Rinse radio host, Hundred2ONE Recordings imprint founder and dead good DJ, Shox produces cleanly mean and proper REEM beats.
Intelligently laying down wavy mixes and playing progressive sets, James Morreale (aka Shox) surrounds himself with ambitious individuals. Starting out producing pirate radio shows, this 25-year-old Hackney-based innovator learnt on the job, keeping himself challenged by constantly seeking-out fresh material before a trend drops. Inspired by the work of Rinse since they first took to the airwaves, joining their packed schedule as a weekly radio host has helped Shox hone and master his skills. Scouting every obscure and supreme beat out there and signing-up coming artists to his D-I-Y record label, all whilst cooking up his own releases up on Logic 9 is Shox’s raison d’être. Playing at various festivals across the capital and abroad this Summer, he’s a talent you’ll come into contact with when seeking out dope, new-bass-heady riddims. i-D online got the inside scoop and first dibs on his latest, infectiously brutal mix. Salute the weekend.
What’s behind the label’s name? Hundred2ONE started in October 2010 and I released my first EP in April 2011. At the time I was making demo tracks and sending them to labels and getting no where so I thought “I’ll do it myself” which was kind of a hundred-to-one shot in getting it right. Get it?
What’s your background in music? Really varied but mostly electronic. I like old 80′s jams, early disco shit like Blondie. I LOVE early hip-hop too like Tribe, NWA etc. Im also a big fan of Moby. I guess this makes me kind of old skool.
How did you find yourself on Rinse FM? I used to do shows on several underground pirate stations back in the day playing garage, I learnt to talk on the microphone which in those days was a very important factor. Your personality on air was more important than your name or status. As the sound of now changed and leaned towards the new ‘funky’ sound which I started playing I got a call from the Rinse management who offered me a slot and of course I accepted, then the rest is what it is.
Which blogs and websites do you follow? I’m usually on music-based sites. Like Juno or Beatport. Social media like Twitter, SoundCloud and Facebook to promote and interact with supporters. Blogwise I check-out Mixpak and Trouble and Bass over in the US to see what’s going down on that side of the water.
What equipment do you work with? I run Logic 9 on iMac. I’ve just rewired it with Ableton which I’m keen to try as I’ve never used it before. All comes through a a Behringer processor with Alesis Mk2 monitors. I use tonnes of software plugins and I’m excited as I’ve just ordered my first piece of hardware… A moog. I’m going to lean towards more hardware in the future. You can really feel the sound.
Which new artists are you into at the moment? There are so many and it’s mad because they’re all so good! For me at the minute it’s a kid called Lucent. I just released an EP from him on my label called Drops EP. Watch out for him. He’s 19 and got some mad tracks!
How did the Rinse fabric party go down last week? Rinse parties at Fabric are always amazing. They get so rammed out from early and the queue’s are like 1/2 mile past Farringdon tube station. I played an early slot so I could relax and party after because it’s one time when more or less the whole station is there. I finished up and then caught Roska and Jamie George’s set. They smashed it and got everybody going. Highlight for me was definitely Boy Better Know. They always go nuts on stage and the energy is intense. Proper party vibes!
Top 5 Summer anthems for 2012:
Sherlock, Foamo
Julliex, Crookers x Roska
Untitled, Pearson Sound
Have A Go, Swindle & Takura
Feel The Love, Rudimental
Top five emerging festivals everyone should attend? Dimensions Festival, Bass Culture, Garden Festival, Eastern Electrics, Beacon
Text: Milly McMahon
