Bailey Ibbs Mixx
Hailing from East London, DJ and producer Bailey Ibbs is fast becoming one of the most sought out sound specialists of the new London scene. Bailey Ibbs is amassing fans not just on his home turf but across the globe as his releases gain more and more traction, and it’s safe to say his upward trajectory isn’t stopping anytime soon.
With a strong string of releases in 2020, we believe there were two stand-outs the first being 'Lockdown Trax’: 3 beautifully constructed tunes with breaks chops to die for and our other favourite was ‘Gurl EP’: Bailey's debut EP on London label 'Dansu Discs' which was released in late 2020.
Unbound by genre, Bailey Ibbs’s music, although carrying a prominent UKG flare, often sits in the middle of the spectrum of darker UK rave music. Warm nostalgia floats through both Bailey Ibbs’ production and mixes and his mix for Origins Tapes is no exception…
In his own words, Origins Tapes 010 is a 'throwback to the sounds of 90s rave music’ and 'features music that would usually be played at parties such as ‘Fantasia', ‘Dreamscape’ & ‘Helter Skelter’. It’s often said that if you want to know the future you have to look to the past and this mix is testimony to that, Bailey Ibbs is one of the best DJs and producers that the future has to offer and 100% one to look out for 2021.
Tracklist
Jacques Greene - Afterglow (Bailey Ibbs Edit)
Bailey Ibbs -Helter Skelter
Dexorcist - Jah’s Comin’
Denham Audio - Feel The Panic
Warwick - Do My Thing
Hornsey Hardcore - Touchdown
LMajor - It’s Raw
DJ Detox - Ounces to Pounds
Stranger - Warehouse Memories (UK Rave Mix)
Hornsey Hardcore - The Wiz
LMajor - Engineer (West Norwood Cassette Library Remix) Bailey Ibbs & Dyslecta - ???
Pearson Sound - Alien Mode
Shadow Child - Crystl
Jacques Greene - These Days
So I would love to ask you about the Origins of your own music... What was your introduction firstly to music and secondly (if applicable) to the sound of electronic music?
I started off playing guitar around the age of 10. Throughout my childhood, I mostly listened to pop-punk stuff like Blink 182 & Good Charlotte which then developed into UK indie bands like The Kooks & Two Door Cinema Club. It wasn't until 2012 when I first properly discovered electronic dance music, initially it was DJ's like Jamie XX, Maya Jane Coles, Jacques Greene & Julio Bashmore. Youtube was a huge factor in me finding more and more dance music, channels such as Eton Messy, Subsoul & Alias Bass UK were all promoting underground stuff at the time and really helped me develop my taste and since then, still with the help of the internet, I would say my taste has gotten darker and heavier.
Moving to East London, do you think this shaped your music influences at all, and if so how?
I would definitely say moving to London has helped develop my taste and sound. Before moving I would solely rely on the internet (Youtube & Soundcloud mainly) to find new music. I'm originally from Derby but later moved to Ipswich, and it's safe to say, neither really have solid scene's and the venues that actually have DJs don't really care for music at all, playing your average chart music. When I moved to London I met so many artists, all from different musical backgrounds and involved in different scenes. I'd go to nights and hear all this new music on huge systems and end up going home and trying to recreate it on Ableton. I think to this day that remains the biggest inspiration for me, just hearing new music on a loud system.
Your mix made me miss the rave with all of my heart, what would be your ideal post-covid party/rave describe it to us?
For me, it would have to be a huge dark warehouse with pounding Techno & massive breaks. I've got a lot of pent up rave hunger and the longer I go without one, the more intense the next one needs to be for me to get my fix! Think Freddy K in a smoke-filled Tresor basement!
When creating songs do you keep the dance in mind? And if so how do you infuse your work with the same energy?
Yeah definitely. I try and keep a similar formula with my songs and always include parts that don't have too much going on which makes for an easier transition from one song to another. My aim is to keep tracks simple and easy for DJ's to mix in and out of whilst keeping the energy flowing.
What are you most excited about this year? Do you have anything exciting coming up in the works?
I've recently recorded a set for a virtual festival which will technically be my first festival for later this year, and also signed my next EP to a really cool label based out in Berlin that I'm excited to announce! Besides that, I'm just trying to build on everything from the past year.
It seems you operate amongst quite a brilliant group of young producers coming up in the UKG scene (and beyond) do you have any stand out favourite producers amongst your peers?
To be quite honest I've been looking outside of the UKG scene lately. After being pigeonholed as a 'Garage DJ', I guess my natural reaction was to develop my sound and show that I can be a lot broader than that. With that being said, I've been following a few heads lately, like Denham Audio, Rene Wise, Mani Festo & Nikki Nair. All great artists that have been massive influences on me lately.
What have you learned about yourself musically in the last year or so?
I'd say, since putting out UKG edits, to focusing on a more Breakbeat / Rave & Techno sound, I've developed a love for classic synthesizers. I can't count the hours I've spent researching the best emulation for Roland synths! Inevitably I've ended up using Roland Cloud but only after I drowned in Reddit forums debating what the best VST's are!
Do you have any tips for artists and DJs to keep motivated in and out of lockdowns - What helped you continue to create?
Taking breaks from making music has been fundamental for me. As much of a contradiction that is, for me I think making music constantly detriments my workflow and I end up becoming lazy with my songwriting and stuck in a cycle. It's only when I take a break and refresh my approach to making a track, do I ever end up with an idea that I can develop into a finished product. Alongside this, I'd say keep fit and learn something totally new! I've been learning Website Development which has allowed me to feel productive whilst not making music.
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Interview by @lcy__________