A prize-fighting contender for D&B tune of the summer is Villem & McLeod’s Another Star. Bright, breezy and timeless, it came out last week on Samurai’s special Red Seal imprint and has already found favour on Friction’s Fabriclive mix. If you’re not already acquainted, here it is along with its equally summer-singed b-side Keeper Of The Sun…
We thought we’d drop McLeod a line and find out when to expect more, what motivates him pre-set and what tunes he’s vibing to right now…
Words: Damian B
You getting to the seaside in the hot weather?
Unfortunately I haven’t. I work a 9-5 so all my spare time outside of work is spent working on my studio tan!
How has the reaction to the 12 been? I heard that the demand for this tune was mighty!
The reaction has been amazing! I don’t think we could have asked for more, such a great reception! So a massive thanks to everyone that has supported… Especially Friction for playing it on Radio1 and including it on his new Fabriclive album.
Has it fired you up for more production? Or influenced the way you are working at the mo?
It has definitely fired us up! Me and Villem have been back on it already trying to polish the next lot off. It’s good to know that people are digging what we are doing. It definitely gives you more drive!
And it features on Friction’s huge Fabriclive opus, too… It’s getting around to people who may not listen to D&B intensively. I personally think that a tune like yours would floor them: what do you think?
That’s very kind of you! I’d like to think that people outside the scene would be able to appreciate it! Even if it made just one person open their eyes to all the great music that the scene has to offer then I would feel we have achieved something.
Is there a producer in particular who has amazed you over the years and has won much respect with you?
J Dilla! It may seem like the obvious choice but there is a reason for why everyone preaches about Dilla, the contribution he made to hip-hop was phenomenal. He was also apparently a very humble guy who was not particularly fussed with all the hype and getting credit for his work, he was all about the music which for me is amazing considering the talent he had.
Tell me about sampling: what is a tune or album where the use of breaks, beats, samples or loops that’s really amazed you?
A song that blows me away in regards to sampling is a track called L.O.V.E and You and I’ by Jazzanova. The amount of cuts used and the way they seamlessly flow is amazing!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVlkFN6itzU
Hazard told me that he will listen to all sorts in the car, but nearer to the club he will play D&B to get in the mode. What about you: what gears you up for a set? Maybe it’s not music… hell, it could be a great coffee!
I don’t really have a ‘pre set’ ritual to be honest. I was a DJ before a producer so it has always been an exciting thing for me, just the prospect of playing music that people enjoy is enough. A couple of beers to loosen me up don’t go a miss however.
And what are the three killer tunes that simply work, any time, to make you feel good?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rB_FcpGb54
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJn2BPNGk64
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdhU5Dv0pcI