kinetic mix 036: 5RVZ "chopped and screwed"
Ahead of his debut EP on kinetic, 5RVZ showcases his unique and adventurous approach behind the decks for our 36th podcast
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To celebrate his debut EP 'Trench' releasing on our label, Amsterdam based London born 5RVZ steps up for our 36th podcast with a mix that perfectly showcases his unique and adventurous approach behind the decks.
A moody, atmospheric mix that traverses slow and sludgy sounds, blended together in a way which feels more like a live performance than a DJ set - IYKYK and if not then get ready to meet your new favourite DJ.
name / pronouns / where do u live
Raj / he/him / Amsterdam based (London raised!)
tell us about the concept of this mix
“Screwed & Chopped” (or Chopped & Screwed) is a distinctive sub-genre of Hip-Hop that originated in Houston, Texas, created by DJ Screw. This remixing technique involves slowing down the tempo of the music to create a unique sound. Inspired by this concept, I’ve applied the same principle to a different genre, transforming tracks with an original BPM of around 170 to a more laid-back 100 BPM.
This approach embodies the essence of Hip-Hop: reimagining and remixing existing material to fit a new context. I’m a hip-hop kid at heart, I have a monthly hip-hop show (called “Beats, Rhymes & Life”) on Amsterdam’s Echobox Radio. As much as I can, I like to highlight the importance of hip-hop and the undeniable (massive) influence it has had on modern music, art, fashion and culture. The art of DJing—blending two records together—traces its roots to Hip-Hop, and without it, the evolution of dance music would be unrecognisable.
how have past environments influenced your sound and approach to music?
I use music as a tool for self-exploration, it’s through making music I embark on inward journeys. I can spend hours getting lost in a 16 bar loop, allowing the repetition to draw me deeper into a meditative, trance-like state. This is the reason I got so obsessed with techno and minimal music – the use of only a few elements in a highly repetitive manner, draw you into a hypnotic groove. For me, it’s a profound connection to something greater and deeper, far beyond the typical party atmosphere. I’m that guy who stands in a dark corner of a club with his eyes closed getting completely lost in it
I am of Sikh, Panjabi background and Panjab has a very rich musical heritage. In the Sikh faith, much of our sacred text is written and arranged methodically to music. The religion is centred around meditation, I am not a practicing Sikh, but I guess subconsciously there is a need and desire for ego-transcendence, and for me this is achieved through the music I make, play and listen to. Music becomes a pathway to deeper connection and understanding. So I say my background heavily influences my approach to music, but not in the conventional sense where I use Panjabi samples, sounds or instruments.
I got into dance music and techno quite late in life (in my mid-20’s), before that I was your typical South-Asian West London boy; into rap, grime, Panjabi music, UKG, UK Funky, I dabbled in a bit of dubstep and jungle/d&b, but that’s as far as it went. Approaching music production now, there’s a part of me that still appeases the West London in me. It’s deep, experimental music, but it still slaps enough for the “boyz from the endz” to pump in their cars with their sub-woofers.
you recently released your debut EP via our label, can you tell us a little bit more about your approach to producing and how this EP came about?
This EP is a deeply personal reflection of who I am. It captures my essence and combines the diverse sounds and genres that influence me. While it clearly shows my passion for techno, it also reveals my roots and background and the fact I come from the endz. I believe my perspective is quite unique; few, if any, people from my area/environment are into techno, let alone create music influenced by it.
I’ve been making music for about seven years now, and it took me a long time to figure out my own distinct sound. I always envisioned my first release to embody me; London, Sikh, Panjabi, Hip-Hop, Grime, Drum & Bass, Techno, Minimal, Amsterdam, Dubstep. In my head I always knew what I wanted the end result to sound like, but I never forced it, I just kept on making tunes until the stars kind of aligned, and the universe gave me this collection of five tracks that seamlessly come together, perfectly capturing my vision.
Making music is a very introspective and meditative experience for me, I try not to think too hard about what I’m doing and just let things flow. To achieve this flow, I need to be in the right mental space, often disconnecting from the outside world. So I go through phases where I retreat from social interactions and focus intensely on making tunes, allowing my creativity to fully take over.
