interviews
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to learn more about the DJs and Producers that make our subculture possible. We hope that you find the interviews educational, interesting, and entertaining. If you have a particular DJ or Producer that you would love to see added to the interviews below please contact BreakBeat Energy Records by sending us an email with 'Interview Suggestion' in the subject line and the 'DJ or Producer's name' in the body of the email.
On behalf of BreakBeat Energy Records we would like to personally thank all of the DJs and Producers who have taken time out of their busy schedules to partake in these interviews. Really...Thank You!
Garnering support from the likes of Fedde Le Grande, Ian Carey, Dave Spoon, Dubfire, Uberzone, and DJ Dan; LJ MTX sheds some light on his beginnings and what's to come.
"South by Southwest Festival 2009 at The Marq was a sick event! Ciconte and I tagged as The Octopus and played in front of over 200 complete strangers and crushed that place!"... Read More »
A remix on the way for the debut release on Kraymon's new label Louse and another for Scarcity, and a big remix package of his last four original tunes due out this summer on Sound of Habib; J Hazen takes a few moments to break it down for you.
"Playing in front of a giant flaming neuron on the Robot Heart system at Burning Man was a definite highlight"... Read More »
Find out the current 411 on this month's special guest and one of today's illest, Ross Lara.
I found electronica compelling because of the soundscapes and synthesis; I hadn’t heard anything like it before. Watching the record turn on the platter, hearing the crackling from the needle, and everything else involved fascinated me... Read More »
Find out what's cooking with Elite Force, U&A Recordings and his broadcast show, Strongarm Sessions.
The UK’s always been blessed with more than it’s fair share of cultural innovators, and whilst the reasons behind it have been pondered on many times by musicologists, I think we have a rich & liberal heritage of encouraging self-expression... Read More »
Korn, Limp Bizkit, Beastie Boys, Fatboy Slim, House music?!?! Right now you’re probably wondering…what does all of this have in common?
It all began in high school for me, I remember at the time I was into the hardcore/punk scene. I would listen to Korn, Limp Bizkit, and other bands at the time…I was also into Beastie Boys. I remember buying a Mix Master Mike cd that was pure turntablism... Read More »
To kick off the new year, this month's interview showcases Primitive Technology of BreakBeat Energy Records.
I played the unfinished version out a few times. I eventually got fed up with it and made him finish it. That's kinda when we realized we could tolerate each other in a working environment... Read More »
As if the interview of Shut Up And Dance wasn’t enough, BreakBeat Energy follows it up with an interview with none other than world renowned breakbeat superstar, the man himself…Krafty Kuts.
I used to DJ for a band and do the warm up’s for them (Big Corporation), a funky reggae act, but I wanted more than just this. I practiced DJ-ing learning how to scratch and mix and built my record collection up... Read More »
BreakBeat Energy was offered the opportunity to drop in on Shut Up And Dance and ask some questions.
We started out on our own sound system called “Heatwave” Back in the day, Smiley, PJ, Dj Daddy & Dj Hype had built it.. we broke into many a building to start our own illegal raves back in 1986... Read More »
When the DC scene is given the opportunity to check out international talent, it isn’t an opportunity to miss!
In April, Give Productions pulled breakbeat favorite Nick Thayer from his Australian homeland to play at Mass Transit, Give’s monthly party in Fairfax, VA. The only U.S. stop on his international tour, Nick Thayer rocked the party and sent breakbeat lovers reeling... Read More »
With the mention of the name “Daniella Downs”, you might get a smile and laugh – or a scowl and shake of the head.
But rarely will you get a blank stare, as Daniella Downs is a largely known figure among the locals in the DC scene. He’s played out on both coasts of the country and has plenty to say about the state of the EDM scene, breakbeats, techfunk, and all things relating to the label that he works for.
Daniella Downs has been a significant contributor to the DC scene – along with other projects he has worked on, he has played a large role in bringing headliners such as Myagi, Groove Diggerz, Nick Thayer, 30hz, and Elite Force to DC. However, there is plenty that the public doesn’t know about Daniella Downs, so we took the opportunity to chat with him about his dealings in the scene lately... Read More »
An ex-DC native, he is a global House DJ and music producer.
In the last 12 years he has managed five labels. For 10 years, he and a longtime friend and music partner grew a sizeable national fan base as the team “East Coast Boogiemen”. He has landed gigs alongside such artists as NERD, Common, Cyprus Hill, Mos Def and Rhazel... Read More »
Imagine this: You’ve been invited to a super secret party dubbed Secret Sessions,
set in a ridiculously posh mansion – designed in such a way to radiate the chill atmosphere that was meant to celebrate Valentine’s Day (candles, rose petals, dimmed lights, incense – all that was missing was Luther Vandross playing in the background). You don’t know what to expect, there was no real lineup and you don’t know any of the guests—most of whom seem to be well-educated urbanites who get down to the likes of all the heavy-weight R&B and hip-hop artists... Read More »
As a kickoff of BreakBeat Energy’s first newsletter, it seemed only appropriate to feature DNF—a favorite in the breakbeat scene.
These guys killed it at Digital Invasion in February, throwing down self-produced tracks and giving DC fresh beats. Forming DNF in 2005, Dustin (aka D-Lerium) and Justin (aka Faze) have no doubt put breakbeat back on the minds of music lovers all over the USA. 2007 proved to be the turning point as the duo performed all across the U.S. and made appearances at some of the biggest festivals in the Southeast. With no signs of slowing down, DNF continues to be a driving force in the breakbeat movement... Read More »
It’s a cold Friday night, everyone is ready to get their dance on at Loda – the weekly Friday party at Gallery in Silver Spring, MD.
On the decks opening downstairs is Harry Ransom, starting off the night by throwing down the sickest dubstep tracks that he could find. Whether you heard his name for the first time that night in January or he’s been a regular in your social circles for years, Ransom will give you some serious bass face. He’s been a longstanding staple in the local dnb scene – whether on the decks or behind the scenes. BBE could think of no one better to be our first featured local DJ... Read More »
