INTERVIEW: Virus Syndicate

It’s bizarre to think that grime is more than ten years old, but it is, and if you listen to some of the most recent offerings from newcomers, you can tell how much the genre has matured and developed. Bearing that in mind, it’s gratifying to see the veterans are still intent on trying out new things and moving in new directions. Case in point – Virus Syndicate. Their latest album – Symptomatic – is a genre-battering behemoth which plays around with so many different ideas it’s hard to keep up at times, but there are two constants – potent, evocative vocals and deep, death defying bass.

Even before it dropped at the end of February, the album was already making waves, with the video for ‘Psychopath’ attracting awe and controversy in tandem. Since it dropped, it’s been hailed as one of the finest releases to come out of Manchester so far this year, and we haven’t exactly been starved for decent Mancunian tunage this year, even if it is only April. It’s always fascinated to get the take on an evolving scene from people who’ve been with it almost since patient zero was bitten by a radioactive 140 beat, so we were beyond stoked to sit down with JSD to talk about past, present and future.

 

How did the production process on Symptomatic differ from your last album, The Swarm?
All of the production for The Swarm was done by various people across the world… All over the internet sending stuff back and forth. That was a conscious decision at the time as we had a crazy touring schedule and really wanted the swarm to represent that sonically. So we called on some of the producers we were feeling most at the time and who we had been playing with on our travels. For Symptomatic around 90% of the album was produced by me (JSD) and I recorded and mixed the whole project too with Nik by my side pecking my head about the reverb on his vocal being too big, haha.

This gave us complete artistic control. We were able to literally act scenes out throughout the album and add in various sound FX to bring it alive (check ‘Shadows’ out… The voice of the preacher is actually Nik acting with me putting some mad FX on it). It was very much like making a film score at times. The whole process was much more intimate and personal, and I think the result speaks for itself. We were able to explore and experiment. It’s also the first album where we’ve brought in live musicians and singers. So it was really a stark contrast to The Swarm.

You’ve said that this one deals with a lot of heavy, even controversial ideas, how has that vibe translated to a live setting, so far?
The reception to the new album has been incredible! People have really zoned into the energy and spirit we have given off and it’s surprised us with some of the less hype songs just how much people have loved them and really understood the underpinning message. We’ve had thousands of people with their phones lit up swaying to ‘Rainy Season’ and ‘Chaos & Commotion’, it’s a beautiful and humbling experience when you’re bearing your soul through the the lyrics on a song and giving something so personal to you. So yeah, it’s been an amazing reception so far!

You’re not the only Manchester crew that’s pushing the boundaries, in fact it’s almost become the epicentre of it, whether it’s grime, hip-hop, dubstep or drum and bass. From your point of view, what’s it been like seeing other groups like Levelz coming up and your local scene becoming so popular and influential?
It’s amazing! We love to see Manchester finally getting the recognition it deserves…. We’ve always had an incredible pool of talent here. A lot of the Levelz guys are old friends of ours (in fact we were the first people to release music from Skittles and Chimpo, who are both key members of the collective). We recently signed grime producer/mc Dyno to our Midication label who is making serious waves right now just receiving play on BBC Radio 1 which is a big look and Midnight 67 who are a future rnb/hip hop duo so we’re really keen to help push Manchester music forward in any way possible. I’m also producing an incredible singer/pianist called Penny Nichols at our EY3 Media studios and a chap called John Leddy who is also an incredible Manchester talent. There’s also female rapper Persia who I’ve been working with, she’s been causing a mad stir recently, her wordplay is NUTS! So watch this space! I can only see the Manchester scene growing stronger and stronger here on in.

Were you expecting such a big/controversial reaction to the video for ‘Psychopath’?
We knew it was pretty close to the bone but we couldn’t predict the tragic events in Paris which happened to be around the time of the video release. It was just a case of timing really I suppose but we wouldn’t do anything differently if we could turn the clock back.

You’ve collaborated with a seemingly endless roster of producers and MCs, but is there anyone in particular you’re still dying to work with?
I think production wise someone like Sam Gellaitry, Joker or Hudson Mohawk would be sick! Or something really dark and abstract with Burial that would be really interesting. I’d love to get a hook of Jesse Ware, I love her vibe!

 

You started out working with Planet Mu, who just celebrated their 20th birthday, what’s it been like watching the way they’ve expanded and changed since you first signed with them?
Planet Mu have always been a very forward thinking innovative label thanks to Mike, he’s never been afraid to push boundaries, in fact he’s known for it. So it’s seemed very organic watching how the label has evolved and grown. I’m sure they’ll continue in the same vein for years to come.

Is there any particular track from Symptomatic you’re looking forward to hearing people’s response to?
We’re just looking forward to the response from the album as a whole really… It’s a complete work. It should be listened to as an album rather than a bunch of singles. There’s an underlying albeit loose narrative throughout the album and we really wanted to create something very vivid and cinematic, so we’re looking forward to seeing people’s reactions to how the album flows. I think we were most intrigued to see reactions to tracks like ‘Insane’ and ‘Rainy Season’ which are a bit more personal and less ‘fictional’ so to speak. And so far so good!

Once the album is out, what’s the next step for Virus Syndicate?
We’re touring the album at the moment hitting various spots across the UK and Europe but we’re already 4 tracks deep into the next project! We practically live in the studio it’s a real addiction haha! I’ve been buying new gear too so I’m stacking up synths and have been making some crazy stuff using all this hardware I feel like a mad scientist at times. So yeah, the next album is in the workings and it already sounds FIRE! We might drop an EP first but basically we are only really just getting started. There’s a new energy and a new drive which we’ve found in taking back control of production – creatively and lyrically we are strongest we’ve ever been so we’re just going to keep working and creating music… Doing what we love!

Download Symptomatic here.

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