Basher Interview Drum and Bass | Tuesday 14th June 2011 | Osh This month TGN’s Tab Taylor caught-up with up and coming Drum and Bass artist Basher. Reigning from London, DJ Basher has been snapped up by RAM Records and May saw the release of his debut album Transmission. You heard it here first... Tell us a bit about your new album Transmission and what was the creative process was behind it? There was no particular concept, it was more about using the album to make a statement rather than a concept just because it was never going to be a long beat process, I had a really short deadline and it was going to be more about making an impact really. So I just set about trying to make every track different and trying to get something on there for everyone. So how did the whole signing with Ram Records come about? I signed with them in 2006 after Andy had given me a call. I sent them a demo, they heard it and wanted to sign me. Until recently I haven't had any releases with Ram, until the new album. How is it being part of the family? Yeah its cool, it’s a really professionally run organisation where every things done for you you don’t have to sort out anything all you have to worry about is making music. It’s fun but also hard work as there can be a lot of pressure as Ram is such a massive label, but yeah it’s fun! You have your own label Proximity Recordings. How long has this been running? I started it out early 2010 and at the beginning it was just supposed to be an outlet for friends and producers. We were quite fortunate as quite a lot of big D&B artists were willing to put out releases so we managed to make a big splash in the beginning, straight off so now 14 releases down the line and 2 albums it’s really cool. Have you got any new artists joining the label that we should be looking out for? We are not really signing exclusive artists at the moment, we are more into doing one off releases at the minute. But in the future we are looking into that for sure. What influenced you to first get into music? I was about 12 when I got my first pair of decks, it was just sort a natural thing to do at the time as I was into pirate radio so I just got into it. For me DJing was a natural process. Who is your D&B legend? I know it is a bit of a cliche answer but Andy C has done so much for me over the years in so many years. From when I first started going out, he was one of the first DJ’s I ever saw out, I received a call in the middle of the night from him wanting to sign me! Also so many other things, so definitely Andy C. What other kind of music do you listen to apart from D&B? So many different things for me if the music is good and real I'll give it a listen. I'm not into anything as much as I'm into D&B though. You have had a big year so far, what are you most looking forward to the rest of it? Just gigging really now as the album is done and it’s out there and everyone knows what I'm about I can’t wait to show people the DJ side and performing. Where can we catch you next? I’m playing at Westfest and loads of festivals in Europe over the summer. I'm very busy with loads of wicked gigs. If you could fill a swimming pool with anything, what would it be? Money! If you were invisible for the day, what trouble would you get up to?! I don't know I'd probably go and hang out at some famous persons house and see what they get up to. I definitely wouldn't do anything sneaky around women that’s for sure! Can you give us an exclusive? There's going to be a new single from the album and I've got a few remixes coming out soon, which I'm really excited about.