The Intro
Silent Code are the combined forces of Aliina Mayes (Miss Represent) and Dean Prat, a duo that seem to push out more content in a month than your average producer. Inspired and influenced by the likes of Trace, Ed Rush & Optical, Bad Company and Die to name a few, this hard hitting combo combine the vibes of years gone by with forward thinking production.
Your most recent Youtube crate digging videos will no doubt prove popular with the Jungle community, did these inspire you to produce more tracks based around the sounds of some of your favourite tunes from the 90’s? Can you tell us what inspired you to produce these videos?
We just like to have fun. The mixes are just literally “dustin’ off the vinyl” and great music needs to be shared. The best way is on a webcam mix! If it makes us feel good and it’s fun we’re on it. We have grown with the change from Jungle to Jungle Drum and Bass, so having good memories and trying to take the elements we enjoy forward is something we probably subconsciously do everyday, but as for producing more tracks around our favourite tunes? Every track we make is for a reason. East Star, we saw a shooting star on the East coast. Don’t Give Up represents to keep pushing which was relevant at that point. Engaged, we got Engaged.
How do you see the whole social media phenomenon playing its part going forward? It’s crazy to think that going back to the early days of Jungle a tracks popularity would be determined on how many listens and likes it would get.
We just think it’s a natural progression of technology. 20 years ago, people would drive hundreds of miles distributing vinyl themselves to selected record shops. The record shops have depleted now due to the accessibility and cost of music online. So the internet plays a massive part. Social media is part of the internet, so you can either work with it and use it to your advantage or work against it. We don’t have a crystal ball, so who knows what the future holds. All we know is that vinyl, to us, still holds a lot of sentimental and physical value. So our latest DJ SS Black Remix was an honour, and it’s doing really well on online charts, so well that it will now see a vinyl release, which in todays market is an amazing achievement in itself. So popularity can be a good thing online.
Talking about your recent remix of DJ SS’s Black - this has caused quite a controversy online, what are your thoughts on this? Is the forthcoming vinyl release important to you?
It’s not been as bad as it could have been, but it’s to be expected, not everyone will love what you do. It’s a classic. You can expect it’s going to upset people if it’s their favourite tune. Remixes are one of the hardest things to do. We could of either kept it very similar, and updated the track or done what we did, and did it our way. If the person who originally produced the track, likes our version, on the first time he heard it, why would we do it differently?
Do you have any other favourites on Formation Records?
Endless. It’s one of our favourite labels. We both have endless copies of Formation Vinyl. DJ SS is a legend.
On the subject of the internet, I know you use Drum & Bass Arena’s Forum from time to time. Do you still see sites like these as relevant?
Of course. It’s full of Junglists! Any online community of Jungle Drum and Bass heads is relevant. Opinions are relevant. People are relevant.
Silent Code have worked with The Ragga Twins in the studio, how was this experience? Did you share any studio hints and tips with each other?
We know the Ragga Twins from playing out on past European and UK gigs, and as friends. So having people you know around is always a pleasurable and fun experience. More reason to work with people you know because it’s comfortable. They are incredibly professional, we had the vocals done and laid out in 2 hours. You’re not re taking vocals over and over because they can nail it in one session. Exactly how we all wanted it, and the end result was achieved. Regarding sharing tips, we didn’t get into production, just did the vocals, ate, I (Aliina) burnt pizza and laughed.
The August top 10 Silent Code provided for Trackitdown.net is a quite a mixed bag - was it difficult to choose considering the amount of tunes being released every day?
No it took about 10 minutes. We both agree on things quite quickly, and we both share the same tastes in music. One of our favourite tunes is Capone’s Friday, and music is something we share every day together so picking a top 10 is easy for us.
Some of the great event promoters of the 90’s such as Roast, Jungle Mania, Dreamscape and Desire have all made a comeback over the last few years. Did you experience any of the events first hand?
We never knew each other back in the 90’s but we both laugh because we went to the same raves and never met. We went to several Dreamscapes and Helter Skelters, and a few other raves. It’s great memories and comforting to know we both had those experiences and danced under the same roof. One love and unity and all that.
If you had to choose one producer from the early to mid 90’s to collaborate with, who would it be and why?
DJ SS and fingers crossed this is in the pipeline. He has been around since day. He has made a wide variety of Jungle and Drum and Bass. We think we could learn a lot, and he has a lot of valuable experience. Most of all he gave us an opportunity and a chance and we respect that.
Can you tell us about your all time favourite Jungle tune and the memories it holds?
Sweet Love by M-Beat.
Jo R Type.
Memories are unforgettable.
