Exclusive Interview With NuBass

Michael Sparks and NuBass have released their collaborative new record which is out now on Spinnin Records. We spoke with NuBass regarding the origin of this collaboration, as well as his packed summer schedule and some other fun stuff.

Who is NuBass?

I’m NuBass, a 24 year old producer based here in London, UK and have been making music for much of my life. I generally produce Bass House/UK Bass as I like to call it releasing on labels such as Spinnin Records, Night Bass and my own called The Archives. I’ve been lucky enough to travel around the world to play some incredible shows over the last years especially, recently just having got back from an Australia/New Zealand tour which was incredible!

Describe your sound in five words.

Dark, gritty, powerful, bouncy, dynamic

What inspired “Magic Carpet,” your upcoming release with Michael Sparks on Spinnin Records?

I’d say it takes a lot of Middle Eastern influences which are very different to both of our sounds and resulted in something unique and pushing a new sound forward. Don’t think anyone would expect us to make a track like this but i’m so happy with the outcome and very excited for it’s release on Spinnin Records!

How did the collaboration with Michael Sparks and Spinnin Records come about?

This has been planned for a long time between Michael and I since he appeared on each other’s radar. We’ve been friends for a long time and managed to meet last year here in London. We share the same mentality with music, that it should be heavy, unique and powerful. “Magic Carpet” actually started as one of his demo tracks which just had a general drop idea and drums which I took on to add my own sounds, further drums and musical elements to complement the original idea. The vocals were the last piece of the puzzle and are actually his voice!

What’s the story behind the collaboration with AC Slater and Kaleena Zanders on “Lose My Mind“?

Now that one came about in quite an unexpected way! It was originally a demo track I made where I took elements of Missy Elliott’s classic song called “Lose Control” and gave it a NuBass spin. It had actually been going down in my sets really well but knew deep down it was probably a wasted track without being able to release it. AC and I have been speaking about doing a collaboration on a track for many years and he hit me up asking to have a go working on it. He added his own elements and enlisted the help of Kaleena Zanders who instantly understood what it needed. So happy with how it’s gone down!

If you had to introduce someone to Bass music, what five tunes would you play them?

I think I would reach more towards what got me into music originally at the age of 16 or so with some newer bangers:

What is your favorite club to DJ at, considering your packed summer schedule in Japan, NZ, and Czech Republic?

It’s so hard to pick one club but one that really sticks out to me recently was last week in Perth, Australia. It was a venue called The Rechabite, a big venue with two levels of balconies going all around and the promoters decided to do a 360 “Boiler Room” styled setup. It was the first time doing a set like this and I just loved the interaction you could get with the crowd – generally speaking the crowds over there were great, really engaged with the music and had high energy. We filmed the whole thing from multiple angles as well so think it’s being uploaded soon!

If you could only listen to one Bass DJ for the rest of your life, who would it be?

I mean it has to be Chris Lorenzo for me, he inspired me into Bass music and still to this day is at the top of the game. He has all sorts of styles as well from heavy bass thumpers, tech house, disco, etc so wouldn’t get bored!

Which producer has recently caught your eye, making you think a collaboration would sound amazing?

I think he’s on everyone’s radar from talking to other producers at the minute but Knock2 is just setting levels with his stuff at the minute. Some of his tracks are quite reminiscent of my sounds too which would make a collaboration really incredible I think!

What’s in the pipeline for NuBass?

Release wise, “Magic Carpet” is my next release, coming out on the 4th August 2023 on Spinnin Records. From there on, I have a few tracks coming out with Night Bass, etc. My ongoing project has been leading towards creating my first album though so that’s the priority!

As you say, my tour schedule is fairly busy at the moment, whether that be playing here in the UK or abroad with Japan and Canada next up on my calendar. Really excited to play in Japan for the first time and experience the country! I did a few shows in Canada last year too and they blew me away with how good they were, been dying to come back since!