Bristol-based music producer and DJ Perplex having focused on fine-tuning his production style for several years, Perplex started releasing his songs in 2019. His first release ‘Are You Ready’ released in December 2019 set the stage for what fans can expect from Perplex – hard-hitting dance floor DNB which is showcased in his energetic DJ sets. With a string of releases forthcoming in 2020, Perplex is one to watch.
See our exclusive interview with him below:
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
Growing up I was really into my heavy metal and used to listen to bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden but quickly fell in love with the dance music scene when I heard Prodigy’s albums music for the jilted generation and of course fat of the land. Like many others, I fell in love with DNB when I heard tunes like original nutta and valley of the shadows but what really got me involved with the scene and into DJing and production was Roni Size & Reprezents album new Forms.
Give us a sense of the music scene where you are based.
I spend my time between Exeter and Bristol. Both have unique scenes in their own way but the DNB scene (and overall music scene) in Bristol is unreal and probably only a close second to London. It’s home to loads of amazing artists who pioneered the scene and helped get it to where it is today and are still big like Roni Size, Krust, Bryan Gee, TC, DMinds and Break to name a few so a great place to be for DNB.
What key pieces of software/gear are you using to define your sound?
Serum and Massive are my go-to synths which I pretty much do all my sound design with. I’m also a big fan of the Fab Filter plugins particularly Pro-Q3 and I also have to mention Trash-2 which is a beast of a distortion plugin.
What are some of your key musical influences?
In DNB, Artists like Noisia, Camo & Krooked, Mefjus and Break are really inspiring. Their production is next level and definitely inspire me to push myself and if I ever get close to their level, I’ll be more than happy. Outside of DNB I try and listen to as much music across multiple genres which helps keeps things fresh and helps with inspiration and creativity.
What kind of relationship do you have with the internet? How does this inform your artistic expression?
The internet is paramount to my artistic expression. If I’m not producing, I’m trawling for samples on sights like Splice or reading up on the latest gear/production techniques on Computer Music Magazine. Lots of time has to be spent on social media these days building your fan base which is a bit of a chore but a necessary one.
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
I make music for the love of it so getting my songs released and hearing that people enjoy listening to them is success to me.
What has been a memorable highlight of your career so far?
This EP is released on Nu Venture Records is definitely my highlight so far. I’ve had some really good feedback on the songs so looking forward to getting it out there.
If you could work with, or perform alongside any artist of your choice, who would it be?
Definitely a tough one, but I’d have to say Andy C or Chase and Status.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
Would definitely have to be involved with the scene in some way so I’d say a promoter or events organiser.
What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
Yeah, I’ve got lots in the works at the mo – A couple of remixes, a Neuro DNB EP, a liquid DNB EP and some Collab’s so expected a lot more from me this year 🙂
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