21-year old DJ/producer Forbid has spent the last few years experimenting with different styles and genres. His sound has emerged as a unique blend of stripped back house and bass music. Having performed all across the UK and in Europe, he has garnered support from the likes of AC Slater, Chris Lorenzo, Sinden and Maximono. With multiple DJ residencies throughout the UK, Forbid is proving himself to be a producer with a laser precise focus on his career in the industry.
We chatted to him about his music and future plans…
Hi there, how are you and what are you up to today?
Hey! I just got back from a short trip to Rome so I’m catching up on laundry and spending the day with my family as it’s Father’s Day in the UK 🙂
To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?
Mainly anywhere between 120bpm & 130bpm, sexy, raw, stripped back house & bass music.
What are the 5 albums that have influenced you the most?
There’s so many more than 5 to count, BUT if I had to rank them in no particular order they would be Madonna’s Self-Titled Album in 1983, Nicki Minaj’s ‘The Pinkprint’, Skrillex’s ‘Bangarang’ EP, Busta Rhymes’ album ‘The Big Bang’ and Chris Lorenzo’s ‘Destroy The Image’ LP.
There’s so many more than 5 to count, BUT if I had to rank them in no particular order they would be Madonna’s Self-Titled Album in 1983, Nicki Minaj’s ‘The Pinkprint’, Skrillex’s ‘Bangarang’ EP, Busta Rhymes’ album ‘The Big Bang’ and Chris Lorenzo’s ‘Destroy The Image’ LP.
Which other artists are you into at the moment and why?
My brother’s Albzzy, Ben Rainey & Dion Timmer are all slaying the scenes they’re involved in so it’s super inspiring to see that.
Are there any key pieces of equipment that you are using to define your sound?
I produce digitally, so for me the Korg M1 plugin is (most of the time) my go to weapon, but it can get repetitive fast so trying new plugins and software can benefit in keeping things fresh and also boosts my creativity.
What would you say some of the challenges artists face today in the music industry?
Getting recognition! The currency of the underground music scene today is “recognition” and “exposure”, but they don’t pay the bills unfortunately ¯_(ツ)_/¯ I think that has a majority to do with the fact that so many young and new producers will DJ/perform for free, it’s now kind of become a granted.
Where do you gather songwriting inspiration?
Anywhere, I can be asleep and think of a track idea, or walking down the street – mainly my ideas never come to me when I’m IN the studio, so I’ve learned my creative process is to quickly craft ideas on the go and finish the best ones when I’m in the studio.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting your music together?
Mainly it’s first the drums or melody line – but it can vary from song to song, I think that’s a given for all producers that there’s no set way we make a song.
What’s the best gig you have ever done and why?
Probably Belgium, the room was huge and it was packed full – I was playing and didn’t know there were pyrotechnics so when they went off during my set I almost burnt my eyebrows off in the process of getting a tan *insert shades emoji*
Probably Belgium, the room was huge and it was packed full – I was playing and didn’t know there were pyrotechnics so when they went off during my set I almost burnt my eyebrows off in the process of getting a tan *insert shades emoji*
And the worst?
Never had a bad gig! All gigs are so much fun whether 3 people or 300 people turn up!
If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
A drag queen.
Do you have any particular gigs or festivals that you dream about playing?
Leeds Festival, Shambhala, Sonar Festival, Parklife.
If you could perform alongside any other band or artist, living or dead, who would it be?
Probably RuPaul, that could turn into SUCH a f***ing performance.
Probably RuPaul, that could turn into SUCH a f***ing performance.
Do you have any information regarding upcoming releases, projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
Everything is under wraps at the moment as I’ve learned it’s better to announce things when they are set in stone and 100% confirmed.
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