Dubsons are representatives of a second wave of Romanian producers who have cropped up in the fertile radius of the likes of Rhadoo, Petre Inspirescu, Praslea, Raresh, Barac, and Nu Zau. Growing into a highly proactive and supportive movement which is unique on this planet, they found their own sound and production style while working as residents of Club XS in Iasi where they had the opportunity to warm up for the iconic likes of Rhadoo and Raresh who deeply touched the Dubsons with their music.
With a high level of artistry, dedication, and no time to waste for competetive strikes and other post-capitalistic practices, the scene has managed to reinvent itself time after time, each time giving birth to even more prolific youngsters just like Dubsons who want to make the music world their oysters: Well-educated, inspired and with a positive outlook on things, Vlad and Robert are here to create their own reality of sounds. Their palette ranges from deep and lush, from gently moving to breaky and experimental stuff, always garnered with the suble swing that makes productions and mixing techniques from Romania so pleasant.
Dubsons had their breakthrough moment in 2012 and 2013 when they published their first vinyls on Body Parts, Project London and Vara Records, and have since released stuff on labels such as Melisma and Gilesku and upcoming releases on the German label Vayvay, NG TRAX and the Peruvian imrint Saint & Dont.
With the launch of their own label Algorhythmic, they have become fathers of their own vision, passing on their definition of sound to the next generation of new artists they will eventually introduce on Algorhythmic, and with bookings and connections cropping up all over the planet it becomes clear that the Romanian phenomenon has become something global, something even more unique, and Dubsons play their vital part in it being so well-received.
DUBSONS EXCLUSIVE : MEOKO #209
If your father was Dub, who was your mother?
Well, we definitely would refer to our "mother” as our common and deep passion for music, our enthusiasm regarding "les beaux arts” and each and every thing or person that made this project come into sight in the first place.
When and under which circumstances were you born?
Vlad: I was born in the winter of 1991, in Botosani, a small yet peaceful and authentic town. Not many people know that this Northen city gave our country some of its greatest artists like Mihai Eminescu or George Enescu.
Robert: Like Vlad, I was also born in the winter of 1991 in Dorohoi, a small city located near Botosani, in the north of Romania and later on, me and my familiy moved to Botosani, where I met him.
When was your first conscious contact with music, why and how did it move you?
Vlad: It happened when I was around 11 or 12 years old, by the time I came across my aunt’s collection of Electrecord vinyls. The moment I played the first record I became speechless by how much a needle and a black disk can transmit to the soul. I realised in no time that those warm sounds and pleasing vibrations will occupy a significant place in my life.
Robert: My first contact with music was at 6 years old when my father insisted that I took piano classes, and from that moment I felt so deeply touched by the sounds that I never let this passion fade away, so I continued studying music throughout my entire life, and I will do so until the day I leave earth.
How did you two people meet, how was your respective life before that?
We were about 15 years old when we first met. We were both hanging out in the same places back in Botosani, going to the same parties and having a somehow common entourage. Before we met, our life was pretty much the same as that of any teenager our age, and it didn’t change afterwards. Perhaps it became more focused on the thing that connects us until the present day, that being electronic music.
Why did you decide to walk this path together?
We took this decision based on our common taste and interest in music. We both felt the need to improve, to develop and to step forward in this booming industry.
Where do you connect? Where do you contrast?
We feel the need to answer both questinons with the same phrase. The funny thing regarding our relationship is that the contrast between us is what makes us connect. It’s like a harmonious blending of different opinions and ideas which led to the appearance of the Dubsons project and its balanced style.
Artisitically, what were your ideas when you started, and how much does your proposal differ from how you portray yourself now?
Back to the beggins, our music was a bit different from the present moment. It was more focused on the drums part of o certain track rather than on its melodious aspects, like the atmospheres. We believe every producer and artist, generally speaking, experiences this time-influenced change of approach and we think it is called „growth”. We feel accomplished with what we maganaged to pull off so far, but that doesn’t mean we hit our final target. There’s always room for improvement.
What was important for you to become artists?
It all came naturally. Of course you can always work hard and develop your artistic side, but that is not enough. You are born with it, it’s either you have it or not. We had this soft spot for music since childhood and it was (is) what we do and what we love. And we believe it’s not random that we turned out to be artists after all, is it?
You started spinning and straight away, also produced? Why was that?
Coming into contact with all these musical genres was the releasing gear for starting producing. The world of sounds is so vast yet limited. We felt the need of more, of something original, of something of our own. When you play a set, you aim to connect with the audience through the music, and what’s a better and more efficient way to do so than playing your own creations?
In which way these two arts complement each other?
