Behind the Decks: Trouble & Bass
Marjana Jaidi / June 09, 2010
From the moment we set foot at our first Trouble & Bass party, we were hooked. It was their three-year anniversary blowout at Le Poisson Rouge last September, a party that was packed to capacity with a line of people outside, hoping to get in on the madness. With the help of featured guests Skream and Benga (who crowd-surfed, much to the audience’s delight), the Trouble & Bass Crew had the crowd going from start to finish. It was a truly fantastic introduction to Trouble & Bass, a night that AC Slater remembers as “the definition of a good T&B vibe”.
Luca Venezia (Drop the Lime), started throwing parties under the Trouble & Bass moniker during his college years at Bard, but it wasn’t until 2006 that he started the incarnation of Trouble & Bass that we know today. After a six month stint in Berlin, Luca returned to New York and teamed up with Vivian Host (Star Eyes), Math Head and Zack Shadetek to fill a void in the New York City music scene. “At that time, genres like bassline, dubstep, and grime weren’t really being played in New York, especially not at the same party,” Vivian says of the musical climate of the time. Luca adds, “we started as a party in basement warehouse spots in Brooklyn and eventually progressed into a band of DJs and a label.” In 2007, Patrick Rood (The Captain) was brought on board after the departure of Math Head and Zack Shadetek, and about a year later, Aaron Clevenger (AC Slater) clicked with the crew at a gig in Brooklyn, rounding out the foursome.
Luca’s vision was “to bring the energy, the fun, and dancing back into New York nightlife.” Mission accomplished. Nearly four years later, Trouble & Bass has thrown dozens of parties that have featured massive DJs and producers from around the globe, but events are just the tip of the iceberg. Trouble & Bass also consists of a record label, has a publishing deal in the works, and an upcoming clothing line that will be produced exclusively through Mishka. Put more formally by Patrick, who counts ‘label manager’ among his many roles in the crew, “Trouble & Bass is a multi faceted company that specializes in the advancement of music through the artillery of heavy bass.”
And there you have it. Trouble & Bass has several exciting projects lined up for the summer – Supra 1 recently released their first single, “Still Believe”, and next week, 77 Klash will release his long-awaited EP, Shadow of Death, produced by Drop the Lime and AC Slater. Drop the Lime’s new single, Sex Sax, is set for a June 22 release, along with a music video produced and directed by The Captain. AC Slater’s Calm Down Trilogy EP is coming out in August, and features a double pack Serato vinyl designed by Dust La Rock (Fool’s Gold).
After the jump, read our interview with the Trouble & Bass crew, CLICK HERE for a collection of our Trouble & Bass photo galleries from the past year, and for your listening pleasure, we’ve included the Trouble & Bass crew’s collective Smashcast below (subscribe/download HERE).
Smashcast 006: Trouble & Bass Crew
Don’t miss the Trouble & Bass crew tomorrow night as they take over Canal Rubber at Santos Party House with Calvertron, Rico Tubbs, Class Actress, Dominique Unique Young and JDH (Fixed). Advance tickets HERE.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
What is your role in Trouble & Bass? How did you first get involved?
The Captain: I’m the label manager, events coordinator, promotion wizard, brand technician, member of the DJ crew and all around grump. Luca and crew asked me to join forces with them in 2007 after I was doing events under the moniker Cut NYC with Shark. After being part of the crew for a bit, Luca was beginning to get real busy touring so I started to help with the label around T&B’s 6th release. We’re coming up on our 37th soon!
Drop The Lime: I started the crew a few years ago, because NYC was missing a solid blend of cutting edge US hip hop and electronic music with raw, underground UK club music (grime, dubstep, garage) We started as a party in basement warehouse spots in Brooklyn and eventually progressed into a band of DJs and a label.
Star Eyes: I’m a DJ/producer/vocalist. Trouble maker. Go-go dancer. Afterparty finder. French fry stealer. Wordsmith. Big sister. Lover of weird goth music. Teller of bad sex jokes. Bringer of needles and the keeper of tacks. I met Luca after Kid606 asked us to do a DJ mix CD together for Tigerbeat6. We did Shotgun Wedding Vol. 4, threw a release party for it with Jammer and Skepta, and after that he made me an espresso and asked me if I wanted to be involved with a heavy bass gang he was starting called Trouble & Bass. Of course I said yes.
