Artist Profile – Miss Medik – (UK)
Some time ago we announced the arrival of a brand new contributor going by the name of Miss Medik. Quite a few months have rolled by since then, and for one reason or another introducing her properly has taken some time to make happen, but now she’s here, with a full interview and is ready to rock and roll.
We hope you’ll be seeing her name pop up on the site from time to time and take this opportunity to fully welcome her into the INSIDE DNB family!
Miss Medik! Welcome in!
You’re a writer and have had quite a lot of work published elsewhere. Tell us a bit about some of your previous work?
I love to write about things that interest me, and I write about things from a fresh perspective. I write a lot about neurodivergence as I have diagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome and am starting to meet a lot of other people in the drum and bass world who are neurodivergent too.
It was this love of words that presumably bought you to my inbox? I was over the moon to hear from you and to know you were interested in joining the team (or me, as I am basically the team!).
Yes I think that was it. I love the drum and bass community, it’s full of friendly people, and I think we got to know each other through that network. Then we must have discovered we were both writers.
That’s right! I have discovered that ‘people like us’ tend to have a funny way of finding each other!
As well as the written word, you produce music too. Tell us a bit about your production story?
I am a classical musician and used to write a lot of classical compositions when I was younger. When I was in college, I learned a little bit of music production in 2007 and I learned how to DJ on vinyl in 2005, but then other bits in life took over and I didn’t do anything else in terms of production. I have always attended raves though, since about 2005. When I went sober a few years ago I discovered a new love for drum and bass and started my production journey after taking up DJing.
Liquid is clearly an obvious choice for you, as you are fluent on Flute and Piano, and have a number of music theory qualifications too?
My mum is a piano and singing teacher and the whole family is musical, so it’s always been a part of life. I have grade 8 flute, grade 6 piano, and grade 6 music theory (although I struggle to remember much of what I learned now). Drum and bass became the love of my life when I was 16, so when I discovered liquid, which blends classical and DNB, I felt I’d found my place in the world.
Your mum must have been highly influential while you were growing up in that atmosphere then?
Yes, very much so. My sisters are very musical, and my dad is too. When we were young, we used to do family concerts, and even now at Christmas we do a lot of musical bits and choir in the community.
So, does this mean you were exposed mostly to classical music as a youngster, or were there other musical styles to be heard around the house?
Mostly classical music when I was younger, although my dad loves older bands like Queen and Dire Straits. Plus, Mum has always performed in or directed musicals, so musical theatre has always been a big part of my life. I am highly inspired by film scores too, particularly Hans Zimmer.
With regards to creating music then, whereas a lot of producers might hear a sample or a sound they want to use, do you instead create a musical melody and work backwards?
That’s exactly right! I generally begin with a piano chord pattern on my full-length electric piano which I can midi up to my DAW. Then I create the other parts around that. I’ve tried other ways but it never comes as naturally to me as beginning with a chord pattern or piano score. I’m really starting to get into orchestral DNB production, so I’ve been writing scores with strings/woodwind/brass etc. I love it, but it’s a whole load of music theory, and like I said earlier, I struggle to remember everything from my exams as I took them about sixteen years ago.
I struggle to remember what I had for breakfast, but I’m curious. Does being a musician make you more critical, or should I say more selective when listening to drum and bass music?
I wouldn’t say so. Although I struggle with jump up, so perhaps it does inadvertently. I suppose because I’m a musician, that probably led me to liquid DNB, but I love to DJ all genres of DNB and am always bopping around to different genres around the house and in the van.
You have a BTec in music too. Was that more of a production focused course, and did it help you with the technical aspect of making music?
It was more of a performance course than anything. I did learn a small amount of music production but it was mostly playing music and singing in bands for performance based marks.
Ah, I see. Sound interesting still though!
Although you’ve been producing for around two years, you’ve been raving for a much longer time?
