Bass Music Mix 18 - Orphan101

February 22

(pic by ismist)

It's mix time again. This week we've got a frankly awesome mix from upcoming Bristol head Orphan101. He's got a release coming up on a new label, a Boka Records off-shoot called Saigon Recordings, which is an epic two-part trip through heavy dub techno. He's also got another release to follow on Applepips in short order, so big things are gonna be happening for him this year. I know I've already said how big the mix is, but seriously - it's amazing. Check the string swells in track two (Orphan101 & Bloodman - "Au Dela") - incredible stuff. Get on it sharpish! Tracklist below.

Bass Music Mix 18 - Orphan 101 by bassmusic

So, please introduce yourself - who are you and what do you do?

My name is Rob Davies and I go by the production name of Orphan101. I mainly produce Dupstep based minimal techno I guess you could call it. It’s a bit difficult to specifiy as I don’t really have any set plan when making music and don’t really like to stick to a genre.

What were you trying to do with this mix - is it like a typical club set for you?

Yeah it’s the kinda thing I would play out as a set, slow start, some nice movers in the middle, and something different to end with. My sets always depend on what the vibe is before I play and on the radio it’s more about what sort of mood I’m in at the time.

How long have you been producing?

I’ve been producing for about 5 years.

Was it always this kind of style?

No not really. I’ve always made a variety of music but at the moment its this Orphan stuff I’m more into the chilled vibe but I do like the dance floor smashers too there’s room for everything in my head it just comes out when it comes out. I seem to write styles in blocks of about 6 tracks a time with a similar vibe then it will change a bit and so on and so on.

You've got a release coming up on new Boka offshoot Saigon soon, how did that come about?

Well I first met John who runs the label through an old friend from Southampton called Mark “Physics” Worcester. I had played at their Subset night in Southampton with Appleblim, me and John got talking and it really all came from there.

It's marked as being in two parts - is the intention for it to be listened as an 11-minute whole?

Yeah the tune was really about 15 minutes long in total so it was cut down and split into two parts. Its no longer intended to be listened as a whole but I always mix them together as a whole, there’s plenty of additional sounds in part two to be separate from part 1.

Which artists inspire you, what eras do you take influence from?

I’m fortunate that most of my close friends are producers of all types of music my inspiration also comes from them, J@kes Appleblim Komonazmuk Headhunter, Bloodman, Arkist, Gatekeeper, Wedge, Joker, Phaelah and XI are just a few of them. They all have so many musical styles going on that most people don’t get to hear, the Gatekeeper tune at the end of this mix is just an example.

All of my early musical influence comes from my father, He listened to a lot of artists ones that stick out in my mind are Dire Straits and Led Zepplin. He also listened to a lot of classical music, he understands music in the way that producers do and by him explaining movement and patterns from an early age he gave me a better understanding of what I was listening to and how it was made.

Your stuff sounds a bit harder than the average dub-techno, I'd say.

It all depends on how I feel that day I recently made a album just for Jakes to chill out to, I’m currently in the process of writing beezys next album as well as writing a track for Dread Mc’s E.P which will be out later in the year - oh and I’ve just started a track with Shadz which is sounding real nice.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

Apart from my mates stuff, at the moment I’m listening to JPLS, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Pan Pot and Ben Glock.

Anything else coming up you want to plug?

All roads are leading to a new label I’m staring with Headhunter and Bloodman called Deca rhythm - its going to feature new and established artists showcasing more experimental sounds but still dance floor, also I have a release pending on Applepips which should see light in the next few months (when I pull my finger out and get the tunes sounding right, sorry Mr Blim).

Tracklist:

01. Sleeper - Snug Felix
02. Au Dela - Orphan101 and Bloodman
03. J Rock - Orphan101
04. Start Of Something New - Albert
05. Chasing Dragons -Addison Groove
06. What Do I See – Arkist
07. Space Cake - Headhunter
08. Hocus Pocus - Headhunter
09. Remote Viewing – Bloodman
10. Avoid The Noid – DJG (Headhunter Remix)
11. Polycore – XI
12. 305 – Phaeleh
13. Tribtek – Orphan101
14. Gatwick Science – Social Chameleons

====

i.d.