DSF Q&A Sessions Vol.11 : IKONIKA (open)

[pdomino]

This time we welcome dubsteps apparent version of Bjork, IKONIKA !





BIOGRAPHY
With her brilliant debut release 'Please', Ikonika firmly established her place in the dubstep landscape. Her unique sound continued to progress with further releases on Hyperdub and Planet Mu, as well as a stunning remix of DJ Mujava's 'Township Funk' (Warp). Ikonika's music combines melodic synth patterns, driving drums, melancholic sub bass and unorthodox song structures, simultaneously heartfelt and heavy. Her tracks have been supported by everyone from Kode9, Martyn and Mary Anne Hobbs (BBC Radio 1) to Rob Da Bank (BBC Radio 1) and Flying Lotus. As an in demand DJ, her sets showcase the constantly mutating underground sounds of the UK, spanning from the freshest Dubstep and Funky dubplates to the classic foundations of House and Garage. With her debut album due for release on Hyperdub in early 2010, a raft of remixes and a busy DJ schedule, Ikonika is certain to fulfil her potential as one the UK's brightest stars.

DJ Mag:
"If Bjork made dubstep instrumentals, this is what might come out"
The Guardian:
"Ikonika melds the genre's juddering bass with Aphex Twin-style melodic mischief"
NME:
"Another extraordinary Hyperdub artist is Ikonika"
Pitchfork:
"A production style that seems to be approaching synth melodies in an original way"

DISCOGRAPHY
"Millie" - Hyperdub
"Please" - Hyperdub
"Simulacrum" - Hyperdub
"Sahara Michael" - Hyperdub
"Fish" - Hyperdub
"Smuck" - Planet Mu
"We Could Be Ikons" (Eero Johannes remix) - Planet Mu
"Township Funk" Ikonika Nexus6 Remix - Warp Records

LINKS
IKONIKAS MYSPACE
FOLLOW IKONIKA ON TWITTER
DISCOGS LISTING

WANT TO BOOK IKONIKA ?
Contact Rebecca on rebecca@elasticartists.net

[DZA]

Big up Ikonika

what's your setup like?

[braiden]

If you could play on the international space station, what would be your message to Earth?

[polygonfiction]

Hi Ikonika,

What's the story behind you getting on Hyperdub?

And how long you been producing?

Safe

[ikonika]

Big up Ikonika

what's your setup like?

Logic Pro 8

Motu Ultralite MK3

Yamaha HS50M Monitors

Moog Little Phatty II

Alesis Micron


Quite simple really, I'm not really a gear freak. I just like to exhaust everything I've got. But the above set up is still brand new to me…I used only FL 6 plugged into my Numark mixer then out my Yamahas up until the end of last year.

[ikonika]

If you could play on the international space station, what would be your message to Earth?

I see your still stuck on that question for Red Bull? lol

[Disco Nutter]

Big up the Yamaha HS50 crew!

How do you go about making tunes? Where do you start?

Cheers,
Jason

[ikonika]

Hi Ikonika,

What's the story behind you getting on Hyperdub?

And how long you been producing?

Safe

I've been producing for about 4 years. I started sending demos out in 2007, no label apart from Hyperdub responded. I sent Kode9 a copy of 'Please' and he gave me some great feedback on how to improve it and such. I went back and finished it, then he started playing it out and it was getting the right reactions so I just asked if he wanted to release it and he said yeah.

[shunichi13]

Hey

Just wanted to find out what inspires those crazy melodies and sounds?

What sort of musical background do you have? and how long did it take to get to the high standard your at now

Big up for the webcasts as well ive caught a couple been really kool

Thanks

[clarkycatdealer]

given how male dominated dubstep is, does being a girl affect the creative process? i assume as you are a girl that feminist rhetoric is the focal point of your art?

[Blackeyed]

Love your stuff, Sara.

How do you feel about being one of the few females in the largely male dubstep scene? Do you feel like you get treated differently?

Also, what are you favorite records of the year?...besides "Love Vs. Money"

[polygonfiction]

i assume as you are a girl that feminist rhetoric is the focal point of your art?

Uhh.. Really?

[-dubson-]

i assume as you are a girl that feminist rhetoric is the focal point of your art?

Hmmmmmmmmmm

[clarkycatdealer]

just to clarify , before the the topic gets derailed.

my comment was a sarcastic one aimed at the people that keep bringing the fact that ikonika happens to be female when discussing her music

[chronicrecords]

What sort of steps/processing etc.. do you take to get such a crystal clear sounding mix?

[wayoftheworld]

big up to pdomino and ikonika for doing this!

whats the most important tip or piece of advice you've gotten when it comes to producing?

whats the craziest thing you've seen while on the road or at a show?

where do you see/hear dubstep in the next couple years?

[bandshell]

Do you just make bass music or have you branched out into other areas?

[desto]

I'd be interested to hear a few words about key musical influences from your past.

[ahier]

I'd be interested to hear a few words about key musical influences from your past.

yeah, tell us about the hardcore days...

[noizy parka]

Hello, I love some of your tunes... How much theory do you apply to a song? Do you try to work within certain musical frame works or do you just start playing and work from there?

Noizy