Danny Breaks

Interview with Danny Breaks

- What are your musical roots and what were your direct influences to start making music?

I was part of the 70's generation, so I saw the beginning of the BMX and Star Wars fads. Then other trends came to the UK from America like Breakdance and Rap music in '84. I really liked how DJ's in those times were cutting up and scratching drum breaks and it inspired me to start learning too.

- So you started your career as a scratch/breaks DJ and then you moved to Drum'n'Bass?

In 1991 I was working in a record shop in Romford called Boogie Times. They sold Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk and some rave music. In those days it was good, as DJ's who came in might buy a Hip-Hop record and a House record too.

DJ's weren't as specialised as they are now. The shop became a hub for the DJ's as the rave scene was pretty good on the Romford area. This was also when Breakbeat was becoming more popular and I was really interested in that. I couldn't really make any instrumental Hip-Hop as it was still in its infancy and people weren't as into it as they are now.

So I released my first track under the Breakbeat label Suburban Bass in 1991 and it really blew up. I was actually able to buy my house from the sales of that single! However, it's really funny that the start of my career in terms of sales has been the best and since then, I haven't had the same amount of commercial success. I started the Drum'n'Bass label Droppin' Science in 1993. It was about the same time that DJ Hype had started Ganja Kru and Andy C started Ram Records.

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There weren't as many labels then and it was much easier to distribute to the shops.

- How would you describe your present style of music?

I'm using an MPC sampler for the musical arrangement and I do the sampling in an EMU sampler. Whereas before, with Drum'n'Bass music, I was using an EMU sampler and a Mackie Desk. I think that by using EMU with Hip-Hop tunes, I can create an edgy sound and it can set my tunes away from generic instrumental Hip-Hop. I really like the way that older tunes from the 70's sound in terms of their composition and sound quality and it's something that cannot be duplicated in the modern world. Now, sounds can sometimes be too clean and digital. So I try to mix that easy listening lounge sound with heavy bass-lines to create something new and original.

- Will you use any vocal artists on your tracks in the future?

Usually, when you play an instrumental track alongside a rap record, the instrumental sounds a little dull and monotonous. What I like to do is have a few more layers of sound on top of the drum loop to fill in the space that an MC would normally rap over. I like some UK hip-hop but I actually prefer the sound of American rappers. I think this is because I have grown up listening to US MC's and it has sort of become embedded in my musical tastes.

- What do you think of the UK music scene in general?

Nowadays, I'm not going out as much. I prefer hanging with my friends nearer to home.

There are some people in the scene who are stuck-up and quite cliquey and I really hate that. People saying that they will boycott an artist because he seems to be doing more two-step Techno style Drum'n'Bass than Breakbeat style is crazy. Someone like Grooverider may produce a two-step tune but when he plays out, he may use all kinds of Drum'n'Bass. Boycotting him for the "type" of music he makes is ridiculous.

Also, a DJ should try not to use just new tunes in their routine as there are countless classics that seemed to have been forgotten. Anyone can play purely new stuff but people will respect you more if you show a wide knowledge of a music genre.

- Will you still be involved in music in ten years time?

I'm 34 now, so in ten years I'm gonna be 44!

In the past 5 years, I have thought that each this one will be my last in the music industry and then I will settle down with another job. But I never expected that each year will lead to new, bigger projects. This January, I worked with Stonesthrow records and Adult Swim on Chrome Children Vol.2. I was really happy to work on this project as I really dig Madlib and J Rocc at the moment. I'm also liking Flying Lotus. He uses electronic sounds mixed with a swinging, funky beat. Actually, he sounds a bit like Prefuse73. So, if things keep going the way they are, then I guess I'll keep being involved in the music scene for a long time.

Danny Breaks : http://www.myspace.com/dannybreaks

Written by Selph