It would be wholly inaccurate and inappropriate to scream loudly from the rooftops that ‘VIRTUE IS BACK!’ in really loud BLOCK CAPS because there’s never been a year since he emerged in 2011 when he hasn’t released at least one track.
But Virtue is most definitely back with the most activity and consistency he’s shown since releasing his debut album A Soundtrack Of Two Lives on John B’s Beta imprint back in 2016.
Most importantly, he’s super engaged and inspired about everything that’s happening… From his own productions to the local talent surrounding him in his hometown Gloucester to the artists he’s signing to his label xJAK to his radio show with Supa on Pirate Sessions, there’s a refreshed energy about him. It’s an energy you can hear on his latest EP Pressure. We copped the title track…
Pressure comes complete with three other bangers and is out this Friday on xJAK Audio. We linked up with Virtue to find out what else is happening…
Seems like you’re back on the vibes big time!
I am mate. I’m having a lot of fun with it, which is nice. I did a few releases on some other labels like Program and recently the track Could’ve Been on DeVice, with Chez, and I’m enjoying putting stuff out myself again. It’s nice to have that full creative control over it. Not in a weird way or anything.
Totally get it. If you’re going to go to the effort to make music, and all the tools are there that enable you to produce, then you should have that level of control. Every decision is yours.
Exactly. And the releases have done just as well, if not a little better, than the releases on established labels. It’s probably down to the fact that those tracks were on bigger compilations but I was pleasantly surprised at that.
You should be! Was there a turning point for this new energy?
We last spoke around 2018 wasn’t it?
I think it was earlier, maybe around your album? John B linked us up!
That’s right. Well between then and now I got married, I was studying for my qualifications for my job, we’ve had another baby. Life has been lifeing you know? So I’ve prioritized other things for a few years but it was always there on the back burner and now things have settled into a routine I’ve found time and headspace to get back into it and really enjoy it.
Getting back some Virtue time! You mentioned Chez earlier. She plays a prominent role on the new EP as well doesn’t she?
Yeah she does. She’s really talented and it was actually her who submitted the Could’ve Been to Rene LaVice. I didn’t even know!
Haha
It all came about in a very natural, kinda surprising way. It’s a remix of a indie type of thing she did a few years ago and she sent it to me asking for a drum & bass remix. I played it at this local festival called Witcombe festival and it went down well. Things were picking up for her as well and along the way she sent it to Rene then one day turned to me and said ‘oh by the way, Rene LaVice has signed that tune. It’s like ‘oh alright then!’ So yeah that’s really cool and she’s super talented. She’s hard working, too. She’s ringing me up asking for new bits to jump on. I don’t have to chase her for it. she’s just as enthusiastic about things.
Things have changed for vocalists now. They’re getting the actual credit they should be.
Yeah you’re onto something there. I always make sure the vocalists on tracks I release are listed as primary artists and get 50% of the split as I think it should be.
How did you link?
She was originally involved in a youth project which is above my studio in town. It’s called Music Works and they give a lot of opportunities to young people with music. A lot of people I support as a support worker in my day job use their services and they’re a really empowering organization. So she was Involved in a project they do called Upsurge. But I also do a radio show called Pirate Sessions with another guy called Supa and we met through that. We’d probably been 15 feet apart in terms of verticality but we’d not met until then. She DJs as well so she’s got a real passion and understanding for the music and is a massive talent to look out for.
She’s on half your EP which feels like a real step up or a new chapter for you…
Ah thanks man. I get bored very easily so I don’t usually go over old territory much anyway. I’m not sure that’s helpful for retaining any type of supporters as I think it confuses people. But I can’t make something I’m not happy with deep down and I’m always reflecting what I’m into or how I’m feeling. To be honest I suspect I was I was listening to far too much Imanu around the time of making this EP so there’s a sprinkle of that in there.
You can never listen to too much Imanu! It does feel like a new energy or a new chapter for you…
It definitely is. I just signed some music from an artist in Germany actually. He’s amazing. I’ve worked with him on getting the mixdown right as things weren’t hitting quite right but now they are and he’s got some blinders.
What’s his name?
BDJ. Mr Porter at Goldfat put him onto me, which was nice of him. He’s got Marky and Makoto vibes. He’s wicked.
Sick! So you’re levelling up with the label too?
Yeah I want to. I want to work with more local people here, too. There’s so much talent in Gloucester and it’s not chatted about anywhere nearly enough because of our rather large neighbour.
Ha yeah Bristol does take up a lot of that spotlight. But then on the flip side, Cardiff has benefited from the overspill a bit. Has Gloucester? It should have. You’ve got some history in that town. Bryan Gee is from there! Cygnus are based there. Voltage FFS!
Oh the list goes on and on. The new generation coming up now are so sick and they’re all working together. They’re putting on nights together and working together. It’s inspiring to see.
And hopefully be able to help and encourage? As an older artist from the scene now it’s your responsibility
Hopefully a bit. I’m under no illusion that I can help much but hopefully I’ve done enough and networked enough to help people.
Linking people up, opening doors! Namecheck the local talent please!
So Chez is obviously smashing it. Jenni Groves?? is doing some great things with her nights. Malicious is killing it. He just did a track with me. Muli is wicked an we’ve got a couple of things in the pipeline. We did a set the other day and it went off. Soul Method my studio partner of course. Impact, Donovan Smith, Lundy, KY, bengee, Dread too. The Bassix crew up the road in Cheltenham, Supa and all the Pirate Sessions and Krush Crew. I’m sure I’ve missed someone out and will get a talking to! A lot of them have released or will be releasing on my label so I hope I haven’t!
How far ahead have you planned?
I’m about a year ahead. It’s not rigid but there’s enough music to go out over the year. I want the BDJ release to land in the summer because it’s got that vibe. Few other bits after that. There’s lots of wicked music around. I’m also working on my radio show I do with Supa called Pirate Sessions which is on Krush FM which was a big thing here in the 90s and has recently relaunched. We’ve recently launched a new talk show as another branch of that called ‘Raise the Flag’ which is about getting guests in and bigging them up whilst talking shit. We got a Discord as well so I’m trying to link it all together now. The studio, the label, the radio show, the online community…
Community in general!
Yeah. People might tune into the radio show and not know about xJAK or my productions or the other way around, so yeah I’m trying to tie it all together and it’s been a lot of fun to do. It wasn’t fun for a bit but maybe it’s because I’m not taking it as seriously as I did before. I still put my all into anything I do but I’m not ‘chasing’ anything I guess. There’s less chance of being a moody pretentious prick.
Haha. You never stuck me as one before! Things are different when you’re older. Anything else to add?
Just keep a look out for everything. It’s hard work pushing and shouting, as you know yourself, so if you see anything coming from this direction check it out. We’re not just pushing out one thing, there’s a lot of music, a lot of artists an talent and a sick radio show. If you like one thing, you might just like the other.
Joining up the dots!!
100% man and enjoying it while I do.
Virtue – Pressure EP is out Friday April 12
Support Virtue: Soundcloud > Facebook
