This will be the start of the Randomn3ss interview series. They are designed to help spread the word of new talent and question those who have accomplished professional careers. If you or your band / crew are interested in being interviewed, please use the contact page to get a hold of me. I am interested in doing interviews with nearly all types of musicians, DJs, rappers, artists, and photographers, on and on.

J-dubI was introduced to J-dub via MySpace not long ago, from a bulletin I posted stating that I was looking to interview people for here. A friend of mine republished the bulletin and J-dub replied to me, as he was not my “friend” yet. Knowing nearly nothing about him, I took a few minutes to read the bio on his MySpace page and listen to a few tracks. He produces drum & bass music, something I’ve been a fan of for more then a decade. Listening to the music, it is not nearly as angry, fast obnoxious as most dnb that I’m used to, but more calm and light, almost jazzy. This is great for me to chill to, read a great book or for long road trips.

Randomn3ss: Your bio states you got your first keyboard in 1988 and started to make beats from that. What was the driving force to start playing with sounds and how did you know what you were doing would sound good to others?

J-dub: I didn’t, it was all pure experimentation at that point. I was taking piano lessons at the time and I remember thinking I hate the way a plain old piano sounds. So I would just experiment with the different sounds on my old keyboard. I actually still have it today

Randomn3ss: Most of your background up until the late 90’s was driven by hip-hop, it’s no surprise you made the jump into drum & bass, they share many similarities. From my personal experience, the end of the [real] rave scene, which popularized dnb among other styles of electronically created music, was all but dead by 98-99. Why would you start your dnb production career during the downspin of this genre?

J-dub: I started because this music spoke to me in a way that no other music had also on a side note I in no way think this genre is dead or on a downspin. Especially with the rise of such new genres such as dubstep.

Randomn3ss: So you met Dara randomly and he tells you his label needs more stateside producers, and you started there? Have you had anything pressed yet on Breakbeat Science?

J-dub: No, nothing pressed at the moment. I think that is all gonna change though, real soon. But meeting Dara was definitely a high point that’s for sure. I was just a young raver and he actually took the time to speak to me. That’s when I knew d&b was where my heart was so to speak

Randomn3ss: From the music I’ve listened to, you sample a lot of jazz and more down tempo beats, I’d almost say your tracks remind me of LTJ Bukem. Seeing that most hardcore jungle heads prefer the blitzkrieg beats that other DJs such as those which Dieselboy crank out and the down tempo, chill sub-category has a markedly smaller audience, does this affect you?

J-dub: It doesn’t affect me at all because people still seem to be digging the music I’m putting out. I do make some heavier stuff at times but really it depends on my mood. Right now I’m working on a hip hop beat for a group called “Gun Hill” also I’m continuing to go a more experimental route with my new side project Glitch in the Core.

Randomn3ss: How important is MySpace to you?

J-dub: Extremely important, it’s integral in getting my music out to people at the moment

Randomn3ss: Being on your friends list, you bombard the bulletins. Do you get any negative feedback from them, or do you just view it as a way of promoting yourself?

J-dub: Not at all, I only put out bulletins when I have a new song or someone I feel my fellow friends should be listening too. If people don’t like my bulletins there is this little thing called delete friend. Also I do make a lot of tracks so there might be quite a few bulletins out there by me!

Randomn3ss: What are your views on piracy and bittorent?

J-dub: Ah, how did I know this question was going to come up? Being an independent artist I think piracy is very damaging in the fact that if you want my music I would obviously prefer you buy it. Now on the same note am I guilty of using bittorrent to download samples.

Randomn3ss: If the internet, file sharing and MySpace weren’t around right now, how would this affect the tracks you make, the feedback you get from those that listen and distribution of the tracks to artists?

J-dub: I don’t think I would exist on a plane where anyone except my closest friends could listen to my tracks.

Randomn3ss: Seeing that the underground rave scene is dead and most parties today are held at clubs and tend to be fairly organized, can electronic music still hold a valuable spot in today’s culture? Seeing that anyone with a computer and some software can make beats and mix them together, it would seem the days of lugging around cases of records to large, dirty clubs are at the end of the rope and things will move to a cleaner, digital phase whereas people party at small home gatherings more often.

J-dub: The rave scene is dead? I didn’t get the memo, lol. I think it definitely holds a valuable spot in today’s culture. I mean turn on your TV and watch a commercial electronica is everywhere

Randomn3ss: OK, give me the conclusion, give shouts, props, and plugs, whatever to those that have supported you, who you admire and helped you out and where you as an artist want to be in the next 10 years.

J-dub: In ten years I just want to be making music and happy with what I make…. as far as supporters you can check out my label, Dirty Junglist Squad Records

And the individuals on the label:Dirty Junglist Squad Records

J-dub’s music can be heard at his official MySpace page, please add him to your friends list and drop him a message with feedback on his tracks.

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