Walter Ego

Walter Ego is an artist based in Sheffield. He’s received support from fellow Sheffield producer, Toddla T who released ‘Set Off’ on his own label. Not to mention the ever rising plays on Rinse FM, Radio 1 and 1 Xtra. We thought it was about time we caught up with this new talent whilst we could… So, who is Walter Ego, what type of music does he make and where is he from? I hear he’s a Sheffield producer who makes house and grime and stuff… What inspired you to start producing music? I’ve made music in various ways since I was a kid. My dad’s love of music was always something that encouraged me to follow that path. I think the thing that pushed me towards production in a serious way was listening to Skream’s S/T album. When I heard that it made me realise that you could make something musically potent without loads of fancy equipment. Has living in Sheffield had much influence on your work, what’s the scene there like? Yeah of course.  Associations with other producers, vocalists and musicians have helped guide my development. I would never have started making grime in a serious way had I not hooked up with the crew from Bad Taste for example which in turn has helped to shape my progression more recently. How did you start getting your productions out there, did you go to Bad Taste Records or did they come to you? A bit of both.  Bad taste had been around for about a year when I joined and I had known Dullah (Darkstorm) for a couple of years. So we’d been talking about doing a release for a while. After I did my first ep I decided to get involved and started to help with the running of the label.  Were you surprised at how quickly people picked up on your work, with Radio plays from Rinse FM, Radio 1 and 1 Xtra? Yeah I had my first radio play for a tune called Ghost Shake on Monki’s Rinse FM show about a year and a half ago, and that was on my first ever Walter Ego release. I’m always pleasantly surprised when people give me that kind of support. Are there any producers/artists you’d like to collaborate with in the future? I’d really like to be able to work with Kidnap Kid again, we used to collaborate before either of us had ever had a release. Which do you prefer DJ’ing or making music? Definitely prefer production. I really enjoy DJing but there’s a certain rush you get from making something completely brand new. What’s the best show you’ve played (so far)? It’s hard to say the best show I’ve played so far. The first time I played down in London for Wifey at The Alibi was pretty memorable, I went down with an MC called K Dot to do a PA of a track of ours called Calm Down. It was really something to see a room full of people from another city going mental for a tune made in Sheffield. What shows and releases do you have forthcoming? I’m playing at the Girls Music Party this Friday at the Bussey Building in Peckham which should be massive. I’ve also got forthcoming releases on Girls Music and Coyote Records so keep your eyes peeled for those.