Con-Figure
Con-Figure Interview
Tell us a little about yourself…
I was born and raised in Bristol where I lived for 40 years, before moving to south Devon in a little town by the sea called Teignmouth. I have been producing on and off since 2008 with a huge gap from 2014-2019 where bad life choices took me away from my passion.
I didn’t learn music tech in college (I really wish I could go back and change that) instead I took the longer harder route of trial and error. Thankfully the internet has its uses and helped a fair bit, but I still class myself very much a novice.
How were you introduced to Drum & Bass?
I was introduced to drum n bass back in 1994. My best mate at the time Scott had an older brother (Jamison Logan) who ran a promotion called Intense Promotions. He did a few nights in and around the Bristol area combining jungle and techno. Scott and I helped sale tickets and put flyers up gaining us free entry to these events, we were technically too young for entry at 16 but we still got in. We saw the likes of Easy groove, Kenny Ken mc Ribbz to name a few, who were/are Legends. Great times.
You had a new Artist Profile Album come out on Soul Deep. Tell us about the album.
This album was a long journey for me, after I started writing music again around the end of 2019 my music taste dramatically changed from deep dark and techy, to soulful chilled atmospherics. I must admit I was shocked, but the heart controls the brain in these matters.
My first ever liquid signing was with Soul deep in 2021 on the unsung heroes 14. The following year I released my first solo ep on the imprint called Molten Jazz. Last year I released my Bosa Nova ep which actually did pretty well breaking the top 30 in the Juno download charts. That was a huge thing for my self-esteem. It was only right my first LP had to be on Souldeep, where it all began for me.
What inspired you to write the album?
I guess my inspiration came after my first DJ set in over 10 years, in Southampton at Deeper. I played a selection of my own tracks which were due for release or pending release on Default recordings and Celsius. For the first time, I saw people vibing and dancing to my music creations, which as a home producer was very rewarding. Shortly after this was a super productive time for me and I managed to write most of the LP really quickly, while still managing to do side projects for other labels. I Did have help from some great producers in the way of colabs. Inc Scott Allan, Oversight, Wez walker and my new buddy from Deeper DJ Saffron.
Who are some of your biggest influences as a producer?
I would say my biggest influences come from producers like Peshay, Calibre, LTJ Bukem Ed Rush, Vicious Circle, Optiv, Marcus Intalex, Comix, Spectrasoul , Roni Size, Seba Bigbud, Blame Paul SG Furney and too many more to name.
When you’re not listening to D&B, what are your favorite genres & artists to listen to?
I like a mixed bag really. I love The Verve and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Kings of Leon for indie/rock but I’m also a big fan of 80s music for nostalgia. I have started listening to a lot of jazz from different eras, mainly to sample but I’ve grown to really like it. My wife and I are going to a jazz night next Thursday which we’re looking forward to.
Do you have a favorite Drum & Bass tune, new or old?
My favourite drum n bass tune of all time has to be Sorrow by Futurebound
You’ve been around the D&B game for a long time. What do you think of where the scene has evolved to? And what do you think about the progression of the genre?
I never delve into the politics of the drum n bass spectrum, as each person has a different view or taste and they are well catered for. The music has evolved so much since my first raves back in the 90’s where Ratty would play a four four with breaks in amongst a jungle set, but it worked as it was all about the key ingredient in my opinion which is VIBES! The music drifted into its own sub-genres and then within its sub-genre into more sub-genres. I have always been more drawn to the underground aspects of the music over the mainstream. I guess there is a taste to suit all which is a good thing right? I think liquid is in a very good place at the moment with artists such as Cnof, Bloque, Viewer, Blean, oversight, Wez Walker and Soul connection pushing the boundaries.
What else do you have coming up that we should all look forward to?
Currently I am working on 2 Eps for Smooth n Groove, a solo Ep with a more dub feel over my jazzy vibe and an EP with one of my favourite producers of the moment Dash. I also have an EP I’m working on with Saffron and a few colabs cooking with Kipsy, Jimmy Knees and West.
Would you like to give any shout outs?
I would like to shout out to my wonderful wife Heather for always supporting me. Also Big shouts to (in no particular order) Martin Leggett, Nick porter, Ian and Adam at Default, Dark Dean, MC Shadow, M Ocean, Stutti, Jason O’Gara, the Novers Hill crew, Dug E, Moaks, Daniel Pearmain, Oversight, Wez Walker, Chris and Tyler at Smooth n Groove, Chris Wright at Omnimusic, Martin Love at M-Ocean Recs, Kravitz, Dash, Scott Allan, everyone at SoulDeep, Marco at Triple Vision and everyone who has supported or bought my music, THANK YOU.
Con-Figure – Rhodes to Nowhere: Soul Deep Artist Spotlight
Soul Deep Exclusives and Con-Figure are excited to share that the Rhodes to Nowhere LP is now available in all major digital stores and streaming sites!! The album represents the latest release in the Artist Spotlight Series, which provides a platform for outstanding producers to highlight their signature sound. Configure blends beautiful, organic backdrops, and snappy drums, with perfectly crafted samples, and pads. The songs range from dancefloor friendly, to fully developed, to more stripped-down grooves. The songs all have in common the quality production you’ve come to expect from Con-Figure. The feature artists on the release include the talents of Wez Walker, Oversight, Saffron, and Scott Allen. With recent releases on Smooth N Groove, Celsius, Liquid Drops, and Soul Deep, Con-Figure is quickly making a name for himself in the Liquid Drum & Bass scene. The Rhodes to Nowhere LP is a perfect snapshot into the mind and production quality of Con-Figure. Press play and enjoy the sounds!! We hope you enjoy the LP!!
Stream or Download:
Bandcamp: https://souldeeprecordings.bandcamp.com/album/con-figure-rhodes-to-nowhere
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2qk4hMUqXNeExCdTMUXaHW
Juno Download: https://www.junodownload.com/products/con-figure-rhodes-to-nowhere-soul-deep-artist/6765038-02/
Beatport: https://www.beatport.com/release/rhodes-to-nowhere-soul-deep-artist-spotlight/4713500
Follow Con-Figure on the web:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joethevirus
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/con-figure
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/con_figure_dnb/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/46lbJyVSYjpfzLLjmdFXOs