We continue our Mixtapes series with an exciting young artist that has a very bright future ahead of him.
Next up we welcome Apprentis, a mysterious Dutch DJ and producer with a knack for slinky, affecting electronic music that straggles the deeper end of house and elements of techno.
With a recent release out on Steve Bug's sub label Sublease Music called 'Concern', this three track release truly show-cases his range of skills and moods.
Concern, the title track, features a beautiful arpeggiated synth line that builds the vibe before a chugging, balearic groove sets in for the duration.
Noseblunt is more urgent - referencing a harder techno sound while merging with a swung groove and a nice vocal sample.
Last up is Kill People, a stripped down last night heater that hones in on a groove and keeps it locked for the dance floor.
With a string of many other releases to his name already, Apprentis has featured on BBC Radio1, DJmag, Circoloco, Rinse FM, NTS Radio, Red Light Radio,Operator Radio, Stranded FM and many more! We caught up with Apprentis this week to find out what makes him tick.
Hi Apprentis, how are you and what have you been up to this week?
I am doing good! The last couple of weeks I have been promoting my newest release, ''Concern'', which has just been released on Sublease Music. Also I have been working on finishing off 6 independent tracks that I will release via Bandcamp at the end of this month.
How did you get into making music?
I downloaded FL Studio on a summer's day in 2011 and deleted all video games from my laptop to focus fully on making music. From there on I was hooked and I have been producing ever since.
Who musically has inspired you the most, be it a family member, a friend or a fellow musician?
This is a hard question because every week I discover a new artist to become inspired by. Also I do not only get inspired by music but also by paintings, nature and the energy of the earth.
But musically who inspires me right now the most is Knxwledge, Madlib and Moodymann. These guys are mainly producers but they can make any sample sound insane and their musical creativity and knowledge is what inspires me to look deeper for music.
If you could open a show for any artist who would it be?
Moodyman!
You recently had a release out on Poker Flat's sub label Sublease Music. Tell us more about that.
Yes, I just released a 3 track EP on Sublease Music. I am really happy about this release as these tracks took me a while to get to a level that I enjoyed myself. The main track, Concern, I remember starting it off with just a 16 bar loop and I wanted to create a lush arpeggio that would be heard throughout the track and modulating it with cut-off and resonance. After I created the melody I added all the drum elements and made the track into a deep/progressive house track.
The second track, Noseblunt, is a more groovy tech sounding house track. I started this track off by actually sampling skateboard noises like grinds, then I used my Roland System 1 synthesizer to create the lead sound, which can be heard at every breakdown before the drop.
The 3rd track, Kill People, is a more minimal sounding track, which I made one early morning in my room in Amsterdam after coming back from a party. I was super tired when I came home but full of inspiration and decided to make a track, which turned out to be this.
What else can you tell us about future releases, anything exciting in the pipeline?
I have a couple of releases lined up for 2023, including single tracks on Moiss Music, Groovy Riddim Records, Berlin House Music, Strange Stories and Little Jack. Plus two 2 track EP's on Go On Underground Records and on Dreamode. Furthermore, I release an independent EP via Bandcamp every 2-3 months.
When producing music, do you have any favourite tools, programmes or instruments that you just love to use?
I use Ableton, all Slate Digital plugins and Roland Cloud plugins.
Apart from producing music, do you play out anywhere at the moment?
I have an online radio show based in London for Vandelay Radio. I broadcast a new show every month and invite some DJ friends to make a mix.
Where was your first gig and how did it go?
My first gig was at Residence in Dublin. It went pretty well. At the time I was 18 and could not mix properly because I had no DJ decks at the time. So I made mashups of tracks in a program called Mixmeister and loaded them on my USB. I was mixing into -> outro but, it sounded like I was actually mixing the tracks during the breakdowns and adding other drops because of the mashups. Fake it till you make it haha!
Which other DJs or producers are you liking right now?
Joy Orbison, Nick Leon, Pearson Sound, Equiknoxx just to name a few.
What are your go-to labels?
Hessle Audio, Wisdom Teeth, Livity Sound, Dekmantel, Banoffee Pies Records, Stones Throw, YSL.
You have compiled our latest Berlin Mixtapes Series Episode 048 - Tell us more about your mix.
With this mix I wanted to play an eclectic variation of all the electronic music that I like. This is the same way I DJ when I play somewhere. I like to blend different styles together and also mix all genres together, for me it's not about the genre but the sound of the track. This mix has it all, deep house, amapiano, garage, breakbeat, dubstep and more. It was really fun to make this mix and thank you for the invite.
Thanks for spending some time with us, is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
You can get my newest release, Concern, on Sublease Music right here: https://subleasemusic.lnk.to/Concern
Exciting stuff! It's been an absolute pleasure talking with you. Next up here's the Quickfire Round:
Genre: Everything
Favourite Colour: Black
What do you put on your chips? Ketchup
Apple or Android?: Apple for laptop, Android for phone
First album ever bought: Nas - Illmatic
Can you juggle?: Nope Weirdest/Coolest item of clothing: XL Black Primark T-Shirt
Do you collect anything?: Music and money
What is the most useless talent you have?: Talking Favourite place to hang out: The park Best club: Marktkantine RIP
Favourite Bar/Pub: Any Irish Pub
Best Beer: Guinness
How do you like your eggs? Poached
Coffee or Tea: Both
Spring, summer, autumn or winter? Summer
Favourite Footy Team: PSV Eindhoven
Favourite Track right now: Playboi Carti Ft. Kid Cudi - M3tamorphisis
Favourite word: Fresh
3 words to describe your mix: Electic, Percussive, Groovy.
Tracklist:
Pearson Sound - Sinkhole
Anunaku & DJ Plead - Wheel
Cop Envy - Kay
LR Groove - Shadows
RS Produções & DJ Narciso - Oração
Dudley Slang - Favor
Huber - RR 9.1 (PDG Special Edit)
Lessone & STRP - Cuasar (Victor Ibarrola Remix)
Apprentis - Noseblunt
Boris Werner - El Todo Mondo
Stylistic - People
I.Jordan - Hey Baby (Edit)
Gav & Jord - No Sweat In My Sweatpants
LSDXOXO - Mutant Exotic
La Dame - Non Ducor, Duco
Gene On Earth - Nelly’s Jelly
Ashee - Mediator
Apprentis - Concern
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