Off The Record Rewind - #001
with The Dub Doctor
We checked in with one of Ireland's top dub pioneer's Donal Finn, aka The Dub Doctor, to see what he's been up to since his last mix. Testament to his character not only did he provide us with words but a brand new exclusive mixtape too. Moving forward we'll be catching up with various artists from the series and asking them to contribute something a little special for our listeners too.
OTR: As one of Ireland's biggest names in dub/reggae you we're always someone I wanted to get on board for the series. How did you feel about creating your exclusive mix and having it received so well? It's been one of our most popular to date.
Donal: My first mix for OTR was made entirely from original Dub Doctor works and remixes. It was the culmination of six or seven years of studio work and remix projects. I had been looking for some form of platform to put it out on for a while, as a lot of the tracks were never released before. It had been almost two years since the first Dub Doctor album “ Lord Of All Technologies “ was released and some kind of output was long overdue. The OTR series provided the perfect vehicle for me to put it out in the run up to a second album.
There were a lot of other people involved in the creation of the tracks and so I can’t take all of the credit for it, but it’s great to hear it was so well received.
OTR: This amazing new mix you've recorded for us is made up entirely of French dub yeah? What thought went into that?
Donal: Yes, the new mix is made up completely of French dub. All of the tunes in the mix have had a huge influence on my own sound and how I have gone about producing music down through the years.
I love the heavy danceableness (is that even a word?) of the music, but also I love the fact that most of these tracks are actually real songs and songs with deep meaning at that.
OTR: I was honoured when you came to play at our launch night party in the twisted pepper. What we're your thoughts on closing a night that had started with glitch-hop, gone into d&b and lastly dubstep & grime before you took over?
Donal: Yeah, it was a great night, one of my best gigs in a long while. I really enjoyed the Twisted Pepper. It was my first time playing that legendary Irish venue and it was wedged on the night which is always a good thing. I wasn’t bothered by coming on after such an eclectic mixture of genres. All of the different acts on the night were 100% quality and it is always a privilege to headline a night of great music. My live set although based heavily around a dub reggae style, is a lot more up-tempo than people expect and so I never worried about there being a drop in the vibe. When the bassline dropped halfway through the first track, the crowd were with me instantly and their energy kept me on top form right to the last beat of the last tune! It’s always a great feeling to leave the stage to crowds shouting “one more tune!” and security boys saying “don’t you dare!“.
OTR: Clearly the crowd loved it! I think you managed about 4 or 5 extra tunes before I couldn't hold off the security anymore, haha. What other stand out gigs have you've played at since then?
Donal: Anyone who knows Galway well will have heard of Club Aras Na Gael. It’s a wee little venue on Dominic St. in the west of Galway. Long established as a social club for the Irish speakers of the city, it’s not quite a club or a bar. It’s a great little place that will allow pretty much any kind of shenanigans to happen so long as everyone is nice. Its home to some of the city’s finest independent music promoters including: One World Sounds, Sean Agus Nua and Club Oa2.
Over the last year the Galway scene has had the addition of a new handmade dub sound system, which has begun playing out on the last Sunday of the month at the Aras. The vibes are good, real good. I was lucky enough to be asked to play on the launch night of the new sound system and I can testify to its power 100%. The night is called “ Sessiun Dub “ and its going strong and building a vibe that will stretch out the long summer evenings this year. I also played a few other sets in Dublin since including The Twisted Pepper again and The Mezz with a band called Familiar creatures from the UK also…
OTR: Sound interesting, I'll have to make a trip to Galway during the summer so. Hows production work been going for The Dub Doctor? Anything new in the works?
Donal: Production work is going strong here in the west. I am planning my first vinyl release this summer which will be a four track 12” with some of the Afro style dub I love to make so much. Its ready to be mastered which I hope will be being done by the legendary Neil Perch from Zion Train.
It’s a really unique type of sound and is getting some great reviews, so I think the vinyl will sell reasonably well. I am planning a fund it campaign over the next few weeks for the release and there will be fantastic stuff for supporters so keep an eye out.