AC Slater: I’m a producer, DJ, and purveyor of stupid inside jokes. I met Patrick, Luca and Vivian at a gig i was playing in Brooklyn. Then we just started talking and it clicked.
What were your goals for Trouble & Bass as a whole when you started? How have they changed? What are your goals as an individual within Trouble & Bass?
The Captain: My first initial goal was to help further the T&B Brand, parties and music, and I think over the past few years we’ve done a pretty good job. So the next step is to go further, infiltrating and achieving world domination more and more.
DTL: To bring the energy, the fun, and dancing back into New York nightlife. It definitely worked. Our crowds are always busy on the dance floor, and are just as passionate as we are about the music we play and guests we have DJ.
I want to continue to expand the brand, the label and parties worldwide and eventually evolve into becoming a full on media/ sound and fashion company. We’re all making music, doing videos, making art, I want people to have a personal attachment to the T&B logo. When they see the logo it should trigger memories of great parties, the music we share, a vibe that’s real, untamed and honest.
Star Eyes: When we started, I just wanted Trouble & Bass to be an awesome party that would brought back the danger and chaos and weirdness to the club scene, and I wanted to build an audience for the kind of mixed-up music that all of Trouble & Bass liked play as DJs. At that time, genres like bassline, dubstep, and grime weren’t really being played in New York, especially not at the same party. Now, almost four years later, my goals are for the label and the parties to keep pushing cutting-edge new music, for the four of us to tour the world together as Trouble & Bass Crew, and to eventually have a T&B live show with all the members. My other goal is to keep having as much fun as we’ve been having and to get sponsored by Maker’s Mark, Vita-Coco coconut water, and Nando’s.
AC Slater: My goal was to make big tunes and help out throwing the best parties we can. Only thing that has changed for me is setting the bar higher as time goes on and trying to reach it. I would love to see T&B reach as far as possible.
What are your general goals in music as an individual? Have they changed since you first started?
The Captain: My goal has always been to start making music, I feel like this goal has been pushed aside a little bit by managing of the label, events, videos etc. no excuse though, I’m very happy with what I’m doing. But, I’ll always want to start making music
DTL: I’ve grown a lot since my first and early releases. I feel it’s important to constantly evolve your sound. I don’t think I will ever make a constant style — that’s what makes music exciting to me. There are no rules if you’re passionate about it. With that said, I want to continue to collaborate with unexpected artists, keep discovering what’s new and what the young producers are up to.
Star Eyes: My general goal is to get in audio the sounds I hear in my head. Right now, I just want to put out more remixes and Star Eyes original tracks. Goals are always changing because there is always something new to learn, and that makes you reach higher.
AC Slater: I always wanted to put out music that I like to play, the sounds that I’m feeling at the time, but with a personal twist. With T&B I think we’ve made a branded image out of that exact idea. But its not calculated, we just kind of do what we want to do and see what happens. That’s what I’m into.
How and when did you start making music? How did you first get into DJing?
The Captain: I started DJing in Savannah, GA, basically because there wasn’t really an indie or underground dance culture going on there. So I started DJing and throwing my own events so I could go out and have fun and hear music I liked.
DTL: I have been playing guitar since 7. After hearing jungle and techno music from a uk family friend, I bought a drum machine and sampler at 16 and began producing. I went to raves and stopped playing In bands and bought a pair of turntables with the goal to DJ at the raves I was attending.
Star Eyes: I got into DJing when I was 15 because I wanted to own the records they played at all the raves I went to. I never stopped. Then I started making music about a year and a half ago.
AC Slater: Started DJing hip hop when I was 14 or 15, then discovered electronic music like Drum & Bass. Then began playing raves and started my own vinyl label that is no longer around. I started making music with drum machines and samplers. My dad is a musician and he had keyboards and Cakewalk music sequencer, so I just would mess with it when he was sleeping or at work. Such a long process!
For those not familiar with your work, how would you describe your style?
The Captain: Micky Mouse, Howard the Duck and Walluigi hangin at a vampire themed Halloween party.
DTL: Night owl club sounds mixed with gospel goth surf-abilly growling bass house.
Star Eyes: It’s like having sex in the back of a low-rider while dripping strawberry ice cream all over the black velvet seat covers.
AC Slater: A big happy party in a dark evil dungeon.
Describe your DJ set-up: what techniques, equipment or music software do you use?
