Name: Lincoln Barrett
Labels: Hospital, Breakbeat Science
City, country: Cardiff, South Wales, United Kingdom
Biography
High Contrast, real name Lincoln Barrett, is one of the leaders of the drum and bass scene. At the beginning of his career, Lincoln met London Elektricity, who immediately noticed his unconventional work, and soon a contract was signed to release an album with Hospital Records. His first compositions to see the light of day were What's The Story? and Suddenly, on the compilation Plastic Surgery — one of the first projects to combine drum and bass with melodic funk vocals. The release of his single Passion cemented his reputation as someone who brought a new wave to drum and bass music.
His music is a blend of many styles, such as jazz, disco and garage; there are even several soundtracks. Soon he was playing at the same venues as such well-known producers and DJs as John B, Grooverider, Marky, Digital and others. Lincoln's second single, Make It Tonight, made his name famous worldwide. The single that followed, Return of Forever, confirmed his popularity, and was played everywhere and by everyone, from Fabio and Marcus to Andy C and Bad Company. Both singles, along with the next one, Global Love, rose to the top of the top 60 tracks chart. His debut album, True Colours, was recognised as one of the most popular dance albums of 2002 (Mixmag). After the release of True Colours he got a residency at the legendary Fabric club and became one of the most in-demand DJs on the drum and bass scene, touring continuously across the United Kingdom, the United States and the world.
At the 2002 Welsh Dance Music Awards, High Contrast was named Best Producer, while at the 2002 Drum&Bass Arena Awards he was named Newcomer of the Year.
Biography source: Hospital Records (hospitalrecords.com). Translated from the Russian translation by Ravenous.
Interview
If you listen to the pulse of drum and bass music right now, you will hear High Contrast's magnificent jazz rhythms. Thanks to the palette of his sounds, Lincoln Barrett has been recognised as an artist in his field by many, from Roni Size to DJ Rap. His debut album, True Colours, earned the attention of media outlets of every kind. I go up to the second floor of Nation club, where the BUZZ DC party is taking place, to introduce myself to Lincoln. He quickly takes off his headphones, apologises for being focused on the mixer, mixes tracks without a single seam, and I get the chance to ask this gifted young man a few questions.
I read that you are a student at the Newport School of Film. Are films the medium that attracts you?
I have always loved films from a very early age. I dreamed of making my own film. The head of the school in Newport controlled the students' artistic visions, which was reflected in the films they made, so I considered drum and bass a much better medium for self-expression.
Who is your favourite director and what is your favourite film?
My favourite director is the Italian Dario Argento; he had a huge influence on me with his films Suspiria, Tenebrae, Deep Red and so on. Naming a favourite film is much harder; probably the Coen brothers' Blood Simple.
Would you like to try your hand at writing soundtracks?
I would like to make music for a film. This work requires a completely different approach, and it would have to be a project that I truly loved. I would like to use a full orchestra for it.
Where did you grow up, and what music did you listen to? What of what you heard influenced you?
I grew up in Cardiff, South Wales. I hardly listened to music until I was 17, when I discovered broken rhythms. Before that, I listened only to film music, and that had a real impact on me.
What brought you to electronic music, and to drum and bass in particular?
It happened thanks to friends from college; they listened to hip-hop and jungle. I was drawn to drum and bass because I thought it would be excellent music for film.
How did your DJ career begin, and how did you progress in that role?
I bought a cheap pair of decks and had a demo version of Cubase; this was in 1997. I learned to mix quickly and cleanly. I played for the first time in 1998, then got my first residency at a Ragga/Garage club, where I played for free in the Back Room.
The praise surrounding True Colours has been phenomenal. In a conversation with me, DJ Rap admitted that the album inspired her to return to drum and bass music. Could you have anticipated that when you were writing the tracks for True Colours?
I don't look too far ahead; I only do what I feel in the studio. There has been a lot of feedback, and I am glad that I managed to bring people back to the music, especially DJs, whom I can hear in clubs and who play a huge role in the history of the music.
Many people say that True Colours sounds like house mixed with jazz and drum and bass. What were you listening to then that inspired you to create that kind of sound?
Yes, I was influenced by early house and 1970s music. I love playing house sets because I like the sounds used there; only the rhythm isn't 100% mine.
Which DJ and producer are you a fan of?
I think DJ Zinc is someone whose material is always at a high level, and he is also good as a DJ, with an excellent selection and high-quality mixing. I also love Recluse's work for Carl Craig, early Naked Music material, Kings of Tomorrow, Roy Davis Jr., Seiji and The Neptunes.
How do you see your future? What are you working on now?
I am going to perform all over the world as a DJ. This month I am starting my residency at Fabric, where I will have a platform for promoting material. I am preparing numerous remixes for release, so don't miss them!
The record that never leaves your bag:
Make It Tonight; I still see people on the dancefloor demanding this track.
Your favourite song:
“Close To You” — The Carpenters.
Your favourite book:
The Stranger — Albert Camus
Your favourite dish:
Pizza
Which do you love more—dogs or cats?
Cats.
Thanks to Vida and everyone at Breakbeat Science, and to Lincoln for his patience during the conversation with a grumbling reporter while he was DJing.
Original interview: JIVE Magazine (jivemagazine.com). Translated from the Russian translation by the SPbDnB Team (St Petersburg).
