Rhythms of the sublime

UB Radio has a real treat for drum-and-bass fans this month bringing skilled Ant TC1 from the UK to kill the dancefloor at Glow tomorrow.
Ant TC1 is not only the label manager of drum and bass label, Dispatch Recordings, but also a prolific DJ and producer in his own right. He’s a much sought-after remix artist and has produced many collaborations and solo tracks.
TC1’s production output has featured on mix CDs compiled by the likes of Shy FX, LTJ Bukem, Total Science, AI, Spectrasoul, Klute and Brian G. His work has also featured heavily in the radio shows of Grooverider and Fabio, especially on their BBC Radio 1 slots, as well as on BBC 1Xtra. His DJ work has taken him all over the globe.
He chatted with us briefly before catching his flight for Bangkok.

What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working as part of Outlook Festival, which is a huge festival in Croatia. This is taking up most of my time right now. I’m trying to get back in the studio but the label is taking up a lot of time, too. We have two albums in the works from Octane & DLR plus Suruval and Silent Witness as well as a release schedule that takes us right up to September 2012 already!

Anything exciting happened at your label, Dispatch Recordings, lately?
Yeah, we will have our first label night at [top London nightclub] Fabric on April 13, which is huge for us. Ram Records have kindly invited us at the label to completely take over room three, so yeah we are really chuffed.

Is your monthly party still called Momentum?
Yes, the last Friday of every month and we celebrate our ninth birthday at the end of this month! I’m flying back from Bangkok the day before especially for it.

Which city outside the UK do you think has the most interesting drum-and-bass scene?
At the moment this is a harder question to answer than it ever has been because almost everywhere I get to play just seems so healthy and every crowd seems to surprise me more and more. I played in Newcastle [UK] last Thursday and then the night after in Lyon in France and both crowds were just going crazy to the music. In the last year I’ve enjoyed DJ-ing all the gigs more than ever before.

And what’s the scene in the UK like now?
In all my years in the scene I can’t remember it being as good as it is now. Ninety per cent of the gigs I play are capacity or even sold out. The music is healthier than ever and all round everything just feels really good for the music here and I feel really lucky and grateful to be in the position I am in.

What about drum and bass that appeals to you?
The energy, the soul, the production levels and the deepness of the music. I think a lot of people who hear the more popular drum and bass that has more commercial appeal don’t really hear this in the music but it’s the major beauty of it for me.

What was your first glimpse of drum and bass?
It was rave music to be honest; this then turned into jungle and then drum and bass. One major standout for me is a tape I heard by chance aged 13; it was Fabio and Grooverider at a rave party called Fantazia, Castle Donnington in 1992. That was when I truly fell in love with this sound.

Who inspired you to become a DJ?
My mother – rest in peace – she always supported me, took me to the pirate radio, dropped me off to gigs in a car back when I was not even old enough to be inside a nightclub!

Who’s your favourite drum-and-bass DJ?
Technically Andy C, all round and musically probably Cern & Icicle – these are two drum-and-bass DJs I really enjoy hearing out. They both put a lot of work and practice into their set.

Apart from drum and bass, what other kinds of music do you enjoy?
A wide realm, I enjoy any music that’s not cheesy sounding and has some soul or funk to it.

What can we expect from your show tomorrow?
A good mix of current, a lot of forthcoming and a few older tunes I can’t let go of. Really looking forward to it!
  
ANT FARM
Ant TC1 performs at Glow on Sukhumvit Soi 23 tomorrow. Entry with a drink is Bt400. The party starts 10pm.
Call (02) 261 4446; www.GlowBkk.com