FuntCase Discusses New Music, DPMO and Streaming [Interview]

If you are of a particular age, you can probably recall the origins of dubstep, this tremendous wonky genre with a slower tempo and pitched and distorted synths coming out of the British isles. Virtually two a long time later dubstep has developed into a single of the most well-known genres in dance tunes on both sides of the pond (more on that later.) We got the opportunity to chat with Uk dubstep veteran FuntCase. Hailing from Bournemouth, the DJ/producer James Hazell, improved known as FuntCase, has been a mainstay on Flux Pavilion’s Circus Records, possibly the UK’s premiere bass audio label.

Previously this 12 months, FuntCase unveiled his 1st ever music video clip for his music “Flames.” This was a little something of a shock for his fans, as it strayed from his generally filthy dubstep audio. But, as we talked over, James is not a guy to be tethered to one particular genre. James and I chatted about longevity as an artist, his DPMO brand, new songs, and his recently learned skill as a gamer.

Hey James! Thanks for chatting with us. You’ve been on the United kingdom bass scene for about a decade. Notify us how you initially received into producing songs, how the scene’s modified around the decades, and how you have adjusted with it?

“Yeah, 14th 12 months as FuntCase now which is truthfully pretty crazy. Not a whole lot of artists make it past a specific shelf life or even regulate to keep constant so I’m eternally grateful. So, ever because I can bear in mind, my mum experienced been DJing and I was normally all over listening to the stuff she played, which was rather significantly mainly drum n bass. Until finally I was 18, I didn’t even like the genre, allow by yourself consider my hand at DJing. But in advance of I got into it, I was constantly messing with this new music making application on the playstation termed ‘music’. I would emulate tracks I favored, like ‘song 13’ by Blur and other tracks. I designed my very own tracks below and there but I most well-liked copying tracks. A single day, my mum had fulfilled this new guy who was also a DJ and we went spherical his house one day and he launched me to explanation. This was very intellect blowing at the time since the playstation game titles had been incredibly limited and purpose was huge in comparison and absolutely free to make just about anything I wanted…and from there the relaxation is record.”

DPMO has usually been your manufacturer, but you thoroughly introduced a label again in the coronary heart of the pandemic. Inform us what built it the ideal time to start a label and what’s it like working a label?

“It was usually a desire of mine to individual a clothing label and my possess file label, so it’s constantly been a goal but it effectively started out forming in 2017 when we introduced not only the first outfits label time but the first DPMO compilation, which was born out of the notion that there was so a lot superior music from new artists that it essential a home. Following chatting to my management and Circus, we felt like a compilation was a good notion for this, a great deal like the compilation Andy C had in drum n bass known as ‘Nightlife’. We really felt like there wasn’t a dubstep variation of this and we resolved to kick start out it off, as I had so substantially ridiculously very good new music from artists that just weren’t obtaining houses. The label alone was totally introduced at the conclude of 2020 with a collaboration EP with a bunch of artists I definitely favored the style of. The timing was good as we felt like there was enough talent out there that we could add effectively, with no remaining a immediate opposition to other labels in our classification.”

What form of new songs are you functioning on right now? I know you branched out into more melodic territory with “Flames.” What are you drawing inspiration from now?

“‘Flames’ for me was genuinely a COVID periods impressed observe. I was producing a good deal of musical stuff throughout these occasions as we DJ’s experienced no displays to perform, therefore any of the angrier energetic things we weren’t capable to take a look at out in the clubs and gauge if they worked. Was an remarkable observe to operate on, anything distinctive for me and one thing I really liked possessing Dia Frampton on as she’s these kinds of an awesome singer and particular person. Right now I’m doing work on a bunch of new things of all various sorts of variations. I am operating to end two EPs, a single will be a solo EP and 1 collaboration EP for DPMO. My solo EP will in fact have a few dubstep, just one bass residence and just one drum n bass observe on, so I have been really taking pleasure in operating with all distinct kinds of styles.”

I know you just played Misplaced Lands, which is of system the mecca for bass new music in this article in the States. What makes that party so special and what differentiates the US group from the British isles crowd?

“It’s kind of recognized as the ‘Dubstep Superbowl’ and which is honestly so true. The group there, are there for rather substantially the complete line up, so almost everything tends to be best musically. Also artists like myself went there, even when we weren’t actively playing, just so we could hold out and network and look at some astounding new abilities. In phrases of US to British isles crowds I’ve explained this a ton and it rings rather correct these times, but the United states of america crowds are a ton more about the picture of matters so they gown up and almost have headbanging competitions on rails, which is awesome. The Uk is a little bit additional stripped back again and the crowds dance to them selves, but when a observe goes off it Really goes off and they desire rewinds and go mad, which is some of my favourite reminiscences in the scene as a entire.”

Speaking of European festivals, I know you are going to be actively playing Rampage in Amsterdam (November 4-5). Convey to us what lovers can anticipate and explain to an American like me what tends to make that gig so specific?

“Rampage as a brand is just great and we ought to all be grateful for its existence fairly truthfully. I’ll be taking part in a Drum n Bass set there as anything unique but also it’s in a new town for the model. Rampage as a full is just a European mecca for dubstep and drum n bass and absolutely everyone must desire to go there at least when if they haven’t already.”

I read you’re a significant gamer much too! What do you enjoy and explain to us about the on line gaming community that you’ve develop into a part of?

“So, in excess of COVID I fundamentally grew to become a comprehensive-time twitch streamer and it was wonderful. I have been a gamer since I can don’t forget but my the latest go to game titles are Rocket League and League of Legends…I participate in a total heap of game titles but these are my most important go to. I also backed a match on kickstarter several years back again termed ‘Prodeus’ which is generally a modernised run and gun type sport like the common ‘Doom’. The activity has a amount designer in it way too and more than COVID i made the decision to consider to discover it and make ranges and now i style ranges correctly on it! The 1st map I built on there was truly ‘Peach’s Castle’ from Mario64 and it is now the maximum downloaded local community-manufactured map on the activity!”

Many thanks James! Any terms or tips for the supporters?

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting me all this time and retaining me all around for this lengthy. I hope in time I can mature to a amount the place I can carry you some super awesome distinctive exhibits and further than!”

Get your tickets for Rampage right here and continue to be tuned for updates on FuntCase’s impending EP. Check out out this video clip of his effectiveness at Rampage Open Air to get a style of what is to come!

https://www.youtube.com/enjoy?v=vYrcavSnXi4