Interview With Subb-an: New releases, Laying his head at the studio between the gigs and the Festivals he loves
Back in the summer of 2006, Sound Design undergraduate Ashique Subhan, aka Subb-an, would work his early productions into a full live performance via Ableton and hand it on a CD to the founder of Birmingham’s newly founded Below parties, Adam Shelton. He’d soon find himself booked for his debut live set, on the then uncovered Rainbow Courtyard alongside Dinky and Matthew Styles. Now, he is one of the most requested young house musicians and we were lucky enough to ask about his plans and current state.
Tell us where you are now, how are you spending the summer of 2016?
Right now I’m in Berlin, just arrived home after being in the studio. This summer has been great. I’ve been doing all the usual business, touring, partying, getting lots of sunshine.
But surprisingly I’ve been managing to get my head down in the studio which is a rarity in the summer, so I’m on a good buzz!
You have a Sound Design education. Did it help a lot to start producing faster than if you were learning everything from the scratch? And do you think that professional education is crucial for an electronic music producer these days?
It certainly helps yes, however I started from scratch before I took the course. It’s a leaning process, I personally I think what ever route you take it does come down to hours. Cliche as it sounds the more you put in the more you get out, however I think research, advise, tutorials, workshops all play a crucial part. Being hands on is the most obvious of course!
Subb-An about Below and Birmingham:
Tell us what is special about the Below parties and Birmingham in particular?
It was the time and place. A big group of like minded people with a really unique space and not a care in the world. Everyone was young, energetic and creative and all music heads and everyone just wanted to have it out at each party. Aside from the music, the people and the venue where on point and it helped that the banter levels were always 10/10.
Have you always been around house and techno or you are into experimenting with sounds and styles when you produce or play?
I listen to all sorts of music, whether its solo pianist albums or weird film scores and of course I get inspired and will sample and experiment. When I was growing up my mum was always playing reggae and ska but it’s fair to say that it’s been a heavily electronic musical background.
Which party, club or festival do you feel most at home?
I love Glastonbury, Bloop in Lisbon, Fabric Room 1, Stereo in Montreal and Wilde Renate in Berlin.
There are so many great places to play as a DJ, everywhere from DC10 to Sub Club in Glasgow, I’m so lucky to do this job!
What are your plans for the nearest future music-wise?
I’ve just had a release out on Beste Modus and one out on Cabinet. I have a forthcoming release on Blind Box with a remix from Dana Ruh, a remix for 2020 Vision and a full release on my label One Records. I’m also sitting on a good amount of music ready to test and keep to myself for a while 😀
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