Canadian Drum n' Bass producer/D.J John Rolodex, who is well known for his big releases on the mighty Dread Recordings, Tech Itch Records , Metalheadz, Freak Recordings, Bad Habit Recordings, Pi Recordings and also remixes on O.G Recordings and Yard in the earlier part of the century, has now re-emerged after a little break with his new label Machinist Music. A lot of heads out there really missed his powerful music, so we at [Ex]:ample had to get on John's case and find out the low down on what is happening with the Label.

Hi John, It's been a little while since we have heard anything from you and we are real happy to see you're on it again with Machinist Music. What inspired you to set up Machinist Music?

It had been a dream of mine when I was first interested in dnb, to someday have my own label. Early last year, it occurred to me that I could do that any time I felt like it, so I got some music together that I believed in, asked some friends who had labels to point me in the right direction, and got my shit together.

How would you define your Label sound? Is there any particular style Machinist Music should be known for?

Initially, Machinist was intended to be more on a techstep kinda tip. A lot of reeses, heavy breaks and so on... The kind of sound people know John Rolodex for. But of late I’ve started really enjoying some of the other styles of dnb. So much so, I can’t see us staying on such a narrow path for very long. 

Your first release ' Keep on Truckin' / Connector' on the label is huge,  What else can we expect to hear on Machinist Music in the future?

The first release and likely the second will be fairly heavy. ‘The-Rolodex-you-know-and-love’ kinda thing. But from then on, I’m open to some different sounds being represented. I’ve got a lot of amazing talent sending me music from across the board and haven’t even settled which tunes we’re releasing for 002 yet. All I can say is ‘expect quality music!’

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s there anything else you would like to add about Machinist Music that we may have missed?

Shouts to my distributor, Keynote Music for keeping the label alive. A lot of dnb labels didn’t survive 2010. And Machinist Music was still in the incubator, and they’ve kept it alive. Big thanks!

Do you yourself have any other projects, with any other labels on the go, that we should all know about?

I’ve just released an EP with Order in Kaos, called ‘The Cronenberg EP’. Some very dark and heavy stuff. Probably as heavy as anything I’ve put out. I also completed a remix for Dub Chamber, which is a tricky amen bit. So there are some John Rolodex releases coming out elsewhere. I’m currently working on some remixes for other artists as well as some tunes from my back catalogue. Many of those should surface before autumn 2011.

Do you have any tips for the younger generation of Producers wanting to get their music heard by your good self?

Yeah a few that probably apply across the board: 1) please finish your tracks before you send ‘em out. Unless you someone has told you they want to hear your ideas and clips. 2) Put your contact info in the file name. 3) Unless someone’s AIM has been posted for demos, it’s a good idea to ask before you send tunes. 4) Don’t ask for feedback and get belligerent when you don’t like what you hear. 5) Don’t ever give up, ever!

Aside from the music on your label John, Is there any other music you are feeling out there at the moment? 

Yeah loads! DnB has never been stronger... all the styles. I’m a big fan of wobble... Just kidding. But seriously, loving a lot of artists at the moment; Mutt, Grimm, Outrage, Raiden, Fracture & Neptune, Skitty, Morphy, Rene LaVice, Spkrtm, Gremlinz, Soul Intent, Anile, Trex, Phase & Codex, to name a handful. 

What are your thoughts on the Digital/ Vinyl debate? We already know a lot of D.J's are switching across to Digital, do you have any thoughts on that?

I’ve played on Vinyl, dub plates, CDs, Serato and the occasional banjo. At the end of the day, it’s about music. I love vinyl but after many years, I think the post office has made more money on DnB vinyl than everyone else combined. We need to put music out in a way that makes sense to our audience. The numbers are obvious, our audience is voting for digital (mostly). That said, I’m thrilled to be doing vinyl and hope every person who reads this will go buy a copy of our record when it comes out in February. 

Do you have any gigs coming up and do you have any particular favourite club you like to perform at?

I’ve just moved back to my home town, Edmonton, Alberta and we had our label launch party at a small club here called Level2. I have to say they have the nicest DJ booth I’ve ever seen anywhere. Playing that night was a treat!

At the moment I’m getting settled, planning a short tour with Outrage late February, early April out here in Western Canada. I’m not planning a lot of touring this year, but time will tell.

Mac or PC?

Both.

Is there anybody you would like to shout out too?

My boy Sureshock and his family. They’re awesome people and they’ve done a lot for me lately. Also the DnB Lives Here crew in Edmonton. Nuff Respect!