feats for a mysterious Belgian label and also certainly an ep for a mysterious label. Cant give the name today. I need to work a lot. You know Im still a kid in the producing world. I make music alone for 6 or 7 months. Everyday I learn a new trick. Its amazing to realize your producing progression and I still have a lot of skills to improve. Happily, my mates are always ready to help me.

Any tips for budding producers out there?

Hey guys, just buy a mini Canblaster. Available in all the Chinese shops.

Favourite track right now?

Free my soul by Big Krit. And also the Lucid bootleg of James Fox.

Anything else you would like to say before you go?

We all need vibes in our lifes. Dont smoke weed kids, its bad for health but good for vibes.

Cheers Berou! :D