Bass Music Magazine – BMM # 10 – Interview with LM1 from Offworld Recordings

Bass Music Magazine have an interview on Offworld boss & producer LM1, you can also read in the original french language here.

First, how did the project start, what was your original purpose, and how did things evolve throughout the years?

I was just getting started seriously with my music when Covert Operations (ASC’s label) quit and I saw this as an opportunity to start my own label initially releasing my own material which I started in November 2009 with my own Blue Mountain Ep.
It was well received and after speaking to other artists I thought this was my opportunity to release music I love the most-atmospheric and melodic drum and bass.
The label has really picked up since then with releases by some of my favourite artists, ever increasing sales, opening of our own store and great new artwork by my regulars Fuse & Method One.
We`ve also recently branched out into CD’s and T-Shirts and are picking up new fans all the time for the label and my Offworld Show on bassdrive.com.
I now have a regular core of artists on my wavelength and the label is attracting more artists and fans and gaining respect. It really makes it all worthwhile to hear people say they respect my tunes, label and what I’m doing.  Offworld is my baby I’m very proud of it!

We’ve seen the last release a few days ago, from Shadowboxers. Could you introduce a little bit about this artist, and his last release on Offworld?

Yes Sean and his brother were part of the atmospheric legends ‘Pariah’ who had tunes on Good looking and 720 degrees to name a few. He started back music in the past year and when I heard his new sounds Ii immediately fell in love with them, they capture the classic atmos vibe of that time while being fresh which culminated in the ‘Awakenings EP’ which is out now as Offworld013.

Could you tell us more about your own album released in June 2010, what was your motto, and why did you decide to release it on your own imprint?

My album was a collection of tracks I’d made over the space of a year. There was no theme I just wanted to put out an album with my best material. I’ve bought many dnb artist albums and was disappointed in liking only perhaps 3 or 4 tracks from them with many non dnb tracks included that I didn’t think suited them. I wanted to avoid this so I kept what I considered my best tracks so the album is varied stylewise within dnb but is what I consider a good listening experience start to finish with no filler. It’s sold very well and I’ve had great feedback, it’s my proudest achievement to date. It was always my plan to release on my own label as this is the label sound, it always felt like the best choice.

Even a few collabs with Glen E Ston, Radicall and Method One! Seems like the Atmospheric scene is quite like a big family, could you tell me more about the friends artists gravitating around you, and the global atmosphere between you?

I’ve made many good friendships now with artists and DJs and everybody is really friendly and supportive of each other, it’s just like we are one big family and we have many laughs in the chatrooms. I have some great core artists like Scenic & Advisory, Seathasky, Antibreak and Glen E. Ston who I speak to regularly and each will have an album on Offworld in the coming year.
It’s a pity there is such large distances between us but I’m looking forward to meeting them all for some beers.

Oscillist was also one of the most beautiful surprise of the year with his fabulous ‘Deep Sea Dreaming’, who is he, and how did you discover him?

Evan (Oscillist) sent me over some demos and I was blown away at how beautiful they were, with lovely subtleties and atmospheres. I worked with him to spruce up the tunes which arrived on the EP and the end result is stunning and very well received. I have his 2nd EP planned in the coming months which I’m stoked about, he is a real talent.

What would you say are your hopes are for Offworld in the future?

Offworld has a busy schedule right up to the end of the year and I’m moving the label to larger EP’s, albums and compilations. I’m glad the CD’s and tees have gone down very well so they will now be a regular feature.
Next year I hope to get gigging around the globe as I really enjoy my Bassdrive show. Scenic & Advisory are already repping Offworld at gigs so my hope is to set up a regular Offworld night somewhere.

What projects are you working on at present?

I’m really excited about the upcoming schedule for Offworld, I have an amazing album about to be released in the beginning of September from Scenic & Advisory called ‘Paradigm Shift’ on Limited CD, a new album out now from one of my favourite producers Seathasky, EP’s coming from myself LM1, Oscillist, Submatic and 2 more artist albums from Antibreak & Glen E. Ston and my regular Transmission series vol. 2 and a minimal compilation LP. Personally as LM1 I have a remix of Future Engineers’ ‘Ellipse’ I did forthcoming on Absys 12″, a remix for Mage on Kill Inc. and tracks forthcoming on Translation and Levitated, I’m really stoked to be working with these guys.

Any shouts you’d like to give?

Yes many thanks to yourself and Bass music magazine, Brian @ Translation Recordings, Method One, Seathasky, Scenic & Advisory, Stunna, Submatic, Shadowboxers, Oscillist, Glen, Jay le Roc, all my Offworld artists and everyone at Bassdrive.com.
A massive shout to all the Offworld fans around the globe we appreciate your support always