Kristjan Jõgeva/Facebook is an Estonian producer going by the name of Thing,Future Roots his latest release, sees his debut on Doc Scott's semina 31 records imprint so we decided it was time to find out more about him and get an exclusive guest mix.
Where are you from and to what extent would you say this influences your music?
I'm from Estonia, a city called Tartu which is the second biggest city in Estonia. Since we have long winters here, you can say it has affected my music. My tunes are quite deep and dark.
What sort of music did you listen to growing up?
When I was young I used to listen to metal but soon enough I discovered local radio shows that were playing alternative music as well, Raadio 2 for example.
My favourite radio show was called Vibratsioon, hosted by Raul Saaremets and later Tramm ja Buss, which is also Raul Saaremets's show but it focuses on drum & bass music only.
When did you first try your hand at DJing and producing?
Since I sang in a choir and played drums in a band, I’ve always been into music. Whenever I heard music, the sounds made me react and probably this made me try. At first I just tested different sounds and you couldn't even call it music. I couldn't understand it at all but this made the interest in music even grow bigger.
How would you describe your approach to making music?
I’ve collected a large amount of samples on my computer and trying to put them together usually creates the ideas. I’ve lots of unfinished projects that I sometimes finish half a year later.
Which other artists have helped you the most in your career
Loxy, Blu Mar Ten, Stunna, Doc Scott and many others.
Who have been your biggest influences?
Loxy, Doc Scott, Photek and D Bridge.
What's your studio setup like?
It’s funny to even say this but my studio consists of an iMac computer and a pair of Sennheiser headphones, this is all I need.
Tell us more about your new EP on 31 Records... what did you have in mind when you made it?
Nothing special, I just started making it and so it happened. Whenever I make music I never think of how it should sound. It's always quite spontaneous. Future Roots was the last track I made. The two others I made previously and Doc Scott made the selection.
How did you hook up with Doc Scott?
I got his AIM address from somewhere and started sending my music to him. He started playing my tracks in his monthly SoundCloud podcast Future Beats.
I was already happy that my tunes were selected for the podcast because Doc Scott is a legendary musician and DJ but suddenly he said that he wants my tracks on his label and now you see the result.
Got any other releases / remixes in the pipeline we should look out for?
At this moment no, but I'm behind my computer creating something now!
What else have you been working on in the studio recently?
I have collaborated with one Finnish guy Defo whose sounds I really dig. We made a track with him last year called Final Frontier. I'm also working with German duo Survey.
If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?
Loxy, Doc Scott, Amit, D-Bridge or Sam KDC.
What’s the best record you’ve made so far?
I think it was last year’s Blu Mar Ten release: Renew / Outer Lands, especially Outer Lands.
Do you make any other styles of music apart from drum & bass?
I'm slowly experimenting with techno but this is more in the “testing” stage at this point.
Tell us a bit more about the mix you are giving away with us...
I listened to my treasury and selected the songs quite spontaneously. During that I discovered some old goodies I haven't used a long time and added them. There are also some quite new tracks from the producers I like.
Any plans for an album?
Actually I'm making some plans for an album and hoping it will be ready this year.
What's happening with your DubThing and DepthwiseMusic labels at the moment?
Depthwise is pretty much on a standby mode at this point but I release singles monthly on Dubthing.
Any advice for any aspiring producers / DJs out there?
Never create anything because other people create it. Always do things the way you like. It will take time but you will get recognized and it will all be worth it.
What tracks, producers and labels are you feeling at the moment?
Tunes: Ruffhouse - The Foot, Loxy & Resound - Black Hole, Survey – Delirium, Kid Drama - One 6 Eight and Overlook - Narrows.
Artists: Ruffhouse, Overlook, Sam KDC, Loxy & Resound, Gremlinz, Kid Drama, dBridge and Survey.
Labels: Exit, Cylon and Samurai.
What’s the drum & bass scene like in Estonia at the moment?
There are some producers quietly making something but not much worth mentioning. More active producers include Bone, Definate, Inztance and Planeet.
Where can people see you play in the near future?
I will step up in Tallinn Music Week from March 29 which is actually a three-day festival for discovering different Estonian music.
I also have some gigs in the summer, both in clubs and festivals. One worth mentioning is Forest Festival in Finland on July 25.
What's the best gig you played in the last six months?
Definitely in Berlin at a club called ://AboutBlank. The people's warm welcome and the purity of the sound was something I hadn't experienced before.
What do you get up to outside of music?
Work, which is repairing digital cameras, and also I'm really into all kinds of technical gadgets and photography.
Anything else you want to tell us about?
I would like to send my gratitude to all the great DJs and producers from Estonia and abroad. Especially Raul Saaremets , Anton To-Sha, Maihe , Slammin , Loxy , Doc Scott, Overlook and Blu Mar Ten.
Words: Colin Steven/Kmag
Tracklist
1. L - Side - Dubway
2. Survey - Delirium
3. Fre4knc - Tellurian
4. Thing - Future Roots
5. Ruffhouse - 13
6. Cern & Overlook - Nevada Ghost
7. Loxy & Resound & Skeptical - Choices
8. Thing - Untouched
9. Hanover - Never Enough
10. Jaydrop - Frame Scope
11. Ruffhouse - The Foot
12. Thing - Outer Lands
13. Skeptical - Tundra
14. Glyph & Gremlinz - Evolution
15. Seba - Life Is
16. Dub Phizix - The Clock Ticks
17. Stray - LA Zoom
18. Thing - Footworks
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