Exclusive Interview & New Music from UK Based DJ Producer – Notion

Bru-C originally teamed up with Simula on ‘You & I’ last year, which has since gone on to rack up over 16 million streams across all platforms, making it one of the biggest releases on CruCast so far. The new remix EP is equally huge, with new versions from Bou, Notion, Shapes, and an acoustic cover.

Notion cut his teeth as a d&b producer before starting to produce bassline, as has since become one of the most vocal producers on the scene, releasing on labels like Night Bass, Tiesto’s Musical Freedom and UKF.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Tell us about the first track that put you on the map in the electronic scene and the journey since. How did you get started?

The first ever DJs to listen to my music were DJ Q, S-Tee & Champion before a show in Hereford, UK. I was a support DJ on the lineup (think I was only 16/17 at the time) and I gave them both a CD to play in the car on the way to their hotels. I think Q was the one I gave it to first and then him and S-Tee mentioned me to Champion and it ended up with me getting my first release on Champions Formula Records back in 2011/2012, I was gassed! I’d been making music in various forms for quite a few years before that but I think that’s where I started taking music a bit more seriously, I’ve come a long way since then!

Tell us about your latest remix project for Bru-C & Simula’s – ‘You & I’

I’ve been friends with Bru & the Crucast guys for a few years now so the remix just kind of came about naturally. Bru just hit me up and asked if I’d like to be a part of the remix project and I obviously said yes! I’m really happy with how it’s turned out!

Listen to ‘You & I’ (Notion Remix) on Spotify!

STREAM / DOWNLOAD

Tell us something we wouldn’t normally find out about you?

I play guitar & drums, I song write and I’ve made loads of different music nobody has ever heard!

What single night out has been most memorable for you as a DJ and producer?

There’s been so many memorable moments through my career so far, it’s always impossible to pick just one. I think the early days of being a support DJ and being exposed to all this new music were really important for me, I think that definitely shaped my tastes going into being a full time producer / DJ & I also learnt a lot in the process (and got to make a lot of mistakes before anyone knew who I was haha).

Give us the name of one track that never gets old for you no matter how many times you listen to it?

Slum Village – Fall In Love

Dream collaboration and why?

I mean if we’re talking dreams then I’m just going to go all out and say I’d like to sit in the studio with Rick Rubin, I wouldn’t even care if we made music but that guy has had a hand in so many iconic pieces of music over the years I feel like if I could soak up even 1% of the experience and knowledge in that room I’d be a much better artist for it!

If you could play any festival, which would it be?

Glastonbury!

How do you get a track started? Tell us about your production process

If I’m making Notion stuff then 90% of the time I start with drums, I’m not sure why it’s just always the way I’ve done it. When I’ve got those sounding good I’ll start adding melodies over the top and eventually build it into a full track!

Latest project? What are you currently working on?

I’ve taken a bit of a step back recently to slow things down and really focus on making everything I put out into the world as true to myself as possible, whether that’s musically, visually or whatever. Music is very disposable at the moment, its all about brands and social media interaction & while that’s an unavoidable part of being an artist in 2020, I hope that what I’m doing now will have a bit more longevity!

The relationship between a DJ and the audience is crucial, and yet it seems to be a fragile one – how do you see the balance between giving the crowd what they want and treating them to something new?

Good question, I think there’s definitely a balance between giving an audience what they want & trying to fit some different stuff in there too. Sometimes the curve-balls can make a set but then again they don’t always work so it’s always a bit of a risk! I find myself wanting to mix things up more & more these days but It’s still something I feel like I’m constantly learning to master as a DJ. I’m not sure if I ever will but that’s the whole point right?

Connect with Notion

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | SoundCloud

Bru-C & Simula – ‘You & I’ (The Remixes) are OUT NOW! via Crucast

GET IT HERE!