DIESEL: The Interview

I have been looking forward to this interview for quite a while, and I am proud to finally give it to you filth fiends along with some free wobble filth. I don’t want to waste anymore time, you already know who he is as he needs no introduction… so let’s check out what going on in the head of one of the filthiest dubstep producers to hit the scene…. DIESEL.

Diesel – Randajad by DUBliminalCOM

Diesel – Panic Attack clip by DUBliminalCOM

Name/Age/Location?

Daniel Hogg / 25 / Hinckley, Leicestershire

So as most of my readers know, you’ve been one of my favorite dubstep producers for a while now, I remember checking out your myspace when you had 1,300 views. The first track I heard was “Full Metal” and my head nearly exploded, so much so that I named it my favorite track of 2009. You have a very unique sound, fill us in on how you got started making dubstep and how long you’ve been at it?

One of my m8s back in 2007 showed me a dubstep track and at first I was sceptical. It sounded bland, and kinda uninteresting to me what with just its sub bass and minimal drums, so I didn’t really take much notice until a few months later when I heard some of Caspa and Rusko’s tracks back in 2008, “Hammertime” “Where’s My Money” and “Cockney Thug” did interest me. At this time I was producing Hip Hop for a guy called MC Beads and a guy called Dap-C, so I didn’t have time or was even interested in making any dubstep tracks. It wasn’t until I started listening to the heavier sound of dubstep that I wanted to create tracks myself. Artists like Trolley Snatcha with “We Rock the Forest” and “The Future” pushed the genre even further in my opinion and showed people that dubstep really doesn’t have any limits. I wasn’t really sure where to start at first, specially going about making the right sounds for a dubstep track, so I just winged it an made a track for a laugh, not really thinking much of it and posted it up on the Dubstep forum “Jeremy Kyle Shut Your Mouth”. Rusko messaged me the day after saying he played it out through youtube on the fabric sound system. I can only imagine how shit that must have sounded though hahaha. After people like Rusko recognising the track and ideas I had, I thought i may as well carry on making more stuff but keep pushing the sound further.

What do you use to create your sound? (Gear/software/ you don’t have to get into plugins but I know the readers are curious)

I use Cubase and Reason. Reason mainly to create synths, drum kits etc, and Cubase to arrange, automate and record midi, as well as record vocals with a vocal mic I’ve got propped up in the corner along with all the Stella cans. Most of my sounds are created in the Malstrom or Thor Synthesizers, sometimes ill load a preset patch in one of them and mess around until I find a sound I like or ill make a sound from scratch. Hook up one of theses to the Scream 4 Unit and the sound instantly turns into a monster. I have a vocal micropone hooked up through a mixer to my Audiophile soundcard, where Ill put different effects on. The only other important peice of kit ive got is my Yamaha Keyboard, which I use to play everything, even down to the drum patterns. Its very rare that I draw midi notes in.

What music did you grow up on?

Well Firstly I grew up playing the piano, cello, drums and guitar and did all my grades on the piano, as well as doing music theory, so I learned to play quite a mixed bad of styles. I enjoyed playing in orchestras and doing concerts when I was a kid, I still listen to classical/jazz/blues music now. When I was growing up I had a passion for Hard House/Trance/Garage music. The energy and vibe I got from it was euphoric, you might notice some of my tracks taking on the “dance” vibe, I think it bodes well for the dance floor. Saying all that, I also used to listen a lot of rock bands like Greenday, Muse, Oasis and even Marilyn Manson. So yer, a mixed bag of music to be honest, I find every style of music has a certain value. I started composing music in my early teens but just on the piano, I didn’t get into producing music properly till I was about 18. I tought myself how to use Cubase and Reason round about 2002 then left producing music for about 4 years to go onto chasing girls and getting twated out my face! Its only in the last year or so that ive got back into it.

How did you decide to call yourself “Diesel”?

Goes way back. My mates used to call me dirty Diesel because I always said such grimey things.

Do you have a certain method you use when you go about producing a track?

Not really. Ill be messing around creating synths and bash away at my keyboard making melodies and rhythms and most of the time something will just pop in my head and ill roll with it. If I think about things for too long it end up being a mind fuck and a trip to the pub.