The Captain: Two Technics, a mixer and Serato Scratch Live
DTL: I use serato and two turntables. ill sing live over the music- loop bits and peices of my vocals and songs with the pioneer 800 mixer.. I like to really broaden the genre selection and take the crowd on a journey- keeping things unique everytime.
Star Eyes: My DJ set up is 2 Technics 1200s with all the fixins and Serato, and vinyl if I am dipping into the collection. Software-wise, I use Logic mostly with a MIDI controller. Pretty simple, but effective.
AC Slater: Serato, 2 Turntables, Pioneer 800, and a Denon HC-1000S Serato controller.
Do you play any instruments?
The Captain: Pan flute.
DTL: yes. guitar, and piano.
Star Eyes: I play bass, but not very well. Before I was DJing I really wanted to be in a punk band… still do.
AC Slater: Nope. When I was a kid I played violin and trumpet…not very well.
Who influenced you early on? Who influences you now?
The Captain: I used to DJ with this dude Hatchet Rock in SAV, he taught me a lot about DJing as well as Roberto Lange (from ROM, Savath & Savalas and he’s now doing Helado Negro), he’s more of a musician these days than a DJ, but both those dudes were fun to learn bits about DJing from. Diplo and Low Budget started Hollertronix while I was still in the south, would listen to a lot of their mixes and inspired to start messing with different genres. When I moved to NYC Alexander Technique, Princess Superstar, JDH and Dave P, Drop The Lime and Star Eyes had a big impact on me. These were people I hung out with and enjoyed seeing DJ on a regular basis.
DTL: Sonic Youth,Brian Eno,Aphex Twin, ennio morricone, Tom waits, fela kuti, early wu tang clan, early jungle & drum & bass have always been a big influence on me and still continue to be.
Star Eyes: Early on it was DJ Hype, R.A.W., DJ Rap and a ton of really talented friends. Now there are so many influences it’s impossible to name, but talented friends are still HUGELY important, as is living in New York and traveling.
AC Slater: Early 90′s rap/hip hop like Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, etc. Old skool UK rave music like 91-95. I always grew up listening to loads of different music from my parents. My dad would give me things like John Coltrane and tell me to listen to them. And of course all my talented musical friends around me constantly influence my tastes.
What songs do you currently like to play when you’re DJing?
The Captain: Anything by Zombies For Money, all Trouble & Bass releases, Boogaloo Crew, Subfocus remix of Rusko ‘Hold On’. Anything I can find by Waka Flocka Flame.
DTL: I’m really feeling this mesh between tropical percussive latin rhythms and the dutch style house synths . definitely on a techy path with lots of sub these days. I’m also really feeling the sounds of bok bok, l-vis1990, untold, roska, and other leftfield UK funky/garage artists
Star Eyes: All the ones that The Captain wants to play.
AC Slater: I like to play a little bit of everything. Right now really into kind of minimal heavy bass stuff that is like undercover heavy as hell. Like you hear it at home and shrug, but then you hear it at the club and you’re like, “OKAY!”. Producers I’m feeling right now are Julio Bashmore, Night Slugs crew, Udachi, Kastle, Cosmin TRG, to name a few.
Do you have any rituals before performing?
The Captain: We started a ritual for our new monthly in DC at U St. Music Hall, we go eat at Nandos every time. Other than that I watch Pootie Tang before every gig.
DTL: i will jump about- jog in place and get my adrenalin pumping..warm my voice up, and sometimes slap box with a friend before hitting the stage.
Star Eyes: Only secret ritual sacrifices that I cannot divulge.
AC Slater: Hopefully not eat a bunch of Indian food and regret it.
What is your ‘go to’ meal when on the road?
The Captain: Mexican or Italian, or a nice vegetarian restaurant.
DTL: keep it simple but fancy. Italian is always delicious.
Star Eyes: The safest DJ meals are salmon or chicken with potatoes, or a burger. I usually like to try regional specialities, which is why I keep a lot of Pepto-Bismol on hand.
AC Slater: When in the UK traveling: Avacado salad sandwich, crisps, smoothie, and Percy Pig from M&S. In US its all regional, Cali: maybe In & Out or some Mexican, Texas: Tex Mex or BBQ, and so on!
Who are your current favorite artists and/or DJs to listen to?
