Here’s an interview with Cessman, taken from the Hyperblazing website.
You should know Cessman from his co-production with Kromestar on the classic Deep Medi Musik’s debut 12″ release ‘Kalawanji’.
You might not know that he’s also been working with Potentz under the name Terrafonix and has an incredible amount of his own quality productions aching to be released. His sound is too varied and interesting to pigeonhole but could be best described as dubwise, conscious, melodical, forward-thinking dubstep. Having recently drawn up plans for his own label, we think he’s destined for big tings.
£10 Bag: Hello, tell us a little about yourself!
Cessman: I am 28 years old. Jazz and Dub have been a major influence in my life, playing saxaphone since the age of 16 has led me to understand music and its creation. I began MCing and producing dark dub, progressing and learning the skills of art and music.
When did you start making music?
I started producing in 2005.
What effect do your surroundings have on your sound?
My surroundings influence my outputs when producing, the vibes are round me are projected through my music. Rastafari has a major influnce not only my music but also in my life. I like to think my music says a lot about the multi culture influnce in London and the ever changing styles of sound.
What were you making before your current blend of dubstep?
I use to play the saxaphone and experiment at home with my father who plays the guitar. Jazz was our major influence.
Tell us about Dubliminal
Dubliminal is Terrafonix fore front conscious dubstep label. Potentz and I are working together to release our music on our label. We are also having future realses from Valor and Dub Technicians, and hope to join with other new and upcoming artists.
How did you link up with Mad Professor?
I met Joe and Kamal Ariwa who introduced me to the man himself and am currently working on an Ariwa Dubliminal release
How do you and Potentz work together?
We work individually a lot, but when we work together our ideas bounce off each other well and our music shows both our different styles.
Ever had any musical disagreements on your collaborations? Does one of you want to put in more cowbell when the other doesn’t want it?
Everyone has disagreements but we work them out.
You seem to be a non-stop beatsmith. Do you get stuck on many tunes and leave them unfinished?
Yes I do, but I always like to revert and go back to finish them off.
How long had you been producing for when you started sending tunes to labels?
Kalawanji was my first release with Deep Medi in 2005 which was about 6 months after I started producing. Since then I have only sent to Bare Dubs, and have a 12″ of two of my tunes “Shanker” and “Stampede” which is forthcoming and hopefully should be out soon!
What’s your approach to synthesis? Do you get lost in the technicalities – spending hours tweaking knobs, or do you pick a sound you like and just work with it?
I like to get technical and make sounds I like different, so I will spend hours tweaking knobs to get what I want.
One bit of gear (other than your PC!) you’d be lost without?
My Edirol Keyboard.
Any big-ups?
Bigging up my family, Potentz, Dub Technicians, Valor, Ariwa Studios, Mad Professor, Joe Arwia and Karmelody, AK47- Cyba FM, Lost and Shivers, Fused Forces, Crisis- Mindstep, Dasha, Kryptic Elementz, £10 Bag, not forgetting the Leeds Crew, Jack Sparrow and Exodus, Edsik and Wadadda, Pierviral, Kursk and Cukiman- Viral Italy. Big up to the ones I haven’t mentioned and thank you for you support!
