drumandbass.de spotlight

Q&A profile for german d&b board, done by the lovely Biene. Read on!

http://dnbszene.de/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4090

ICR is the latest of the young hungarian producers. He has been the originator - and now co-editor - of the country's only urban music Internet magazine, Impulsecreator (drumandbass.hu). After numerous mp3 releases on the self-established Internet label he immediately found himself as an upcoming producer.

ICR's debut 12" release came out in march 2003 on Breakbeat Science. Shortly after the Orgone debut single he also contributed a track (Wide Awake) on Germany's Basswerk. In 2004 Nerve Recordings featured him in his exclusive Beatport release with two tracks ("Tough, dancefloor dnb with a slightly deeper edge"), then remixed by atmospheric master ASC for leftfield specialist Offshore and also appeared on LTJ Bukem's prestigious Progression Sessions 10.

The year 2005 brought more chance to emerge his talents with a self-released concept album that consist of his favourite tracks specially edited or remixed (not only d&b, but with downtempo and leftfield bits), all slightly passed as a whole story (released as a free downloadable album) and another LP (Daytrip) released on Covert Operations both on CD and on two vinyls (plus new digital downloads at Nerve, Nookie's Strictly Digital, Exegene, Red Mist and Taciturn).

His versatile style has been captured not only on the follow up to The Public Diary - Empty Pages, but also on releases such on Nerve featuring the industrial-esque, dark Fill The Sky backed with the dubby Skanner; on Fokuz he has delivered liquid tunes collaborating with fellow hungarians Soulproof (My Love, It Could Have Been Me) and US outfit Autumn (Yesterday). Forthcoming bits in 2006 include tunes on forward-thinking dutch label Counter Intelligence (alongside Macc), new technoid label Flatline Audio, not to mention Thermal, Vibez, Synaptic Plastic, Exegene and Offshore.

- where & when did you answer this questions ?
At home, southeast of Hungary, Oroshaza on the 10th May '06.

- what's your age ?
I will be 24 years old in July.

- your real name ?
Zoltan Gal

- why "icr" ?
When I started producing I was only using a tracker hence I took the name 'The Impulsecreator'. Meanwhile in 1999 I launched the first jungle/drum & bass website myself with the same name, but as more people joined the work at the magazine (http://www.impulsecreator.hu) I felt I can't run it under my production name so I just cut it to ICR.

- what was the reason for you start Producing?
First I think it was just experimenting, to try it if I can make something out of nothing. Then as I dug deeper in drum & bass I wanted to show myself on different levels, simultaneously with the magazine it was like a natural and continuous self-education. For now I think I've managed to reach the level where I can produce to express myself, to give a little from my soul into my tunes. So the main reason is emotional.

- your first vinyl ever purchased ?
I have never bought a record and I don't even have a proper deck. I think the first vinyl I got is my own 12" came out on Orgone (Rock The Sky / Stolen Symmetry) in 2003. So normally I only have records with my name on it

- records, that influenced you ?
That's a hard one and I can't really give you a list or records. In drum & bass mostly the tunes that gave me something plus emotionally. I've never really been to the music which is only about to make you dance or to amaze you technically, it has to be a touching element to get me.
Anyway some artist from the top of my head: Calibre, Klute, Polar, TGM, Paradox, Goldie, Sonic, Dom & Roland, Photek, Source Direct... but a lot of hip hop, electronica stuff, and jazz, blues aswell, not to mention film scores which I quite like.

- most intense live gig ?
If it's referred to a gig I played at, there's no such. I'm not DJing, only producing.

- most intense club event ?
Since I haven't been to a party, the most intense club event would be definitely the one I attend. I would shock even the DJs haha.

- what kind of sound should be banned ?
It only depends on how you use the sounds But seriously - in drum & bass? In my opinion every subgenre is part of this music which makes up what d&b is about - diversity. No one of these should be banned but every one should be represented at least with the same scale. If there's something disturbing for me I ignore it rather than dissing it.

- favorite venue ?
Haven't been to any.

