Category: Artist Interviews

Maztek “Grinder” EP on Eatbrain is Amazing

We were so excited to receive the promo from Terminal recently and as always, Eatbrain unleashes another monster from the arsenal of music. Mastic is known for quality sound, creative baselines, and a for being a true artiste of the Neurofunk sound. We’ve listened to Maztek over the years and have loved his growth in production quality and ideas. We must also say we are suckers for those Maztek Remixes that never let us down.

 

Getting to know that man, the myth, the Maztek:

Maztek is a 10-year Drum & Bass Veteran. His firsts releases were in 2006 and then he became well known with the releases on famed imprint Subculture Recordings in 2008. Subculture was an outlet he created that also released artists like Optiv, No Money, and more. Later on in 2012, after releases on labels Ammunition, Basswerk, Syndrome Audio, and a few others, Maztek landed on the world renowned Renegade Hardware with this “Galactica” single. This is an achievement most every producer would love and its not surprising he made it there with the quality of music he’s put out. Later in 2014 Maztek released his first album “Three Point Zero” on Renegade Hardware and yet again blew us aware with tracks like “Badlicious” and the title track “Three Point Zero.”

Maztek continued to simply never let us down through today with
2016 premiering some of the best music in Neurofunk. We take a minute to talk to Maztek about whats to come in our future from his amazing sounds:

The Interview:

Maztek Interview First Off, Thank you so much for the opportunity to talk. DNB Magazine is a major fan of yours since the conception of the project. It is surely an honor.

Thank you guys it is my pleasure and honor.

Now, as of late you have been making even heavier bangers and the quality of your craft is consistently improving. We love your free download of “Dark Warrior” featuring Maksim, the BTK Rework remix and we’re amazed with your tracks on the new “Grinder” EP forth coming on Eatbrain.

Thanks as a producer I always try to discover more, try new things and do better and the best tune is always the next one.

We understand you’re from Rome but are now in the Netherlands. Why the move and has it influenced your music at all?

I decided to move for the music, here drum&bass is very very hot at the moment and I can say that this move has definitely influenced my production technically. There are also many other producers around here and you get many imputs from the everyday life as well.

We all are aware of the DAW’s out in the world and are sure you’ve used many. Which is your DAW of choice? Synth of choice?

I chose Cubase many years ago and i’m still in love with it, it’s very professional and gives you many options and tools for your production. About the synth I love the Virus TI2 but also the new Xfer Serum synth which is actually pretty complete. Still in love with NI Massive too. For the drums I felt in love with addictive drums and Ez drummer or superior drummer.

For those that don’t know, you’re also a hell of a graphic designer. What works are you most proud of and where can we see this work? What have you got cooking now?

You can see my graphic designs in all the Subculture records, I also made the trendkill records logo and other things as well. Since few years I’m focusing more on the music than on the graphic design so there will be more music coming out from myself than artworks .

The title track is so well produced. From the arrangement, builds, switches, follies & fills, we stay interested and captivated throughout. What went in to this track that may be a little different than others?

I tried to give it a fresh touch but keeping my raw and “minimal” kind of sound, straight on your face without too much high sounds but focusing more on the drum and the bassline. I think the result is grinding pretty well .

June Miller is featured on your “Blaffer” track which is an amazing tune. How did you go about connecting and what was it like working with June Miller?

I linked up with them when I moved to Holland, I went to their studio in Rotterdam and we started that tune, it is actually almost a 1 year old tune that we finished lately with their magic touch.

To work with June Miller is amazing and fun, they are really 2 gentlemen and the flow of the session is smooth and productive. We are definitely going to do more togheter.

Back to the art side. We love Eatbrain’s artist of choice, Trinyo. What do you think of Eatbrain’s choice for the artwork on your Grinder EP?

I love it, I love all of their artworks and the story behind every release. In my case I think it suites the title tune.

We’re in the business of “What’s next!?” So with that said, what is next Mr. Maztek? Free Downloads, Tours, Artwork, EPs, LP?

I’m gonna release a free tune probably after the summer, something drum&bass this time I’ve never released. I’m also working on some beats with Gridlok who just moved to Amsterdam and other solo tunes and collab with singers I still don’t want to reveal. Making also some new beats for the Dope DOD guys.

Last but not least: Whats your favorite movie?

That’s hard to say I have many but if I have to pick up one of all time I would say the goonies 

Maztek, This concludes the interview. Thank you so much for your valuable time. Get back to the studio and make more NASTY music. We surely cannot wait!

Thank you guys and shouts to all the followers and supporters see all of you around soon.

Check out the Grinder EP coming soon on Eatbrain Records. (Our review is coming soon!)