Pyro : After the “Shogun Assassins” EP`s it`s now “Evolution”. Tell us about the idea behind the launch of this new series.

DJ Friction : We`ve been doing the assassins EP`s for a couple of years now, it`s been a brilliant series. But it`s time to move on to something different. We love doing our various artist EP`s so we wanted to continue but with a new concept and the “Evolution” idea was the one that summed up best what`s been going on here at Shogun. Our artist have come through, made a name for themselves in their own right and so has the label.

Pyro : So it`s a turning point for Shogun?

DJ Friction :  Yes definitely, in the last year we`ve changed a lot. People don`t know Shogun as being “Friction`s record label” anymore but know it for the artist on the label and what it is.
We`ve evolved our sound, we constantly try to. The Evolution EP is to me the sound of the future with “Minimal Funk” by Icicle,“Strange Science” by Phace which are very futuristic, highly produced tunes. Also for the Overtime remix, the original tune with me and K-Tee was just a little beat with an old school jungle bass to it. What Spectrasoul have done is push it a level further, adding loads of extra bits and a nice little piano riff. I think that tune illustrates very well the idea behind the birth of the “Evolution” series.

Pyro : What`s coming up on Shogun after the EP?

DJ Friction : A lot of the tracks due out this year have that futuristic feel to them. Following the EP we have a Total Science and S.P.Y release which has had great response from Andy C, Hype, Fabio, Goldie, Marky, etc. That`s going to be a big one. Also an Icicle release with some of his Dubstep as he`s been producing a lot recently, a release from myself and one from Spectrasoul.

Pyro : So Shogun is branching out on Dubstep?

DJ Friction : At Shogun we`re all about future music. We don`t have a rule set in stone which says we`re doing a specific thing or another, we let our artist do their own thing. Icicle came up with some Dubstep tunes and they`re good music, we just want to put out good music.

Pyro : What about you? How is it going at the moment?

DJ Friction : I`m trying to find the hours I can to get some sleep really! Everything is going really well, Djing has been crazy, I`ve started writing tunes again in the studio in the last few months and I`m doing a mix CD for Ministry of Sound due out next May/June. I don`t really have a lot of time for myself, but I`m not complaining!

Interview by Frank McWeeny

“Evolution” EP Series 1 out 8th March on Shogun Audio
www.shogunaudio.co.uk

COMPETITION:
Win a copy of the EP "Evolution" series 1. Pyro has 3 copies to give away.

Question:

`What is your favourite Shogun Audio track of all time and why?

Send your answers to info@pyroradio.com