Interviews
HELLO: SPECTRASOUL
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Who London-based DJ/producers Jack Stevens, 25, and Dave Kennett, 29
Sounds like Deep drum ’n’ bass that pairs precision-engineered beats with immersive melodies
Both members of Spectrasoul caught the drum ’n’ bass bug in the schoolyards of Brighton. While Dave was being passed jungle mixtapes by his classmates, Jack received them via his teacher father, who was lent them by his pupils. “Roni Size was on heavy rotation in our kitchen,” Jack says.
The pair first crossed paths in 2006 at an event Dave was promoting, but cemented their friendship in the studio. They’ve since moved into a shared house in south London, and divide their time between producing impeccably crafted rollers and bickering over who’s doing the cooking. “If you spend that amount of time with anyone, you’re going to argue,” says Dave.
Their dedication is reflected in the quality of labels they’ve released on, including dBridge’s Exit Recordings and Goldie’s Metalheadz imprint. They’ve now found a permanent home on Friction’s Shogun Audio, where Dave was once label manager.
Forthcoming album ‘Delay No More’ looks set to take their story further, with its emphasis on bass music with a heart and soul. “We listen to lots of stuff outside the club realm, and bring that to our sound,” says Jack. “I love Lana Del Rey, D’Angelo and Bon Iver, for example.” This search for an emotional connection is apparent on new single ‘Away With Me’, a seductive slice of future garage that owes more to Disclosure than Dillinja. Whatever the genre, Spectrasoul will continue to make music that stays true to the spirit of their jungle roots.
