Interview: Origin One never says never
After a string of singles, Origin One unleashes his debut album “Deeply Rooted” on top UK label Nice Up! Records. 25ThC is a big fan of Origin One and the label. He caught up for a chat about the new album, his studio, the artists appearing on the album and more:
Congratulations on the release of your debut album on Nice Up Records. How and when did you first get involved with the label?
So back in 2016, I sent Shep (Nice Up!) a track I was working on with Parly B, Titled ‘Mi Bredrin’. We spoke back and forth about releasing the song as a 7, and It all really progressed from there. I had a big backlog of instrumentals and a few incarnations of what developed into the album. One of the conditions of the release was that it would develop, from one track to a larger project we would release on the label, hence this album!
The album has its foundation in roots and reggae music. What is it about these styles that particularly appeal to you and why do you feel that they have endured the test of time and are still relevant today?
I think due to my generation and the influences I personally had around me, Dub and Reggae was the foundation for everything. It clearly reflects in Jungle, Drum and Bass, Dubstep, Hip Hop, Grime etc that roots music was the origins of these genres. I think the subject of lots of Reggae is talking about real life problems, which are always going to happen, and is relatable to everyone, and on the flip it’s feel-good music, music for the soul, I think it’s irresistible.
How do you then go about taking these foundations and creating the fresh styles of dancehall, basement, grime, jungle and dubstep we hear on the album?
I’ve always said my music gives a nod to some of the foundation’s styles, but is my own modern interpretation. Generally speaking, I never set out to make anything in one particular genre, I sat down or either on my own to write something, or with a vocalist and that’s what came out. I have a pretty eclectic music taste and production style and I think that just translated across to the album. I think with some vocalists, I cater a little more for something that stylistically or tonally would suit their voices, so that may have been a factor.
I have a couple of your singles on 7″ vinyl which is my format of choice for DJ’ing. What do you like about this format, which is the standard for roots and reggae tunes and versions?
To be honest, for me there will never be a better format or tangible product as vinyl. Firstly the sound quality is irreplaceable, I love hearing how a cut sounds once you finally get the test pressing back. More important, the quality of the label and sleeve design is a big part for me too. I do have a big collection of vinyl at home, but this day and age I tend to lean towards playing digital as I play a lot of my own music, It also means I can take versions with me just in-case a vocalist turns up. I would love to have all my music on 7 but cost wise, it’s a little impractical.
The album has been two years in the making at your own Deeper Than Roots studio. Can you tell us about your hardware and software set up at your studio.
It tends to vary from song to song. Some are more organic and I’ve tracked keys, guitars and bass through my focus rite interface, then created a digital drum track or extra layers. Where other tracks have been created digitally using software synths, or I have a Mico Korg I have been midi triggering for certain elements. I tend to use Ableton to produce and write a lot of my music, and manipulate samples, and then I use logic to do most of my recording of instruments, and mixing down my tracks. I have a big love for UAD plug in, the PSP stuff, and also waves are my go-to at the moment. I also have just got my hands on a MPC 2000, I’m going to try and implement a little more.
There are a ton of extremely talented guest vocalists on the album from the UK and further afield. How did you choose who to work with and why?
I think with a majority of the vocalists I have met through playing at various events over the years, or at my own events in Nottingham. A lot of it was natural progression, or I would have worked with them previously. Some came through the Nice UP! family, who I had heard and really wanted to work with (XL mad). There were a few that I had heard and respected, so when I got the opportunity to work on an album, they were the people who I initially involved.
Can you tell us about the process of your collaborations in terms of whether they happened across the net or if the artists came to your studio and how involved they were with the productions?
Some of the vocalists I recorded in the studio directly, a few were done over the internet. It was hard with having some artists in Russia, Italy, Glasgow and then ones that tour regularly. So it was a case of passing over demos and discussing the direction we wanted to go with the song. Some I’d bumped into at shows and discussed the album, and they worked on it independently.
Do you have plans to perform some or all of the album live at gigs or festivals with any of the vocalists?
I tend to try and incorporate a few songs in my sets in general; as I like to try and play sound system style, it tends to only be the tracks that work in that context. I will be playing a few shows this year with some of the vocalists from the album, I believe at Boomtown we will have a few appearances for sure, also I’ve just recently played a show with KOG for the album release, who I record regularly for his various projects, and have played with multiple times, so this will most likely be on the cards.
What else do you have planned for 2019 and are you working on a follow-up album?
The plan is at the moment, is to keep pushing the album and spreading the music. We’re planning to release another single or two from the album in time for summer, to push at festivals, and also work on releasing some remixes for the album too. I have a few shows planned up and down the country and hopefully in Europe towards summer. The idea of making another album just yet is a bit daunting! But I would never say never.
What advice do you have for producers wanting to get their sound out there?
I think patience is key, the idea that things don’t happen overnight is really important, the process from writing to releasing is quite long sometimes, so it’s good to have multiple projects on rotation at the same time. Also to have faith as it’s natural to have ups and downs in the creative process. Secondly make sure that you enjoy it! It’s inevitably going to take a while to get to where you want to be, If you enjoy it, It makes life much easier!
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The album is out now on Vinyl and digital. Pick it up from: https://fanlink.to/deeplyrooted
Interview by 25ThC.
