In Conversation With Brackles

From Rihanna amping up her pop tunes with EDM to video games likethrowing out a dubstep soundtrack, the underground scene is infiltrating every possible recess of modern life.
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From Rihanna amping up her pop tunes with EDM to video games like Call Of Duty throwing out a dubstep soundtrack, the underground scene is infiltrating every possible recess of modern life.

And like the oracles of Greek myth, Rinse 106.8FM has become known for predicting the future talent breaking the ground in electronic.

Wiley, Dizzee Rascal, Skream and Benga are just a selection of top names the East London radio station has brought to the fore since it's early pirate career beginning in 1994.

One of the stalwarts of the pioneering station and record label is Blunted Robots boss Brackles. The DJ and producer rose to acclaim in the mid-noughties by crafting a new generation of sound featuring dubstep with garage classics, house rhythms and hefty grime heaters.

But as Brackles continues to influence the scene by melding soul vocals, UK underground syncopations and pure bass tectonics, I discovered what his guilty music pleasure is, and a lot more...

So what was the first vinyl you ever bought?

Snoop Dogg What's My Name Part Two

Where did you DJ your first gig?

It was with a mate back in Ware doing an underage disco at a nightclub. That's the first time I felt like a proper DJ.

If you weren't a DJ what would you be?

A professional poker player. I have a maths degree so I'm good with numbers and probability. I play online now and am a massive fan of late night poker on TV, but the most I've won is a £200 or so. I don't go to crazy.

What's your go to track that always gets a crowd going?

DJ Bigga G Mind Body and Soul. It's my secret weapon.

Where's your favourite venue?

The Love Club in New York City. I played there in October 2001, and it felt like I was doing something special by bringing UK garage and grime to a new audience.

As much as EDM has really hit the mainstream, a lot of critics condemn the likes of Calvin Harris and David Guetta for saturating the genre to make it easier for the masses to listen... what do you think?

Whether it's a pop track or an underground mix tape, as long as the music they produce is good, I don't mind.

Who are you listening to right now?

I've been listening to a lot of Shuggie Otis recently, his music may be a bit older but he's stillcool.

Who was the DJ who first made you want to become one too?

DJ E Zed. I saw him play in this club in Enfield called Eros back in the day. DJ Todde too, no one touches him.

Who's your musical guilty pleasure?

Justin Timberlake.

What's been your worst gig?

I entered a contest in Ibiza when I was 18 and I'd left the cross fade in the middle so the two tracks played out at the same time. It sounded awful, such a school boy error. Needless to say I didn't win but I never made that mistake again and the next competition I entered I won.

You must be used to having an end of the nigh takeaway, but what's your go to choice?

I'm a vegetarian so it's pretty hard for me so normally I have chips with mayonnaise and tomato sauce.

What was the best decade for music?

The 90s when garage was first kicking off. There was a new breed of party music, jungle was taking shape and of course those M25 raves were legendary.

Tell me a secret no one knows about you?

My favourite movie is The Mask. I have it on VHS and have watched it so many times I could probably recite the whole film.

Brackles will be djing tonight alongside DJ Zinc, lyrical master Trim, Faze Miyake & DJ Tippa at Concrete for a one-off, intimate night that will explore their heritage and influences of Rinse FM as part of the Tiger Beer Hidden Depths series.

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