Let’s get funky… Really funky. Live and direct from the rolling Welsh green, Eisandnose Exclusives is proud to present to you the talented UKG phenomenon that is Benjamin Damage. A mastercraft of sound, surefooted and forward thinking Damage crosses the boundaries of today’s thriving bass scene to produce upbeat and delicate, techno influenced bass music. After a well balenced bassline diet along with partner in crime Venom, he was snapped up to add to the portfolio of Modeselecta’s ’50 Weapons’ label, and has since been churning out massive techno-house and bass infused smashers. From funky to bassline, and recent productions that tap a 2 step front, Damage is on a mission to help reinvent the bass scene as we know it. Pushing tropical percussions, twisting synths and bendy basslines for tracks that roll seamlessly into unchartered waters. Mission aside, we blagged the chap for a natter to find out about his preferred chocolate, and bagged an intense, jam packed Minimix to top the cake. Be sure to keep Benjamin locked, tracklisting after the jump.
So Benjamin, where are you from, who are you and what are you good at?
Im Benjamin Damage, a producer and DJ from Wales. What I try to do is take what I love from techno, house and the UK bass scene, filter it down and see what comes out.
What are you up to right now?
I’m working on new material for the project with Doc Daneeka on 50 Weapons. The first release “Creeper / Infamous” has just come out and we are putting together a live show for Melt! Festival in Berlin. Im also working on a lot of solo material which will come to light later in the year.
UKG stands as an umbrella term for all things riddim, bassline, grime, funky and dub. What’s happening in the scene right now, and what’s fresh about the UK, production wise?
Its an unusual time in that nobody really wants to define the genre. There hasn’t been a name which everyone has agreed on, people don’t want to be pigeonholed and its pulling in a lot of different directions. I find it very exciting because you can do whatever you want!
Tell us about Modeselekta, & 50 weapons. Do the artists and involvement influence your own productions?
Techno has long been close to my heart and I love some of the stuff they have done. The production is beautiful, and you get a sense that they really know music. They are musicians first, not just producers. I’m a big fan of Moderat too. In the sense that 50 weapons influences my music, I guess its difficult to say. Subconsciously perhaps. They don’t give out any direction about genres other than ‘We want more great music!’ which works for me…
You recently dropped the awesome ‘Antidote EP’. Where would you say your musical ethics lie, and what are you trying to push?
I’m always looking for new ideas, new sounds. I have some hardware synths which I find very useful in getting interesting sounds out of. I find it much more rewarding than programming VST instruments, which always sound like a cheap copy of the real thing, despite what the reviews say. I go through phases where I think maybe software has caught up, but as soon as I get my moog routed through the dp/4 its a whole different world.
Tell us about your label, Solva. Who should we keep an ear out for, and have you any exciting plans for the year ahead?
I’ve got a few artists with really great ideas but not quite ready for release right now. I will be keeping my ear close to the ground and be ready when the finished tunes come my way.
So come on, who’s these ‘Venom & Damage‘ chaps, and what’s the deal with these monster mixtapes?
They came about when we got ridiculously excited over the bassline scene, which was not very widely known outside the north of England at the time. Everything seemed fresh and new and it was good fun putting them together. It was great fun at the time.
What advice would you give to aspiring producers. What do you look for in artists works?
The simple answer is everything. The sounds, the production, the structure and the originality are all very important, but the main thing is the musicality. At a time where there is so much music out there, there has to be a reason for it to exist – it has to do something that hasn’t been done before.
What’s in the Eisandnose Exclusive Mixtape you’ve been kind enough to put together for us?
Its a minimix of some of my favourite 2011 tunes so far, though there are a few in their from last year too. There are couple more which could have gone on there, but I’m sworn to secrecy right now!
Mars bars or milky ways?
Mars planets.
Thanks to Benjamin Damage, all the best for 2011. Keep him locked on Facebook and Souncloud
Benjamin Damage – Eisandnose Exclusive Minimix
