Hideously Filthy

Following on from a discussion I was having earlier, Id like to bring up a good point. Now there’s a lot of discrimination within the bass music culture, especially against more recently produced dubstep. But really, who cares. Bass is bass isnt it? Local DJ GANJAMAN, (most famous for assaulting our ears with his filthy mixes at events such as The Victorias GHETTO BLASTER) provides todays mix. Listen up, if you can handle it.

Enjoying a lazy summers day?

Then you’l enjoy this mix by local-born DJ, Anwha.

Perfect to chill to, whilst enjoying the finer things in life.

To hear more by ANWHA, check out  http://soundcloud.com/anwha

CONGRATULATIONS to CLOUD STRYYYFE!

Tunstall’s resident J/future-garage/drum&bass producer has reached 2000 views on his soundcloud!

A big well done to him!

LISTEN AND SHARE, LETS MAKE IT 3000 PEOPLE!! 

http://www.soundcloud.com/cloud-stryyyfe

Are you a DJ or PRODUCER?

BIG EVENT FOR DUB, DUBSTEP, DRUM & BASS FANS AND DJ’S IN THE WORKS

WATCH THIS SPACE, SEND A MESSAGE TO COUNT247@GMAIL.COM FOR INFO ABOUT HOW TO GET INVOLVED!

Interview with CLOUD STRYYYFE

COUNTINGTOFOUR’S FIRST INTERVIEW!

Now when it comes to hunting down local musicians, Countingtofour makes sure his Materia are leveled up and his fingers are on the keyboard. I was fortunate enough to catch local producer/DJ CLOUD STRYYYFE, (Aaron ‘Ron’ Hodgkinson), before he went off on another quest to save the musical planet earlier for an interview, and he revealed some things about himself, as well as what its like to grow up as an artist in Stoke-on-trent…

Mr Stryyyfe! time for the usual introductions, let us know who you are, what you do and where your favourite venue is.

I’m the main character from Final Fantasy 7 in my later years. In terms of electronic music, producing Liquid DnB, Moe or J-Garage and hoping to throw in a few other experimental ideas.My Favourite venue ever would probably be under the M6 or in a woodland glade (GASHcollective), favourite in Stoke being the Underground from 2005 to 2009, the new smoking area takes a lot away from it…

So, an obvious one…tell us about your influences, and how they have shaped your current work.

Started being influenced by a lot of experimental, IDM and Dubstep artists, Reso being a main one, as well as stuff like Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, to an extent even Crystal Castles. Eventually I started adding in the Anime samples and took some musical inspiration from Anime themes and at the same time had discovered Future Garage. So with that collectively, I had the Moe/J-Garage sound down before really discovering stuff like Submerse or Silvanianfamilies (which from there on became a big influence). The Drum and Bass beats stayed on principal of loving that basic beat, it’s punchy and gets people moving, regardless of the chilled atmosphere I try and create in my music.

You obviously moved to Stoke-on-Trent after Midgar no longer needed your help, (cough)… How well do you think Stoke’s electronic drum and bass scene is represented? and what is the cities music scene like as a whole?

The Dubstep scene is over-ruling all other electronic genres in the UK at the moment, as you know. Its the same in Stoke, DnB seems to be it’s bit on the side, which sucks a little, but that’s just the mainstream. Theres plenty of people about in the underground that rep their punchy beats just as much as their wobble bass. I suppose Stoke’s a lot like Midgar, theres a plate above where the River Island-chic, V-necked, man-Ugg wearing,  glitter kids bust out some “brostep”, and then theres a whole load of creativity frothing from the ‘slums’ and that shit NEEDS to be heard.

What software do you use to produce, and do you reccommend it for those new to music production?

Reason 5! The ultimate way forward, once I’ve made my track on there, I get it up on Audacity to add a few samples in, and then Virtual DJ to throw in some effects and finish that smasher off!

Whilst its still in its infancy, what has been your proudest moment as a DJ/producer so far? where did it take place? and how has the experience helped you since?

The proudest moment, or moments rather are the awesome times when you get feedback on a track thats positive, or when you’re DJ-ing and you get a crowd of people in front of you really going for it, even if that crowds little, theres people appreciating the shit you’re doing. It’s like being on stage with a band, one of the best feelings ever… alongside narrowly escaping Aldi security and almost public sex.

Obviously, your musical tastes have a wide range. You’ve been in metal bands in the past. Now A lot of “alternative” people have their beefs when it comes to electronic music because they associate all of it to mainstream music. How can you, as a both an alternative music fan and D&B producer, motivate them to give electronic music a try?

