" rel="home">musigh

Photography: Paul Nicklen

Stuxnet has sent me a word about his new track, so I went on and asked if we could do a short interview:

Where does the name come from? Any relation to the computer virus with the same name?

My friend was showing me some videos on Vimeo, and a suggestion about the Stuxnet virus came up. It was talking about how it crippled Iran’s network system or something, which I thought was quite cool. When I made my first track “Liquid Ocean” I wanted a name that was short and easy to pronounce, so I just went with that I guess.

When did you start making music?

I started dabbling with Fruity Loops about a year ago, went on and off producing, then I was using Cubase at school and stuff for A-levels. I began to make beats in Logic about eight months ago, which was where I really started as Stuxnet.

How did you first get into drum & bass and who are your biggest influences?

I first got into drum & bass through acts like Pendulum. I was really excited about it and started to look a bit more into the genre, that’s when I heard Netsky‘s “Lost In This World”, which inspired me to start making tunes in Fruity Loops.

I also take a lot of influence from my favourite producers Camo & Krooked – I really love how diverse they can be with their sounds. I also recently saw them at NASS festival, it was the best drum and bass gig I’ve ever heard.

Do you plan to make a living with gigs and producing, or is it more like a hobby to you?

The dream for me would be able to make a living from it. I have been concentrating a lot more on DJing at the moment to get my mixes spot on, and I’m hoping some promoters will book me to more gigs. I’m starting a music production degree in Leeds in September as well, so I’m going to try and get more gigs out there, and also try and push the boundaries with my producing, which I’m really excited about.

I am still only 17 though, so I have a long time to make a name for myself, improve my sound and DJing skills before I have to worry about making a living.

What do your friends and relatives think about your music? Do you ask their opinion before posting a track, or you rather go your own way?

Not a lot of my friends are really into drum & bass, so it’s hard to get an opinion about the tracks that I make. Although I do have a friend that runs the YouTube channel TheGlobalBass, so he always listens to my tunes and gives me an honest opinion.

My parents aren’t really into the genre so it’s hard to get an opinion off them, but they do listen to a lot of my stuff. I guess I just make what comes naturally to me really.

Is there an EP or such on the way, or do you stick with single tracks for now?

Well, I’ve been sending “A New World” out to some labels, and it’s had some interest, but I can’t say anything yet because nothing is set in stone at the moment.

I’m working on a four track EP which will include that, and some new stuff that’s currently in the making. It is going to be a slight deviation from some of the stuff that I have been putting out before, and I’m going to explore some new aspects of drum & bass. There might even be a dubstep or electro tune on the EP, I haven’t decided yet. Anyway, I’m just going to make what I like and try and and explore some new sounds and new styles.

What do you spend your time with besides music?

Music is my passion, and it’s what I love I spend a ridiculous amount of time with. But other than that, I just like hanging around with mates, chilling out and normal stuff like that.

Thanks to Stuxnet for the interview, and also for letting me stream “A New World” here, which you can download by ‘Liking’ his Facebook page here!

Stuxnet – A New World (exclusive)

Stuxnet – Rainbow Magic