Interview with Gnischrew

2021. február 11. - FrozenDub

Here it is February already, and we’re still easing our way into 2021! This doesn’t mean we don’t have ambitious plans, and first up for us at Frozen Plates is our launch of a new DJ mix series for the audio pleasure of ... all of us! And that includes you!
Titled “Frozen Explorations”, our guest DJ mixes will be followed by a short Q&A in English. For this installment we are proud to present bass vibes from Vienna-based DJ, producer and label boss Gnischrew! Ease back, get comfy and enjoy! And don’t forget to read the interview following the guest mix!

Hey Georg! How are you doing?!

Thanks for having me - given these pandemic times, so far so good!

Would you please briefly introduce yourself?

I run the Dubstep / subculture bass music label ’Sub Audio Records’ and am active as a producer and DJ (though 2020 wasn’t exactly a good year for the latter), based in Vienna, Austria . Other than the day job, I’m also a part of Signalfire (https://signalfire.nl) and provide copywriting and PR support for sound system music (shoutout to Olaf!).

Frozen Plates 凍盤 · Frozen Explorations 001 - Gnischrew

Can you share where your producer name ‘Gnischrew’ comes from?

I’d rather not lift the veil on that mystery, hahah.

Artwork made by 11th Hour

FZP08 wasn’t your first vinyl release, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. How do you feel about physical releases? Do you think it’s important to keep the physical format alive?

While music stored in 0’s and 1’s has a lot of upsides, records will always have a special place in my heart, there’s just something irresistible about music on an analog medium in these ever-accelerating digital times. It’s somewhat vintage technology but still extremely audiophile with the right signal chain and the most enjoyable medium to DJ with in my opinion. Simply put: beautiful pieces of art, transforming music into physical space. I could go on but suffice to say I feel it’s a vital format.

At what point did you start doing music production?

Preceded by a steady exposure to audiophile surroundings, I started making music by picking up the guitar as a young soundboy, transitioning into electronic music production some years later. By 2015 I’ve committed to my current artist name, which at least is as unique as it is nonsensical, hahah.

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

With the discovery of roots Dub (King Tubby and the likes) providing a starting point and foundation, I’ve submersed myself fully in “modern times Dubstep” around 6-7 years ago. What got me into it were the early works by Mala, Loefah and so on - drawn into bass-line pressure, heavyweight rhythms and the instrumental / meditative nature.

Do you listen to any other genres besides dubstep?

Apart from 140 my usual musical diet consists of Roots Reggae and Dub, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Breaks, Ambient, (Dub) Techno, classics along the lines of Nina Simone, Pink Floyd, and so on.

Where do you get inspiration for your musical style? What are your musical roots?

Hopefully this provides a glimpse of insight: The likes of Kruder & Dorfmeister, Pink Floyd, Rhythm & Sound, Shades, Flying Lotus, Venetian Snares, Amon Tobin, King Tubby and his disciples as well as the plethora of innovative Dubstep artists, past and present.

Frozen Plates 凍盤 · Frozen Plates (FZP08)- Gnischrew // Shimmer - Nostalgia

When did you start djing?

Not counting house parties, I started DJing as Gnischrew in 2015 - playing in various clubs in Vienna and around Austria. Since then I’ve had the great pleasure to play on some proper sound systems (Dubbing Sun, Hibration, Danubian Dub, Seasplash, Warrior Charge, Sandokan Hi-Fi, Basstrace,..) and beyond the national confines in Germany, Croatia, Italy, Hungary and France - good times!

What has been your most significant experience as a dj?

Back when events still were a thing, I’ve had the great honour to play an all-vinyl set before man like Mala in early 2019. The club was absolutely packed for this joyous occasion, around 300-400 people with heaps of energy - mad atmosphere and probably the biggest crowd I’ve played so far. Big up BLVZE crew for having put this one on!

gnischrew · Shackles [Clip] [Forthcoming]

Do you have any forthcoming releases? Please give us a glimpse into your future as a DJ/producer and a label owner.

I’ve contributed a remix for Barom’s latest release on SimplyDeep, which will also be part of a 20 pcs. lathe cut edition and got another solo lathe cut release coming, that hasn’t been announced yet. Other than that there’s some irons in the fire but we’ll cross those bridges when we get to it, hahah.

You are the founder and owner of Sub Audio Records. What are some key facts and points of interest that we need to know about your label?

Established five years ago, I operate it myself except when it comes to throwing events - thanks to a lovely supportive crew, the label nights always turned out to be occasions of pure joy. Besides some lathe cut editions, there’s five 12” releases (the sixth is coming this year) and 18 digital releases in the ever-growing discography at the time of writing this, backed by a global artist roster full of talented individuals I’m grateful to work with.

You are from Vienna, Austria. How do you feel about the dubstep/140 music scene in your area? How is the dupstep scene as a whole in Austria?

The scene here is not exactly huge but full of passionate individuals and crews, happy to be a part of this little melting pot. We have some Dub sound systems (High Noon Rockers, Danubian Dub, Shalamanda, Lion’s Nail,..) and a great Dubstep venture by the prolific Basstrace crew and their rig. There’s the Shenron crew doing bits and also as previously mentioned there’s the BLVZE crew doing their proper thing.

How has the COVID pandemic affected the music scene in Vienna? And how has it impacted your djing and your musical output? How will it feel to be able to play out more as 2021 progresses? Or will you continue spending more time producing while waiting for a return to normalcy?

Since March 2020 there have been no events except for a handful in Summer and they’re not going to come back anytime soon, the only source of hope in this regard for me right now are outdoor festivities, when it’s warmer. I’d love to (safely) play out this year - hopefully I’m just a pessimist, fingers crossed.

Who do you think are the most cutting-edge producers in 2021? And which labels are making waves at present?

Too many to mention but besides the whole Sub Audio massive, here’s some artists & labels I want to highlight: Moosiqunt, Pharma, Kodama, Arkham Sound, Concrete Law, Dubbing Sun Records,..

Could you please recommend a few djs, producers, sound system crews from Austria that the world at large should know more about?

DJ/Producers: Sedan, Scetta, Moosiqunt, Pharma, Ruffhands, Scooped, DubApe, Alllone,..

Sound system crews: Dubbing Sun, High Noon Rockers, Basstrace, Danubian Dub,..

Please recommend five tunes and a dj mix that should be essential listening for every human being – the sort that would leave your life incomplete if you’d never heard them.

Tunes: