Quickfire questions with Dillinja (Valve Sound System)
Meet Dillinja, the maestro of British Drum and Bass who’s been making waves since the early 90s. With a discography that reads like a who’s who of Drum and Bass hits, Dillinja has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with.
Venturing beyond just creating music, Dillinja took things up a notch by founding Valve Recordings, a record label that became synonymous with the evolution of Drum and Bass. Collaborating with Lemon D, they named it after a crucial component in the power amps of old reggae sound systems, adding a touch of warmth to the beats.
Valve Recordings wasn’t just a label; it was a breeding ground for a new culture, a hub for Drum and Bass tracks just as the genre was breaking away from Jungle. The imprint left an indelible mark on the scene, shaping the sonic landscape with its distinct sound.
Fresh off the decks at our May 2023 show, we sat down with Dillinja for a rapid-fire round of questions to get a glimpse into the mind behind the beats. Here’s what he shared with us.
Who would you say that your artistic influences are?
So many Bobby Bird, Marshall Jefferson, Aretha Franklin…There’s just loads and loads and loads and loads. I’m very eclectic. Even a bit of U2, Blondie…all different. Blue light stuff, Jazz…all different stuff.
How would you describe your early experiences in the Jungle and Drum and Bass scene?
Oh it was brilliant, the birth of dance music. Straight off the acid house era into hardcore and yeah Jungle.
Having been in the scene for a long time, what motivates you to keep going?
It’s a journey. Evolution. Drum and Bass is massive globally now and it’s great to see it all over the world. Great artists all over the world.
What advice would you give to someone coming into the drum and based scene now?
I’d say, think outside of the box I know a lot of kids have grown up listening to Drum and Bass now, so they just make drum and bass and it just sounds like drop and bass. There’s not much outside influence and I miss that. Think outside the box and let that take you on a journey somewhere else.
This or that questions
iPhone or Android? iPhone
Digital or Analog? Analog
Listening to your music through headphones or speakers? Speakers
Do you prefer the original or the remix? Original
Festival or club? Club
An all-expenses paid trip around the world or £100kin cash? £100k
Does a straw have one or two holes? Two
Would you rather have to always wear heavy boots or never to be able to wear shoes? I think I’ll go with the boots.
You can find the YouTube video for this interview alongside all our other artist interviews here.
The legendary Valve Sound System returns to E1, London on December 8th. Look out for our post rave report on that one.