Tuesday, February 26, 2008

BABYLON SYSTEM SPEAKS!!



I had the opportunity to do a quick little email interview with Babylon System, some of Dubsteps big hitters, belting out anthems such as Dancin' Shoes, Loaded, and Examination of Time. For those that don't know, Babylon System is comprised of producers Roommate and No Thing, hailing from San Francisco, killing dancefloors on a global level.

1. First things first, how did a duo from SF get into dubstep? You guys migrate from DNB, Grime, Reggae or just come across it online? What were you into before dubstep?

The first music I (roommate) ever mixed was dub, from there, both Tom and I have been on the dub, reggae, jungle, hip hop, trip hop, dancehall, and dnb tip. For years we both were big in to the dnb/jungle scene, playing out frequently and even running nights. I (room) was introduced to dubstep mildly through internet radio, but mostly got turned on to it from my homies in Salt lake city the Dubscouts. Tom first heard dubstep from a close homie of ours years back, our friend Ronin showed him a Joe Nice mix.

2. Tell me about the SF scene, I hear it's going off big these days. What the nights and who are the players?

THE NIGHTS: GRIME CITY, SURYA DUB, SHELTER, NARCOHZ, FULL MELT, ARGON, BRAP DEM, SHELTER, MAKEOUT SESSIONS!, BASSISM...... SF IS OFF THE CHAIN RIGHT NOW WITH DUBSTEP!!!

KEY PLAYERS: ANTISERUM, DJG, NICK ARGON, OSC,MATTY G, DJUNYA, SAM SUPA, SUBTEK, REDLINE LADIES, JUJU, RIPPLE, BABYLON SYSTEM, ROOMMATE, ESKMO, CYAN, MC DUH, MC CHILD, LUKENIO, LEXXXUS, BOGL It's a real healthy scene, always growning and filled with more homies than I can name.

3. Ok so Examination of Time, talk to me about that bass sound? Sounds just absolutely filthy, was there a bunch of resampling and processing involved? Probably a trade secret I know, but it's obviously not just a preset with a z-plane filter, right?

Started the bassline with some samples from a virus synth. Manipulated those samps with the NNXT in reason. Then split that up into a couple different layers all playin on top of each other. Made some of the variations by exporting the bass into Sonar and time stretching it. All the final sequencing was done in reason.

4. So do you guys ever have a message in mind when doing a tune? Dancin' Shoes is definitely a war cry to me. That "Stand up" sample and aggro bassline combo reminds me of some Bob Marley shit.

Our basic message is "it's crunk time" We just wanna make people dance.

5. Speaking of which there's a tune by Bob Marley called Babylon System and in it he sings "de Babylon system is the vampire, falling empire" and goes on to say it's a bunch of thieves and murderers, "suckin' the blood of the sufferers"... so is that something you can relate to? To me he's kind of singing about "The Man" ? Did that have something to do with guys choosing your moniker?

The Bob tune def gave us the idea for the name. We are trying to bring attention to the fact that we are all part of the Babylon System. We wanted a powerful name for the heavy music we are making.

6. What can we expect from you all in the future? Any label plans? Any tours? More solo projects from Roommate and No thing?

We got alot of stuff on the horizon. Releases scheduled on Argon recordings, Mode recordings, 10bag recs, Full Melt, Six6six, Heavy load as well as Spl and us just starting a label called Hollow Point that is gonna be putting out some knarly shit. We have def been playing shows alot seperately as well as together. We have both been dj's and homies for years and always love rockin parties. There will be alot of solo work this year as well, look out for releases from Roommate, No Thing, and OSC!!

7. Any shouts or last words?

SHOUT'S OUT TO ALL THE HOMIES IN THE GRIND, THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!! THE BABYLON SYSTEM IS BUILT ON FRIENDSHIP AND GOOD VIBES! WEST COAST!!!!!!! WE WON'T STOP TIL WE GET ENOUGH!

Contact them on MySpace.

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