If you’ve ever dreamt about taking a trip to the UK to attend a rave in an underground bomb shelter, today is your lucky day. Save the money on that plane ticket and press play on our latest guest mix. UK bass mastermind Rohaan drags us into the darkness for 30 minutes of halftime, drum and bass and experimental madness. In case you’re unfamiliar, Rohaan has been slaying the bass scene for the past few years dabbling across multiple genres and landing releases with Jadū Dala, Circus, Quality Goods Records, Deadbeats and more. His latest EP Only Carbon which drops on SATURATE at the end of the month has him at his grittiest. The guest mixes provides a preview of what to expect from the EP. As for our interview, we discuss the upcoming project, his plans for the year, Game Of Thrones vs. Westworld and more.
How have you been? What’s got you excited lately?
Very grateful for the life I’m leading recently :) I’m doing a lot more stuff behind the scenes in the industry now. Currently making a film score for an entire feature film while trying to also balance making another EP…but shhhh. Suuuuuper excited to be pushing this new music out!! I’m sitting on my best music right now.
I grew up with DnB and electronic music as my Mum absolutely loves it.
Your upcoming EP Only Carbon is predominantly halftime & DnB what lead you into this direction?
I personally have always been that way. I grew up with DnB and electronic music as my Mum absolutely loves it. Also my entire friendship group are passionate about it. Manchester is thriving on DnB and has been for so so long. So just channeling that passion into my sound. I just see so much authenticity in the sound.
Where does the title Only Carbon come from?
I’m fascinated about AI and intuitive AI, go Google some videos on intuitive AI, it’s so crazy! I’m suuuper excited that we are alive at the same time as all this is happening, humans are really pushing robotics and machinery.
This EP is about the darker side of that, where an AI becomes conscious and full circle. It’s how we are so fragile as a species, this AI has seen a way to take control and its pursuit and anger has been portrayed in this EP
Did you make project knowing it would be for SATURATE or did you decide it needed to be on SATURATE once you made it?
Great question! I had been talking to SATURATE for a while and they mentioned they would love to have me on board for an EP release. From there I was able to lock focus on an end goal and set myself deadlines. Was a big learning experience.
I’m heading back out to Berlin again to work on more music with Yunis which is going to be a game changer for me. Just more focused than ever…
You recently tweeted “things are finally starting to fall into place.” Can you expand on this a bit? Why do you feel this way now?
I feel that a lot of the work I’ve been putting in is starting to make sense now and a lot of loose ends are being tied up! I’m heading back out to Berlin again to work on more music with Yunis which is going to be a game changer for me. Just more focused than ever and after this EP release I have an arsenal of sound ready for you all.
It seems like there’s a crew of new UK producers that are all banding together (you, Laxcity, Duke & Jones, Duskus, etc.) Is this a fair assessment? What’s the relationship like between you all?
Hahah yea very fair assessment! Duskus now lives with me in Manchester, Duke & Jones are only 30 mins away and Laxcity in the city next door! We are a close knit group now and we’ve all been working on some moves for the past year or so. Amazing to be surrounded with these people as we all can help each other in different ways.
Every now and again we all end up under the same roof at the same time, I’m sure you will see it on my Insta at some point.
I’d been pumping out sooo many collabs the past 2 years I really want to focus on my own sound and get people in touch with my own skill set.
I’ve heard you’re on a no collab diet. Is there something that you prefer about working alone?
Yea only for now though! Just I’d been pumping out sooo many collabs the past 2 years I really want to focus on my own sound and get people in touch with my own skill set. So fewer collabs and many many more singles!
Game of Thrones or Westworld?
Westworld hands down because it was so immaculately consistent! GoT bloody died for me in that last episode. It’s become so Hollywood and so far away from its original integrity. But Westworld is sooo immersive.
If your guest mix was a painting what would it look like?
The first thing that springs to mind is not a painting but the forward thinking clothes designer ‘Iris Van Herpen’ Google their dress designs and then watch my mix haha. Perfect blend.
Tracklist
1. Rohaan & Bonnema – Bigfoot
2. Rohaan – ID
3. Rohaan – ID
4. Lewis James – Ferro (edit with Fixate)
5. Fixate – Rickety Cricket
6. Deft x Tehbis x Touchy Subject – Sesame street
7. Rohaan – ID
8. Rodigan Speech cut
9. ID – ID
10. CRIMES! – ID
11. Fixate & Skeptical – The Big Monkey
12. Enai – The Process (ft. DRS)
13. Mefjus- Together (Signal Remix)
14. Noisia – Tentacles
15. Mefjus – Uneasy ( Break Remix)
16. Rohaan & Acaer – ID
17. Krischvn – Brainwash
18. Sheck Wes – Mo Bamba (BeauDamian Edit)
19. Slum Village – Fall In Love (Moody Good Remix)
20. Cesco – Drones
21. Noisia & Phace – Program (AWE Remix)
22. Rohaan & Rome In Silver – ID
