Radikal Guru aka Mateusz Miller is a producer and dj born in northern Poland, well known on the dubstep scene for his reggae-dubstep mash-ups and unique sound that is a result of his fascination of dub precursors: King Tubby, Lee Scratch Perry or Scientist. He earned his recognizability by releasing a series of vinyl records on Dubbed Out label (UK) in 2008. Radikal started to work on his producing skills making trip-hop and jungle in 2004. Fascinated in Asian Underground sounds he released demo album “The East-West connection” in 2005, which got popular on the internet. His move to Cork (IE) in 2005, where he continued to elaborate his producing techniques, opened new possibilities for him and got him more hearing as he played in clubs all over the Ireland. In the meantime his sound develops when he starts to experiment with dub and its sub-genres like dubstep. In october 2008 sublabel of Z-Audio – Dubbed Out Records released his first vinyl album, what spread his music to a wide audience and got his tunes broadcast in radio stations like BBC Asian Network, Sub FM, Rinse FM, Sensimedia Network. In 2009 he played in clubs and on festivals all over the europe, earning a lot of appreciation. Radikal still continues his trip with a head full of ideas to create new projects. www.myspace.com/radikalgurumasterplan
1. Since when your heart beats in the rhythm of Dub?
With reggae and dub I had to do when I was young, but I never got magnetized by it. In high school I started to look for new vibes and at some point I got into album Lee Scratch Perry- “Kung Fu meets the Dragon”. However, the apogee of my fascination of dub music took its place on my first contact with a real soundsystem playing heavy, real dub. It was Revelation Soundsystem session in Ireland about 5 years ago.
2. You prefer classic or modern dub?
When I listen to dub I prefer to look through old Jamaican recordings. My favourite album has always been Yabby U- “Jesus Dread”. I also like all of the remixes from the master of the genre – King Tubby as well as The Scientist or Prince Jammy. As for the modern sounds, I like Alfa & Omega, Vibronics, Kanka and Zion Train.
3. Most important thing in dub is…
In dub every piece is important. Pulsating bass, deep rhythmic drums, a lot of special effects (delays, echoes, etc.), a good melody and skank. Only when you put all of those things together you get the real vibe!
4. Name an album or a song that, when you hear it, you think: more bass.
I don’t understand this question.
5. If you could fulfill musical dreams by picking somebody to cooperate or a track to remix, who/what would it be?
There is no dream like this that applies to modern artists because I think it’s still in my reach. My biggest dream is to meet someone like King Tubby and mix a track with him in his studio or record an album with Yabby U.
6. Studio of dreams?
It would be nice to have a place with a lot of equipment, analogue mixers and amps, tape delays and a huge console.
7. The best, most inspiring, unforgettable gig that you have been on?
The most unforgettable was my performance at One Love festival in London, when I learned that my daughter were born right before my set.
8. The craziest idea for a dub or remix.
I try to compose every tune in a crazy, but positive way.
9. Dub is here and now or a trip to the future?
Dub is a trip to the space.
10. Plans for the future?
If everything goes my way my own label will begin to work soon. Gathering tracks for my new albums takes a lot of my time for now and I hope I will be able to release it soon, I’m working hard to make it real. Of course I would like to reach the listeners outside the Europe and my concert and publishing plans include it.