- favorite drink ?
I don't drink alcohol so maybe it's Late Night Squeeze

- what do you take with you to a lonesome island ?
In fact I am on a lonesome island.

- timeless for you ?
Yes, from Goldie.
Again I can't be specific. Timeless is what you can recall anytime wherever you are and you feel good about it and brings memories. Music is the same. I feel tracks timeless I can relate to a certain moment. I think I captured it well on my free Public Diary album.

- favorite junk food / fast food place ?
My mom cooks for me, so I don't eat junk/fast food.

- what do you do between club & sleep ?
I keep trying to give up on producing but with no success (irony), doing some 'work' for drumandbass.hu, watching movies, sometimes reading and being online all day. Pretty boring after a while if you don't have a job.

- personal heroes ?
Marty McFly , Spike Lee, Kevin Smith, David Lynch, Jim Jarmusch, Kitano Takeshi, M. Night Shyamalan, the Coen bros, Charlton Heston and the Planet Of The Apes, Nicholas Cage, Jim Carrey, Douglas Adams, Isaac
Asimov, Stan Lee, Guru, DJ Premiere, Squarepusher, Aphex Twin, Metalheadz,...

- personal vision / projects ?
I can't see what the future holds so I just keep pushing things, maybe focusing more on the style I have concentrated on lately. But besides this kind of deep, atmospheric drum oriented dnb I know there would be demand for getting back to some techy and liquid stuff, so who knows. I have forthcoming singles on dutch label Counter Intelligence (So Unloved b/w a Macc tune), on a new US techy label Flatline Audio (Back 2 Front/Razor Blade Runner) and on Thermal Recordings (Feels Like Spring / Tingle Tangle). I will be also featured on the Offshore, Vibez, Fokuz and Exegene label compilations, but there's something I got for Synaptic Plastic and Telluric too. There's a lot of things lined up - all for this year hopefully.

- describe yourself in 3 words !
Impulsive, creative, and therefore liar. No, maybe I would say mannered, reliable and sheepish.

- your favorite drugs ?
I don't take any.

- current top10
Alaska - Arctic Foundations LP - 13 Music
Macc - Be Like Water - Outsider
Bungle - Memories From Mars - Timeless
Mist:I:Cal - Same Old
Breakage - The 9th Hand - Planet Mu
Pieter K - Dangergirl (remix)/Temerity - Counter Intelligence
Young Ax - In The Groove - Vibez
Polska - Burning Sun - Subtle Audio
Snaper - Supernatural Spirit - unreleased
ICR - The Nonbeliever - unreleased

- alltime favourites
Journey Into Drum & Bass Vol 2
Goldie - Mother
Klute - Lie, Cheat & Steal
Pieter K - Everything All The Time
Adam F feat. Tracy Horn - The Tree Knows Everything
Sci-Clone - Everywhere I Go (remix)
4 Hero - Two Pages
Ed Rush & Optical - Wormhole
Dom & Roland (featuring Shanie) - Chained On Two Sides
Polar - Inside The Plot
Polska - Swept

drumandbass.hu/icr
myspace.com/icrdrumandbasshu
myspace.com/ipcprofiles

It Could Have Been Me / Refuge

artist: ICR & Soulproof / Autumn
title: It Could Have Been Me / Refuge
label: Fokuz Limited
catalogue: FOKUZLTD008
format: 12" vinyl
date: 04/2006
country: Netherlands

info:

These are the new kids on the block. Both producers are known for their wicked, deep production skills.. With tracks lined up on several Established labels, they are slowly creating quiet a buzz ... these tracks are no exception to the rule... The A side is Soulproof in cooperation with ICR the bizziest atmospheric producer in town. The combo of these 2 producers brings us a fresh rolling tek tune, with deep strings rolling beats and a really clean musical flow.. On the flipside its Autumn. After their killer debut on Fokuzltd 007, they deliver a almost psychedelic journey trough the drum & bass. Listen and decide your self. The tune is deadly deep, but amazing..