Yes, I’ve been raving since I was sixteen, so for 17 years. Even before I went sober, I used to rave sober because it felt so much like home. Raves make me feel free and like I belong.
So tell us what being a DNB raver means to you. What it is about the music that you love so much?
I can’t say exactly what it is, there’s just something about the 174 BPM that makes me unable to stay still. I couldn’t dance to anything else sober, only DNB. The community in drum and bass is also amazing, people want the best for you and everyone is kind and friendly at raves (most of the time), which is rare to see in those sorts of environments where there is a lot of alcohol/drugs.
You’ve mentioned you’re DJ, and you play a wide range of styles under the DNB umbrella. What would you say are your favourites, and why?
I like to do mixes that use all genres, as well as doing mixes of just one specific genre. It depends where it’s going or what it’s for. For example, I’m currently putting together an orchestral DNB guest mix. As it’s for the radio/YouTube, I’ve a lot more freedom to do the kind of thing I would want to hear, as well as play a lot of my own music. However, at the kind of raves I get booked for, I would need to add in a lot more dancefloor and neurofunk. I absolutely love the high energy DNB too, it’s so fun to mix and jump around to, so I don’t think I could choose just one sub genre for life.
You state your sobriety as an important part of who you are. Is that something you’d like to share?
Yes, I spent over a decade of my life as an addict/alcoholic, and I’m so grateful to now be sober. 2 years off drugs and 6 years off booze. Without drum and bass, I wouldn’t have a purpose the way I do now. When I was drinking/drugging I had no purpose and didn’t enjoy anything sober. I still struggle to socialise sober. Asperger’s particularly affects people’s social abilities.
But being at a rave sober makes me feel euphoric, as though I am intoxicated. Somehow, I am able to socialise for longer at a rave. I guess because it’s my biggest interest, the passion keeps going for hours. But I will then need a few days away from all humans to make up for the extended socialising (haha).
Yes! I understand this completely! Recharging those social batteries is so important!
One of the things I thought was really interesting was that you’d like to convert a van into a studio and tour the UK making music. This sounds like a whole heap of fun! Tell where this idea came from?
I’m excited you brought this up because I have bought a van and am picking it up tomorrow! I’m so excited. I think the freedom of being on the road with no responsibilities is what has inspired me to want this. My brain is cluttered with useless information (as is everyone’s), but living in a van with no ‘home’ is very appealing. I also travel so much for DJ gigs/raves/music opportunities that I was beginning to feel like I lived in hotels.
I knew I needed a van to be able to continue with this career as I need a space that’s my own everywhere I go, otherwise I get so overwhelmed I am unable to function. So, the van means I am going to be at my absolute best most of the time, with the ability to recharge anytime I need. Also, nature inspires my music, so what could be more perfect than living in a van?
So, moving onto your involvement with the site now, what are your plans for the future? I’m pretty open to ideas, and there are so many people I’d like to talk to and learn more about that there just isn’t enough hours in the day!
I would love to meet more people with neurodivergence and disabilities, as it’s lovely to find people who you have things in common with. I would also love to hear from anyone interested in orchestral drum and bass as it seems to be quite niche right now.
And tell us, what are your plans regarding releasing music over the next 12 months?
Oh wow, just to make as much as is humanely possible. My current goal is to get a release on Keeno Music. I will be releasing my first EP soon on Interstellar Audio, which I’m so excited about. My next booking is December 14th at Cosies in Bristol for Full Spectrum. I’d love to get involved in a few more festivals next summer too. If you want to follow my van journey I will be posting bits of music production in the van on my Instagram.
All amazing things!!!!!!!!!!
We’re absolutely buzzing to have you on board, and look forward to seeing what you present to the world!
BIG UP!
FIND OUT MORE HERE:
Miss Medik (@missmedik.dnb) • Instagram photos and videos
The Final Piece [FREE DOWNLOAD] in Miss Medik FREE DOWNLOADS (soundcloud.com)
Stream Miss Medik music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud
