ASK ASC!! >> When ASC came along for the system check sessions Tidal gave him a quick fire round of Q & A, to find out more about Cov.ops and his forthcoming L.P on Nu-Directions. SYSTEM CHECK :: 'In the studio' :: 19/07/03   'What sort of music were you into growing up then?' James :- All kinds of stuff, I started with like Detroit techno stuff, a lot of 808 State, Art Of Noise and the hardcore rave stuff like the prodigy. I grew up on all sorts. 'Now you did many a session on your local pirate station Reality FM How did that come about?' James :- Me & my mate started listening to the local pirates, going out buying the tunes, learnt how to DJ & we got hooked up with one of guys running the station and we got our own show. 'When did you get into the more musical side of the drum 'n' bass spectrum? James :- Obviously when I heard Bukem play, that was a huge turning point for myself, hearing tunes from the likes of the Invisible Man, Bukem's 'Music'. But really the first sort of stuff I was buying was on Moving Shadow. Like Foul Play, Omni Trio, Deep Blue, JMJ & Richie, tunes like that. I then got into Bukem through the love of the music, and I've been hooked ever since! 'Is that what made you eventually get into production?' James :- Yeah I really wanted to put my own take out there, just get some stuff on the computer, get my own ideas and get some tunes out. 'I've heard on your website it says, no 2 ASC tracks sound the same?' James:- I actually didn't write that! But you always aim to better what you've done and try different styles, keep it going and stay diverse. 'Now you've got quite a distinctive sound how long did it take you to develop?' James :- As any artist will tell you, you've gotto start somewhere and develop, my early tunes were like benchmarks for me to perfect my production and keep it going. 'I know your music has took you to a lot of places like Australia, Germany, Estonia, Austria many other places as well. Playing alongside some of the major players in the scene, what's been the most exciting one so far out of all of them?' James :- I've got to say the gig with me MC Stirlin & Blame in Estonia was just one of the maddest nights I've ever had! It was unbelievable. Just to see the people vibing to what we were putting the effort into was amazing. I Definitely would like to go out there again soon! I know you've enjoyed your residency at Technicality in London, has there been any stand out moments from playing at those nights? James :- It's just a quality night, great vibe, diverse styles of music and just d&b that doesn't get heard anywhere. 'You've got you debut L.P dropping soon, are you excited about it?' James :- Defiantly, for any artist really they'll tell you, the first L.P is a major stepping stone in the career. So yeah, when Tricksta asked to do the album for Nu-Directions I was honoured. 'Anything else we should look out for on the L.P?' James :- lt's a real mixture of styles there's some downtempo weird abstract electronic, techno sott of stuff. Some ambient interludes, but the majority of it is drum 'n' bass as that is my forte, the album is aimed at the drum 'n' bass market and there some good dancefloor, techno atmospheric sort of stuff on there. Which is where I see my vibes going at the moment. So it really is a reflection of me and how I'm taking my sound out there at the moment. :: Related Links :: System Check 19/07/03 (ASC) www.cov-ops.co.uk www.newstyleradio.co.uk