Aaron Myers pres. Altitude Vol. 1.

artist: V.A.
title: Altitude Vol. 1.
label: Testflight
catalogue: TFRCD002
format: CD
date: 04/2006
country: USA

info:

An all new 11 track compilation featuring new and exclusive tracks hand picked by TestFlight label head and DJ Aaron Myers. Available in an unmixed CD format and 4 plate limited edition vinyl set. The CD version will contain 4 tracks not available on the vinyl release, while the vinyl set will include an exclusive track itself. The 11 track journey will showcase the works of Blame, ASC, Method One, Cable, Probe One and more! So don't miss out, there will be no represses on the vinyl and only a limited amount are available. Order yours today at www.techgroove.co.uk and "Sample the Future"!

the vinyl relese is cancelled

tracklist:
01 Method One "Flight Zero"
02 L Plus "Amo"
03 MRN "Musica"
04 Blame "Amethyst"
05 Signal "Pulsar"
06 Cable "Wish I'd Been There"
07 MRN "Hallways"
08 Probe-One "Substance"
09 ASC "Techflow"
10 Probe-One "Stargate II"
11 ICR "Innocence"

Interview for Polish magazine

By Marcin Nieweglowski, Pullz magazine

You've released your first plate when you were 20 years old. When I think about it I can't avoid it seems when talented young football player from countryside has being discovered by The West headhunters. In addition you aren't alone who have focused foreign labels.

Yes, it seems like this a little bit, but I did not feel it that time and still haven't, because it's not like record labels knocking on my door wanting some tunes to release. It was quite a lot of work and trial to build up my reputation with each release I got during the years (and still it's quite hard to find labels who would sign my tunes).

Back to the debut - also I think it was just about the right time when drum & bass started to go global, and was looking for some new sounds, new talents. I was luckily spotted by the longest-running US d&b label and shop Breakbeat Science, so that was really good for a start. It was in 2003 and there were no options releasing d&b here in Hungary as our only label Subscope has not been functioning anymore, so right after that other hungarians like Chris.SU, SKC and Mindscape started releasing on DSCI4 and started their international careers.

Hungarian drum'n'bass scene has it's crucial turning point in 2004. There were two significant releases: your "Splashdown" on "Progression Sessions 10" and SKC & Bratwa's "Solitude" on Good Looking Records also. After that situation the Hungarian producers have started to gain ground.

As for our main producers SKC and Chris.SU, it was probably 2004 when they emerged with strong releases on top-notch UK labels like Commercial Suicide, Hospital, Soul:R, Critical or the aforementioned Good Looking. However 'Solitude' has only been released on promo and my tune is "only" featured on Progression Sessions but no doubt it gained a lot of interest and helped a lot spreading our names � up to now I'm still getting enquiring messages about that tune.

I think all these success built up a good base for hungarian producers, and the next big thing was the formation of Tactile (SKC, Chris.SU, Longman, Bratwa, Safair) with their debut LP on Timeless and SKC's forthcoming album on Commercial Suicide will also make big impact . Now we already have a new line of producers starting to walk on this paved way like Soulproof, Jade, Matt-U, Spinline, Dis, Munk � but make no mistake, each artist has to prove their skills even if it's like saying you're hungarian is probably a good-sounding phrase in d&b.

You started your carrier using Reason, didn't you? Do you think that more accessible of software merged with know-how than hardcore in East Europe is a key to catch The West? I mean about large representation of British drum'n'bass scene (popular names, DJs & label etc.) and compare it with poor and small scene in Hungary for example.

Actually my first release Rock The Sky/Stolen Symmetry was originally written on Impulse Tracker but since that I'm procuding with Reason. It's good you mentioned know-how 'cause I think it's just a possibility which you can use as an advantage if you learn about softwares, techniques, mastering etc. � I mean you can produce an outstanding tune in an 'unprofessional' way with professional knowledge, and on the other hand people without skills can't produce anything even if they have a lot of money and the best studio equipment.

