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| Diccon Mayfield :: Indelible Video Magazine |
Where
are you from? Can you tell us a bit about what it is like there? Is there much
of a Hip Hop scene?
We are both from Horsham originally. It’s a small town in West Sussex and its
really surprising what goes on there. Our DJ’s Dough and Porge who are getting
major props in the scene are from Horsham, Kela is from Horsham, our head
designer is from Horsham and its nuts really there’s a lot of love for Hip Hop
there and proportionally Hip Hop fans to people living there there is a good
scene. There’s fuck all to do in Horsham so its something we got into... older
brothers passing down the baton and all that.
Are you actually a Hip Hop music fan and if so, when did you first get in to
it? Who was it that got you into Hip Hop? If not what sort of music do you
mostly feel?
Yeh I love Hip Hop but I love music full stop. I believe that if a song is good
and you enjoy it it shouldn’t matter what genre it is. I’m not gonna listen to
something just cos its Hip Hop. I got into it originally when I was about 15 I
was listening to the usual, Diamond D, Luniz, Jay-Z, Snoop, Dre that kinda ish
but I had a love for R&B too. Then I started beatboxing and doin shows and I've
never looked back. My brother was a big influence as he loved Hip Hop he had
hundreds of CD’s and introduced me to Biggie and all that good 90’s ish, then it
was my mates and peers that took me that step further.
So the main reason why we are talking to you is to find out about music
videos and their production. Can you let the readers know what it is about the
visual arts that excites you?
Its about creating something from scratch. Like a beat or a piece of graffiti…
We get an idea and all we can think of is getting it to the screen, with video
production you can make something as standard as someone’s bedroom look styled,
glamorous and eye pleasing. We love video production and we love Hip Hop… what
we are doing now is fusing that to bring you some heavy weight ish.
Right then, how did you pursue this interest? Would you have gone to college
to further your knowledge of the subject, or did you just jump in feet first and
do lowly jobs with a film crew?
Personally I did university mainly because I wanted to get edit experience and
also I was attracted by the student life of drink, drugs, no parents and just
becoming independent. Ady took the industry root working on short films and
stuff which I then had to do even after I finished uni.
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In your opinion, which direction is the best way in? Do qualifications really
help?
Yes and no, it all depends on your situation… To be honest Ady’s root left him
with more industry knowledge which is what counts. Don’t get me wrong
qualifications always help but nothing can beat experience so to people I would
probably say get out there and do your thing while your responsibilities are
low… If you do go to uni then the most important time is the year after that as
if you don’t make moves then, then comfort and responsibility step in and its
even harder to do free work and get a foot in the door.
Right, can you break down your CV, or tell us about the projects you have
been involved in so far? What was your role in each of the productions?
Obviously there is Indelible Issue 1, 2 and 3 which were massive projects in
themselves filming shows, studio sessions, tours etc etc. When it comes to the
feature its basically myself and Ady who do it all with the help of mates like
Kobi who does some of the questions and our designer Will who has helped us no
end, respect and shouts also to Richard and everyone who has helped. We are in
the process of Filming issue 4 as we speak with studio sessions from Fusion and
Prince Po (Organised Confusion) and Raekwon live and loads loads more. Also
Indelible is filming the new Blade video called ‘Reflections’ which you all need
to cop, one last thing... although I cant say too much keep your eye on the TV
screens (nudge nudge wink wink). Also we are gonna be filming Skinnyman's next
music video including artists like Rodney P, Blak Twang and more.
Right, you were the guys behind the Indelible DVDs. Was it blood, sweat and
tears to get them made?
Its been blood, sweat, tears and a lot of money out of our pockets!! Its amazing
how much goes into making a product like this especially when you have a day
job... then you have to have it ready 3 months before release for marketing and
PR… Don’t get me wrong I love what I do and wouldn’t change it for the world but
9-5 doesn’t count in this game its more like 8 till 2am.
How Does Pro Duck work? Is that like an umbrella company or something?
Haha… well its kinda just a silly name we came up with which we all hate now!!
Basically Indelible is the product and Pro-Duck is our production company but
that’s changing… It will now be Indelible Video Mag and Indelible Video/Media
which will take care of all outside production.
