FuntCase Discusses New Music, DPMO and Streaming [Interview]

Should you’re of a sure age, you may most likely bear in mind the origins of dubstep, this tremendous wonky style with a slower tempo and pitched and distorted synths popping out of the UK. Nearly 20 years later dubstep has advanced into one of the crucial widespread genres in dance music on each side of the pond (extra on that later.) We bought the prospect to talk with UK dubstep veteran FuntCase. Hailing from Bournemouth, the DJ/producer James Hazell, higher generally known as FuntCase, has been a mainstay on Flux Pavilion’s Circus Data, maybe the UK’s premiere bass music label.

Earlier this 12 months, FuntCase launched his first ever music video for his music “Flames.” This was one thing of a shock for his followers, because it strayed from his normally filthy dubstep sound. However, as we mentioned, James just isn't a person to be tethered to 1 style. James and I chatted about longevity as an artist, his DPMO model, new music, and his newly found talent as a gamer.

Hey James! Thanks for chatting with us. You’ve been on the UK bass scene for over a decade. Inform us the way you first bought into making music, how the scene’s modified through the years, and the way you’ve modified with it?

“Yeah, 14th 12 months as FuntCase now which is truthfully fairly insane. Not lots of artists make it past a sure shelf life and even handle to remain constant so I’m eternally grateful. So, ever since I can bear in mind, my mum had been DJing and I used to be at all times round listening to the stuff she performed, which was just about largely drum n bass. Till I used to be 18, I didn’t even just like the style, not to mention attempt my hand at DJing. However earlier than I bought into it, I used to be at all times messing with this music making program on the ps referred to as ‘music’. I might emulate tracks I favored, like ‘music 13’ by Blur and different tracks. I made my very own tracks right here and there however I most well-liked copying tracks. At some point, my mum had met this new man who was additionally a DJ and we went spherical his home at some point and he launched me to purpose. This was fairly thoughts blowing on the time as a result of the ps video games had been extraordinarily restricted and purpose was big as compared and free to make something I wished…and from there the remaining is historical past.”

DPMO has at all times been your model, however you correctly launched a label again within the coronary heart of the pandemic. Inform us what made it the proper time to launch a label and what’s it like working a label?

“It was at all times a dream of mine to personal a clothes label and my very own file label, so it’s at all times been a purpose but it surely correctly began forming in 2017 after we launched not solely the primary clothes label season however the first DPMO compilation, which was born out of the concept there was a lot good music from new artists that it wanted a house. After speaking to my administration and Circus, we felt like a compilation was an important thought for this, very like the compilation Andy C had in drum n bass referred to as ‘Nightlife’. We actually felt like there wasn’t a dubstep model of this and we determined to kick begin it off, as I had a lot ridiculously good music from artists that simply weren’t discovering properties. The label itself was totally launched on the finish of 2020 with a collaboration EP with a bunch of artists I actually favored the type of. The timing was nice as we felt like there was sufficient expertise on the market that we might contribute correctly, with out being a direct competitors to different labels in our class.”

What sort of new music are you engaged on proper now? I do know you branched out into extra melodic territory with “Flames.” What are you drawing inspiration from now?

“‘Flames’ for me was actually a COVID instances impressed observe. I used to be writing lots of musical stuff throughout these instances as we DJ’s had no exhibits to play, subsequently any of the angrier energetic stuff we weren’t in a position to check out within the golf equipment and gauge in the event that they labored. Was a tremendous observe to work on, one thing completely different for me and one thing I actually loved having Dia Frampton on as she’s such a tremendous singer and particular person. Proper now I’m engaged on a bunch of recent stuff of all various kinds of types. I'm working to complete two EPs, one will likely be a solo EP and one collaboration EP for DPMO. My solo EP will even have three dubstep, one bass home and one drum n bass observe on, so I’ve been actually having fun with working with all various kinds of types.”

I do know you simply performed Misplaced Lands, which is in fact the mecca for bass music right here within the States. What makes that occasion so particular and what differentiates the US crowd from the UK crowd?

“It’s type of generally known as the ‘Dubstep Superbowl’ and that’s truthfully so true. The gang there, are there for just about the entire line up, so all the pieces tends to be good musically. Additionally artists like myself went there, even after we weren’t enjoying, simply so we might hang around and community and watch some superb new skills. When it comes to US to UK crowds I’ve stated this so much and it rings pretty true lately, however the USA crowds are much more in regards to the picture of issues so that they costume up and nearly have headbanging competitions on rails, which is superior. The UK is a little more stripped again and the crowds dance to themselves, however when a observe goes off it REALLY goes off and so they demand rewinds and go mad, which is a few of my favorite reminiscences within the scene as an entire.”

Talking of European festivals, I do know you’ll be enjoying Rampage in Amsterdam (November 4-5). Inform us what followers can count on and clarify to an American like me what makes that gig so particular?

“Rampage as a model is simply good and we should always all be glad about its existence fairly truthfully. I’ll be enjoying a Drum n Bass set there as one thing completely different but in addition it’s in a brand new metropolis for the model. Rampage as an entire is only a European mecca for dubstep and drum n bass and everybody ought to dream to go there at the very least as soon as in the event that they haven’t already.”

I heard you’re a giant gamer too! What do you play and inform us in regards to the on-line gaming neighborhood that you just’ve change into part of?

“So, over COVID I principally turned a full-time twitch streamer and it was superior. I’ve been a gamer since I can bear in mind however my latest go to video games are Rocket League and League of Legends…I play an entire heap of video games however these are my principal go to. I additionally backed a recreation on kickstarter years again referred to as ‘Prodeus’ which is principally a modernised run and gun type recreation just like the traditional ‘Doom’. The sport has a stage designer in it too and over COVID i made a decision to attempt to be taught it and make ranges and now i design ranges correctly on it! The primary map I made on there was truly ‘Peach’s Fortress’ from Mario64 and it’s now the best downloaded community-made map on the sport!”

Thanks James! Any phrases or recommendation for the followers?

“Thanks from the underside of my coronary heart for supporting me all this time and maintaining me round for this lengthy. I hope in time I can develop to a stage the place I can deliver you some tremendous superb distinctive exhibits and past!”

Get your tickets for Rampage here and keep tuned for updates on FuntCase’s upcoming EP. Try this video of his efficiency at Rampage Open Air to get a style of what’s to return!

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