HIGHGRADE PRODUCTIONS

LIONDUB (Brooklyn, NYC)
(Liondub International / Halcyon / Konkrete Jungle / Breakbeat Science / Earwax / The Agriculture / Lustre Kings)

DJ Liondub comes correct. An authentic product of Brooklyn, his musical mindset was
formed at the crossroads of major international bass vibrations originating from
Jamaica, NYC and the UK. Inspired by the global rhythm culture emanating from the
streets beneath his feet, Liondub has spent a lifetime pounding that very pavement
in pursuit of his passion for bottom-heavy beats.

Armed with raw talent, right intentions, a humble demeanor and the tireless determination
of a true New Yorker, he began DJing back in ’91. As a 17 year old sound system selector
hustling in the Lower East Side of the Dinkins-era, Liondub embarked on a journey that
has since taken him to the four corners of the dub diaspora; from Jamaican Roots Reggae
to the Jungle depths of the UK, from high up on Hip-Hop to down-low on Dubstep. Along the
way he has studied under great masters, paid untold dues and kept it Bed-Sty real in the
name of music; all-the-while sharpening skills, developing expertise and establishing
critical relationships across geographic and sonic divides. From NYC he criss-crossed North
America and from London he conquered Europe, all the while cultivating roots in his
home-away-from-home, Jamaica. Always armed with a current arsenal of jungle/dubstep &
reggae dubplate specials, Liondub’s soulful, explosive, unique, and precise sets have
gone down a storm on stages shared by a lengthy list of legends and luminaries including
Sly & Robbie, The Fugees, Sister Nancy, Johnny Osbourne, Steel Pulse, Black Uhuru, The
Beatnuts, Smith & Mighty, DJ Kush, Afrika Baambaata, Jazzy Jay, DJ Hype, Andy C, Goldie,
Pinch, Loefah, Kryptic Minds and Damian Marley to name but a few. Emerging from the shadows
of giants, Liondub’s mixes have moved him into the spotlight with recent podcast exclusives
airing on urb.com and kmag.co.uk, home of the highly influential Knowledge Magazine.

Between stints as a wax warrior one can find Liondub in the studio honing the flipside of
his craft. His steady stream of productions converged with the with Toronto-based producer
Marcus Visionary resulting in the launch of Liondub International. The label has been sending
massive waves through the sub-frequency obsessed bandwidth, peaking (so far) with “The General”
featuring Jahdan Blakkamoore, a riddim co-produced with Matt Shadetek of the Dutty Arts crew
that has been tipped as one of the top Ragga-influenced dubstep tracks of 2009. With ongoing
support from baller jocks like Annie, Nightingale, Rusko, Ramadanman, Remarc, Benny Page,
Chrissy Chris and MJ Cole, 2010 looks to be a year of exceptional promise for the upstart
international imprint.

So whether behind the decks as a DJ, behind the boards as a producer / engineer or behind the
scenes as a label executive, event producer and record shop buyer, it is Liondub’s uncommon
ability to flow between these kindred yet surprisingly disparate musical spheres that
distinguishes his creative vision and defines his professional ethos. What emerges from
Liondub’s wide angle view of Dub history is an improbable yet fresh way forward that balances
the warm soul and raw spontaneity of a Kingston Dancehall sound system with the exacting
precision of a London Drum and Bass technician. That’s no easy mission, but one Liondub delivers
on daily.

Liondub brings a current arsenal of jungle/dubstep & reggae dubplate specials, His performances
are soulful, diverse and explosive.

