A Sit Down With DJ Funtcase

James Hazell, better known by his stage name FuntCase, is an English Dubstep and drum and bass producer and DJ, from Bournemouth, England. Hazell first released drum and bass, under the moniker DJ Dose in 2007, and in 2009 released his first single under the name FuntCase.

 

 

“EVERYONE ALWAYS DOES WHAT’S IN THEIR HEART AND THAT’S WHY I RESPECT IT, AND WHAT’S IN MY HEART IS DRUM AND BASS AND DUBSTEP, SO I STICK TO WHAT MY HEART SAYS.”

 

 

How did you come up with the name FuntCase?

Again, it was an accident kind of…the dubs I made for my mate’s radio show I mentioned earlier, I didn’t want anyone to know it was me in case they started calling me a ‘bandwagoner’ so I sat and made up some names with him just for the Dubstep tracks. I obviously had no clue I would be where I am now and made up a joke name. I still remember pissing myself with laughter seeing my name on a flyer the first time!

Any particular producers inspiring you at the moment?

It’s harder and harder to go ‘wow’ the long you’re into it. I’m really vibing off Badklaat and Bukez Finezt though, they’re doing their own sound. Joker, too. He influences me loads! We chat a lot and we’re talking about a collab. But imagine a col-lab between us? He’s so funky and I’m so obnoxious.

How does your creative process differ when you collaborate with another artist?

Collabs are hit or miss, but when a collab works the music pretty much writes itself. Sometimes if you work on a track yourself you get stuck or end up creating something stale, but when a collab works you have a fresh mind that adds to music and you make something great.

The British Dubstep scene has evolved considerably since its origins. What are your thoughts on the place it’s arrived today?

It’s in a great place I think right now. All styles are catered for, there’s good crowds for every style and all of the “bandwagoners” have been weeded out and have gone to other scenes, leaving mainly the lovers of the style in general. I didn’t actually think it would last as long as it has but I guess we can thank America in a big way for it’s survival and prolonged life, as they’ve been at the forefront, accommodating big tours and even ripping dubstep at the biggest festivals.

In your opinion, what do you think has helped you consistently be one of the best producers?

Not sounding like everyone else I guess? I never ever EVER ever tried to sound like anyone and I never taken influence to any track. I’ve always influences, or make you know anything that makes me hype. I feel like I got my own sound? In a way? I like to think that, but I’ve never ever tried to be anyone else I like to go through my image and my sound and I think that’s helped me out in the long run.

What is your main focus when you’re making music?

That’s a hard one. It’s whatever stays in my head. Either a rhythmic pattern or a hooky melody or preferably both together. A melody where the tones are arranged in such an order it stays in your head, complete with a good rhythm is the main focus. Well, it should be… But then I get lost in 10 hours of sound design on one snare and totally lose focus on what I should be focusing on.

What keeps you motivated to be at the top of your game? What are some goals you still wish to achieve?

I just want to leave a legacy in music, in dubstep. I want to be the guy that everyone goes “Hey he’s the dubstep guy.” I want to be one of the frontrunners of dubstep and always be mentioned. Let’s say it’s years from now and dubstep doesn’t exist anymore and someone goes “Remember dubstep?” and someone else goes “Yeah FuntCase” — that’s what I want. The dubstep world of fame. I wanna be that guy.

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