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From his humble beginnings as a DJ, Roast soon became involved in making beats. Now in 2010 he is getting set to drop his new album ‘Cuttin It Fine’ which features Teef, Nemesis, Triggs Vega, Arrogance, Phoenix Da Icefire, Cyrus Malachi, D21, Stig & Syntax, Skandal, Brad Strut and Ransom Badbonez. We sent Tricksta to get this exclusive interview for Rago Magazine…

I was born in Greater London then moved to Cornwall when I was a kid. The scene is small but there’s one in each town. There’s a lot of overlooked talent as in any area off the beaten track. A lot of my m8’s moved away to London like myself and are doing really well. Heads like Clockwork, my man Sneakee. They both did well in Scratch battles and now are on the boards heavily and Clockworks still amazing on the cut. Sneakee actually moved back to Cornwall not long ago I hope he’s still got his head in Music. I’ve recently moved from London to Bournemouth with my girlfriend and linked with an old friend I used to DJ with Cheebo. He makes neck snappers now, such a talented producer. Expect summin from him and me this year!

How did you get into music and is there anybody or anything you credit as an influence?

The heads I mentioned above. Clockwork, Sneakee, True, Tex, Dvs, Cheebo, Black beard, Tippet. Just friends. A lot who I met through skateboarding and school. I’ve always loved music. Jacko was my fav as a kid then De la Soul and that whole flavor. My sisters were always ramming Def Leppard and Duran Duran down my neck but hip-hop over came thankfully!

As a producer you’ve worked with quite a few artists, but for those that don’t know tell us who you worked with?

Teef, Phoenix da Icefire, Cyrus Malachi, Nemesis and Arrogance, Triggs Vega, Charlie Sloth, Genesis Elijah, D21, Stig and Syntax, Skandal, Brad Strut, Jyager and Ramson Badbonez.

Out of all the artists that you have worked with what was the most memorable experience and why?

Sloth and me where going to do a track with Fat Man Scoop. That was pretty mad. Chillin in my old work studios with Fat Man Scoop on a mad hangover. He was safe though. Was sat next to me eating raw mushrooms and mange tout telling me about the game so funny. I was expecting him to be gnawing on a steak! I’ve worked with Teef a lot. He’s a good friend so him and me always had jokes in the studio. We actually got busted by some scrawny pig on a bike for getting blazed out side the studio one time. He jumped us and stole our cabbage. Fuck the Po Po!

So what you released to date and what releases have your beats been on?

To be fair, as a producer I’m not that well known. I’ve been working on my album for a while now. The album is really going to be my debut for my beats. Release wise I had the Baptism under fire mix-tape that dropped last year. That went pretty mad. Shouts to my boy Phoenix and Chemo for asking me to get involved with that. I also mixed down a lot of Nemesis and Arrogances last album and did cuts on that. I’m probably best known for talking shit on the radio Itch fm, HHB Radio and Sensei FM. I also DJ’ed for Triple Darkness and ripped quite a few big shows with those guys.

When did you actually start making beats?

I started in 2006. I worked in a TV studio In the Sound department so learnt how to use pro tools and from there on just skived work and made beats! I’d wanted to do it for ages but never had the means to get started.

How long did it take you to get moving and what was your first release?

Damn, ages basically. I wanted to put a release out from way back but my pride held me back. It’s really easy to get over excited when you’re starting out and make a load of garbage stick it on MySpace and think it sounds hype! I started working with Teef and he let me know what was good and trash. The 1st complete track I did was Paper Mache with Teef, which I’m going to put on the album because still to this day heads love it and apart from a few internet radio shows it hasn’t had much exposure.



What’s your studio set up like?

Fairly modest. I have Technics 1210’s, Vestax 08, MPC 500, Pro Tools 8, Behringer mixing desk and a Sure mic. I’m slowly learning a bit about Logic 2.

What’s your favorite bit of kit in the studio?

Pro Tools probably cos I know it the best. Actually turntables. I class myself as more of a DJ than a producer. I’ve slacked on the 1’s and 2’s for a bit but this year I’m putting in some serious time in.

