Directamente de Inglaterra para o TSDcast - Mungk
Take a step to dub - Hi Matt! How was 2018 and how is 2019 shaping up for you?
Mungk - Hi guys, 2018 has been an amazing year for me. I have been making music under various alias’ for as long as I can remember but this year saw my first release on a label with Sub Garden picking up my track ‘Jungle Dub’. Since then, things seem to have definitely started snowballing for me and I am so excited to see what the future will bring.
TSD - Although you’re no stranger to the digital community surrounding bass music, could you describe yourself so that people can gain a better understanding of who you are and what you do?
M - Sure thing. I’m a producer from Norwich, in the east of the UK, making experimental music for sound systems at 140bpm. Largely my background is in roots and live music until around 4 years ago, I started making beats on GarageBand. A year later I upgraded to Logic & the year after that, enrolled on a college course in music production. Since then, it’s pretty much had my full time attention!
TSD - Where did your interest in building beats develop from, and how did that root in the creation of Mungk?
M - I grew up playing live music both in bands and solo, so was used to using garageband for recording demos. It was way later down the line I then realised I could actually program music in too. I first got into electronic music through attending drum and bass raves. It was then that I began to explore dance music and experiment with making my own tracks. Dnb was my first love in the world of dance music, but back then I used to party a lot (a bit too much) and found the more I moved away from that scene, the less appealing it became. Not that I can’t still appreciate the odd tune from time to time, but as a general vibe it’s just not my thing anymore. For a year or two I was then making hip hop & grime beats for local rappers, before falling in love with dub and sound system culture.
TSD - Where do you find yourself drawing most of your inspiration from?
M - It’s an amalgamation of things definitely. Obviously sound system culture would be a huge contributor. Dub, dubstep & jungle being my flavours of choice. Though I see these as templates more than anything, to then experiment over and find a more individual sound. Having the background that I do in roots music, I like to include organic elements and make use of my ability to play instruments. I love trying to bridge the gaps between genres and drawing influence from the widest range of music that I can. World music plays a strong part in my sound I think, tribal drums and psychedelic instruments can be found in there more often than not!
TSD - 2018 was great for you, with releases on labels such BlackFox Records, Sub Garden and 57omen Records. Can you pick one word to describe what your studio is like?
M - One word? That’s difficult! I guess I could go with ‘evergrowing’ - if that counts as one word? I’m constantly saving money for the next upgrade and keeping an eye out for bargains I can make use of!
TSD - Any rituals or essentials you need to create something you feel good about?
M - My process will generally start with a sample or sound that sparks inspiration. I’ll then build a beat around that, usually on an 8 bar loop. Make it as complex as possible, almost over complex, then pull all the elements of that loop apart and arrange them over the whole composition. The arranging stage is usually when I work out whether the track is going to work or not. Most of the time it’s ok but every so often I hit a dud. They could probably be saved with work, but I work off the ethos that if you’re not vibing something then you can’t really expect anyone else to vibe off it. So I tend to scrap the duds and just start again.
TSD - You’ve just announced a forthcoming release on Indigo Movement as well. How did that link up come about, and what can we expect to hear?
M - I actually came across Indigo Movement through my friend Hyden (Imanzi) who released his tune ‘Samburu Chant’ with them back in 2014. I noticed they were digging the tribal vibe that both Imanzi & myself are into, so sent them my music and turns out Alex (Duckem) who runs the label is a well safe dude! He agreed to take on the track and is releasing it on 23rd December, just in time for christmas. Expect big tribal drums!
TSD - Being a sensitive issue (or false question) for some people. What does the term UK Bass Music mean to you?
M - UK bass music to me is the underground and raw sounding stuff, whatever particular genre that may be in is almost irrelevant. It’s about the forward thinking attitude and passion for sound. The desire to experiment and create something original. It’s a community of like-minded individuals who share this interest, and support each other in making these things possible. It’s a scene who have welcomed me in with open arms this year and I am very humbled to be considered a part of it!
TSD - We always like hearing about up and coming producers to look out for. Which artists are you keeping an eye on for 2019?
M - It’s a difficult thing pinning down who should be considered ‘up and coming’ when I’m so new to the scene myself, but I’m definitely looking forward to hearing more from Aztek who has released countless heavyweight tunes this year. Glume continues to amaze me with everything he puts out. Also Samba, Gisaza, Sir Hiss & Sepia have caught my attention, constantly pushing forward the boundaries of what’s possible with 140 music!
TSD - We are quite excited about the mix you put together for us. So, introduce this selection for us, what have we got going inside?
M - I tried to keep it strictly dubwise for you guys! First half dub, second half dubstep, though all the ‘dubbier’ end of the 140 spectrum. Couple of my own tunes, including the forthcoming release on Indigo Movement. Plenty of bangers, old and new.
TSD - Before we finish... do you have any musical guilty pleasures you're not afraid to share?
M - Haha, always a good question. I’m partial to some 90s cheese... Vengaboys, stuff like that. I love happy hardcore and the Off Me Nut Records style bassline. You can’t be serious all the time!
TSD - Thank you for your time brother, all the best for the future. Are there any final comments / shoutouts you wanna share to wrap things up?
M - Thank you so much for having me, and for all the support. Shouts to Indigo Movement, Dirty Beats, Abysmal Entities, Sub Garden, Too Much Collective!, Elemental Arts, SeekSickSound, Blackfox Records, 57omen Records & Dark Heart Recordings, to name a few! Massive thanks to everyone who has supported my journey so far, and those supporting the next moves coming in 2019.
Stay locked!
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