So here it is Episode 1 of my podcast series - Southwest
Dj’s - Crypticz with an Exclusive mix featuring some freshly made, never heard before tracks from the man himself.
Jordan Parsons AKA
Crypticz is based in Chardstock near Exeter and is 17 but don’t let that fool
you, he has been a Dj/Producer for one and a half years and is making waves in
the scene already, he is currently a resident for
Hold It Down, on January 14th
his Departure EP is being released for free on
Good Street Records and under
the name of
Alura Records he runs a non profit record label.
Crypticz who describe his genre as “Bass music“ became a
Dj/Producer after the band he was in went their separate ways inspired by Dubstep
and still needing to be musically creative he turned, as many of us do to
Virtual Dj and fruity loops, longing for something a more substantial he now
uses Traktor and Cubase. Crypticz brings a melodic
but tough approach to his mixes, giving the crowd both the type of huge build
ups that make them want to hug the person next to them, as well as the forward
thinking and groovy breakdowns that will keep you moving right through to the
early hours. His productions follow a similar pattern, with tracks varying from
deep moody garage to bass heavy trap and lots more. He’s already received a lot
of attention on his tracks, with his huge rework of Jay-Z and Kanye West’s
‘Niggas in Paris
having been played by the likes of the Deep End’s Mystery on Southwest Underground
Radio.
I caught up with him and asked him a few questions read on
for the full Interview
Streetside - So Crypticz how did it all begin?
Crypticz - Well musically I began by taking up guitar when I
was about 12 or 13 years old. I was self taught and used the internet to learn
how to play songs by some of my favourite bands at the time, a lot of these
were punk bands, metal bands, old and new! I was in a band from the age of
about 14 to 15, maybe just about 16, and over the lengthy last summer holiday
of secondary school the band fell apart as we went out separate ways. I wanted
to keep my mind active musically and I had always had a love for electronic
music due to acts such as The Prodigy and Darude and by this time the initial
worldwide explosion of Dubstep was first taking place. So I did some research
into what sorts of programs I would need and set about the adventure of
learning how to produce music and DJ and this little journey is only just
beginning!
Streetside – Crypticz is a good name for you how did you
come up with it ?
Crypticz – The story behind the name isn't really that great
sadly, around February 2012 my production started to sound that little bit
nicer and unique so I decided it was time to start pushing my stuff out under
an alias. At the time I was heavily influenced by the very early Dubstep sound,
producers such as El-B, Wookie, Hatcha, Artwork, etc. so I wanted a name that
sounded a little bit dark and sinister since I was making some quite moody
Garage and Dubstep stuff. So I was just using a thesaurus searching through
really basic words like 'evil' and I eventually found the word Cryptic. Whack a
z on the end for added DJ badman points and there is a somewhat useable name!
Streetside – Tell us about your current DJ / Production
setup? What Hardware / Software do you
use?
Crypticz – My current DJ set up I have just very recently
upgraded and I am really happy with it, I am still getting to grips with it. It
is the Traktor Kontrol S2 Controller from Native Instruments running through
the Traktor Pro software that comes with it. Both are integrated really tightly
together and it makes for a really great mixing experience. Anyone who is
looking to take their mixing to a serious level but want to keep all their
tunes based on their laptop Traktor is the way to go!
When it comes to production my DAW (Digital Audio
Workstation) of choice is Cubase and I am currently running the slightly out of
date version 4 of that.. I also use Logic Pro 9 at times, it is a very powerful
program no question. But there are just some things that really get to me about
it, automation being a big one. So yeah, my DAW of choice is Cubase 4 and all
the Crypticz material you hear comes from there!
Streetside – What was
the first tune/album/vinyl/mp3 you bought?
Crypticz – Wow, I have always loved music so it was
something back when I was really, really young. Probably something like Robbie
Williams! I used to like him lots when I was younger. But I was also really
into stuff like Nirvana, I was quite strange looking back!
Streetside – Out of all the tunes you have, which one 'never
fails?'
