Introducing: Pixel Fist

Introducing: Pixel Fist

9 August, 2011 | 10.42AM

• Written by: Sean Lewis
• Filed under: Music News: afghan headspin, breakbeat kaos, introducing, pixel fist, resonant evil

Pixel Fist represents a collective of veteran musical minds coming together to journey into new prospects. Fans of the legendary d’n’b group Resonant Evil might recognize members Audio and Mackie, and breakbeat heads will recognize Mackie from his adventures as Afghan Headspin. Members Lorne and Stapleton MC are also known for their long history in the drum ‘n’ bass scene.

The four-member crew released its debut dubstep LP, Our Sound, in 2010 and landed EPs on labels Subhuman, Boka and Rottun. This week they add Fresh and Adam F’s Breakbeat Kaos to the list with the four-track EP ”Seduction / Tweaky.”

We talked with the crew to find out what forges the Pixel Fist sound.

Can you tell us a little about your background? Seeing as you’re a collective, what were each of you doing before Pixel Fist?

We have all worked across multiple genres of dance music; between us we have released on Virus, Moving Shadow, SKINT, Against the Grain, Rocstar, and Shut Up & Dance. All our projects outside of Pixel Fist are still running.

How did you come together to start making music?

We have shared a studio for many years, and Audio had been working with Stapleton on the d&b circuit. Pixel Fist came about in 2009, literally because we all wanted to work together and explore new territory within the broad spectrum that is known as bass music.

When you perform, how does it usually work between the four of you? What’s your preferred set-up and how would you describe your sets? Is there a difference between your live sound and your productions?

We currently DJ, three of us handle that job, and Stapleton is on the mic. We play out in every conceivable combination of that, depending on promoters’ requirements, or who’s free on the night. The sets are a 50/50 mix of our productions alongside current tunes from other artists we are into.

Who was the main influence behind giving dubstep a go? Was it an important sound to be a part of from a creative standpoint or a labor of passion?

It seemed a natural choice to explore; the genre has everything in common with many other styles of bass music we have already made.

Was there a learning curve in developing a new sound? Was there a point were you all came to an agreement over a sound that was authentically “Pixel Fist,” or is it an ongoing journey?

The studio is always buzzing with one project or another, and the fact we are all working across multiple genres really does bring a lot more to the table in terms of creativity. We work on tracks all in the same studio, ideas are thrown around and consensus sought. It really is that simple. Our sound is always developing, and will carry on doing so, as we progress.

How do you explain your music to your grandmothers?

Face-melting noisy filth!

Do you know what kind of track you want to write before you sit down to make it, or are you just trying things out until the music gels?

Can be either. Sometimes we’ll start off with a specific sample we want to use, and that sample can create the basis of the track, or sometimes we simply run through sound banks, slowly but surely building up a structured loop.

When you sit down to make a track, what’s the first thing you typically do? How long does a track typically take you to make?

More often than not we will get a loop or two going, and add to that loop until we feel we have all the elements of the track in place. Then the fun part, mapping it out and turning it into a structured composition. Tracks can come together over a few hours, or a few weeks, it varies. We always sleep on a tune, we always test it in cars, clubs, home systems, and adjustments made over a period of time.

How and where do you record?

We have a dedicated studio, open to us 24/7, 365. Our home away from home!

Do you currently have a favorite piece of gear or software?

Probably still Presonus Studio 1. Get to know!

Which one record do you wish you had made?

A lot of the Noisia back cat springs to mind!

If you only had time to save one of your own musical relics or pieces of vinyl from imminent danger, which would it be?

Ed Rush & Optical, “Wormhole”

When you’re not listening to electronic music, what do you listen to?

Anything and everything, across the board.

When you’re not making or playing music, what’s your preferred pastime?

Golf, gym, looking after the kids… the usual!

If you weren’t musicians, what would you be doing with your life?

Building houses, fixing motorbikes or even programming computer software!

Tell us about your upcoming tours, gigs and releases…

You can see us in Brighton, Ukraine & Belgium in the coming months.

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