Dylan Rhymes Interviewed by Ross Truscott

Marvin Beaver hides behind the Dylan Rhymes name when producing, remixing or arranging electronica music. He managed to get past the flashlights and you’ll find it hard to find a bio on him on the entire web.

After leaving school, a chance meeting with a nu-beat-writing co-worker who was selling his equipment to go traveling led to Marvin’s first “studio”. Supplemented with the now legendary Roland TR808 and TR909 drum machines Beaver started, as most people did in dance music in the late eighties, by putting out a few acid house white labels. Beaver invented the Dylan Rhymes moniker (a reference to Bob Dylan) and set about working on a breakbeat track for Junior Boys Own. The result was 1996s “Naked & Ashamed” which, due to a Smirnoff ad campaign, became one the label’s biggest tracks (no mean feat considering JBO’s pedigree). Since then he has cemented his reputation as one of the leaders of the electro, breakbeat and tech house scenes, through his output on Kingsize Records, Meat Katie’s Whole9Yards and his own Blue Black + Lot 49 imprints.

Besides original work, Beaver has also remixed the likes of Asian Dub Foundation, Deep Dish, Infusion, Dave Gahan, Overseer, Unkle and Puretone while he has collaborated with Meat Katie, Christian J, Force Mass Motion (as Silencer) and Anthony Gorry (on his 2004 album, Dead Famous).

• Thanks for doing the interview. I would like to start by asking how long you have been DJing and producing?

I started producing back in 1988 which was when I released my first white label vinyl. Although I never considered myself a full time DJ I was playing friends warehouse parties shortly after that in 1989.

• What kind of music did you first start producing?

Acid House in the late 80’s and then I progressed into Hardcore in the early 90’s and then on to house and Techno before producing breaks in the latter part of the 90’s.

• What kind of dance music did you first start listening to?

Electro and hip hop in the early 80’s.

• What did you first start DJing?

I was playing more hip hop and Electro when I first had decks in my bedroom but I was playing Acid House when I first played out to a crowd.

• Who were your musical influences when you were growing up?

I had lots of influences such as Gary Numan, Adam & The Ants and The Beastie Boys. I was into music with good beats and synths.

• Do you remember your first Dance event, what was it?

One of the 1st dance events I went to was at The Venue which was at Chelsea Football clubs home ground Stamford Bridge in 1988.

• What are your preferred events? Are you guys in to festivals or do you prefer something more intimate?

I have had great experiences at all kinds of shows but I do prefer a club environment to a festival. The reason being you get a much closer connection.

• Have you ever been arrested if so what for?

I got arrested in Bali. I was Djing and I put on one record and these guys came in and started taking pictures. Next thing I was being driven away in a car and was held for 10 hours.

• Have you ever done internet dating?

The benefit of being a producer/dj is that no matter how ugly you are you usually don’t have to go down that road ;)

• Apart from social networking sites and e-mail accounts what web site do you love?

www.highsnobiety.com - Fantastic site that highlights all the latest cool clothes and sneakers

• Are you a tech kind of guy having loads of gadgets in the house or do you like to keep it simple?

I am very tech. I love gadgets of all kinds but I have to have a use for it otherwise it doesn’t get bought.

• What is your biggest fashion disaster?

I bought these jeans that had what can only be described as a skirt attached to them and they also had a zip that went completely round the back so effectively the jeans were in 2 halves. I thought I looked cool until I went out in them 

• How do you fill your time when you’re not doing your music? Have you got a train set or addicted to antiques?

I don’t get too much free time as running the label and studios takes up most of it but when I do I like to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Being inside a studio every day makes you appreciate these simple things.

• Watched any good films lately?

Thor. Great film

• Did you used to enjoy school what was your favourite subject?

I loved school. Fave subject was Maths and Science. I actually hated Science but enjoyed the class because my teacher had big breasts.

• Did you have a nick name when you were growing up?

Beaver.

• What in your life are you most proud of?

My son Archie. He is such a dude.

• Would you hand in a bundle of notes if you found them in the street? Let’s say £300

No !

• Is there any up and coming DJs and producers that you think we should look out for?

Couple of people that I think are worth checking are Chevy One from Spain and Utku S from Turkey. These guys are very consistent and have varied tastes and skills.

• What’s playing on your mp3 player or computer at the minute?

Beck, Friendly Fires, Seth Lakeman,

• What is your guilty pleasure?

Cake. Carrot or Chocolate.

• What are you most excited about in the dance scene at the minute?

Really glad to see that the breaks scene has some energy injected back into it. Lots of great productions which is breathing some new life back in to it.

• Can you tell the readers one interesting thing about you that they won’t already know?

I have over 250 pairs of brand new boxed sneakers.

• What does the rest of 2011 have in store for you?

2nd studio just completed which will be for commercial rental, more Lot 49 branded events and lots more quality music.

• What events have you got coming up that the readers could look out for?

Tours of the States, Australia, Far East and more Lot 49 events throughout the UK & Europe. Check www.lot49.co.uk for updates or join our mailout.

Thanks for doing the interview really very interesting and look forward to seeing you again at the Tech Funk Depot boat party where I will be doing a review for Clubnetuk.net

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=200014070011048
and afterparty
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116182108467207

CRUNCHED - DYLAN RHYMES by DYLAN RHYMES