After the 1st 2 releases of the Jakes Project and the effect of Rock tha Bells in the scene, DubNews have decided that the waves of raw bass being churned out by this Bristolian are to dangerous to surf safely. So we called in the coast guard and began reporting .
DubNews - You have been involved in music for some time now, With hits and a blossoming MC career in DnB. When did u decide to have a stab at Dubstep and Why?
Jakes - I didn't really. I was tryin to make HIP-HOP at first an concentrated on the bass part of it. A mate told me my stuff sounded like dubstep an the rest is history
DubNews - How did the Hench crew come to form?
Jakes - Me White boi and Headhunter used to battle each other makin tunes, but one day as we were driving in thru Bristol i suggested we form a cru. I came up with the name an concept right there in about 200 yards.
DubNews - Who is part of the H.E.N.C.H crew?
Jakes - The cru is still the cru but parts of the fam are signed to other labels like Headhunter.
But its Komonazmuk, Wedge, Blazey, Gatekeeper and Myself.
We have new additions Chasing Shadows too an the girl who takes care of the night with me Supa.
There are a couple affilations Joker and Gemmy an its growin.
DubNews - What was your 1st hit and how did it come about?
Jakes - 3kout, took me about 3 hours to make but i have learned so much since then.
DubNews - It shows in your recent production.
Jakes - I was drunk too
DubNews - No suprise there always some twisted reckoning behind any tune of yours
Jakes - Got home after being out in the day with my mates. Came home an made it, i remember thinking this drop is stupid.
I played it to Komon an he was like what the fuck is that?
DubNews - How long was you making Dubstep before you made 3kout?
Jakes - 2 weeks................. Na Na, About a year if that.
DubNews - Thats a good progression. Who inspires you within the scene? and Why?
Jakes - Mala, i don''t no why, but everytime i hear a new Mala track i just flip out.
Skream, cuz i mean c'mon its skream,
DubNews - Enough said there really
Jakes - Benga the techno God, Pinch and Distance.. He was the 1st person i was sending tunes to.
Right now its Joker, he kills it every time.
DubNews - Who is your favourite D.J in the scene
Jakes - My fave D.J has to be the Hatcha, or its a toss between him an the N-type. On a technical level they stand out. They smash it every time.
I send em all my shizzle
Hatch gets em first tho.
DubNews - You have go the Monthly Mix series your working on at the moment (Which is going down a storm). Whats your inspiration behind that?
Jakes - I want people to see how i've grown and learnt more in the studio, an as a D.J.
Its new to me on both sides of it.
The thing is i used to run Breakbeat Culture records wiith Felony here in Bristol back in the day. Used to D.J. under a diff name playing hip hop an that shizzle. Not that i do the scrachin an fadin shizzle now but its a all about learning new styles.
I say shizzle a lot
DubNews - Ha, So its to help you develop and showcase your skills in production and DJing?
Jakes - In a nutshell, the april one is going to be special too. Its my birthday next week. gonna put links to a couple free downloads.
DubNews - Thats a good treat for the massive.
DubNews - Your favourite Dubstep tune of the moment?
Jakes - Jokers rmx of a Simian Mobile Disco tune, its silly that an a new one by Lost are my favourite tunes of the moment.
DubNews - The Jakes Project is now rolling out... What is the Jakes project and what can we expect from it?
Jakes - Its 4 12"s, 2 are DnB, 2 are dubstep. All is bought together in a digital package with unreleased and exclusive stuff online.
Also there will be a mix. and a few more goodies thrown into the bag.
So its a mini album, a picture of where i am right now.
An intro into my studio, so to speak. I've just started layin vocals for my full hench offering so keep your eyes peeled..
An intro into my studio, so to speak. I've just started layin vocals for my full hench offering so keep your eyes peeled..
DubNews - That we will..
DubNews - Whats your favourite tune from the Project?and Why?
Jakes - If i had to pick... Rock the bells because the very nature of the track is smash it. An it duz just that.
DubNews - Will the VIP ever see the light of day?
Jakes - No its not coming out.
DubNews - That is a a shame
Jakes - It will be rmx'd tho an a few of the lads have offered so watch this space.
DubNews - Any chance of who will be doing these remixes?
Jakes - No i want to keep you guessing on that.
DubNews - Can only ask.... Obviously Big fish in the scene.
Jakes - .................(Silence)
DubNews - Your from Bristol.. Do you think there are any differences in the Bristol scene to else where?
Jakes - There is an there isn't. I think there is more unity here tho.
DubNews - Is there anyone from the Bristol scene who we should watch out for in the Future?
DubNews - Back to Jakes, DubNews has been speaking to you for a few weeks now. With that we have noticed, that you like to keep yourself busy with Music. If you wernt doing Music, what do you think you would be doing?
Jakes - A graphic designer
DubNews - Do you do all your own graphics work?
Jakes - I was a big part of the hench logo. Had it in my head for a few years, the font an how i wanted it to look.
DubNews - Its a strong logo. Good branding... What do you use to produce?
Jakes - Reason.
DubNews - Do you Mix it down all from the laptop or do you use studio?
Jakes - I mix down on Reason and then master at Transition.
DubNews - On average how long does it take you to make a tune?
Jakes - A day to get the flesh and bones. The finished product varies.
DubNews - You do all your own Rmx work VIP's etc.. Do you find it easy to Remix your own tracks?
DubNews - You do all your own Rmx work VIP's etc.. Do you find it easy to Remix your own tracks?
Jakes - Yes i do, but i got plans to move it away from doing it myself...
DubNews - What do you think to the rumours you have been drinking the Coki water?
Jakes - (A really long laugh), i've been drinkin vitamin water.
DubNews - That silenced that one, Do you have any other forthcoming projects?
Jakes - Yes colabz with T.C on his album.some REDLIGHT stuff on his album. A Mix CD for H.E.N.C.H
DubNews - Which moves me onto the next question .... Whats next for the H.E.N.C.H crew?
Jakes - Hench has loads coming, there is a release from EDDIE K, from Bristol hes one to watch, one from GIANT. More from Chasing Shadows, Komon...
Theres A new signing which were tying up now shhhhhhhhhh
DubNews - Is he an unknown
Jakes - No he is known. We got new merchandise it keeps selling out.
We got a tour, which we will be taking the DIRT sound system on. Plus an artist album.
We got a tour, which we will be taking the DIRT sound system on. Plus an artist album.
DubNews - Whats next for Jakes?
Jakes - Single wise... it may be the Comply ep, but lets just see what happens between now an then. It will be musical
DubNews would like to thank Jakes for the interview time and depriving him of lunch for an hour.
Jakes Shouts - Elisha,Hatcha an Gem, Rusko an Belinda, T.C, Jon, Gerard, Al and Adam @ Dstyle. Komon, Supa an Wedge @ HENCH....Not forgetting and Joker an Gemmy
The Jakes projects VOL 1 and 2 are avaliable in 12" and Digital formats from all the usual outlets
VOL 3 and 4 will be out in the coming weeks.
You can download the 3 Monthly Mixes from
Keep your eye's peeled for the Apr edition its going to be massive.
