Interview with 11th Hour

2019. augusztus 24. - FrozenDub

Hey Jason! How’s it going!?

It’s going very well writing this while having a little bbq and a cold beer, what about you Peter?

All is well my friend ;)

Would you please briefly introduce yourself?

Well my name is Jason, some of you may know me under my producer alias 11^th Hour.

I’m a Belgian producer focusing mainly on the 140 bpm range but I’ve been experimenting in other genres for quite a while.

I’m based right outside of Brussels.

Reckon I’ve been producing for a few years, started around 2011 but took it more seriously starting in 2013.

Where is your producer name 11^th Hour comes from?

That’s a well-kept secret!

FZP03 was your first vinyl release and it’s went sold out less than five days. How do you feel about this?

I was very excited to hear that Frozen Plates was interested in featuring a tune of mine on one of their releases and even more excited to see this release being sold out in 5 days, quite unreal!

Super happy people were feeling both the tunes on that release, my tune “Khorasan” and Leap’s tune “VRNA”. I’d like to say biggups to Leap for joining me on this release, an amazing producer that deserves more recognition.

Do you think is important to keep the physical format alive?

Being a vinyl collector myself my opinion might be biased haha.

But yes, definitely! It’s so nice to buy something that you’re able to hold in your hands, play out and let others discover what you have bought. Something you know you can keep for years.

Where did you release before FZP?

My first release was on a Belgian dubstep label called Dubtastic Records. I had a few releases on there including a collab EP with my buddy ARtroniks who’s also a Belgian producer.

Besides that I had a track called “Ishwara” released on a compilation on Mindstep Records, selected by Dj Syte.

Also had a collab with Belgian producer Subreachers being released on an EP of his on Fatkidonfire.

Most recently a track of mine called “Shaman” which was released on After Dark Music as a free download.

Your music has a very unique tribal, shamanic flavour where is it come from? Where do you get inspiration from?

Yes I’ve always been intrigued by the shamanic and tribal music. It comes from everywhere in the world, no specific region but more of a specific sound. I’ve used elements of Indian, South-American and Middle Eastern sounds.

I get my inspiration from everywhere around me. Can be when watching a movie or tv show, listening to the radio.

When did you start djing?

I did my first real dj set around 2013 I think when I played a show in Ghent for a Dubtastic Label night. I played and warmed up there the godfather of the Belgian scene, Bunzer0.

You are from Belgium. How is the scene over there?

It had it’s up and downs I think.

The scene was pretty big around the time Skream & Benga started touring, when Dub Police were flourishing.

The harder sound of Dubstep was also really popular around 2014 – 2016 but that has I think pretty much died since then in terms of Dubstep nights.

Then it was pretty calm but since 2018 I think it’s getting stronger again.

Belgian labels such Albion Collective, Overdue, Duploc have featured some amazing artists on their releases, so Belgium is getting it’s spot on the map again.

When did you start listening to dubstep? What was the main thing that first got you into dubstep?

I think I got really into the sound when one of my friends was playing the cd of Dubstep Allstars Vol.5 mixed by N-Type in his car.

Also the mixes from Mary Anne Hobbs were the first mixes I was listening to.

How do you feel about the dubstep scene nowadays?

I think it’s really strong right now, staying pretty much underground but a good close knitted scene.

Do you listen to any other genres besides dubstep?

I listen to pretty much everything, except the radio.

Can be blues, jazz, hip hop, drum & bass, techno, house, reggae, I can go and on haha

Do you have any forthcoming releases? What is your plans for the future?

I have a forthcoming release on SmallPrint Records, it will feature tracks of mine made in the 80 – 90 bpm range like Nightlife, Summer Dreams and a couple of others.

Also have something in the works with Uprise Audio, Bassin Records and After Dark Music.

Maybe have another release on Frozen Plates in 2020 ;)

I’m gonna continue making tracks, maybe get a couple of more releases, I’m sitting on about 30 unreleased tracks I think.

Could you please recommend us a few dj, producer, sound system crew from the Belgium?

Definitely recommending Bunzer0 as the number 1 dj in Belgium. He’s been in the scene since day 1. He’s got a weekly show on sub.fm, the FOB show that’s definitely worth checking out.

In terms of producers, there are a few that I rate: Bunzer0, Substrada & Caba, Zygos, ARtroniks, Beatsforbeaches, 7Kidz and a few more

For labels I’d go with Albion Collective, Overdue, Duploc, Subaltern Records (partially Belgian ;)) and Bassin Records.