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Essential Hardcore with Sy & Unknown

Reported by Tom Cypher / Submitted 24-05-11 19:06

Sy & Unknown, both DJs as well as producers, formed Quosh Records in 1994 and turned it into one of the leading Happy Hardcore labels of the mid to late '90s. The two first met at a Fusion event in Farnborough, Hampshire. DJ Unknown had been producing tracks for some time and DJ Sy spun many of his records. The two decided to collaborate on some tracks, the first being "Are You Ready" (Hectic Records, 1994). They are known as some of the best producers in this style and we grabbed them for a quick chat! Here’s what they had to say . . .



Where did your fascination with hardcore begin?

Sy: Hardcore developed in the early '90s from the music I already loved and was DJing with anyway, i.e. it combined elements of Hip Hop and House, so it was just a natural progression for me to get right into it.

Unknown: I’ve always been into music, even as a kid I used to buy vinyl. I remember buying Now that’s what I call music 4!! Dance music has always been my preference and once I started going out raving there was no other music choice for me, I was hooked!

What does your family make of your career and your music?

Sy: At first they were worried I wouldn't be able to sustain a career from it, but now they can see it has luckily been a hugely viable career path.[/b]

Unknown: I’m still not sure they fully understand what I do, I think they still think I’m a wedding DJ, if only they were cool enough to come out for a night, they might get it!

Have you been gigging much recently? For you where do you think the scenes healthiest at the moment?

Sy: Yes I have, all over the UK as usual. Bristol, Birmingham, Peterborough and Bournemouth seem to be the "Hardcore hotspots" at the moment!

Unknown: At the moment the best places for me are, Manchester, Peterborough & Birmingham, great crowds there at the moment.



You recently compiled a sample pack ‘Essential Hardcore’ for Loopmasters. It’s nice to see some hardcore packs. How different was it creating this pack compared to a normal track?

Both: Well the creative aspect of compiling it was completely different from producing music; it really wasn't very difficult in that regard. We just made sure we were very thorough in including all our favourite samples that we've used over the years. Painstaking, but worthwhile in the end we think, as it gives any aspiring producer the necessary armoury to make some slammin Hardcore!

Do you guys sample much yourselves?

Both: Only really percussion, which everyone does!

Got any top tips you can share for people using the pack?

Both: If you're thinking about producing Hardcore, the first crucial rule is to get the kick and bass sounding right before you do ANYTHING else, so use the samples we've included and get a good level with these two elements (a good idea is to cross-reference to existing Hardcore tracks from established producers while you're doing this). Then . . . away you go!



What does your core studio consist of? Any favourite bits’ of kit?

Both: We're now on Cubase 6 which has some nice little amendments over the previous version and which is the core program from which everything else runs. we're also heavily into the synth Massive at the moment.

You’re imprint Quosh has been around for almost two decades! What are your most treasured releases from it’s back catalog and why?

Sy: My favourites are probably Digital Lover, cos it was just a blast to produce and it's been a very popular release. Going back a bit I also really loved 'Gonna Get Ya' cos it was a little bit darker, tougher and bouncy as fook!

Unknown: I think my favourite is probably a track called ‘Alabama’, it’s a bit different, using an American rock vocal and strong guitars. I still love a track called Cheddar volume 2 from back in the early 90’s, it sampled the grand prix theme but somehow managed to stay ‘cool’.



Any new tracks, producers and labels that are doing it for you at the moment?

Sy: I'm really diggin some of the stuff DJ Spit is doing; quirky, mad and very bouncy instrumentals - my kinda shit!

Unknown: I think my favourite new producer at the moment is Tecknicore, really doing some good stuff right now.

What do you known now that you wish you had known when you first started out?

Both: Never trust vinyl distributors and don't give them new product before you've been paid for older releases!!

What else have you got planned for the year, in terms of DJing, producing?

Both: We're currently trying to secure an album deal, it's in the early stages of discussion, but if it comes off it'll be the perfect vehicle to showcase all our recent productions, and we feel it would be a much needed outlet for music for the Hardcore faithful! I will of course still be DJing all over the UK most weekends, and our studio ventures (both with each other and other producers) never cease!

Sy & Unknown ‘Essential Hardcore’ is out now. For more info clickhere.

Images courtesy of Sy & Unknown. Not to be reproduced without permission.
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Other Features By Tom Cypher:
Perfect Stranger Takes a Leap of Faith With His New Album
Marco Scherer's Patchwork 17
Lee Mortimer goes Loopy.
My Digital Enemy
Studio Talk with Organ Donors
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
Comments:

From: Mat Lock on 27th May 2011 22:44.12
Ahhh the good old days of the Rhythm Station !!! Good memories or what's left of them now hahaha

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