Route 1 Audio Interview - Galactic Steppa
In anticipation of his upcoming release we caught up with Galactic Steppa and spoke about music, his influences and what the future holds. Here’s what went down!
R1: Hey man, thanks for taking the time to talk to us first of all.
GS: No worries guys.
R1: Right lets jump straight into this, how did you first become interested in music?
GS: I was lucky there was always a variety of music playing from the radio or record deck. This included the chart rundown on radio to blues and rock through to disco and soul.
My older brother was the first to introduce me to rave music mainly jungle from tape packs, like Fantasia, Desire, One Nation etc and recordings from Kool FM. I did enjoy the ol’ Happy Hardcore as well as the jungle, in the earlier days DJ’s used to mix it up. I’ve still got an old tape of Grooverider playing Hardore.
R1: How would you describe your musical background?
GS: My bro had the decks and got a few gigs so I started trying to produce Drum and Bass using a Korg Electribe and a basic copy Cubase. My production skills were that raw I created a bass that blew my bros 15” Sub. The love of bass I guess.
I messed around making tunes for a long time and a variety of styles from Dub, Broken Beat, Dubstep and always Drum and Bass. As times gone on my skills have grown and I’m producing what I dreamed at the beginning.
R1:What advice would you give up and coming producers?
GS: Keeping learning and pushing to be your best it’s old I know but so true.
R1:Any production tips or tricks for the readers?
GS: I’m a perfectionist and can play with a snare sound for hours. I spent months building my sub bass sound. A great tune is down ultimately to EQ’ing and making those sounds as crisp as possible.
R1:How did the name Galactic Steppa come about?
GS: I just love the name.
R1:What can we expect from Galactic Steppa in the future?
GS:The future...well I’ve got my first double AA single, There’s No Cure/Steppa, being released on Route 1 Audio. DJ Random and Monkixx have been really supportive, BIG UP!
There’s No Cure is a mid 90’s Drum and Bass homage with a great vocal hook and deep rollin’ bass line. Steppa is a Deep Dubstep tune again a deep bass overlaid with some wicked wobble.
This is to be released to coincide with Route 1’s 2nd event at the Silver Bullet in Finsbury Park, London 30th April. The line up is wicked and I’m playing so get down there.
I’m working on an EP which will have another Drum and Bass tune, this one has got me bouncing around my studio at the moment. The drums are sick and the bass is jumping. I’m looking to work with an MC on a Dubstep beat I’ve got as well. It has an old skool dub feel to it and lyrics will finish it off nicely. There’s a lot in the pipeline.
I’m playing sets which are a mixture of genres from old skool to exclusive fresh cuts. Keep an eye out on Soundcloud, Mixcloud and Facebook for those.
R1:How would you best describe your music?
GS: No style is my style.
R1:Where is the best place for people to hear your music?
GS: Through the Route 1 Audio website and on my Soundcloud and Mixcloud pages. Then when the release drops all the usual digital outlets such as Juno, Beatport, Itunes and so on.
Listen to There’s No Cure/ Steppa Previews here.
R1: So lets quickly talk about music you listen to currently, What 3 tracks are you really liking at the moment?
GS: I’m really liking Liquid Stranger’s Anomaly, The Collection album especially Trouble featuring Ohm Roommate’s Stand Dub the Drum and Bass Mix. This has wicked drums reminiscent of early Jungle.
Also Monkixx’s Jah on Route 1’s Vol 1. The whole album is class, diverse and filled with bass lines which is why I wanted to work with Route 1 Audio
R1:Who or what would you say your main musical influences are?
GS: Too many to mention
R1: What was the first record you ever bought?
GS: I was in HMV with my pocket money and no knowledge of what I wanted so I brought The Clash’s London Calling purely based on the front cover, Paul Simon smashing his guitar live on stage. Great album. Using this method was never as successful.
So there you have it people a quick insight into the world of Galactic Steppa, a big thank you again to Steppa for having a quick chat with us and make sure you follow him on all his social outlets listed below to keep up with all his latest releases.
Galactic Steppa on Soundcloud
Galactic Steppa on Mixcloud
Galactic Steppa on Twitter
Galactic Steppa on Facebook