DJ Q&A: Emch of Subatomic Sound System
How have you seen radio shows evolve since you began your show?
I started out on air, on Radio New York, through a connection with KEXP from Seattle. I later started on BrooklynRadio.com that started putting my shows on podcast. Radio New York went belly up but I since realized my podcast is actually a great way to reach people. I introduce a lot of new label releases on the radio show and I love doing exclusive artist interviews.
You do play a variety of live instruments. Which is your favorite and why?
I grew up playing guitar and I still love it even though it plays a more of a supporting role in reggae. It a small role but to me crucial. The texture and sound of Peter Tosh’s rhythm guitar on the Catch a Fire album, the wah wah chucking and skanking makes that album for me! I actually did a song called “Our Father Our King with Noah,: that featured a guitar melody. It was one of our early traditional dub tracks and something we just did out of love on an album that was otherwise full of singers. Turns out it was a huge hit for us and again one of those times I learned that when you do what you love, people will feel it. I love playing the melodica now too though, dubbing it out live to give people the Augustus Pablo experience. I love wind instruments and it’s one I can actually play thanks to piano lessons my parents sent me to as a kid.
What’s up next for you individually?
A ton of new label releases several featuring Jahdan, finishing videos for the Anthony B release as well as Jahdan and Bajah in the NYC-2-Africa riddim, a Subatomic Sound System album by the fal,l if possible, and bringing more international artists to NYC for performances and educational to help increase awareness in America of dub and reggae. I also started managing a label called People’s Records JA based in Kingston. I actually started teaching online classes, as well, which I really enjoy.
Do you have any releases coming or are you just overseeing the label?
Definitely so much coming up. I probably need to oversee more and let other people handle more of it but honestly it is such a personal labor of love that I have a hard time not being involved in every part of it from the mixing and mastering to the art and promotion.
Lastly, which jams have you been playing on your radio show lately?
I have actually been so busy in the past few months that my radio show was on hold, but after this tour I will be broadcasting a ton of new material from our label Subatomic Sound and our partner label People’s Records JA, as well as some in-depth interviews with Mad Professor and Lee Scratch Perry that I am really excited to share. We will have video versions of some of those interviews as well.
Emch plays this Sunday, May 27th at Dub Mission at Elbo Room. 9 pm to 2 am – $9 advance/$12 door
