The Shortlist: Skream | whynow
Published by whynow.co.uk, July 2021
Oliver Jones, aka Skream, has just accused me of being worse than an anti-vaxxer, which is probably the worst thing I’ve ever been called in an interview.
Still, I’m willing to take it in defence of the fact that there is no place for a burger in a Great British fry up. He steadfastly disagrees, pointing out that one shouldn’t knock it until one’s tried it. “Burger and beans is the most amazing thing ever,” he repeats with vigour. “Go and try it and then I’ll let you comment.”
To be clear — I’m not a madman so I won’t be trying it, but it’s worth noting that this asinine dispute came up after Jones tweeted a photo of a fry up his partner made for him on Father’s Day this year, highlighting two things: 1. He’s done a solid job of parenthood over the past 18 months; 2. He’s not averse to sharing his thoughts, feelings and breakfasts on social media, regardless of the response it attracts. This man will devour a burger with his fry up and devil-may-care delight, which is unsurprising really, considering that’s exactly how he’s always done things.
Historically, Jones has never taken much notice of authority. But this year, with the pandemic raging and small people to look after at home, he’s done exactly that. “I’ve never played by the rules in my life and if anything, this has made me want to even less,” he laughs. “But there’s just too many people to think about.”
And so he’s spent most of this time at home, looking after his kids and working so ferociously in his personal studio that he reckons he’s made close to 400 tunes. “God knows when we’ll get to hear all this new stuff,” he says, commenting on an existing backlog that he’s been trying to wade through since 2019. “But the restrictions benefited me because I wasn’t just making music for my sets at the weekend. I haven’t had writer’s block at all, I’ve felt really, really creative. It’s been great.”
In truth, it’s probably the longest period of time Jones has had off since he was 16. The Skream moniker already existed when he was at school and since he came to prominence as one of dubstep’s pioneers in the early 2000s he’s barely stopped touring, producing and remixing. But time away from a relentless touring schedule has proven fruitful, culminating in the launch of IFEEL, a new label that follows the shape of Jones’s musical interests rather than being limited by genre. “In lockdown, it was just really nice having no barriers,” he explains. “It’s an outlet so that I can put things out rather than me release it all on an album. But it’s the best music I’ve written in years.”
He went in hard with the label’s debut, Chesters Groove EP, summoning Berghain resident Norman Nodge’s remix skills for the occasion, and INSA, one of his childhood heroes, for the entirety of the label artwork. But it’s Trees, the second release, that’s drawn the most attention to date.
A pacey, breakbeat belter tinged with nostalgia, I suggest it sounds like an ode to the rave, written in the confines of lockdown, though it turns out this particular track arrived long before Covid. “I’ve gotta be honest, I made that tune in 2019,” he laughs. “I had a massive batch of tunes that I made for the Essential Mix and that was the one which really stood out. My mate played it at Panorama Bar and said it was an absolute moment.” Sure enough, it transports you straight to the dance floor, arms in the air, eyes misty. “It’s very emotive,” he says. “It was definitely the right time to release it.”
Indeed, it feels particularly pertinent at a time when constant government pushbacks continue to affect when UK nightlife can fully reopen. We’re speaking the day after the ‘Freedom to Dance’ protest in London, in which thousands turned up to demand their right to move and rave freely. Despite this period of productivity, has he missed being in the club? “Too fucking right I have!” he exclaims. “I miss the social side of it and having a laugh.” But he’s also glaringly aware of the damage that’s occurred in its absence. “It’s so disrespectful,” he says of the government’s lackadaisical response. “They’re wrecking everyone’s businesses. A lot of people feel very unrepresented right now, the nighttime industries feel totally shafted.”
That being said, he’s got no time for fellow DJs attempting to peddle an anti-lockdown message, as was clear when he retorted to Solardo’s tweets about the relative freedom allowed to party in the States, and noting the duo’s refusal to stop touring during the pandemic. “It wasn’t necessarily a pop,” he says awkwardly. “I got caught on a bad day! But you can’t comment on rules when you’ve been out breaking them. It pissed me off what they were saying, trying to lead some movement that they’ve got no clue about.” It’s an affliction that a lot of DJs seemed cursed with currently, and refreshing to see a prominent name call it out.
Nevertheless, Jones says he’s reluctant to make any strong, divisive statements on his social platforms, favouring fry ups over feuds for his #content. “I don’t like being one side or the other,” he affirms. “I know there’s the argument that music and politics goes hand in hand but I’ve always tried to stay in the middle. Because as much as my views are respected, that doesn’t mean I know anything I’m talking about!” He’s also acutely aware that once things go back to normal a lot of these conversations will have to take place in person. “It’s gonna be funny when people see each other again in real life because it’s all got quite nasty online,” he says. “There’s so much pent up anger being let on social media by people who work in the same scene.”
It’s true, anyone observing the ups and downs of the dance music industry during the past 18 months couldn’t help but notice that there’s been more posturing than unison, which undeniably feels like an opportunity missed — what a pity that the pandemic hasn’t been grabbed more fiercely as a chance to implement positive change.
When clubbing does return, what does he hope to see more of? “I really want people to remember this time we’ve had without it,” he says. “So I really want them to appreciate clubs, the staff, the security.” And, ever the original party lad, he adds: “Plus there are too many tidy haircuts on the front row and not enough people sweating their nuts off and going for it. What I really want to see is more people dancing!” On this, we can agree.
