An exclusive interview with Gridlok (Project 51, RAM, Violence, Renegade Hardware), conducted by Implex.
Implex: First question: what are Project 51 and Gridlok, and what lies behind those names?
Gridlok: Both names came from nowhere, in a sense. About 14 years ago, I was driving to Washington and coming up with names for myself, a group, or an album, and writing down everything I saw. I noticed road signs saying “No gridlock,” which were everywhere, so I wrote that down too. As for “Project 51”—it has that name because its purpose is to connect people with transmissions from aliens (laughs).
Implex: I see, so “Project 51” was taken from some science-fiction story or film?
Gridlok: There was a story about Zone 51. About how aliens were locked up in Zone 51. :)
Implex: All right. Your tracks often carry an anti-establishment message, with titles such as “The Media Is a Joke,” “Break the System” and “Dark Times, Desperate Measures.” Are you seriously concerned about how “sick” our society is today?
Gridlok: Oh no, what are you talking about? I think everything is simply wonderful and perfect. I can’t even imagine a more perfect world than ours, full of smiling, happy people who love one another so much.
Implex: Hehe, I see. Maybe you’re planning to start an uprising?
Gridlok: Start an uprising? Hahaha! drum and bass is an uprising in itself, isn’t it? We’re all a bunch of underground outcasts, and practically everywhere I’ve been, all the junglists have roughly the same political views. So whether we want it or not, we’re already some kind of political movement.
Implex: You can also often hear samples from some cool, dark jazz in your music. What do you listen to besides dnb? Maybe you could recommend some jazz to us?
Gridlok: You mean for people who have never listened to jazz?
Implex: Yes.
Gridlok: Well, I’d put it this way: if you haven’t listened to Miles Davis — Bitches Brew, you haven’t lived (laughs). You have to listen to this album, and once you’ve heard it, you can look up who else took part in recording it and listen to those people, and so on.
Implex: And what about drum and bass? Which producers do you like at the moment?
Gridlok: I’ve just received some new work by Ed Rush & Optical, and I have to say they’re back in excellent form! I also really like a lot of what Noisia do. I especially like this track they released on the B-side of a record with this big hit—what was it called...?
Implex: Crank?
Gridlok: Yes, Crank, a very cool track. Also our work for Quarantine, some of Break’s stuff, and of course I absolutely love every track made in New Zealand. :)
Implex: The Upbeats and State of Mind?
Gridlok: The Upbeats, State of Mind, Teknik, Cern, Menace, Bulletproof, Concord Down, and everyone else.
Implex: And among the younger guys, are there any newcomers you like?
Gridlok: Among the younger ones, hmm... Well, you know, Teknik & Cern seem like new names to me, although I know they’ve been writing for a long time. What they’re doing now is at a good level. I’m generally open to young names, always searching, and by the way, there’s one incredibly cool producer—Shapeshifter from Boston. You’ll be hearing about him soon!
Implex: Thanks. Could you tell us about your music-writing process—how does it happen for you? Starting with the moment of inspiration and ending with the final rendering of the track, what makes you write, and what do you use?
Gridlok: Well, it’s different every time. Inspiration is the hardest thing; you have to look for it everywhere and in everything. Sometimes a good party inspires me, sometimes someone’s track. As for the process itself, I use Cubase and various pieces of hardware: I mix tracks on an analogue console, use external distortion, compressors, and equalisers. So I don’t render the track, as you put it—I simply record the mixdown. :)
Implex: And what mixing console do you have?
Gridlok: Allen N Heath System 8—it’s a console from the late ’70s or early ’80s. Reggae and dub musicians used it extensively because it’s one of the few consoles with a built-in tape delay. :)
Implex: I see, so that’s why your sound is so warm—is it because of the hardware?
Gridlok: Yes, I believe that’s the reason.
Implex: I see, that was primarily something I wanted to know for myself. :) You’ve played in Russia several times—what do you think of it here?
Gridlok: It reminds me a lot of the States in many ways. The young people are cool, the drum and bass crowd is cool, and the police suck, hahaha. So it’s very similar to America.
Implex: I see, so you liked it?
Gridlok: Yes, there was a great party in St. Petersburg. Moscow was a bit strange, but I hope I’ll come back and play at some good parties.
Implex: We also hope that happens in the near future.
Gridlok: Yes, my agent and I are currently trying to put together a European tour to support my new album, so it will happen soon.
Implex: And roughly when? In the summer?
Gridlok: Yes, probably within the next few months.
Implex: And what are you planning to release in the near future? Actually, no—first, this question: what is the philosophy of your label, and by what criteria do you select tracks for it?
Gridlok: It has to... hmm, that’s a difficult question. :) It depends on various factors, as always. I look for music that makes me move, and that is written by people with certain views and a certain attitude. In fact, the people are no less important than their tracks, so I look at the whole package.
Implex: And what will be coming out?
Gridlok: First, there’s the single on Project 51 from Mayhem and me — “Meant 2 Be” — and “Injection.” As Anthony said, it’s his first solo release, which is pretty cool. After that, there’s the Reboot the System EP. Most likely, it will be a triple-vinyl package containing my remix of “Heatwave,” the Upbeats remix of “Watching Us,” a Bottomfeeder remix by Dom and me, a BSE remix of “Wake Up,” a Bulletproof and Teknik remix of “Flamethrower,” and a new track by Skitty and me. After all that — oh, a new album called Void. I’m working on it right now, and it will be released this year.
Implex: Will we hear something from this album in the mix you recorded for DRUMANDBASS.RU?
Gridlok: Yes, there will be several early versions of the tracks in it.
Implex: What else do you have planned besides Project 51?
Gridlok: My track called “Know This Sound” will be released on CIA; it will be a sampler for the CIA album. Then next month, the track “Los Angeles” will be released on Renegade Hardware. I’ve also written a remix of Pop Will Eat Itself; I don’t know when it will be released. That seems to be everything. Oh, and Goldie is making a remix of “Dub for Dub” by AK1200 and me, and we’re making a remix of one of his tracks. These tracks will be released on Metalheadz.
Implex: Wow, great news — congratulations! Those are pretty serious releases! Well, that’s probably everything for now. Thank you for taking the time; special thanks for the mix you made for us — it’s very much appreciated. We hope to see you in Russia soon; we’ll try to help you with the tour. Have a great day!
Gridlok: Okay, greetings to all the Russian junglists — fight the authorities until your last breath! :)
This interview was originally broadcast in issue 17 of the drumandbass.ru podcast. The recording is no longer available online.
