Directamente da Republica Checa para o TSDcast - WZ
Take a step to dub - Easy David - how's life at the moment?
WZ - Is cool guys! I'm going thru some changes at the moment... moving to Prague (finally), changing job... basically changes that I need it to make it haha. Thank you for asking.
TSD - So let's start from the beginning: where did your interest in building beats develop from, and how did that root in the creation of WZ?
WZ - Start working in 2010, right there I bought my first CDJs and mixer. Around the same time I listened some tunes from Elijah & Skilliam and the rest of Butterz crew, they had very original sound, something between grime, uk garage, bassline and 2-step, but still was grime you know... a very clubby instrumental grime. Since I wanted to listening more music like this I decide started making.
TSD - To step back even further, what were your childhood influences? Can you trace you interest in electronic music to anything?
WZ - My dad listen lot's of music, from rock to electronic. And he collects cds, vinyl and VHS with concerts of his favorite artists, as well as musical apparatus like speakers, amplifiers, turntables etc. This was all influences, who settled somewhere inside me, but the main kick came, when we moving to new house on the outskirts of the city.
This time there were not many children, so i spent my time mainly with radio and music channels. One of my friends at the time frequently listening US rap and one time he burned me some videoclips and LPs from artist like Gang Starr, Notorious B.I.G, 2Pac, Xzibit, Snoop, etc this was the first time that I started feel music like something more. From there on everyday after school i sit at dad's PC and checked for new music .Although the internet is very different from what it is today (we don't had iTunes or Spotify) for me was pretty cool, spend all time trying finding new or old music, videos and movies about music. Electronic music came later via drum n bass, electro etc.
TSD - What's the scene like in Czech Republic? How has your music and growth as an artist been influenced and affected working from there?
WZ - It's very small, everybody knows everybody. Drum & Bass have a really big base in Czech Rep and Trap music is mentaly for now (too much rappers with Meduzas snakes on head), and Deep house had a small boom but dubstep, bass music, juke, uk techno and other underground genres are very family busines.
We have here a few sick artists and deejays but people only enjoy music that they already know, because of that is rare to see a dance floor full of people enjoying something different.
TSD - Creating any art form often draw inspiration from life and environment. With the many outlets from which we can seek such inspiration, what inspires you to create the sound that you do?
WZ - Environments not as much, I'm rather work around moods and feels, maybe weather as well. I am a big fan of movies, so they are a big inspiration for me.
TSD - Aside your music you also run Harmless Youth whit Insane. What are the best and hardest parts about running a label?
WZ - Best - support and interest from other artists and people from music industry.
It's magic when you know, that you are a part of something, that you love from some long. You know a lot of new interesting people, you get new skills and experiences, it's cool.
And hardest - i don't know, this part is from Insane haha... I'm just kidding. Nothing is too hard, we love this activity, but as new label you need secure distribution, promos, graphic design, etc, and when you doing all this things and have to work aswell and making beats, sometimes it's a real pressure.
But Insane is master and he managed to excel, big reespek to him and i believe that now we will go on!
TSD - How do you assure that the quality of your label is on a continuous level? And what makes an artist fit to break through in your eyes?
WZ - Well to be honest i don't mind about that. Me and Kuba (Insane) listen lots of music, we have similar taste and we want to release only things which we like.
Is important give something new and innovative and keep your head clean. Don't try do anything that someone is already doing, you can get inspiration, but we must make our own path.
We are on the scene shortly, I don't know if we are on continous level. We can only work, work, work and continue with our ideas & love, time time will tell if we succeeded or not.
As they say, do what you have to do and your work will be honored.
TSD - What producers within (or outside) of the bass music spectrum are making your ears prick up, so to speak?
WZ - Hmm, i have to say Kahn definitely! Everytime he drop something new, thats crazy, with clear and distinctive sound with huge sub, dark synths and pads with nice melodies, yeah he is my fav.
Sleepers Crucial recording is sick aswell. Every release is heavy and cold. I love sound of Gantz, confused drums, oriental atmosphere, mad melody, something between dubstep and hip hop. This sound is very close to me. Fuck Punk recordings are mental, too raw and dirty, just punk with electronic face. Loefah is big still and Chunky too.
Upcomers artists like Jonah Freed, Samba, Oxossi, O$vmv$m etc.
TSD - You were quite excited about the mix you put together for us. Tell us a little bit about the selection process, down to the final recording?
WZ - Oh yeah Harmless Youth was priority in 2017 and WZ had a little pause.
But it meant more time for formed of Weezy u know? Finally i found my sound and i want just to show it to people, how did WZ develop this year via mix.
You can listen something new by me, music that influences me now, some new unreleased music from other artists, some classic and sound which describes the label.
TSD - If you had to choose a sci-fi novel or film for making a soundtrack, which one would it be?
WZ - Ouch, if i could i would choose some horror movie haha, probably Videodrome. And sci-fi, maybe Blade Runner, Akira or original Ghost in the Shell.
TSD - What are your plans for the rest of the year?
WZ - I have to finish all my tracks and other projects with a few mc's from Czech and UK aswell. Alongside I'm working in a session on my town in december and I prepare one project around Harmless Youth... need to movefurther.
This year was strong so i plan taking a little rest, to get new energy and ideas and start again with bigger deployment from January, cuz i think that next year will be crazy.
TSD - Thank you for your time bro. Are there any final comments / shout outs you wanna share to wrap things up?
WZ - It was a pleasure mate. Thank you and Take a Step to Dub for interview. Shout out to my best fellaz from my city, especially to Karel for help with translate.
Thanks to my family and girlfriend for support.
Huge respect to Insane and Harmless Youth family and every mandems which supporting us from the start and buying vinyls haha.