Crypticz – That would be Ripgroove by Double 99. An
absolutely classic tune when it comes to UK Garage/Speed Garage. I try to play
it at every gig and every time the place seems to have exploded. The build is
intense on that one!
Streetside – What's you favourite tune of all time?
Crypticz – Well that's really impossible to answer. It would
depend what day/week/month you asked me. I am really into 80s stuff at the
moment so I am going to say my favourite tune at the moment is Blue Monday by
New Order. Or maybe True Faith by the same band. I could never choose an all
time favourite though!
Streetside – What was the first event you ever played at?
Crypticz – The first event I ever played was supporting Roll
Deep and Natty at the Exeter Phoenix in July 2012. The doors opened late and we
were on a tight schedule so I had to go on regardless, people weren't coming in
until I had about 10 minutes left of my set, however, I somewhat found it
helpful, I was really quite nervous being that my very first gig and all and I
got to meet a lot of the Hold it Down crew I now continue to play with so it
was a nice way to break into live stuff and get to know everyone so I was more
comfortable for the future.
Streetside – What's
the best event you've played at?
Crypticz – I swear each gig is getting bigger and better at
the moment! The Hold it Down crew played an Xmas/End of the World gig in some
barn late last year. It was a really up close and personal sort of set and it
was great to actually see everyone loving mine and everyone else's set
literally right in front of me! I would have to say my favourite gig to have
played though, which was also last month, was Hold it Down vs. Jungle Jam at
the Exeter Phoenix. A lot of friends from my Sixth Form and elsewhere finally
got the chance to see me play and they were really pleasantly surprised I
think! It was sick to get so many kind words from them over the few days after
too, not only did I seem to enjoy it but most importantly everyone in the
audience did too. It was a big night and we are coming back for Round 2 on
January 11th at the Phoenix
again. Be sure to make it down if you can! A lot of the Hold it Down boys are
playing, Marvin Vital, Glot, Myself, etc. Of course Jungle Jam brings their
residents to the table too, Subindex, Niros, etc. Going to be a big one for
fans of all dance music! 16+, bring ID.
Streetside – Funniest
thing that ever happened at an event?
Crypticz – I supported the local legend and hero Biometrix a
few months back at the cavern. Obviously a lot of his fans are all about the in
your face wobbles and warping bass lines you hear in his tunes. So I decided to
open my set with some really deep Future Garage, was great to try see some of
the kids dance to that! I knew they could only put up with so much though so I
started reaching for the more dancer tracks after a short while.
Streetside – When you play is this pre planned set?
Crypticz – It used to be strictly pre planned but now
its a mixture. At that same Biometrix gig one of the DJs had to leave early due
to an emergency which added an extra 20 - 30 minutes to my set. I had to go
from my pre planned set into making it up and it helped me realise that I can
pull it off! So now I decide on a few tunes I am going to open with and a kind
of vibe and direction I want the mix to be going in and we see what happens
from there.
Streetside – Who's
throwing the best nights at the moment?
Crypticz – Well I am a Hold it Down resident so I am obliged
to say them! Not that I would need to be, Hold it Down are seriously bringing
some big things to Exeter
at the moment. Aside from Hold it Down though The Deep End seem to be bringing
some intense shows to Exeter.
I am actually not quite old enough (most of their events are 18+) so sadly I
miss out on some of their big nights, such as Mala who is coming soon! Mala was
one of my biggest early influences and his new album is amazing, pretty
devastated I can't catch him now he is playing locally.
Streetside – How does music affect you and the world around
you?
Crypticz – It affects me positively and negatively. It's the
one thing in life I truly love so as a result I get much pleasure out of it. On
the bad side of things though I do put it before what some would consider the
more important things in life, perhaps my A Levels if I am honest... But I know
I need to really work hard as I want to study a Music related course at Uni. I
have the offers now I just need the grades, and I am going to make sure I get
them!
Streetside – How is the scene in the SW in your eyes at the
moment?