The Captain: CocoRosie, Clipse, Wolves in the Throne Room, Burzum, Ghostface Killah, Starkey, O Children, Supra1, Breakage, The Dream, Waka Flocka Flame
DTL: Zombies For Money, Supra1, Tangerine Dream, Surfer Blood, Bad Lupo Grande
Star Eyes: Recently, I like The Drums, The XX, Blessure Grave, Xmal Deutschland, Tempa T. For club music, I’m enjoying Lil Silva, Canblaster, The Phantom (new artist from Poland), Dubbel Dutch, solo stuff from J-Wow of Buraka, Redlight, Sbtrkt, Boogaloo Crew, and Terror Danjah.
AC Slater: Breakage, Starkey, Zinc, Cosmin TRG, Untold, Bart B More, Plastician.
What are some of your favorite artists and/or DJs you’ve seen live?
The Captain: DJ Craze, Fake Blood, Diplo, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Drop The Lime, Wolves in the Throne Room
DTL: 2 many DJs. hands down.
Star Eyes: Depeche Mode, Gang Gang Dance, The Prodigy, Fugazi, Interpol, Salem, Sonic Youth, Andy C, Slipmatt, Zinc, DJ T., Plastician, Drop the Lime… so many I don’t even remember… Of DJs I’ve seen recently, my favorites are Tomb Crew, L-Vis 1990, Cosmin TRG, and Hot City.
AC Slater: I’m so bad with these kind of questions. I suppose big live shows like Chemical Brothers & Orbital. Skream & Benga at T&B 3 year anniversary was like the definition of a good T&B vibe, the place was rammed over capacity and just completely mental. One of my fav nights ever.
Who is your favorite visual artist?
The Captain: God
DTL: it’s a tie between Walton Ford and Bruce Nauman.
Star Eyes: Too many to name, but right now I really like Tauba Auerbach, Hilary Pecis, Zonders, and Matt Furie.
AC Slater: Right now maybe some metal illustration like French.
What has been your favorite experience as a DJ?
The Captain: I usually have an amazing time each year at WMC, this year we threw our first T&B event and I thought it was one of the best parties we’ve ever thrown. Our 3 Year Anniversary w/ Skream & Benga last year was completely bonkers also.
DTL: stereosonic festival tour in Australia last year was insane. Australian crowds are the best- they are deeply passionate about music and sing along and lose their minds. stereosonic was about 20,000 people each day.
Star Eyes: I really like it when I get rewinds. A particularly memorable one was Jungle Nation NYC in 1997 when DB rewound the Aphrodite track I was playing and the crowd went wild.
AC Slater: First time I played at T&B and I was warmly welcomed as a crew member on the microphone.
What’s next for you?
The Captain: We’re producing our T&B Clothing line exclusively through Mishka. T&B is signing our first publishing deal. We are licensing Little Jinder ‘Youth Blood’ through Ministry of Sound UK. I’m Directing / Producing Drop The Lime’s Sex Sax video! So much more!
DTL: my new single, Sex Sax, drops June 22 on T&B and I’m finishing up my album which is scheduled for a late October release.
Star Eyes: I don’t know but it doesn’t involve sleeping.
AC Slater: Epic Calm Down Trilogy double pack Serato vinyl designed by Dust La Rock drops in August on T&B. Touring wise, from the months of June-November goes something like this: North America, Europe, T&B 4 Year, Australia, Asia, Europe, then back in US for Halloween. World wide T&B flex!
Any advice for up and coming DJs?
The Captain: Practice, practice, practice. Learn to DJ with vinyl or at least not staring at your computer screen to beat match, that’s’ a real pet peeve of mine. Besides that, have fun with it, people love to see the DJ having fun, dancing around… unless you’re a bad dancer.
DTL: stick to your guns.
Star Eyes: Be original. Bring your own needles and slipmats to the club. Be friendly to fans and promoters. Don’t play tracks you’ve ripped to MP3 off the radio or mixtapes. Don’t play heavy metal dubstep during your DJ slot at 10 p.m. unless you are opening for Slayer (and maybe not even then). Don’t play tracks by the headlining DJs of the party in your set; it’s not a show of respect.
AC Slater: Doing things is better than just talking about them. Build your confidence, be open to criticism. And be yourself!
What’s with the pig obsession?
The Captain: Trap Goin Ham
DTL: hams of fury.
Star Eyes: Stop. HAMmer time.
AC Slater: Hello ham.
