We recently caught up with Ashique ‘Subb-an’ Subhan, the producer and DJ hailing from Birmingham, UK. Backed with a recent release on US imprint Culprit, a remix on Hot Creations and a forthcoming track dropping on Spectral Sound next month. It’s certainly bright times for all things Subb-an.

Subb-an Ft Beckford – The Lovers Night (Spectral Sound – February 2011)

Tell us more about your relationship with Adam Shelton.

I met Adam around 3 years ago at the Below parties having previously sent him some music, which he played on the night. I then started playing at Below and started to hang out with Adam and crew. As time went on we started to grow and started to work on projects, things kept growing and growing. We work very well together as a team, Adam has a lot of years of experience in music and a great record collection. I’m more technical and together it seems to work.

What’s the scene like in Birmingham?

It’s not too bad, there is a healthy scene both mainstream and underground. There are plenty of big nights and a lot of clubs that are popular, but for underground music it mainly centres around Below.

You run One Records with Adam Shelton, what do you have planned for the label?

Yes that’s right. In 2011 we plan to really step up the label. We have some great artists on board and some great music to press. We plan to progress it naturally with what were doing.

You’ve just done a remix with Robin Porter for release on Jamie Jones’ Hot Creations, are there any other producers you’d like to work with?

Yes there are few people out there that I really buzz off. Konrad Black is one of those of people.

Do you prefer playing live or DJing?

I prefer playing live as I’m more comfortable doing this but I do love to DJ. My introduction to electronic music 10 years ago was through turntables and this was what I spent years doing way before I started making tracks, it just turns out the live thing works better. DJing is great though and I’m lucky to get to do it at a lot of these gigs.

What’s your favourite piece of kit?

It would have to be my Mac laptop, a truly amazing piece of kit!!

You recently played in Miami, what has been the most exotic place you’ve ever played?

What has been the weirdest/worst? The most exotic was an outdoor party on an island off Surfers Paradise in Australia. The party is called ‘Me+You’, about as exotic as it comes! When Damian Lazarus played he was lucky enough to see the one and only komodo dragon that lives there. It didn’t show its face when I was there which I was gutted about. There were a lot of kangaroos passing through the party though J

Studio or DJ booth?

100% booth! Although studio is just as good – that’s a tough question, there really different in a lot of ways…

How do you spend your downtime?

With my girl. Cooking a lot, in the gym and watching really good films. Check out ‘The Wackness’ I enjoyed that the other night.

What was your highlight of 2010?

Highlight of the year was my gig at the Harry Klien in Munich. Great party, great bunch of special people

What’s been the highlight of your career?

The highlight of my career was when I first started making music. I took a test pressing to a Ritchie Hawtin gig. Before I had a chance to give him the track he played it… he’d already managed to get his hand on it somehow. This was such a big deal for me as an artist who was just starting out.

Who has done it for you musically this year?

Ahmet Sisman has been doing some great music recently, as has Greg Paulus who’s probably my favourite up and coming producer at the moment.

What have you got in the pipeline for 2011?

2011 kicks off with a release on Spectral Sound featuring vocals from Beckford. Then there’s an EP with Adam Shelton for 2020 Vision. Following that there’s loads more S.A.S releases and tracks on One Records. Probably the biggest release of the year for me, though, will be my debut on Crosstown Rebels, which should be out around March.

Download: Subb-An – Got You All Night (Edit)
‘You will know the beats and probably the vocal but I’ve just added a slightly more ‘groove’ driven bassline.’

Interview, One Records, Subb-An Blog, Feature