OTR: Sounds good on all accounts, be sure to keep us posted, always happy to get on board and help in anyway we can. I know you like to keep busy, so apart from your own works any other new musical projects or ventures?
Donal: Yeah, I have a few different irons in a few different fires. Its gotta be said that I have quite eclectic music taste; I am currently recording an album with Galway world music band Liminal. I recently joined this band playing percussion; it’s a kind of world music, polyrhythmic trance type project that is perfect for festivals. Again, all original songs, which is a must for me, and again seriously danceable which is a must for me. You can expect to see this project out gigging around the country in the coming months.
I am also rehearsing slowly with a view to recording a heap of my own songs in an Irish traditional style with some fantastic trad musicians based around Galway. It’s a long term project for me and one I really need to focus on more! A release is imminent in the future at some stage...
OTR: We'll have to get a mixtape together for Liminal at some point so, sounds like a quality project! I love the idea of hearing you work with some trad artists too, again be sure to keep us up to date on that. So who are you listening to or keeping an eye on lately yourself?
Donal: Number one would have to be Braintheft in Berlin. They are a couple of Irish boys and a French guy producing some of the heaviest dubstep known to mankind. The Irish lads were the drummer & bass player from Dublin reggae band Unite Tribe who had a wicked album a few years back called Enlocari, which was recorded by the uber cool Andy Knightly and very well received.
As Braintheft they are one of the very few acts on the planet playing actual live dubstep and it has to be said they are making huge ripples on the European club and festival circuits playing to massive crowds. Over the last few years they have been prolifically releasing on the http://www.one-drop.de/ label, with two or three different vinyls out now and a 3 cd box set album also. Well worth a listen at www.braintheft.org. There is a few singer/songwriters coming up that I would also be watching out for including, https://www.facebook.com/PaReidyMusic and also in Dublin but from Cork, the very sweet https://www.facebook.com/NellaDwyermusic.
OTR: Anything else you'd like to say to the massive?
Donal: I gotta say big respect to you for the work put into the OTR series. It’s a very cool little project giving much needed support to lesser known genres and producers who are working very hard all over the country. The recent mix from Federal was played on a dinner break during a recording session a few days back and it has to be said it was 100% top class everyone there loved it. Been listening to DJ Rasfimillia's brilliant contribution lately too. Keep em coming folks! Massive respect to all the Dub Doctor fans out there, couldn’t keep it going without the support form ye guys, 100% love for all of ye. Upcoming plans for the Dub Doctor involve a tour of Germany toward the end of the summer. I can also be found from time to time at The Sunday Night Sessiun Dub in Galway and keep an eye out for festival shows this summer also.
OTR: Thanks for the time and for putting together this mix Donal! Seriously looking forward to all your future projects and some more Dub Doctor/Off The Record collaborations! Big up!
More from The Dub Doctor:
Soundcloud
Facebook
Download:
http://www.mediafire.com/?js3dtd93db6u4fx
Listen on mixcloud:
http://www.mixcloud.com/OffTheRecord/off-the-record-rewind-001-with-the-dub-doctor/
Off The Record - Volume #058
mixed by Yungwanz
This week we welcome producer/dj Yungwanz to the series. He's been making a lot of noise here in Ireland and attracting lot's of attention with his unique take on dubstep and drum & bass. For his OTR mix he has delved into all things bass, kicking things off on the more chilled side of dubstep the mix maintains a deep dark vibe, while steadily moving into heavier sounds. Somewhere around the half-way point things turn into a drum & bass assault, with Yungwanz delivering all kinds of filthy & experimental sounds. Mixing up many genres flawlessly, this grimey trip through all things bass is not one to be missed.
More from Yungwanz:
Soundcloud
Twitter
Facebook
Download:
http://www.mediafire.com/?nj6gqx81swl9i60
Listen on mixcloud:
http://www.mixcloud.com/OffTheRecord/off-the-record-volume-058-mixed-by-yungwanz/