But yes, the more accessible of PCs, softwares and of course the internet changed drum and bass a lot in the last few years. It became an entirely worldwide movement with producers and DJs in every country, not only East Europe. If you're a producer everything is in your hand (and in your mind) now, DJ elitism is also nearly a thing of the past, you can burn a CD with tunes of your mates they've just finished and broadcast it on your netradio show the same day, back then it was all about cutting dubplates. So it's a good thing but need to mention it's a double edged sword: the scene can be easily diluted with too many mediocre music, not to mention the vinyl sales/internet/mp3 issue.

You're founder and co-editor of digital Impulse Creator Magazine. I noticed that it's profile is similar to British Knowledge Magazine. Have you inspired that hip-hop / breakbeat Mag when you were making Impulse Creator Magazine?

I would not say inspired by it's profile but maybe by it's goal � to create a comprehensive, up-to-date magazine which not only informs but moves the (local) scene. Besides the usual content (features, news, reviews, top tens, party calendar, etc) as a webzine it's important to create a community (forum, chat) but to make the most of the possibilities that internet gives aswell. We're doing it for seven years now and it's not easy as it's a non-profit thing. But there's always something we come up with, in 2004 and 2005 we promoted a series of gigs with international headliners and now we've just established the IPC ProFiles netlabel too. We run tings!

Impulse Creator was created to specific audience, for drum'n'bass listeners and fans for example. How are those sounds in Hungary? Is Impulse Creator widely read? I've talked with SKC and he told me that you have got many and often gigs with well-known drum'n'bass DJs and producers. It seems that drum'n'bass should popular in Hungary. However, how does it look like in general?

It is popular indeed. I think anyone who wants to get information regarding the scene read Impulse Creator, it's like a focus on the internet and a community center for both who 'act' for the scene (and not only dnb) and the audience. For over the years I think it's getting bigger and bigger, in terms of parties (there's an international, big name DJ playing nearly every week), it spreaded all around in the country (more foreigner headliners on the countryside too), and it's very popular among the youth � maybe that's why DJ's always love to come back here because it's still an enthusiastic crowd. On the other hand it's a new generation grew up on d&b and maybe there's less 'movement', and 'innovation' in the scene now than back then. The number of producers and DJ's is also increasing, there has been a lot of radioshows came up over the last years (besides Tilos and Pararadio shows I have to mention the mostly dnb webradio Torespont too). I've also told you about our producers and maybe I can hint something about a hungarian d&b label too. Watch this space!

You have very respectable Radio Tilos. It is very known in Hungary but in Poland also.

Radio Tilos - which started as a pirate radio in 1991 � had a very important role in the country's electronic music scene. One of the founders DJ Palotai (the 'father') and Cadik started to play jungle & dnb around 1996-97, also they brough us Ed Rush in '98 which party was a milestone. Meanwhile Tilos became the main and only station representing the new sounds. If there was no Tilos I'm sure our scene would be quite different now.

So Raiden form Estonia, Paul B & Electrosoul System from Russia, Cyb Orc from Ukraine, Sonic Saturation and duo CLS & Wax from Poland, Chris Su, SKC, Soulproof and you � you're the East's best-known drum'n'bass export. What do you have beside broken beats? I know Hungarian trip hop producer called Yonderboi but someone else?

Yonderboi is definitely one of the best-known hungarian artists, maybe I could mention others who had albums also at Mole Listening Pearls: Gabor Deutsch (as known as Anorganik on the d&b circuit), Anima Sound System, Marcel (aka Carmel, released an album on Bukem's Cookin' Records) and Lushlife Project. On the nu jazz/headz line Erik Sumo also released his debut album on Pulver Records, but I could mention Karanyi or Zagar. Our record label Chi Recordings is the most respectable in the international breaks cummunity..

Most of your tracks released in net-freeware version. I must admit that "The Public Diary" and "Empty Pages" are very fresh, unconventional and highly inspiring. Have their situation caused by no responsibility, method of auto-promotion of yourself or your faith in Internet?

