Over the last year Compa has been creating huge waves in the dubstep scene, and following successful GetDarker sessions in 2011 and early 2012 (watch that Artful Dodger > Lurka vs. Commodo mix, absolutely nuts) the recent hype surrounding him has been huge and well deserved.
Here at Inorganic we first caught wind of Compa when he gave away ultraminimal halfstepper “Worries” through Hedmuk last year. He’s continued to impress us with his refixes of scene anthems “Anti-War Dub”, “Root”, and his version of Movado’s “Dem A Talk” as well as his own original productions, all of which have placed him firmly in view as one to watch in 2012.
Compa runs North UK clubnight Wax and has a radio show on the well known Sub.fm, Wednesdays from 2pm-4pm. He’s just been nominated for Best New Producer in the 2012 Dubstep Forum Awards so if you’ve got an account, get over there and vote!
We were lucky enough to catch up with Compa recently and ask him a few questions, so without further ado…
Inorganic Audio: Following your hugely successful GetDarker session it’s looking like 2012 is your time. What else do you have in the pipeline this year?
Get Darker was good fun. Firstly let me thank Darkside and Cyrus for having me. New studio is nice.
I have a few other bookings confirmed, Belgium, Essex, London etc. in the next few weeks and in terms of releases I’ve got my debut vinyl on Boka out February 6th, a white label coming later in February, a vinyl with Red Shift One, marking their first release which should be out about April and a vinyl on Area Recordings out about the same time. Couple of other things release-wise too, but I shouldn’t mention those yet.
IA: Your refix of Root is huge. I know a lotta producers tend to stay away from remixing DMZ classics. What was the inspiration behind your version? How did it come about?
Thanks, It’s funny to me that people are intimidated by remixing certain tunes, and it might seem strange how my mix came about of Root, and Anti-War Dub for that matter. Like all DJ’s you want exclusive tunes, unreleased tunes. One particular night I decided to make my own little version of Root, nothing serious, just something for my sets. I didn’t really think “God, I’m remixing Loefah!” I just built something, cut it and started playing it.
IA: One of the things you’re known for is your appreciation and use of vinyl and acetate. How long have you been using these media? What is it you love about them?
I started DJ’ing and buying records at youth club back in about ‘03. Back then no-one used CD’s, there wasn’t a CDJ in sight. Everyone went to record stores, bought vinyl and played vinyl so back then, I played vinyl.
When I got into Dubstep music about ‘08 nothing had changed, most people played vinyl and I noticed people playing these 10” records I soon found out were acetate dubplates. I was fascinated. I cut a couple of my early tunes (really, really terrible tunes that I never even played out!) and I’ve never wanted to change. Vinyl sounds better. Vinyl looks better. Vinyl feels better. My roots are in vinyl, and so are the roots of Dubstep music DJ’s. Turntables are just me.
IA: What are some of your all time favourite tracks, both inside and out of dubstep?
1. Mala - Pop Pop Epic
2. Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Pt. 2
3. Goth-Trad - Seeker
4. Skream - Backwards
5. Loefah - Mud
6. Burial - Archangel
7. Coki - Haunted
IA: Where do you see dubstep in the next ten years?
I don’t want to say. I can’t say really. Who knows. We’ll see. If I’m honest, I wish I could wind back the clock to experience and relive the early days of this music. Between the dark garage progression and the ‘Brostep’ (forgive my use of the word) progression.
The sound coming through commercially is a phase. It is bandwagon music. It is pop music now. The deep music is made with belief and passion. Any music made with honest passion, music made you yourself, will last.
IA: Finally, do you have any tips for producers and DJ’s who are just starting out?
Yes. Play vinyl. Only joking. I’m not really in the position to give advice, but I’d say don’t rush things, go down your own path. Believe in yourself. If you are passionate and dedicated everything is possible.
And when it gets to the stage when you are sending tunes out, I’d suggest not sending to all the biggest names straight away. Be careful, be selective. Send tunes to people who play a similar style but don’t copy them and presume they will like it. Do your thing. Be yourself.
And last of all, enjoy making music and enjoy playing music. That is all that it is here for in the end. We should all be working together and enjoying music, and life, together.
Love and respect.
Our sincerest thanks go out to Compa for agreeing to answer our questions! Remember to like the Compa page on Facebook and don’t forget that you can catch him alongside Kryptic Minds, Coki, Cyrus, J:Kenzo, and more at the This is Dubstep 2012 launch party at Cable down in London. You’ll have to be quick if you want tickets though!
Compa :
http://www.soundcloud.com/compauk
http://www.twitter.com/compauk
Wax :
www.wearewax.com
http://www.facebook.com/wearewax
http://www.twitter.com/wearewax
Inorganic Audio :
https://www.facebook.com/InorganicAudio
http://www.mixcloud.com/InorganicPodcast/
