From the Champagne centre of France to the heart of the German drum and bass movement - Veak is the word!
Veak is a French producer based in Reims. He’s made quite name for himself since exploding onto the scene in 2004. Although versed in the dark arts of French dance music, his sound transcends borders and his popularity throughout Europe is constantly growing. He’s renowned for his high energy DJ sets, but his production skills are now finely honed traversing jungle, jump up and rollers (often within the same track). He knocks out a mean sample pack, seemingly every week, and provides a feeding frenzy from his Bandcamp page almost every month. We caught up with him (translator in hand) recently to explore his creative and fertile mind…
How you doing?
I’m doing well, thanks.
Where do you call home?
I live in the north of France, in Reims, 1h30 from Paris. A city of 300,000 inhabitants where drum and bass is almost unknown. –
How did you first get involved in the drum and bass music scene?
At the beginning of the 2000s I discovered Renegade Hardware and DJ Hype. I absolutely wanted to produce it, play it and get involved in the scene to my extent.
What attracted you to DJing and producing drum and bass specifically?
Renegade Hardware’s slogan “Future beat for future people” seemed appropriate to me. It was completely new. I got a kick out of each track. I had never heard that kind of sound, it fascinated me immediately.
Which do you prefer…DJing or Producing?
– It’s a question of period for me. 15 years ago I mixed every day, constantly looking for new things, but I had a low level of production. Now it’s the opposite, I hardly mix anymore but I produce every day and I can’t help but start several new tracks every week.
You are being really prolific with your sample packs! Is there anyone in the Drum and Bass world doing more to help out producers with new sounds at the moment than you? (Don’t be modest).
– I hadn’t thought about it in that sense, but I could never thank the sample packs enough at the time (which was rarer). I make sample packs because I love it and it’s my job for 2 years and if it can help people I’m delighted. It’s true that I’m the most prolific, even on the tracks.
What did you think about the whole Grimes fiasco at Coachella? Should she be made to get a licence to demonstrate she can actually DJ to save any future embarrassment?
I wasn’t aware of it, I just checked it on YouTube. It’s actually very embarrassing. When I regularly mixed in the evening it was a nightmare that I had several times, to completely screw up my set to this point. To avoid that I worked on my sets every day and learned to use the equipment correctly. This is the basis I think.
What role do you think France has played in shaping electronic music culture? From Jean Michel Jarre, Indochine through to Daft Punk etc
– It’s true that it’s these few notable exceptions that save the thing, because apart from these major French artists, France doesn’t listen to a lot of electronic music. Not as much as Germany or England I think. But it’s true that these French artists have helped a lot to democratize electronic music around the world. Daft Punk’s album “Homework” is in my top 3 electronic music albums.
How has the drum and bass scene in France evolved over the years? Is it thriving now?
No, it’s quite the opposite, I have the impression that in England it has never been so mainstream, and that in France it is almost dying.
Would you say your music fits better with the Eatbrain label guys such as Phace, Black Sun Empire and Teddy Killerz or do you feel you have more in common with British Jungle music?
– I really like these 3 artists, unconsciously my music goes in this direction on certain tracks but I think I have a lot more in common with the British Jungle scene.
What do you think sets your style of drum and bass apart from other producers?
– To be honest I don’t know anything about it, I don’t do anything about it though. But I’ve already been told that my style is recognizable. I listened to and produced a lot of techno before producing dnb, I’m always looking for that dark and hard-hitting side.
How would you say your sound has evolved from ‘Amen Adventures’ through to your latest releases like ‘Darkness Falls’ and the ‘Vector EP’?
I have learned a lot of new techniques since then, I have also bought a lot of new tools, and I think most importantly I have acoustically treated my home studio. I had to upgrade all that by doing production full time.
Are there any particular tracks or albums that have had a significant influence on your style over the years?
I would say that for 5 or 6 years Voltage, Serum, Bladerunner have always amazed me with their originality and their style.
Who’s on your current playlist?
– Voltage, Serum, Bladerunner, Ego trippin, Cesco, 1985 music, Toby Ross, Conrad Subs, DJ Hybrid.
How do you stay inspired and innovative in your music production?
Stay innovative by listening to what is currently happening, knowing what the vibe of the moment looks like and adding your touch to it. I went to illegal raves a lot back then and when creating a new track I always wonder how it would sound on a big sound system in the woods. Try to surprise people with something cool. This is what guides my inspiration.
How do you incorporate new technologies into your music production process?
I’ve been trying new things for 2 years since I’ve been producing sample packs. It’s crazy what’s happening these days, it’s constantly evolving. I recently bought a midi melody generator, Pilot Plugins. Even if it is very effective, it has its limits. I stayed with the same tools for a long time, now I’m more open to new things, that’s also how the sound evolves.
Which artist would you most like to collaborate with and why?
I would say Voltage, I really like his style. But you have to have the level. A session with him must be very inspiring.
How do you see the future of drum and bass music evolving around the world or will AI destroy us all?
Drum and bass will continue to advance, I have no doubt about it. Regarding AI and electronic music, for the moment I have a simple theory: it’s always the underground side of music that influences the mainstream side, never the other way around. I think electronic music needs its underground side to evolve. AI can create mainstream but only reproduce underground. I think it takes a human brain to create the emotions that underground music brings. Would AI have created hardcore techno in the 1990s? It wouldn’t make sense for the AI to put that much distortion on kicks. It takes a slightly deranged human to create that. Would an AI have created the track: Serum – Black Metal in 2017? There is no logic in throwing 1 note of distortion and still creating emotion. It’s the first foghorn it seems to me. It takes a human to do something like that.
If AI doesn’t kill off original music, will Spotify do it instead?
I don’t think so, music has always managed to evolve, regardless of the medium or the era.
How do you approach DJ sets versus producing music in the studio?
Try to throw a lot of bombs and exclusions to have a good time at the party. Producing music has nothing to do with it, it’s concentration alone in a room.
Can you share any upcoming projects or releases you’re excited about?
My first dub EP on Moonshine Records in May after 12 months of waiting, vinyl release. And my monthly album on bandcamp and patreon. I’m always excited to release a dose of dubplate.
How do you balance staying true to the drum and bass sound while also pushing boundaries and experimenting?
I think it’s unique to drum and bass to push the limits and experiment. And underground electronic music in general.
What impact do you hope your music has on your listeners?
Just listening to something cool that makes your head move.
Any plans to tour this year?
Not at all, no scheduled date. I toured a lot at one time but not anymore, I’m not looking for gigs and I don’t really get offered any anymore but that’s not a problem. But I’m always very happy to see a video with my sound at a small or big gig. This means that the mission is accomplished.
Have you got a final message for our readers…?
To young artists, let them hold on and work, music is a noble passion / mission, we can always push our limits.