Crypticz – Seems good! I have met a lot of great fans who
have a passion for underground music and they are what make these sorts of
events truly special. There also seems to be a pretty vast free party scene,
which I am not involved in, but its great to see people putting the effort in
to share the love! As is the same with promoters organising official events,
without their effort the scene would be nothing.
Streetside – Who inspires you musically?
Crypticz – Producers and DJs that influence my sound are
vast. Skream, Burial, XXYYXX, Kastle, Ikonika, Koloah and many many more. I
take influence from lots more though. As I said 80s Electronic music has been
doing a lot for me lately. Electronic music must have sounded like something
from another world back then so I took that influence and tried to recreate
that feeling with my Departure EP which is being released on Good Street
Records on January 14th. It's free too so I really hope some of you check it
out!
Streetside – Who's your favourite SW DJ'/producer?
Crypticz – That's hard to choose. As a DJ I have a lot of
respect for The Deep End's Resident Mystery. Mystery has been playing out quite
a bit of my stuff that I send him and for that I am really grateful. When it
comes to Producers I have two. Firstly is Actraiser. He is based in Bristol and I only know
of him through finding his stuff online. He has an unbelievable work rate and
is pushing out all styles of bass music. Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Garage,
Footwork. All the styles he makes he absolutely kills too, he is such a sick
producer. Secondly I want to do a shout out to Endlines. Frank (Endlines) is 15
and already making such amazing music and I am pleased to give him my support!
He is currently working on an EP for my non profit label Alura Records and I am
honoured to have him on board, I love supporting underground musicians to give
them the support they deserve. Frank has seen support from the likes of L2S
Producer Troy Gunner though so I am sure he would get along fine without me!
Streetside – What are your feelings on the MC's and their
role in hiphop/dance music culture?
Crypticz – Yeah MCs are fine. I mean it depends on the MC! I
have been lucky enough to have two great guys, who go by the stage names of
Mason & Verbo, host my sets when it comes to MCing and they really know how
to get a crowd going mad. They are sick at the whole MC thing truthfully! Some other
MCs I have come across though maybe aren't so great... haha
Streetside – If you could stage a rave anywhere, where would
you choose?
Crypticz – I would have to go for somewhere really stupid I
think. How about on some random rooftop or something? That would be pretty
cool, until someone slipped and fell of the edge!
Streetside – Do you
think video games have affected the rave scene?
Crypticz – I really don't know! Maybe. People should come to
events more instead of staying in to get that one new gun on their Call of
Duty! hahaha. But more seriously I really don't know.
Streetside – If you had a time machine what year would you
go back to and why?
Crypticz – I have kept mentioning the 80s in this interview
but I think I would actually choose the 90s. The true roots of the music I make
is UK Garage and it must have been amazing to see that scene unfold into 2Step,
Grime, Dubstep, etc. and its quite unreal what is has become. Plus Garage
wasn't the only cool scene going down in the 90s! The whole culture of raving
seemed amazing back then.
Streetside – Very important question this one Ninjas or pirates?
Crypticz – Pirates.
Streetside – Good answer that about wraps it up Thank you and good luck
with the coming release any shouts you would like to make?
Crypticz –Shout outs to anyone that supports the music I
make and play and the music I release on Alura Records. Shout outs to the whole
Hold it Down crew, Aaron, Phrixus, Marvin Vital, Glot, Aimon Alix, Frisky,
AngelDust (of course!) and all the others that play with us! I am truly grateful for being on board with
those guys, some amazing talents. Big up my whole Alura Crew. We got AKI.AKI,
Osa, PlutoDash, Hadda, etc. Shout outs to people that make live music happen,
be it the organisers, venues, fans or musicians. Shout out for the new up and
coming label Splish Splash Records. If you dig house music go check them out, I
am working on some material for them at the moment for release. Special shout
out to my favourite man in the mighty US of A, T:M. Ummm I am really concerned I am going to miss
someone out... So, shout out to everyone!