Do you have any studio tips for any producers coming into the game?

Use your plugins! Because of what I learnt in my old job I always use my plugins. EQ’s compressors etc. I don’t know bout giving out any tips every ones music should sound different that’s what makes it interesting. Always look for new and interesting samples. Even if it means going away from vinyl (going to get hated on 4 that!) If I want to sample a manga soundtrack I’m going to have to get that from a DVD or you tube. That’s where your plug ins come in beef fit up in what ever your using cue base, Logic. Plus try and sound different. No one wants to hear another Premo or Dilla. People love them for being them and original. Biters just get hated on.

When you set out to make a track do you have a certain formula that you work too?

Kind of. I get my sample play around with it in Pro tools edit in a way that sounds interesting. Speed it up slow it down. Then make a beat on the MPC put them together in pro Tools beef it up and make it sound right. Then add cuts bass or what ever. It all varies on what I’m working on.

So is there anything you are working on or promoting at the moment?

The album 'Cuttin it Fine' is my main focus right now. Its 12 track album all my production and scratches featuring a medley of heavy UK hitters. It drops 1st March. After that is the launch party. Disorda hooked me up and were doing it at his night Suspect Live at the Vibe bar 12th March! This year I’m really hunting for gigs DJ sets in my new hometown Bournemouth. I’m working on a mix-tape called The Ultimate Steaks and Meats. It’s an up tempo 45 min mix of everything featuring remixes of blur to Stevie Wonder on top of lot’s of hip-hop remixes etc all cut up hard. Also Phoenix and myself are doing live shows so if any one out there requires some skills hit me up! This year I’m really not neglecting my decks or live shows!

Forget budgets and the politics, if you could work with any Hip-Hop artist who would it be and why?

Hieroglyphics, Phonte, Iron Braydz (in the pipeline) 50 cent ha-ha not really! Ummm Sean Price, Wu? There’s a lot but for now I’m genuinely blown away by some of the talent on our shores. I’d love to work with Jehst and Dubbledge heads like that. For now though I’m concentrating on my boy Phoenix he’s my favorite MC in the UK right now. His energy and talent make me feel like an old git!

Okay forget about Hip-Hop for a minute, is there anybody outside of our genre you would like to work with and why?

Fergal Sharkey? Ha-ha Rolf Harris, Captain Beef heart! Ummm, Some heads I’ve met in Bournemouth are in bands, Baker Brothers and New Volunteer. Peds from the Baker Bros played Bass on News Flash a track I did off the album with Teef. I’d defo like to get some more live instrument stuff happening. I love the whole concept behind the Black Roc album.

Do you have a My Space page?

Yes siiiir: www.myspace.com/djroast and the rest: www.reverbnation.com/djroast, www.djroast.bandcamp.com and www.twitter.com/djroast

People are jumping from My Space to Facebook and Twitter. It seems there are loads of these type of websites popping up. What’s your whole take on the Internet and these social networking websites?

Ummm, it’s a tough one. I personally feel like a bit of a dick promoting shit on these sites especially facebook cos it wasn’t really meant for that but it’s such a good way of promoting stuff. Myspace is great for artists but it’s been a platform for a lot of shit. I’m not sitting here saying my shits banging and fuck every one else cos that’s not fair I’m a humble dude but there is a lot of tripe on the net. Still though people should be allowed to experiment with music and have fun that’s why we all do it. The real artists and people who are passionate about music will always shine through cos you can find them off the internet making noise and proving that they’re serious. Reverb nation is a funny one. Cheebo and myself are currently 8 and 9 in the hip-hop charts in Bournemouth and we keep overtaking each other. Now who the fuck is working this out? I haven’t played one gig in Bournemouth and I’m pretty sure apart from a handful of cats no one in the scene knows who I am! Weird. People like Charlie Sloth though I mean look at the success he has had on the net! It’s definitely a useful tool. If you’re serious about music and you want to get your stuff out there then go for it. If you’re a chump who really is just making an art or culture like hip hop look bad then take up rollerblading they need you!

Interview by Tricksta
www.myspace.com/trickstawolftown