‘I’ve not yet met a venue I didn’t like. I want to play them all’
The prolific, always-absorbing Will Miles has quietly stepped in with the weighty Takers ep on Mac 2. No prisoners taken here. Tales of past collabs, great clubs and sushi abound. Nonetheless it was first priority to find out what exactly the ‘takers’ were…
Will, what are you up to right now?
I just got home from work… listening to Cutty Ranks, and contemplating what I’m gonna have for dinner. I’m not really feeling like cooking, so I’m going to go have some sushi.
The title caught me, as did the artwork… can you take us behind?
I was working on a tune that I titled ‘No Takers’ because it wasn’t that good and I figured no one would want it. When I listened to it after some time of it sitting on my computer, I thought that it had a little potential, so I changed some things about it.
Once those changes were made, I felt it should be called ‘Takers’ because maybe someone would take it, and here we are! Ha ha.
What D&B are you into right now, what’s working in the live sets?
It really depends on the venue. I’ve been playing tunes from Serum, Kjell, Sevin, Bass Brothers, some classic Renegade Hardware, and maybe a few of my own sprinkled in there. I have a difficult time keeping up with all the new names but there’s some good music out now.
You have worked with other people in the past, such as the absolutely wicked work with Flaco and A Sides, name some works of yours that people new to you should check.
Someone new to my music should check my releases from ’07 and ’08. I was writing a lot more liquid back then, and I think the contrast from those releases to what I’m doing now would be interesting for a new listener.
I love hearing older music from certain artists that is different from what they may be currently doing, but still has their signature.
What’s a venue of two you would cite that you dig, anywhere in the world.
The Cellar in Oxford is one of my favorites also. AND any venue in Washington, D.C. I had some memorable sets there and the vibes were thick!
I still really miss The End club (below), and Vagabond in Miami.
And where’s one you would like to play?
Rampage comes to mind, and of course Sun N’ Bass.
I’ve not yet met a venue I didn’t like. I want to play them all.
Take us into the ‘Family Man’ and again, why the title? That is an interesting one.
‘Family Man’ was named by Karl (Mixed Media) who passed the session he’d been working on to myself and Aaron – iLL Omen. Together they are The Venture Brothers – to collaborate. The name was inspired by the sample, and Karl is a family man, with a wife and little one at home.
I switched up a few things, and Aaron worked his magic on the bassline in the second drop.
Together, we formed like Voltron to make a nice little stepper.
So what you working on now, what projects?
I’ve got an EP in the works for Chris Inperspective, whose been waiting FOREVER for me to get my shit together, wrapping up an EP for Director’s Cut – shouts to Ashatack; the Growler EP coming out on Elm Imprint, as well as a two track single with Sofi Mari and Robert Manos… and I just got the parts in today to do a remix for the Stanton Warriors.
I know there’s more but I can’t think of it right now. If you’re waiting for music from me, PLEASE remind me!
What’s a random tune in your head right now, or a tune that draw inspiration from?
For some weird reason ‘Jenny From the Block’ has been stuck in my head for days! Why? Must be the Beatnuts because J-Lo can’t f’ing sing!
I’ve really been drawing inspiration from Roc Marciano. His production is very simple, which is something I strive for. Natural-sounding tracks with room to breathe is what it’s all about. Thanks to Joseph Lowe for exposing me to some newer, quality hip hop.