Urban Vault caught up with Wolverhampton, UK based producer, remixer and deejay JUTTLA to ask him some questions about his forthcoming BOOM EP and more…

Midlands based music producer, remixer and deejay, Juttla has been a driving force on the British Asian music scene ever since the release of his debut album in 1999. The story starts back in the early ’90s when Juttla started producing Drum & Bass. He independently released a 12” vinyl EP ‘Dread by Dawn’ before going on to record for a string of credible record labels including Channel 5, ZYX Records (Germany), Back 2 Basics Recordings and Second Movement. Juttla then went on to have two tracks licensed to Aphrodite’s mixed compilation CD ‘Full Force’ alongside Kenny Ken, Rob Playford (the founder of Moving Shadow Records) and the legendary producer/actor Goldie.

As a producer, Juttla has worked with some the biggest names in the Asian, US and UK music scene, as well as being a well-respected DJ. He has played all over the UK in London, Nottingham, Leicester, Leeds, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Coventry, Wolverhampton & Birmingham, playing at the legendary Glastonbury Festival twice! Internationally he has rocked dance-floors in Cape Town (South Africa), Amsterdam (Holland), Brussels (Belgium), Paris (France), Warsaw (Poland) and Rome & Sicily (Italy). Juttla has a unique style, a unique sound and is a consistent musician who injects originality, diverseness, and fresh ideas into a somewhat saturated market place.

What is your name?

Juttla.

Where are you from?

Wolverhampton.

How old are you?

Too old!!!! LOL.

How long have you been making music?

I started making music around 1991. I got myself an Amiga computer and began experimenting with sound. My first official release was back in 1993 under the guise of Silverfox. It was a 12” vinyl release entitled ‘Dread By Dawn EP’ and came out on Three Scars Records.

How many songs albums have you released to date?

I’m glad you’ve asked me this as I am just about to release my new EP which is, in fact, my one-hundredth outing! Feels great to hit the big 100, but over the decades I’ve done lots of releases, a few albums & EP’s, featured on compilation albums and done official remixes for loads of different acts. My discography is at www.Juttla.com

Can you tell us about your forthcoming ‘Boom’ EP, the background, and inspirations behind it?

My next release is a four tracker that drops on all platforms on May 15th called ‘Boom EP’. It’s actually the twentieth release on my label Eastern Pressure Recordings. It’s me going back to my roots a little as I’ve always rocked with breakbeats with an electronic influence. It’s getting a great reaction already from DJ’s. The EP features legendary female rapper Jai Boo on a track called ‘Number One Sound’, as well as the 4/4 bassline grove ‘Go High’, the title track ‘Boom’ which kind of fuses all things bass driven and ‘Zone’ which is a bit deeper with intricate drum programming and haunting atmospherics. Hopefully, there’s something for everybody on here.

How have you ended up in the music industry?

It started from going out raving and listening to DJ’s. They inspired me to get a studio set-up and make music.

What did you think of the music industry in 2019?

A lot’s changed over the decades and to be totally honest it’s still changing. Its become very saturated with such a vast amount of releases coming out every day. On the upside, I guess that makes it more competitive driving producers to think outside the box a little. I think your social media presence is very important, ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ do actually really matter. Music seems very internet led these days and streaming has become as important as downloads.

What have you got planned for 2019?

I’ve got a busy year, to be honest. I really want to get my head into it and finish off all my unfinished projects. My first album came out in 1999 so to celebrate the 20th anniversary I’m going to do two remixes off ‘Angels, Aliens & Assassins’. I’ve also got a few DJ bookings coming in for later in the year and I’m still producing beats for various local acts including rapper LATE. As for my label Eastern Pressure Recordings I plan to drop a series of four-track EP’s that will have a more laid back chilled out vibe. The series will be called ‘Digital Yantra’ and feature different artists from all over the world. I’m planning on around six in total.

What inspires you when you make your music?

I have such a wide taste in music and my inspirations come sometimes come from listening to Metallica or Massive Attack, so as u can see I listen to a varied selection of old and new music. I do get inspired by new acts who you know are always trying to break musical boundaries, those acts, and producers who don’t stick to the rules. ‘Sound’ itself is actually inspiring to me.

Who have you collaborated with so far in your Career?

I’ve done lots of official remixes for the likes of Marshall Jefferson, Asian Dub Foundation, Foreign Beggars, Y2K Records, Wayward Soul and many more, but collaboration wise I’ve only really worked with local vocalists who have featured on my releases. I’ve never done a production collaboration though.

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

I’m always up for working with talented, hard-working, professional people from any genre. I am really open-minded.

What’s your favorite track at the moment?

Anything on Dispatch records! Love their sound, so good!!!

What do you do when you’re not making music?

Run my screen-printing business, printing t-shirts and doing embroidery, signs, stickers, etc.

Which do you prefer, Facebook or Twitter or Instagram?

Instagram!

In a few words sum up your thoughts about Urban Vault and what we’re trying to do?

I love the support you that you give up & coming acts, and I love the fact you got a merchandise line, it’s well written and it has a great look.

Thank you for your time and may you carry on making dope, fresh music…

Check out the exclusive track ‘Zone’ below, taken from the forthcoming ‘Boom’ EP (15th May).

www.juttla.com
www.facebook.com/juttla
https://twitter.com/juttla
https://soundcloud.com/juttla
https://instagram.com/juttlamusic
http://easternpressure.com