Putting the heart in throb

Phatfunk is bringing over another internationally renowned DJ tonight to rock the party hard. This time around it’s celebrated British drum-and-bass spinner Rockwell, known for his signature sounds and much-praised energetic performance. 

“This will be Rockwell’s first performance in Bangkok,” says DJ Azek, founder and resident DJ at Phatfunk. “We decided to book Rockwell because he’s fresh off his BBC Radio 1 residency and he’s set to blow up. 

“We love Rockwell’s progressive sound. He’s a very creative and eclectic new-school producer and a great DJ. We wanted to catch him before he puts out his new album, after which we wouldn’t be able to book him for such an intimate venue.”

Thomas Green – aka Rockwell – has without question been one of the most exhilarating talents to come out of the drum-and-bass scene in recent times. His distinctive sound has seen him release on labels like Digital Soundboy, Renegade Hardware, Critical and Darkestral before signing exclusively to Friction’s Shogun Audio imprint. 

Tracks such as “Underpass”, “Reverse Engineering” and “4U” have highlighted Rockwell as one of the most original and talented producers in bass music today. His productions are painstakingly constructed, beautifully arranged and thoughtfully mastered. Each track offers unique textures seldom heard in electronic music – let alone in drum-and-bass – and his unmistakable signature sound is one of the few that works just as well in the living room as in the club. 

Rockwell’s inspired work includes bona fide dance-floor gems such as Radio 1 favourite “Detroit”, “Tripwire”, “Sick of It All” and the outstanding “Constantcomplexrhythmicsound”, which sit alongside huge remixes for the likes of London Grammar, Friction & Skream, Netsky and Dominique Young Unique. Meanwhile his “Childhood Memories” pushes the boundaries even further, delving way outside the constraints of 170 beats per minute.

“I’m from the countryside, the middle of nowhere – we didn’t get any of the big shifts in urban dance music, so it was all about drum-and-bass for me,” Rockwell told Resident Advisor. “I can remember being in high school and some people being, like, ‘We’re going to go to Birmingham to a club, Godskitchen – we’re going to see house DJs,’ and I remember thinking that was a load of old f**king nonsense.”

Rockwell’s tune of the year so far, “Childhood Memories”, hints at a future away from the constraints of 170 beats per minute. Annie Mac, Mistajam, Chase & Status and Zane Lowe, who selected it as his “Next Hype” track on BBC Radio 1, are among those offering support from across the bass-music spectrum. 

“I’ve got a lot of stuff that’s about 85bpm, Eskimo sort of vibes, but with a bass line,” Rockwell said of his debut album. “For me it’s all about building a musical vibe with a piece of music in a clever way, instead of ‘Here’s a chord progression that changes every four beats. 

“I’m going to be working with a lot of vocalists and there’s going to be a lot of song structures in there as well. I’m just trying to push myself as a producer. I’ve always said, from the first interview, I never want to keep revisiting themes.”

As a DJ, Rockwell is starting to build a reputation for his eclectic sets, exemplified by his MoS and Rinse shows, and by his increasing tendency to drop the likes of Rustie, Baauer and Blawan into his sets. Behind the decks, as in the studio, you’re always kept guessing as to what he’s going to pull out of the bag next. And, after a year which saw him stun crowds at festivals such as Roskilde and Global Gathering, as well as making his Ibiza debut at Amnesia’s bass weekly Together, he has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting DJs in dance music.

 

 

Well, he does

 

_ Rockwell performs tonight at Glow on Sukhumvit Soi 23. 

_ The party starts at 10pm. Entry with a drink is Bt400. You need ID to get in.

_ Call the club at (086) 614 3355.