Elongating SHOOK 005’s Hyperdub focus, tuck in to tracks from King Midas Sound’s new EP, Dub Heavy- Hearts & Ghosts [album soon come!]. And our Q&A with one half of the dub duo: man of words Roger Robinson.

A – King Midas Sound – I Dub

AA1 – King Midas Sound – Ting Dub

AA2 – King Midas Sound – Too Long Dub

What’s the King Midas Sounds setup? How did you and Kevin decide to work together? How does KMS differ from your own material?

King Midas Sound setup is me and Kevin [The Bug]. We listen and talk about lots of music and we write alot of songs. I was a big fan of Kevin’s Jazz Satellite compilations and then he heard a poetry ep I did as Chocolate Art. We were both enquiring about each other at the same time. A friend put us in touch and I’ve worked with him on Techno Animal and the first and second Bug Albums.

How’s the King Midas album shaping up?

Our influences span the range of music from Boards of Canada to Vincent Gallo. Gregory Isaacs to Rhythm and Sound. King Tubby to Will Oldham. It’s aimed at making good music and people will dance if they like and listen at home if they like. I definitely see it as a new level of work and conversations that Kevin and I have been having for about a decade.

What role do you see vocals playing in these sounds? As an instrument enhancing the sonic layers? Is it bass poetry?

The vocals play the role of a sonic lullaby. Soothing yet appealing. The lyrics are not as metaphorically dense as my other work. We wanted the vocals to be simple but not simplistic. There was also a sweetness of lovers rock that we were trying to achieve with the vocal tone. To sound and say more with less.

How important is the role of radio in the music?

Internet is the new radio. You can get radio shows on the net, not in real time now. Some radio shows allow you to edit artists from the playlist. Radio still spreads the word to focus new listeners to the artists web presence and product.

How would you relate the development of technology to the differences between drum n’ bass / UKG / dubstep?

Music popularity is a spiritual thing. If the music resonates with people’s spirit people will support it. Drum and Bass /UKG/dubstep are all the same spirit with an intergenerational vibe connected to the sonic roots of reggae and hip hop.

How important has the role of theory/criticism been in the rise of dubstep?

I am no dubstep specialist but I believe dubstep would live without theory. Dubstep is the culture and theory is the analysis.

What does it mean to you to be on Hyperdub? How does the label differ from others?

It’s a label that cares about music and musicians deeply. It’s also about progressive music and progressive artists. So it’s really good for us to be there. There were other offers to sign for more money, but we wanted a musicians label. We wanted a label manager that that loves music and thinks business that’s what Steve had. Big thinking.( say in the style of Jay Z’s ‘Big Pimpin’)

Is there a danger in electronic music that musicality becomes irrelevant?

Music becomes irrelevant when you ignore what you personally really feel and let the music becomes decided by a committee. That goes for all music not just electronic.

How important is dancing in electronic musics? And is it a shame that the sophistication of sounds is rarely matched by the sophistication of dancing?

The sophistication of sounds have nothing to do with dancing. It’s all about rhythm. No one told Afrika Bambaataa that people won’t dance to Kraftwerk. If it’s in time with peoples heartbeats people will dance whether it’s electronic sounds or a clave.

What music/raves/film/things are exciting you of late?

Music: Micachu and the Shapes, Dimlite, Doug Hammond

Raves: Bash

Film: The Wrestler, Waltz with Bashir.

myspace.com/kingmidassound

myspace.com/rogerrobinsonmyspace

rogerrobinsonbooks.com

For those of you who’ve made it all the way to the bottom, here’s a free MP3 of Mr Robinson’s Unsticking (Dobie Remix) from the Armed and Beautiful EP. Watch the wordplay “I’m scanning dictionaries just to understand her…”.