Some producers spend weeks producing a track, others can polish them off in several hours… how about yourself? Do you spend a lot of time on your tracks or are you able to figure out how you want a track to sound fairly quickly?

I’ll have the initial feeling and sound for the whole track in my head once ive got an idea rolling. Sometimes it can only take me a few hours to get a track done before mixing and mastering (which I absolutely hate doing) Sometimes though it can be a week before a track is done from start to finish.

Chronos is evolving into a really filthy bunch, how does it feel to be part of such a sick roster of artists?

Ya know what, the Chronos guys are good lads and really easy to get along with. They were quick to recognise artists such as Dayn, Dr.Philh, Vermin, Mister Six, all with their own unique sound. Obviously I’m glad to be alongside those! Hopefully big things for all of us in the future.

Where do you see dubstep going this year? In the States about 9 out of 10 people have never heard of the genre, I can only assume it’s bigger in the UK?

Well with it originating in the UK, you could assume that yeah. From what I’ve seen and heard, the US scene is definitely more about the harder sound of dubstep where as the UK scene has more of a mix of dubstep styles. I’ve also noticed that radio 1 have been playing a lot more dubstep in the past 6 months, I can assume that it will grow ever more popular. I don’t think it will ever come out from underground and hit the mainstream though, most of the general public wouldn’t be able to handle it

What is your favourite track that you have produced so far?

To be honest I don’t really have a favourite track of my own. Usually once ive made a track, i get sick of hearing it a week later, although Full Metal and Butcher still get me pumped up after a few bevies.

What artists are you currently listening to?

Im gonna give a shout out to these artists that have caught my attention with their tracks in the past couple of months!
Bar 9, Downlink, Datsik, Reso, Banana Bomber, Davr, Dr.Philth, Ashburner, Devnik, OddBoy, Vista, Widelows, Tomba, Bare Noize, Borgore, Liquid Stranger, Eptic.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Absolutely everything from ethnic vibes, classical, pop music. Its not often ill listen to another dubstep or drum & bass track and try to draw inspiration from that. I’m gonna keep it as unique as I can, even if I’m getting inspiration from my microwave, its all good.

If you could pick one show/city to play, which one would it be?

Would love to play Fabric one day but Id love to go to the states as well and rock it out over there. I’ve had so many people asking me when or if I’m playing out in the States, but unfortunately its not happened yet.

What do you have your mind set on accomplishing this year?

I’m just gonna keep rolling out the tunes and see where I end up haha. You’ll be seeing a lot more releases from me as I’ve got a 14 track album being released this summer on a new label called Skank Low Records along with tracks on Chronos Records obviously. Join my fan page on facebook and ill keep everyone updated on release dates etc.

Can you give some advice for the up and coming dubstep producers?

Just keep doing your thing! If you have a drive and a passion, I’m sure you’ll achieve what you want.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Yer man, Big Ups for the interview and be sure to check out my latest mix!

Cheers m8.

May the 4th Be With You (Diesel May Mix 2010) by DanDiesel

1. Sidney Samson ft. Lady Bee – Shut Up & Let It Go (Bar 9 Remix)
2. Bare Noize – Plant Food
3. Dayn – Bone Breaker
4. Widelows – Worms (Blobby VIP)
5. Reso – Techinetium
6. Mister Six – They Will Destroy Us (VIP)
7. Diesel – Skipping Arab
8. Downlink – The Night
9. Davr – FMJ
10. Bukez Finezt & Mr. Boogie – Ill Vibe
11. Diesel – Brrrap
12. Downlink – Ghost (Bukez Finezt Remix)
13. Diesel – Love & Hate (ft. MC Beads)
14. Banana Bomber & Dexx – Gorilla Funk
15. Liquid Stranger – Breakfast
16. Diesel – Its Dark At Night (ft. MC Beads)
17. Diesel – Dark Side
18. Bar 9 – 1983
19. Widelows – Broken Glass
20. Diesel – Slippery Nipple
21. Diesel – Full Metal
22. Excision & Datsik – Swagga (Downlink Remix)
23. Widelows – Ultra Violence