These are not just tracks, that's the point. Both albums are made of tunes I know that normally could not release on labels for various reasons so I edited and remixed all of them and placed them in a bit autobiographical story. So the reason is pretty much both of you mentioned: I could go on a direction where ever I wanted to go without worrying about labels and DJ's, still I think it defines my sound well so it's a good way of promoting myself and to provide this music to people who are open-minded - for free.

Could you agree that Internet has the same position like satellite radio have had yet several years ago?

I can't really compare these. But for me satellite tv and radio were the first medium where I got in touch with electronic music and drum & bass. It seems everything is getting centralized and finding a new, common platform on the internet. It became the most important medium and is not only taking over the role of the satellite radio, but the papers and maybe the television also. But as for radios it definitely in the best position if you want to listen to d&b or whatever style that is under-represented in any other media.

Should producer be open-minded if he don't want loose flavour tones?

It's a complex question I think. In my opinion it does not really matter what the trends are in a specific style, what the top producers, DJ's and labels push. Of course it's inevitable to listen to others and it's very important to be inspired by some of them! Open-minded means a bit more. If you're open minded you must have the ability to listen to music without judging it by no any means and to filter it thru your own personality. I think being open-minded helps you to find your own sound, your own flavour tones as you said, 'cause without impressions you can't make anything out of nothing.

Did you loyalty to those values when you were making "Daytrip"? Open-minded like a global various? Think global act local?

I don't know, have not think about it like this. If the global various means the sound of the Covert Operations label and acting local means to be loyal to my personal views on music (which I think is more vivid), then I would say yes. When we - me and James (ASC) - discussed the album he already had a vision which tunes should be there and letting me fill the gaps and to arrange it in a context - connect the tunes and flavours like a journey. Comparing it to my other releases on different labels (like Fokuz, Nerve, Counter Intelligence or Flatline) is a bit different but if the listeners can find something common in my tracks I did my job well.

Sometime Blame has said, that: "drum'n'bass is a good music, it's a lot of different elements that people can relate to. They can into If they like hip-hop, if they like break beat, if you like house, techno what you ever like jazz - all those elements are there. And I feel that drum'n'bass is the most futuristic music (...)" Do you agree with this affirmation?

Absolutely. I think drum & bass is very special because it can be so versatile, and that's the beauty of it. Every subgenres has the common elements that defines the style but there's no rule, you can put any kind of influence and it still fits. But in general it's a good thing that you can see eclectic, fusioning music all around, that brings people together and also moves things forward. However I don't see it as the most futuristic music, it was groundbreaking some years ago. But meanwhile styles come and go and there always be some forward-thinking producers to drop something into the stagnant water.

download original, polish issue here

Empty Pages

"A man who keeps a diary pays,
Due toll to many tedious days;

But life becomes eventful-then,
His busy hand forgets the pen.
Most books, indeed, are records less
Of fulness than of emptiness."
William Allingham

(00:00) page 01 - theme
(07:12) page 02 - icr & sdd: smooth breakdown
(10:44) page 03 - self-saved
(12:44) page 04 - false light
(16:33) page 05 - chased as rainbows
(21:52) page 06 - changing lanes
(28:26) page 07 - so small
(30:33) page 08 - true what
(34:18) page 09 - walk with you
(37:29) page 10 - then just say goodbye
(40:37) page 11 - moody up
(43:19) page 12 - three some
(46:39) page 13 - night and day
(49:36) page 14 - melting point
(52:58) page 15 - (don't) have to be alone
(58:12) page 16 - miles and smiles
(62:49) page 17 - a leap of faith
(63:35) page 18 - uncertain end

http://www.drumandbass.hu/icr/emptypages/

Good Morning Sunshine

artist: ICR
title: Good Morning Sunshine
label: Taciturn
catalogue:
format: digital download
date: 02/2006
country: USA

tracklist:
1. Close By The Sun
2. The Rainbowchaser
3. Magic Man
4. Whales Of August

Void - Empyrean (ICR remix)

artist: Void
title: Empyrean (ICR remix)
label: Red Mist
catalogue: RMRDIG001
format: digital download
date: 02/2006
country: UK