As we stated before, the two are deeply connected. You are the only one in charge of your emotions, therefore it’s only you who can express these feelings. By spinning your own productions, you get to transmit more to those listening to you. That’s how you become original and innovative.
Who or what had a great influence on how you sound these days?
We find our inspiration in old quality music, whichever genre it is. You can sense rock, jazz, blues influences in our sound, but the "supreme muse” remains the oldschool hip hop culture.
Tell me how it all started in Romania, how did it start to happen in your eyes? How did you start to notice the new scene, the new sounds etc?
It wasn’t hard at all to notice the boom in the developement of the underground romanian music scene. From the few djs and producers we had like ten years ago, today we face a growing number of talented young faces ready to make a name for themeselves, but not all of them are williing to do it in a professional manner. However, our country quickly became well-known for its unique and specific sound.
How did you become part of this potent movement?
I guess we had the luck to be part of the movement long before this upcoming wave or, as we like to call it, we were already surfing *laughs*. Our growth was natural, we got caught in the middle of the process and went with it.
How does it feel now, in comparison to the beginnings?
Everything seems more tied in and more profi nowadays. This industry have seen a scale of expansion which was not envisaged a few years ago. There are more producers, promoters, labels and party concepts than ever and that is not a bad thing at all. Last but not least, the crowd plays a very important role in the advancement of this scene, as the people here are well educated when it comes to music, therefore they become judgemental. So you always have to go beyond your limits and give your best in order to succeed.
What is good thing about the scene in Romania?
The best thing about the scene in Romania is the permissive law. I’m reffering here to the fact that parties stop when the last person leaves the club, and not at a certain hour like it happens abroad. Due to the tragedy that took place over 2 months ago in Colectiv, a lot of venues were closed and we find ourselves in a transitional period. I guess we’ll let the time tell.
Which places do you love?
Of course there are a lot of places i fancy, clubs, restaurants, parks or resorts, but it’s rather who you are with than the place itself. It’s the people you love to hang out with that truly matter, and as long as you get to do so, the place is a minor issue. However, we find it deeply relaxing to spend time in nature, that being the place where we feel the most inspired.
What are the downfalls if there are any?
There are some minor downfalls like the lack of sleep sometimes, the tiredness, the long journeys or the fact that you occasionally miss important moments when having a gig outside your city.
What are interesting new developments?
The most interesting and well received development is actually the rebirth of the vinyl industry. We have 2 record shops in Bucharest and the movement has started to grow inside our borders, and we can't be anything than happy to see that.
Tell me about your label: who and what is it focussing on, what is planned?
We are focusing on artists & music that are a bit different from what already is on the market & we're looking for that kind of touch that makes a producer and his music unique. We hope that the next number of our imprint we'll hit the stores in the spring.
About your music: what kind of sound makes you go crazy?
We put a great deal of work on the atmosphere & pads section of our tracks, because through that kind of sounds & frequencies you can really connect with your audience, with every soul and spirit that understands the deep layers of your music. We are really happy when we are achieving, musicaly speaking, the overall sound and build that we had in our minds when we are starting producing a track.
As producers, how do you achieve to capture this essence?
Like we said, we find our insipiration in the true reality that we live in, that being the nature, of course. So, in our producings we want to capture the essence of human experience on this earth, and with every track that we build we try to tell a story.
What would you like to produce, ideally?
We like to produce a great deal of genres, and we feel confortable in all of them. Ideally for us is not limted to a certain tipology in music, because art it s not about limiting yourself, but expanding yourself, and that is what we want to do day by day.
What kind of equipment do you use?
We think that's not so important what gear you are using as long as you are happy with your output. We try to do our best with what we have, meaning that we have some drum machines and some sinthesizers, and the mighty Reason of course, the program that helped us in achieving whatever sound it is that we are looking for.
What is popular amongst the producers in your country?
Right now everyone's buying Korg Electribe and Roland TR-8, this ones being, in our opinion the most popular gear here in Romania.
Do you share studios?
We do sometimes, but our schedules differ so much that we are finding it hard to always do this.
Is there some sort of competition about who makes the craziest sound?
Hmm, we don't feel like it is, but if it really is a competition, we are not interested in that because competition only works in bussines and not in art.
Who are artists at the moment you admire?
We admire everyone that had the courage and the determination to come forward with a piece of his talent, and keep doin' that no matter what are the obstacles that they are encountering.
What are you looking forward to in 2016?
We have some releases ready that will hit the stores in the close future, and we are looking forward to produce more music that we'll love to share with anybody that likes it.
What do you hope for?
To be honest, health and peace. Having these two can only lead to achieving what you desire and helps you stay on the line.
Words: Kat Kat Tat ∆ Planetkat
