Planet Of The Greats | blk.
With an emerge of new Irish talent gracing the techno and dance scene over recent years, there’s only a handful of DJs and producers who have broken down international barriers and represent our green isle with pride on foreign grounds.
Tipperary-born producer and artist, blk., is one of these greats who has impacted the sound of music with his heavy hitting beats, and his ability to drive any crowd into an absolute frenzy. His list of hits, including Enter The Dragon, In Effect, and remixes of B.O.T.A, have graced the booths at Life Festival, sold out All Nighters in Index, Teletech, and international clubs such as Fabric London. The list is never ending!
We joined the Reboot family at the Big Top pop-up in the Red Cow, Dublin, to experience the blk. effect first hand and had the pleasure of customising his fit for the sold out event. Dressed in an up-cycled cargo utility vest and trousers with personalised logos, we caught up on his first track ever produced, the Irish club scene, and his goals for 2023.
Photo by Michale Cameron Hunter
Tell us about your musical background. How did you get into production and at what point did you realise music is what you wanted to pursue as a career?
My Dad owned a record store in Limerick in the 90s, so I was always around music and equipment growing up. I started to to make music when I was 16 purely out of fun and the love I have for it. One of my friends produced and I had him introduce me to the programme and how to navigate it. When I played my first show in September 2022 up in Sligo, this was the first point when I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. Before this, a career in music was always something that seemed impossible or out of my grasp, I always struggled on what I wanted to do with myself.
What was the first track you produced? What feedback would you give yourself back then when you listen back now?
The first track I ever produced and released was a track called ‘exttra’. If I could talk to myself and give myself feedback I would probably tell myself to be more true to me. I made deep house tracks because I thought it was the hype around then. I’ve always loved early hardstyle and hard techno but at that point I never tried to make it because I thought no one would listen.
How would you describe your own style of music? Do you think it’s important for a producer to have versatility within their sound?
I would describe my sound as hard hitting , fast paced and club oriented. I definitely think it’s good to have versatility in your productions but you should only make what you want to make and not what someone expects of you. There’s no problem in making music in the same genre for all of your music career.
When it comes to software, what would be your program of choice? Mastering a track is just as important as the flow and the sound, would you agree?
My programme of choice would be FL Studio 20. It’s the first programme I ever used and I’m so accustomed to it now, I live and die by it. Mastering is definitely very important, it ensures your music sounds its best and gives the track that boom it needs for dance floors.
Tell us about some of your favourite career moments so far? You’ve travelled around the world playing some of the best clubs, are there any highlights that you still find surreal?
Some of my favourite moments from the journey so far have to be Electric Picnic, Teletech All Night Long & all my Belfast & Scotland gigs. Every gig I’ve done holds a special place with me, these are just my personal highlights. That Electric Picnic set was the most surreal to me. So many people came to see me and to have all my family and friends there too made it super special.
We can’t keep up with the amount of events on at the moment, not just in Dublin but around the country. How do you feel about the Irish club scene at the minute?
I feel like our scene is getting so much bigger and better as we go on. We’ve produced and continue to produce some amazing artists as a country and we have a great amount of collectives putting on stellar nights week in week out. A special shout-out to everyone at Reboot Events, Index/Here&Now Dublin, Research, Slither, OnABumble & many more.
Tell us about your recent event BLK & Friends in The Big Top pop-up in Dublin? Is this your first event to run?
The blk. Invites @ The Big Top was absolutely incredible. all the acts smashed it & everyone came out ready to dance. While I had a hand in it and shaped it conceptually none of it would have been possible without the Reboot Events Team. They’re so dedicated to throwing amazing events and I appreciate all the massive work they put in everyday.
You’re a part of the Reboot family. How long has this relationship been going and how did it develop? It’s a solid collective!
We came in contact a couple years ago. I was producing tracks for their first VAs, we grew closer and decided to get an EP out. Soon after they invited me to their agency and we’ve had a family bond ever since. A little bit over a year ago they gave me my first proper gig and ever since we’ve done countless shows along side each other. Reboot 4 L.
There are so many new artists popping up at the moment. Are there any Irish producers coming up that have grabbed your attention?
Some of my favourite up and coming Irish producers right now are Dylan Fogarty, Mav666, NAT TYPE & DUNCEKAP. These guys are smashing it with the productions and are consistently releasing heat.
What advice would you give to young talent wanting to break into rotation in the club and production scene?
My advice would be to keep getting your music out there, make what you want to make and don’t follow trends. Don’t feel disheartened if it doesn’t happen straight away, I myself produced for 5 years before I broke into any scene. Make your music out of love and not expectation.
You’ve accomplished so much in 2022. What are your goals for the new year? What’s on your bucket list?
My goals are to just keep making good music, putting on amazing shows and to just get on good at every gig. Breaking into the europe scene is definitely something I want to do and I’m looking forward to everything the new year holds and appreciate every single person that attends any of my shows or supports me in anyway. You are all amazing!
Follow @blk.luvs.u on Instagram.
Linktree blk.
Follow us on Instagram
Following up with our iD series, we chat to the one and only Tamisya. Born and raised in North Dublin, our native DJ has set fire to the turntables with her recent sets and mixes. We chat everything motherhood and the balance of work and home life.