Fill The Sky / Skanner

artist: ICR
title: Fill The Sky / Skanner
label: Nerve
catalogue: NERVE018
format: 12" vinyl
date: 01/2006
country: UK

info:

With past releases on labels as varied as Good Looking and Breakbeat Science, Hungarys ICR has made a name for himself delivering every subgenre of drum n bass. From the smoothest liquid funk to the heaviest roller. Here he drops two dancefloor killers on different sides of the dnb spectrum. "Fill the Sky" drops like a hammer onto a glass floor, pounding industrial-esque darkness which harks back to the golden 97/98 era of dnb. While "Skanner" on the flip takes a totally different turn. Crunchy techy beats lead proceedings under a dubby sub bass and vocal.

On The Line EP

artist: Soulproof
title: On The Line EP
label: Fokuz
catalogue: FOKUZ020
format: 2x12" vinyl
date: 11/2005
country: Netherlands

info:

Soulproof is a up & coming producer from Hungary who is gaining international fame at high speed. He's also known as being part of Mindscape, who released various releases on DSCI4, Moving Shadow, Hospital, BSE & coming neuro labels Spawn and Habit. Their Soulproof alias is much more musical and extremely rolling . 4 tracks each with a different angle. 'On The Line' is a amen driven funk fueled roller with tight beats and a very well know catchy vocal that grabs your attention. The '1 In A Million' is a rolling deep spaced out tune, with crsipy beast, wicked atmospheres and more of a techy vibe all over. 'Shelter' reminds you of "the sound of cambridge" late nite jazz sounds with funky uplifting broken beats. Just straight up wicked music !!! Last but not least is 'My Love' by Soulproof & ICR .. a totally chilled out tune, for those who like it deep and trancy.

tracklist:
A. Soulproof - On The Line
B. Soulproof - One In A Million
C. Soulproof - Shelter
D. ICR & Soulproof - My Love

Interview for Norvegian webzine

http://www.soundscaping.net/features/31/soundscaping-exclusive-an-interview-with-icr

Soundscaping exclusive: An interview with ICR

FEATURES» Published by trym on Nov 21, 2005

First and foremost, the personal details. Who is the guy behind ICR and what’s his background?

The guy behind ICR is Zoltan Gal, a 23 year-old single lad who lives with his parents and younger brother in a small town in Hungary. He studied information technology but works in the local community center. If you want to find out more about him, listen and read his Diary. (ICR’s seminal Public Diary album )

...and how did you get your artist name "ICR"?

After I got my first PC around 1997 my friend gave me a floppy with a program on it called Impulse Tracker. I started making rave and hardcore stuff and it was very obvious to use The ImpulseCreator as a producer name. One year later I stucked into jungle and drum & bass and started a website also known as The ImpulseCreator on my own but later as more and more people joined to the magazine I felt it was necessary to separate these two things so I just cut my name to ICR. I also made a couple early tracks as Filled Vapidity (a bit more harder dnb than my usual), Zahadum (experimental) and Ill Kid (hip hop) but was all in the tracker era so it’s not important. By the way my AIM is eatsayair which is how you would pronounce ICR if you were hungarian. :)

What are your music influences and how did you get into music-making?

I grew up on music television with all kind of pop music, then I focused on electronic dance music watching Maydays and Love Parades. My alternatives to get to know about the basics of the underground electronic scene were very limited so I havent really heard any drum & bass until I caught a german satellite radio station called Evo-Sonic. That was around 1997-98. I still have some tapes recorded, mixes from Bassface Sascha and others. I really enjoyed this new music so I started to dig deeper and a few months later I decided to start a webzine focusing on jungle. It was a long-term learning curve which led to the development of the country’s most respected dnb website and to the birth of an up and coming producer.

What are your creative influences, your music is innovative, energetic, dancefloor-oriented but also great for home listening. How do you set about writing your tunes?

Firstly I’m really happy you said its dancefloor-oriented, ‘cause usually I get criticism about it which I can accept as I’m not a party-goer. Writing tunes comes from a personal motivation for me. I never thought I want to make a big tune to smash the dancefloor or to sign it to a big label. I just try to express my feelings and drum & bass has such a wide choice of sounds to show happiness, sadness and every other emotion. So I wouldn’t say I have a certain influence or muse, I just want to make sincere music whether it is good or bad.

Your music spans several styles but often include an element of drum & bass as the main theme. Any thoughts on the drum & bass genre of today and where you see it going?

Referring to my previous answer… The best thing I like in drum & bass is variety. You can hear many kinds of music – like jazz, soul, funk, techno, dub, reggae, electronica, hip hop – specially filtered thru a common denominator that you can never get bored with. It’s almost fiteen years old and the subgenres are cycling every year so everybody can find his taste. But at the same time these styles are getting segregated and separated from each other – in terms of labels, producers, djs, and audience too – which I dont like. I think there should be room for everyone, ‘cause I think there are good and bad tunes in every subgenres. As for the distribution, I’m really curious to see how the new formats – digital downloads and cd’s – can get a bigger piece of the cake. Some labels and producers have to be on the peripheria without vinyl distribution so that could change the situation (but I doubt it would happen sooner than later).

Music aside, what else does Zoltan get up to in his busy life? (share some of your interests with us, please :))

Besides producing I spend a lot of my free time with music anyway – running our website, drumandbass.hu for the sixth year, sometimes also writing for printed magazines. So its natural that I’m a bit addicted to the Internet too. But as for interests besides music, I would say I like movies a lot, also comic books, sci-fi stories, and basketball. But my life isn’t busy at all so maybe I should do more freetime activities and producing less, haha.

Back in early 2005, you’d so far had only a few releases on Orgone, Basswerk, GLO, an ASC remix of your tune on Offshore and your free album "The Public Diary" released. Less than a year later, you’ve appeared in numbers on several prolific labels such as Covert Operations, Nerve, Fokuz, Nookie’s Strictly Digital, Exegene and many more plus you’ve got lots slated for release in the time to come. How do you feel about your change in "stature" and your rise on the scene?

I wish I could see this change but it’s not how it goes I think. I can’t see that logical progression which you can expect to have after you released on such labels as Breakbeat Science, Good Looking or Offshore. It’s really hard to find labels (and distributors!) these days to release drum & bass music with no bassline and no DJ-friendly buildup (irony). So I’m happy I got the chance to release limited vinyls and digital downloads, but without properly distributed 12"s how could I rise on the scene? Maybe with some of my forthcoming stuff I will do that next year!

"Daytrip", your first album release on cd/vinyl format, and Covert Operations’ debut album. How did the album come about and how do you feel about producing the first album for yourself and at the same time making Cov Ops’ debut on the LP format?

When I finished The Public Diary free album I sent it to a couple guys I know and James (ASC) was one of them. He really loved it but at that time he couldn’t put it out. Two months later he came up with the idea of a Covert Operations album with new material but the same way I did with Diary. It was only 2 months after I made my album so first I was a bit sceptic if I can make a new one so soon but since I had a bunch of tracks (3 of them already signed to the label) it was easy to put these together creating a nice story inserting some interludes. It’s not as personal and deep like I did with Diary but I’m very happy for it and that I made the first full length d&b album at Covert Operations. Also its the first d&b LP ever released by a hungarian producer so I guess I should be in the Guiness now. I only wish there would be a lot more people to buy it unless Cov Ops seem to be unable to put out more artist albums which would be a shame.

You run a community website for the Hungarian drum & bass scene. How has running the website helped your own career?

It definitely helps. During the years I’ve learned a lot about drum & bass and writing articles and doing interviews helps you to get in touch with labels and producers too. If you can see things not just from the producer point of view that makes you much more capable.

Do you play at events and what’s your best/strangest memory? Hungary is a bit peripheral to the major countries for DJ work (UK, US, Germany, France, Japan, etc). Depending on where you’ve played, how do you feel it’s affected your career?

Hehe, my favourite question. No I’m not DJing at all, never tried it. But it seems every producer has to be a DJ as well to promote his own stuff properly. I know that would help a lot to open some doors – also I already got some booking enquires – but I don’t think I will ever step behind the decks.

What is moving in Hungary at the moment? What do you think of the scene and how it’s evolved?

It’s getting bigger and better every year. We have internationally acclaimed producers, not just SKC, Chris Su, Tactile or Mindscape, but relatively new guys like Soulproof, Jade & Matt-U and Spinline also recently got big label signings. I think it has great potential, for example I’ve just discovered a new talent I?ve never heard of. Look out for the man Snaper, he makes the craziest, twisted beats in Hungary.

(btw, you can listen to the forthcoming hungarian tracks here)
The party life is also very intense and I would say busy. I’ve just counted it and this year has been about 100 internationally big name DJs played at Budapest (and in a few regional cities) so that makes about 2 big d&b parties every week. Our website is also promoting events and we’ve hosted Influx UK, Seba, Zero Tolerance, Big Bud, Macc, Kasra, TC1, Craggz & Parallel Forces, Equinox and 0=0 only this year.

What does the future hold for ICR? Any more collaborations, a second album in the works already (second in terms of releases on cd or vinyl format)?

As for collaborations maybe me and Matt-U of Soulproof put something together but we haven?t made anything since the stuff from our free album Soulshine. Currently there’s a soulful liquid tune in the works with hungarian DJ called Mentalien. But personally I would like to slow down a bit as I produced almost 40 tracks this year and fortunately I managed to sign a few of them. I have three singles coming out within weeks on Nerve (Fill The Sky/Skanner), Fokuz (My Love with Soulproof) and Fokuz Limited (It Could Have Been Me with Soulproof). I’ll kick off the next year with two heavier tracks on new US label Flatline Audio ‘Back 2 Front/Razor Blade Runner’ as cat no 003 (distributed by the good people of Nu Urban). I have forthcoming bits on Strictly Digital, Flatline, Thermal, Vibez, Synaptic Plastic and Red Mist – to be announced. I’m planning a new album as a follow up to The Public Diary with unreleased older music from me totally twisted out. It’s just an idea yet but look out for this non drum & bass journey next year. And maybe you’ll dont have to buy a ticket ;)

Any current or all-time top ten listings you’d share with us?

I never thought how hard this question can be when I asked it…

My all-time drum & bass top ten

1. Journey Into Drum & Bass Vol 2 CD
   One of the first d&b CDs I have with so many seminal moments.
2. Goldie – Mother
   I know its not an easy piece of music but one of the greatest for me musically.
3. Klute – Lie, Cheat & Steal CD
   Everything from Klute is emotionally top class, one of my ideal of producers
4. Pieter K – Everything All The Time
   Probably the most underrated artist around, love his album.
5. Adam F feat. Tracy Horn – The Tree Knows Everything
   One of the deepest vocal tracks I know. Also need to mention Circles.
6. Sci-Clone – Everywhere I Go (remix)
   The best thing that happened with jazz and drum & bass.
7. 4 Hero – Two Pages
   Soul in every sound.
8. Ed Rush & Optical – Wormhole
   Some new neurofunk heads should listen to it again and again carefully.
9. Dom & Roland (featuring Shanie) – Chained On Two Sides
   The master of darkness and deepness
10. Polar – Inside The Plot
    Hard to pick only one Polar as I love all his music. He’s very wise. And the list could go on…

Any last words to our readers? :)

Just want to thank you for the opportunity and for your interest! If you want to learn more check out my website ICR’s artist website

We cannot recommend ICR’s albums highly enough, both the free Public Diary album (which you’ll find the URL to further up in the interview) as well as his debut album on Covert Operations.

That and other ICR tunes may be purchased from Technological Groove online record shop .

Look out for more tunes by this talented producer in 2006 and also featuring on the forthcoming subscription series from Covert Operations and Testflight Recordings.