Friction: Shogun Warrior Style

Fortunately for Friction he is blessed with an outlet to release his own music and the music of the “amazingly talented” producers he surrounds himself with. Shogun Audio is undoubtedly one of D&B’s finest and most respected imprints. As home to Rockwell and Icicle, Alix Perez and Spectrasoul it’s no secret Shogun developed a style and sound they’ve helped push to the forefront of the scene, although admittedly it’s a sound they stumbled upon by accident. Known for, as Friction describes, their “militant, soulful yet rolling” sound which manifested itself especially in the latter half of the Noughties, as the label approaches a decade of releasing music those ethics are still there, but are now being moved up a gear. “Over the past year and a half we’ve really progressed the sound. If you look at Alix’s last album or if you look at Rockwell’s stuff we’ve moved on from where we were a few years ago. We’ve created a certain sound and we want to move it forward, we don’t want to do the same thing.” While it would be easy to put out the minimal roll out style of D&B that became their signature, in the long run it wouldn’t benefit either Friction or his stable of artists. By listening to him talk it’s obvious he’s still really excited by all things Shogun. With a full team of staff now handling the day to day headed up by K-Tee, he informs me we can expect artist albums from Rockwell, a second album from Icicle, a new volume of the Way Of The Warrior series plus special plans for their 10 year anniversary in 2014 including a tour.

Another thing keeping Friction excited is his job as presenter on Radio 1’s flagship drum & bass show. After taking over the reins from Fabio & Grooverider last April he’s breathed new life into the show, making it essential listening for the best in upfront D&B from all corners of the genre. With over a year under his belt in the hot seat I wanted to know how he was feeling being a part of the team down at Broadcasting House. Does he feel settled? “Definitely. When I got asked to do it I was actually boarding a plane to Japan and my manager called me and said Radio 1 want to have a meeting about doing a show.” Unaware at the time he would be replacing the legendary duo that had been at the helm for 13 years, the bosses at the station were quick to speak to him once he was back from the Far East. “It was all a bit surreal. It had never crossed my mind to be radio DJ and my first thought was “Bloody hell you’ll be stepping into some into some big shoes!” I was so nervous when I first did it but my plan was to progress the show, got moved from Sunday nights within the first three months which was great and now, fifteen months down the line, I feel really comfortable and start to sound like me on air. I love that show and it’s a big part of what I do.”     

DJ, producer, label boss, radio host and a father, it’s amazing how he finds time to fit it all in. But it’s what keeps him doing what he does day in and day out. “I’m given energy by things that inspire and interest me. I was asked what’s been my most successful year and I’d have to say the last year or so. Doing things musically I haven’t done before, my production, doing Radio 1, playing at all these festivals. I just have to keep it interesting basically.”  

Friction plays at Shogun Audio Warehouse Party in London on Saturday 28th September for London Warehouse Events, to buy tickets for the event simply click below.

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