How did you come to be involved in the Pro Duck / Indelible thing then? Did
you start it all off yourself? Who runs the company with you and had you been
friends in the past or something?
The DVD’s started as an outlet for our creativity. Myself and Ady were at
primary school and secondary with each other and unknowingly after that both got
into video production. We met up one day and I had this idea about creating a
DVD series. We managed to get some money out the bank and that was it we jumped
in head first with no looking back.
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What was the concept behind the DVDs?
One sentence: We want to bring the underground to the overground.
Indelible is there to make Hip Hop more accessible to the public by changing the
face not the sound of Hip Hop like pop has done. Someone can watch our DVD and
be like 'I don’t know who the hell DJ IQ is but that was fun to watch'.
Basically we are artists and Indelible is our canvas. Its like Hip Hop in a box
the DVD has got the main feature with all your favourite artists covering every
element of the big double h, it has short films, live shows, studio sessions,
breakdancing battles and loads of heavy viewing cut in such a way that anyone
whether a Hip Hop junky or a pop lover can watch, understand and enjoy it but
then for the heads there’s loads of extras with a menu full of instrumentals to
help promote producers and for all those MC’s watching to have a little rhyme,
there’s a Hip Hop photography gallery, another menu with homegrown tracks to
help promote all those bedroom DJ’s, producers, and MC’s, bonus footage with
interviews with people like J-Zone, Grand Puba and then a freestyle section with
freestyles from people like Esoteric, Life and El.P down to any MC who wanted to
spit when we had a camera on us. When you click on say an instrumental it plays
the track and shows the producers name and contact details so if an MC in
Portugal watches and is like ‘Damn that beats sick’ he can get in touch and a
tune will be created… Indelible is there to bring the worldwide Hip Hop
community together and help kick stuff off that may never of happened. Indelible
isn’t snobby... we aren’t trying to segregate but educate and bring real Hip Hop
in such an entertaining way that its accessible to everyone.
What did you think of the finished DVDs then? Were you happy with the way
everything turned out? What is the thing that really annoys you when you watch
it, but that nobody else would even notice?
Its always the same with your own work... you have seen every stage and its
yours so u don’t look at it for what it is… All I do when I watch it is pick
holes in it. Its annoying cos I would love to be able to watch it with a fresh
face... like I'd never seen it before... but that’s impossible. Kinda like
London I would live to experience London as a complete tourist again.
The DVDs have certainly received a fair amount of plaudits in the press. That
must have encouraged you?
Every good word said just gives me and Ady a massive boost … We work so hard on
it that when we hear a someone biggin it up it just makes all that work
worthwhile.
How do you feel about the current state of UK Hip Hop?
Its looking really good... very healthy, Skinny, Terra Firma, Harry Love, Yungun,
Jehst, Ty, Mystro; they are all killing it and I think this is where the tables
turn and we start taking over the world!! LOL. I think as a whole British music
is becoming a lot more bangin.
What are some of the recent videos that you have admired or thought that you
would have liked to have directed?
Umm to be honest there’s nothing... not that I don’t like others work but
nothing has really made me go wow... that’s the shit! Like anything its not
always about big budgets but more about styles... Indelible is made on a
shoestring budget … But I did really like the menu on the Itch FM DVD… Heavy.
What can you tell us about the Pro Duck website. What could surfers expect to
see there?
Don’t go there its wack… Visit our real one –
www.indelibletv.com
What is going to be keeping you busy over the next few months?
Well people .. All I can say is that its on .. Keep your eyes on the TV screens
nudge nudge wink wink… lol.
Is there anything else you would like to mention?
I can spot the word indelible in any font from 50 paces… seriously!
Is there anyone else you would like to mention?
Yeh big ups to everyone and I mean everyone helping us out, There’s so many that
I cant list it all but you know who you are. Whether you have bought our DVD or
have worked for us at some point or just done us a favour 100% respect.
Thank you for your time.
Issue 2 lauch night.
| Intro |
Early Doors: 1979-1985 |
False Dawn: 1985-1990 |
Underground Years: 1990-1995 |
The Renaissance: 1995- 2000 |
The Future: 2000 & Beyond |
Artists & Discographies |
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Send all comments, suggestions, & questions
to: (QED) |
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