RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE

New Zealand DnB Mixing Competition

The 2020 grand final has concluded, and the 13th national champion has decided.

3 Regional Championships occured in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. The regional winner and runnerup from each region qualified to compete at the national grand final, hosted in Christchurch.

Rumble In The Jungle Homepage

NATIONAL FINALS

Christchurch | HIDE

Finalists each had 15 minutes to showcase their mixing talents. This years final was hosted in Christchurch, at Hide club.

View Full Gallery

Azifm Interview.

Where are you from, and how long have you been mixing?

I’m from Christchurch, New Zealand and I reside out of North Canterbury. I’ve been mixing for roughly 4 years now.

How did you hone your mixing skills leading up to R.I.T.J, did you do anything in particular to prepare yourself?

All in all i didn’t do much practice, for the regionals I didn’t plan or practice once. I never do with any of my sets I just like to turn up and get in the zone. For the finals I planned a 10 minute set, which to my horror on the night I realised it actually had to be a 15 minute set, which reinforced my reasoning for not liking to plan sets.

What is the best mixing advice you've been given?

I’m not sure I’ve really been given much mixing advice, just to mix slower I guess but that’s more something I learnt over time.

What advice would you give an anyone wanting to enter R.I.T.J, or who is learning to mix in general?

If you’re wanting to get into DJing Drum & Bass or RITJ my advice is to take a moment and learn the scene. also play your time slot correctly. Promoters notice those things and it’ll lead to more gigs. Plus remember it’s all about fun at the end of the day. You might not be playing festivals & getting the best bookings in your first year but that’s ok just keep pushing even through peoples bullshit. You’ll come through on top. Also be prepared for stress & a lot of it, competition DJing puts hairs on the chest that’s for sure.

Do you play any instruments? And if so, how do you think your previous musical experience has helped with your mixing?

My parents tried to get me to learn to play the piano as a child and after a year of lessons I gave up, which is one of my biggest regrets. But I learnt to play the guitar when I was 11 or 12 and I think that’s helped me a lot just with already having a basic conception of timing & bars in a song before I picked up the decks.

What musicians inspire you when you produce music?

My inspirations are a bit all over the show. Break, Alix, Workforce & Halogenix are my biggest for drum & bass as there constantly pushing boundaries within our genre and hitting the mark every time. But at the moment old school Jazz/Soul & Hip Hop has been a huge inspiration for me. People like James Brown, RZA, Bill Withers & Rodriguez have really been inspiring me. Oh and Calibre, Marky & LTJ can’t go without a mention here.

How would you describe your Mixing/Production style?

I guess my mixing/production style would be “different” maybe? I don’t know, I sort of just play whatever comes to my head but I guess I play sort of alternative Drum & Bass with some of the newer big tunes in between. But yeah I’m not sure what my style is, maybe that’s a better question for someone else to answer about me.

What's next for you?

I’ve got a thing or two in the pipeline for my production which I can’t speak on too much as of yet, but I’m just making as much music as I can at the moment. For DJing I’m gassed that I’ve got almost the whole New Years circuit filled up hitting RNV,RNA & Bay Dreams. But I’m just taking it as it comes! I don’t like to focus too hard on what’s happening cos when it’s quiet it can be pretty damaging to your self confidence, but yeah just riding the wave!