Introducing: Warrior One

Introducing: Warrior One

23 January, 2012 | 2.42AM

• Written by: Dan Cole
• Filed under: Music News: introducing, warrior one

Carl Faure has been recording under his Warrior One alias for a few years now, and he has been deeply involved in the UK scene for over a decade.

Epitomizing the UK bass sound at present, Warrior One’s music displays the vast wealth of multi-cultural influences in British music, with Caribbean-inspired UK funky beats, smashing jungle breaks and big basslines. Read on to learn more, and check out his new single ”Fyah” featuring Aya Marar.

Warrior One – Fyah feat. Ayah Marar [Black Butter Records]

Can you tell us a little about your background? Where did you grow up, and where are you based now?

I grew up just outside of Birmingham and then moved to Brighton in my late teens for university. I stayed down in Brighton, DJing and producing as Black Grass on Catskills Records for about eight or nine years. Nowadays I’m comfortably ensconced in the paradise garden that is the London borough of Hackney.

How did you get started making music?

I was in indie bands from about 14 years onwards; then, thanks to my friend Tom, got pulled into making and DJing all sorts of dance music from about 16. I bought a Yamaha CS1X, which I still use loads, and he bought a basic sampler. We made some pretty rough tunes, but it was a lot of fun. Tom sadly died when I was 16, and as a way of dealing with it I threw myself into dance music, as it had become a shared obsession. I got into releasing records a few years later.  I used to work for Krafty Kuts in his record shop, and Jonny from Catskills used to come in a lot; I asked if I could remix Pepe Deluxe, and that was my first thing on vinyl in 1999. 

How would you describe the music that you make?

Pretty eclectic, bass heavy, late ‘90s influenced. Jungle meets house, garage, grime, hip-hop, ragga… Worst question to answer ever! 

Sorry about that. We’ll make it worse: how would you describe your sets?

At the moment I’ve not taken Warrior One live, but we’re working on it. I’ve been DJing for 16 years, and although my sets are mostly brand new music, it’s good to be able to go back decades and pull something up out the crates. I try and keep it interesting, change tempos and styles every few records. Lots of chopping and dropping tunes, rather than a seamless boring blend! Old-school hip-hop mixing!

Did you have any mentors when you were starting out? Who helped you get established?

Yes, my good mate Spencer really helped me get started, technically and in terms of helping me believe I could do what I set my heart to.  Steve Hillier from Dubstar was a great early mentor too, and technically set me on track with Logic, understanding compression, etc.  Working with Mex in Black Grass was also very informative: learning how to make drums sound fat is an art I picked up directly from him.

When did you first feel that you had finally discovered your own sound?

I think, listening back to all the different guises I’ve had over the last ten years, I’ve been able to find a thread between them… Basically production values that stopped growing in the late ‘90s!  That and always using samples, as it really adds warmth to your tracks.

How do you explain your music to your family members?

They’re already pretty well versed in it. My mom is a teacher and has used Warrior One riddims in her school assemblies! My dad and my sisters have all been to see me play too.

Where do you record?

Have a studio within Beetroot Studios in Soho (well, it’s Noho actually!) I also work on bespoke music for TV ads, and I’m surrounded by Bafta-winning and nominated composers, grand pianos, drum kits, percussion, you name it. I’ve been very lucky. Before last summer the “studio” was a desk next to my bed!

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

I love my Yamaha CS1X that i bought in 1996… Great sounds! I love Waves plugins a lot, and also anything made by Rob Papen, like the SubBoom Bass. I’ve always worked in Logic—I love it more than anything!

Which record do you wish you had made?

In terms of electronic music, probably ”Glue Of The Other World” by Four Tet.  Otherwise, it would be ”Remaindered” by Richard Skelton.

If a wrecking ball were headed for your house, which record would you rescue before it hit?

My original mint condition copy of Rufige Cru – “Terminator”! 

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

I love Richard Skelton, Idris Muhammed, Antlers, Marc Moulin, Talk Talk, David Axelrod, Kings of Convenience; I also love dead simple Spanish guitar stuff.  And any DJ mixes by Moonboots. (Seriously, go check him out - Balearic!)

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

I’m also a yoga teacher, so probably a bit more of that. And probably also work with life coaching, nutrition, NLP therapy, etc. If I could start again, then I might like to make films, but I’m pretty happy with my lot right now; music is my first love.

Can you tell us more about your record with Ayah Marar?

Really loved working with Ayah—we hit it off straight away and became friends. We’ve got similar musical backgrounds, grew up listening and DJing the same records, so it was really easy as we were already on the same page. She’s great to record with, full of energy, and always in tune—amazing girl!

Tell us about your upcoming gigs and releases…

”Fyah” feat. Ayah Marar came out on January 9th. And I’m now preparing some releases for my own labels King Pigeon and Cuttin’ Records. oet a totally different house/garage release coming out very soon too. Also working on producing records for Trilla, Kozzie and Jessica Naulls. Gig-wise, I’m going to be all over the place, a lot of shows in Bristol, London and Amsterdam, then hopefully trying to wrap a US tour for mid March! 

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