By Tom Berry
Stroud is fundamentally a rural place. Certain types of music therefore naturally thrive here – folk, singer-songwriters, ethereal electronica and laid back reggae are natural bedfellows of our sleepy but beautiful town. However, urban music too can find a home. Our own Block Party and others have proved that there is a real appetite in these valleys for breaks, hip hop, drum n’ bass and grime and a number of local artists are tapping into these seams.
One such musician and beatmaker is Fidel Cutstro. Since being introduced to Hip-Hop at a young but impressionable age, he has always been about the music. He moved from this area to the musical hotspot of Brighton, where he quickly started making a name for himself with razor sharp scratch skills and deft mixing. Linking up with DJ Ideal he formed The Unemployed Superheroes before joining critically acclaimed scratch band Surgical Cuts who went on to perform across the UK and Europe.
He recently moved back to the five valleys honing his production skills and Dj-ing and has recently released his debut solo mixtape Talking In Drums. Its a great listen, obvious influences are DJ Shadow and J Dilla but it also clearly tells the story of Cutstro himself and his own musical journey. I recently caught up with him to find out more about its making…
So you moved to Stroud from Brighton about a year ago - how's it going?
Yeah that's right, everything's good! I consider myself lucky to be living here now, especially with all the madness which is currently going on. If I had still been in Brighton I would have been stuck in a 5th floor flat with two small children climbing the walls, so I really feel for people in that situation right now. It took a bit of adjusting to a slower pace of life, but I'm originally from the area so it wasn't too much of a readjustment.
How's lockdown been so far? Is it an opportunity for creativity?
It's been ok... obviously a bit weird. It's been quite nice everything slowing down but I do feel for people with businesses and for those whose livelihoods are threatened. I'm more concerned about what happens after lockdown how will the economy be affected and also hoping that it will not be a excuse for governments to implement fascist behaviour and clamp downs on our civil liberties. Creativity wise I've definitely had a spark but I think that may be due to the fact I only just got my equipment and records out of storage after about 8 months! I do think in the coming weeks and months we will see and hear some great music born out this situation…
What's your motivation for making music?
To keep me sane! I just do it because I love it.
For those who've not heard you, how would you describe your music?
Sample based instrumental music. Or the Bronx on angel dust.
Tell us about your process for making a track…
It's a bit like food. I go digging which is the farming, chopping up samples which is the prep, making the beat is the cooking and finally people listening to it is the eating.
What kit do you use?
The MPC Controller and turntables are the main hub of the lab. Everything gets started on there, then I track to Logic so I can mix and edit more, add scratches etc. I also have a few old drum machines which I use, space and echo... Everything goes through a desk. I like old hardware, I've made tracks just using the computer placing bits around but I like the hands on approach of bashing the pads.
How do you go about finding samples?
Pretty much everything I sample comes off vinyl, it's very rare if I get something off YouTube and if I do it's an acapella I don’t have or some dialogue, but generally I try to sample straight off the record straight into the MPC.
Do you still dig? What are your hotspots?
Yeah digging for records is an integral part of how I make music. That's where I get all my samples from. When I lived in Brighton I used to go out at least 3-4 times a week and I did that for at least 22 years so I've built up a good library of samples. Now my responsibilities mean I can't go out like I used to, I don't need to be out as much. I like charity shops but they're not like they used to be, a lot more people are on it, but I still can't walk past one without going in. Any bric a brak shops, car boots, junk shops etc....Shop wise, Rarekind records in Brighton and of course Sound Records and Trading Post in Stroud.
Given the title of the album I'm guessing drums are a key passion? Have you ever played?
Nah never played the drums, I stick to drum machines! Drums and breakbeats are the foundations of hip hop so it's just a reference to that.
How does production differ from DJing in terms of satisfaction?
With production you have total artistic control. You can make whatever you want, take your time, an empty palette. With DJing you sometimes have to play some bits you might not particularly want to, but I guess DJing is more of instant satisfaction and buzz.
Tell me about the track Sunday Morning at Bhasvic, it sounds intriguing!
There was a car boot that used to take place every Sunday in the car park of Bhasvic College in Brighton. I went one morning copped a few records and came home and made the track with the records I bought that. I think that it was made out of about 5 different records.
Cold Maxxxin has a real jazz feel - is this a genre you have an affinity for?
Yeah for real, scratching and jazz have a lot of similarities, a lot of improvisation, I like the freedom of jazz.
What’s next?
I’ve just started working on an EP with DJ Foly, so that will be out at some point. Also I’m really looking forward to starting a radio show on Gloucester 96.6FM alongside Big Tunes D, Dubbu and Scott Ski Love. It's gonna be called the throwdown, so look out for that!
Any parting words of wisdom?
Don't be afraid to speak your voice and question authority…
Talking In Drums is available now as a 14 track digital album and limited edition cassette via bandcamp here
You can also catch Fidel Cutstro on the recently launched Stroud Lockdown Radio and follow him on facebook here for further news and info.
Tom Berry is a record shop proprietor, DJ and Minnie Riperton obsessive. He can be found propping up the counter at Sound Records, 31 High St, Stroud, GL5 1AJ.