Max, who now operates out of Spain, started spinning reggae and jungle records around 2004 in various venues all over Austria. It was always the dub and the tradition of selfsimilarity in jamaican music, that caught his ear, so eventually he started his own creations. In 2009 he teamed up with jungle heavyweight Jacky Murda, co-founding the live-laptop-dub project “JingBong Ting” and released his first record on “Argon Records” white-label-series “WAR”. From then on we have seen Max Powa productions appear on labels like Jacky’s imprint “Little Island” and Poland’s Dubstep-flagship “Moonshine Recordings”, with lyrical support of Top Cat (UK) and Ziggi (NL).
2012 marks the creation of POWA CUTS: A heavy dub & dubstep 7inch vinyl series, produced together with Lenny Roots from Germany

Aries is a UK based Drum & Bass, Jungle and Dubstep DJ/Producer. He has been enjoying bass culture music since 1990 and hasn’t looked back since. Taking his name from his star sign his main influences are Roots and Dub Reggae which will come as no surprise if you listen to his music or have heard him play out. His music is unique and offers soul and depth that not only makes people think and listen but holds its weight and has maximum impact on the dance floor.

Aries is a regular on the UK DJ circuit playing many of the main nights, and has played shows across the world including tours in Czech Republic (ten shows in 2009), the Balkans and most of Europe.He has held a residency at Break Thru in Birmingham since 2000 and  now the new dubstep offshoot EarDrum as well as Secret Wars . In 2009 he was given the title Best Local DJ in the Night Times in his home city, Birmingham. Aries has played events including Compression (San Francisco, USA), J.U.N.G.L.E (Leuven, BELGIUM),Jungle Business (Belgrade, SERBIA), Jungleston (Zagreb, CROATIA), Serpant Festival (Manlleu, SPAIN), Subdvision (Granada, SPAIN), Protest Fest (Brno, CZECH REPUBLIC), Cross Club (Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC), Rekyl (Stockholm, SWEDEN), Break Storm (Barcelona, SPAIN), Atomic Jam, House of God, BBC 1XTRA LIVE, Glastonbury Festival, Flashback, Movement (London, UK), Valve Soundsystem, Hospitality, Gatecrasher, Renegade Hardware, Secret Wars, Fixed (Birmingham, UK), Transmission (Leeds, UK), Accelerated Culture, Pyro Radio, Raveology, Innovation, Breakin Science, Break Out (Bristol, UK) and many more. Aries is currently planning a US and Canadian tour in February/March 2010 alongside his good friend DJ Tuffist and a Czech tour in April.

Aries has been producing music for just over a decade, but more seriously in recent years. His first outing on vinyl was in 2005 on Co-Lab Recordings (owned by DJ partner Benny & Heist) with the heavily supported ‘Herbsmoke’. This was championed by DJ Bailey and made it onto BBC Radio 1 and the daytime playlist of BBC’s 1XTRA, as did ‘Brother and Sister’ on Roots Records. ‘Herbsmoke’ was later remixed by the almighty TC as well as the king of dubwise DnB, Marcus Visionary. His music has received great support worldwide and been played by the likes of Shy FX, Bryan G, & Zane Lowe . Also released on vinyl is ‘Nuff Reggae Music’, ‘Just Like The Rain’ and ‘Skankin Dub’ on Visionary’s Lion Dubs label.  Aries’ most recent release was ‘Ala Bama’ on Roots Records in 2009.

Aries has been working with various people on new material in the studio and has been producing music with vocalists including Demolition Man, Ras Tweed and Pablo Rider. He has been travelling between Birmingham and Barcelona engineering a new album for Chopstick Dubplate alongside Jacky Murda and DJ Tuffist. Aries has also been working with  producers Gold and Jinx under the name Lion Fire. With a few releases under their belt, the trio has recently been signed for an album project on Ray Keith’s well known imprint, Dread Recordings. Aries has a forthcoming 12 inch on Pure Vibez, the label that he Co-owns and operates alongside friend and colleague, Benny Co-Lab. To follow shortly on Pure Vibez is a Benny Page RMX of Aries’ ‘Original Foundation’ as well as original tunes from Marcus Visionary, Zero G & Goldstar. Still doing the rounds is the last 12 on the label from Serum & Bladerunner. During 2010 expect plenty of new music. Be sure to check www.ariesdubs.com for up to date info and music from Aries & Co.

Looking to the future…