The EP really started taking shape at the end of 2023, and I played demo versions of the tracks to Dj wiggles earlier this year. She loved them and even opened her closing set at a Future Intel party with the first track from the EP (“Blacked Out”). A few weeks later she reached out to ask if I wanted to be the first Kinetic release. I felt honoured, it all happened so naturally and organically. It’s been such a wholesome experience, massive shout out to Jasmine for all her hard work and bringing the project to life!
we’ve seen you DJ quite a few times and you have a very considered and unique approach to it. Can you tell us a little bit about how you learnt to DJ / what inspired you & any tools or mantras you apply to it?
I’m a self-taught DJ. I got a pair of CDJs + mixer about 7 years ago. My style of DJ’ing is basically a result of spending endless hours in the basement of De School. I was captivated by countless DJ’s in that space over the years. I devoted time to listening with intent, observing from behind the DJ booth, analyzing their techniques. Then going home experimenting and trying to figure out on my mixer how they were making certain sounds or rumbles. What emerged from this process is my own interpretation of techno mixing techniques but applying them to different styles of music. E.g. UK music. I mix drum & bass with the same precision and layering as Berghain-style techno. I do a lot of layering, especially with bass lines, using 3 CDJ’s.
what’s a party / club you haven’t been to but you’d like to?
Bassiani in Tbilisi.
a local party or club you’d like to big up?
The Omen Wapta Weekend parties at Garage Noord. Since DS closed this is the only party that gets me out of the house.
a local DJ you’d like to big up?
Seb H. the vinyl-only legend based in Rotterdam. People need to get to know the levels! If Dozzy and Nobu had a love child from Essex = Seb.
what was your latest (positive) clubbing experience?
“Het Einde” – the De School closing party in January 2024. I’ve been visiting De School regularly since 2016, I went there the first month it opened. So I’ve witnessed all the phases of that legendary club, and this was quite possibly the best party I ever went to at DS!
the last mix you listened to?
Nawaz – Rhiza Semar mix series. This guy is one of my favourite DJ’s. This mix is for a new Dutch Label run by Hitam. It is so sick. Highly recommend it! I think he’s got a few of his own unreleased productions in there too. Levels!
the last album you listened to?
Potter Payper – Training Day 3. Classic shit, he is such a G.
the last gift you received?
A bottle of Hennessy.
your favourite experience DJing so far?
Playing for Decadance at the Skatecafe in Feb 2024. They had programmed the small 100 cap. room in the venue. And it went off! They gave me the freedom to fully flex and I didn’t hold back, 170 BPM mayhem. The energy in the room was insane! There’s a little snippet video on my Instagram reels.
your dream gig?
Dekmantel Selectors – closing the Voodoo Stage or playing the Pit at Draaimolen. I can’t pick between the two right now. But I would love to absolutely tear them both up.
a life changing DJ set you’ve witnessed?
There are definitely too many to name, I’ve had some very deep life changing techno-induced experiences on dance floors over the years. But one I’d like to mention now, is a set that changed my musical perspective, rather than changed my life. In 2020, I heard Woody92 and Spekki Webu close the Voodoo stage at Dekmantel Selectors – this set had a profound effect on how I view techno music and song structures. The style of techno they play and the way in which they play is so unconventional. Glitchy rhythms, constant rolling bass lines, not your usual builds and drops, it just sounds so interesting!
what’s your favourite city to party in?
Amsterdam, always. Ticks so many boxes. There’s a sense of freedom you just don’t get in so many other places. No time restrictions, no sound restrictions, chilled crowd and I can smoke bare weed legally.
summarise this mix in three words
Introspective. Groovy. Gangsta.
kinetic mix 036: 5RVZ “screwed and chopped”
You can listen to & pre-order 5RVZ ‘Trench’ EP from our bandcamp :)
Coming up from us…
You can catch 5RVZ playing at our label launch party at Spanners next friday (27th September) alongside Mexican producer Andy Martin, Caroune, Max Q & Dj wiggles.
Music starts from 9PM and finishes at 3AM so come down early for some fancy drinks & good tunes and celebrate with us. We’ve sold 3/4 tickets already so if you want to come get a ticket asap!
We will also be celebrating our 2nd birthday at the end of October, announcement coming very soon but you can get a sneak peak of the line up & grab yourself a ticket here 🤫🤫🤫
Dj wiggles <3