A DJ-beatmaker hailing from the UK Broken beat scene, EVM128 released his debut album, “Nova”, in 2015. Since then, he has performed at numerous clubs and festivals across Europe. In 2019, he launched his label, Dance Regular, blending Bruk, House, Jazz, and Garage. Also known for his many remixes, EVM128 contributed to the “This is Neo-Soul” heavy remix album by Mark Adams, the lead keys/Rhodes, and Roy Ayers' musical director for the past twenty years. Quick interview below and click here to stream it.

Welcome! A glass of?

Châtauneufe-du-Pape or a Red Stripe.

Your first approach to Djing?

I’ve been pushing music on people since high school mid nineties if it wasn’t hip hip mix tapes I’d created from radio and other sources it was dreamscape rave tape packs from Luton soul sense record kid store and I’d hi jack the hi - fi at house parties .. i was the music pusher , that guy turning up the tune and saying: listen to this! That’s DJing ain’t it ? But if you’re asking technically I started on sound labs (belt drive) decks , I learnt the hard way! That was ‘96. Then 12’10’s in ‘99. By the millennium I was DJing around London at various parties, I was into more Hip Hop and jungle back then and working for a street wear store called Bond in Soho. It wasn’t until around 2005 that broken beat took over me, the rest as they say is history. 

Your first approach to Beatmaking?

I’ve been tapping on tables since early days around 10 years old but then after playing drums at home from 14 years old I started to record layers on a 4 track tape recorder … then around ‘ 98 I discovered the MPC and an Atari computer with cubase … see ya! He said to the world! 

Soft or hardware?

I use both , but I don’t care what you use to make music, just make it dope! It’s amazing what digital can sound like these days and I’ve learned over the years that less is more. Style and groove is first and foremost.

7 or 12-inch?

12-inch.

Mountains or sea?

Why choose one ? I live in north wales we got mountains by the sea. We’re spoilt to have both ! 

What is your definition of a good remix?

Doing the original justice with your own authentic style.

What comes to your mind if I say Mark Adams?

Keyboards and Roy Ayers 

How did you meet David schwartz?
I met David through doing remix work for "Detroit Rising", he reached out to us for that broken beat energy, he’s clearly got a good ear ! 

Can you explain your creative process for your "Open Letter" remix, why did you choose this track and the concept of your remix, what you keep, what you play…? And you did an House and Broken beat version, why?

“Open letter” I chose to remix because I love the vocal , it’s usually the vocals I use in a remix as I then just follow the melody and make the beats ruff and tuff I don’t usually use much else unless it stands out like I used some of the jazzy brass in open letter as well as the vocal track, that’s all I really needed. Yeah as well as the broken mix I did a house mix too, just because that vocal lends itself well to that sound and it was kinda already mapped in my mind so I did something for the house heads too , bonus!  

Sun or moon?

Moon, I usually go to sleep when the sun comes up, I like producing in the dead of night.

Any ritual before a gig?

I don’t really think about it I just feel it out.

You maximum BPM?

Do you mean DJing or production? DJing: I move between Bruk and jungle so can go from 125 up to 170 but anything over that is maybe a little fast. Production wise I tend to float between 125 and 135 on the Bruk & Garage but I’ve been making Jungle tracks lately around 160 which I quite enjoy ! 

When you dig, what are you obsessed with?

Samples mainly, or obscure Bruk beats that have been forgotten about, there’s still so much to discover with this genre. I’m quite eclectic with my vinyl so purchases can range from Funk, Hip Hop, Soul, Disco, Punk, Garage, Jungle, House, Jazz, Broken beat, Afro, Brazilian, World rhythms, Reggae, Ragga,  Dancehall. Anything with great beats, bass, soul and groove!  

Your top 5 new releases

Coming out all the time it’s hard to pin down a top 5 but here’s some that have really made my ears hot lately : 

- Sticky dub « Warrior » (Eglo records)

- Shy One feat. George Riley « I Can Tell » (Touching Bass) 

-  Oliver Night feat. Roots Manuva « BOSS » (Tru Thoughts)

-  SAULT « Don’t Waste my Time » (Matica remix Conduit Records)

-  Ju Ju Rogers « Elohim » (Counter Kultur)

Your top 5 oldies

- Cousin cockroach « This ain’t Tom n Jerry » 

- Nepa Allstar ft Viktor Duplaix « The Way » 

- Domu « Dangerous Times » 

- New Sector Movements « My History » 

- Sound of Blackness « Optimistic »

The producer who puts you crazy systematically?

Masterplan / Bakey .

What’s your motto, your adage, your favorite quote?

“Some people feel the rain, others just get wet” by Bob Marley.

What job would you like to do if you weren’t a DJ-beatmaker?

I would probably have gone down the visual root, photography, graphic design, film, video editing … or maybe a farmer ! 

What does Paris represent foe you?

Love, music , fashion, culture, art, and that amazing smell when you walk to the boulangerie in the morning… and Daft Punk ! 

Interviewed by DJ coshmar / photos © .