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people around who’s minds aren’t open to electronic music. I feel that bridge was crossed a while ago when I began listening to a variety of different genres under the ‘Metal’ label that incorporated a lot of electronic music, an obvious one being Enter Shikari. As time passed I realised there were plenty of traits used in electronic music, that I’d already grown to love in music I listened to when I was younger. Reggae, Ska even Metalcore. Dubstep is one big beatdown. Dub is Reggae  but even MORE chilled. There are plenty of melodies to hear within Garage, House and Liquid DnB that are just as good, if not better than a lot of melodies from other genres. At the end of the day music is music, it’s here to be loved, from Bluegrass to Cybergrindcore, Deep House to Symphonic Classical music. Anyone who’s too closed-minded to break from that whole, “I like only punk and metal” or “I like only Eminem and Lady Gaga” stereotypes needs to get out there and explore… bit ranty there. In a nutshell music is awesome! all of it! Love it!…. bar The Black Eyed Peas.

Agreed on your last point… Okay, on a final note, what artists/bands have you been listening to recently that you believe deserves more recognition?

Submerse, although Submerse is getting a lot more recognition lately it seems. So I guess Resketch and Silvanianfamilies, both of which are pretty tight with Submerse. Locally Theres Loz Bradley, Loz has been producing a lot of sick stuff lately and deserves a lot more Soundcloud followers. Live music wise, theres Jim Mcshee providing some country revival, both are sweet musicians who deserve to be checked out.

Great Interview, Thanks dude!

want more CLOUD STRYYYFE? Find all his current work at:

http://soundcloud.com/cloud-stryyyfe

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cloud-Stryyyfe/210256129001639?sk=app_178091127385

http://www.youtube.com/user/CLOUDSTRYYYFE

Like this interview? Are you an upcoming artist/band? send an email to count247@gmail.com in order to get featured on http://www.countingtofour.wordpress.com!

Personal “Artist of the day”

Martina Topley-Bird

One of the Pioneers of Trip-hop, her career began with Tricky and has worked with legends such as Massive attack. Perfect music to relax to.

Mission Statement

So here’s where I lay it down.

This blog is devoted to music. As I mentioned in the previous entry, whilst Stoke-on-Trent may have a good scene within the Cultural Quarter, the true face  of the Cities music resides in a different place. It lives in the small pubs, breathes in the streets, flourishes in the formation of bands, and rests within the individuals hunched over their laptops until the early hours.

The Purpose of my blog, and a true passion of mine is finding people who are making music for the love of it. Those people who are starting out, paving the way for future careers, or simply those who enjoy relaxing and contributing to the genre of their choice.
The city of Stoke-on-Trent is full of individuals like this, and they deserve recognition. Here at countingtofour, I will aim to encounter people from all walks of life, who create every genre of music.

The underground scene needs to be heard, and here is where ill turn up the volume! So talk to me! If you are passionate about, make, host, promote, or simply love to share music, I want to know about it, and in turn, share it with this city!

Beginnings

Lets start from the top,

The city

Stoke-on-Trent, centre of the once huge, now dying English pottery industry is both famous, (and infamous) for many reasons. I’ve lived here from the age of 5, and like a lot of young people have expressed my hatred for my home-town many, many times in the past. However, since I left my teenage years behind, I’ve become to realise things about this town that I was previously too young/ignorant to fully appreciate. The most prominent being that unlike a lot of cities this size, Stoke actually has a passionate and vibrant music scene.

The edges of the cultural quarter, containing the Sugarmill, The Underground and the Cities Theatres

Of course, if you have grown up here too, then there is very little chance that you haven’t been to at least one of the main music venues in Stoke. The Sugarmill, The Underground, or concerts at the New Vic theatre, to name a few. However, If you really dig below the surface, experience a different venue from the mainstream, then you will discover that Stoke-on-Trent’s underground music scene is far more diverse and passionate then what the media makes it out to be.

Something I love about the era we live in, is just how many genres of music we can experience. Think about it, in past decades, there has been prejudice against certain genres of music. We live in a time where people are free to enjoy and express themselves with any genre they choose, and the amazing invention that is the internet has only enriched this. Youtube, Spotify, LastFM, Soundcloud, these are the tools music fans use to experience music, and they have changed the music industry forever.

I remember in my ignorant youth, feeling slightly annoyed at people who said that they liked “anything” when it came to music. At the time I felt that this was somewhat of an apathetic attitude, but now, when asked about my tastes in music, I find myself responding with the very same answer. Full circle. From Post-Punk to Dub, Country to Trip-hop and everything in between…This is what my blog is devoted to.

Ollie.