by Thamash Kestawitz (DoubleD-Town.de) - December 2011

Everybody is currently searching for the deepest shit around. Mala of Digital Mystikz probably finished his quest as he discovered the sound of Darren Henry in 2008, formally known as Conquest, now established as Quest.
Since then he has become an integral member of international Dubstep scene. With several high-profile releases under his belt already, Quest’s soulful productions have won an army of admirers worldwide. His debut album is nearly finished and is set to be released in early 2012.

Thamash: There two variations of you artist name, conquest and quest. Is there a reason, why you seem to prefer the shorter one since 3 or 4 years?

Quest: Basically I started off as Quest, but as I became known I realised that there was another Quest at the time, so i went with the name Conquest, which was also going to be the name of a label I was going to start, but as time went by I realised it wasn’t going to be a problem.

Thamash: You’re integral member of Anti Social Entertainment, which seems to be more than a standard imprint that releases records. Can you tell us a bit more about this collective?

Quest: Antisocial first of all is a group of friends, who have a common love and connection with music, wether it’s being a DJ, a producer, or an MC. Under the umbrella of Antisocial we have various labels, Bass And Love, Blockwork, Break The Habit, and a forthcoming label from myself and Silkie, we also intend to do an album in the future. Current members are Silkie, Jay5ive, Razor, Harry Craze, Mizz Beats, G Double and myself. We also have our affiliates like DJ Chefal, Joker, Swindle, Kromestar, Jazzy Tin, Heny G, R1 Riders and Dark Tantrums.

Thamash: How important was the possibility to play frequently at radio stations like Lush FM and later React FM for your development as a DJ and producer?

Quest: Very, I mean without those platforms there wouldn’t even be an antisocial, we all basically met through Lush FM and React FM. Also doing radio was basically how we would practice and hone our skills as DJs and producers so it was very important. It also raised awareness of our sound.

Thamash: The public youth radio stations of the BBC like Radio 1 and 1Xtra tend to be one of the most progressive and updated stations worldwide. Is there still a need for pirate radio in the UK in your opinion and why?

Quest: I think as the next generation more and more pay attention to stations Radio 1, 1Xtra and Kiss the need becomes less, also stations like Rinse FM, that got a license, have a lot to do with it as well, but there will always be a need for pirate stations. I mean they are responsible for most of the sounds and genres, that has emerged from the UK in the last 20 years. There just simply isn’t enough hours and shows on mainstream radio for every up and coming DJ or producer to be heard, so pirate radio gives those people a platform as it did me and my peers.

Thamash: And what’s about MistaJam? How do got the chance to join him every second week and would you like to get your own weekly slot on 1Xtra or would it be too much work?

Quest: I basically got the slot through Mala. 1Xtra contacted him and said they wanted to feature the sounds from Deep Medi on a bi-weekly basis and who would he suggest? So Mall contacted me and said it was a no-brainer and would i like to do it? So I agreed.

Thamash: How do you gained the attention of Mala, who signed you to his label Deep Medi? Did you simply send him some demos or did he knocked on your door?

Quest: He basically contacted me as he had heard a few things from me and was interested, because he was looking to start a label, so he invited me to come to his studio with a CD, so I agreed, before I got there I was already excited and nervous because Mala is someone I respect big time, but to get to his studio and see Skream there was like woah and made me even more nervous, they were working on a track at the time, and when he turned to me and was like “Have u got that CD I wanted to dig myself a hole?” So he put the CD in, there were 6 tracks from myself and 6 tracks from Silkie, some where released already and some where new, he listened and really loved everything he heard on the CD and asked, if myself and Silkie would be up for signing to Deep Medi, of course that was a no-brainer and we agreed.

Thamash: You said once, that the first ever Outlook in Croatia is one of your most memorable gigs. What is so special about this festival in your eyes, which is currently on everybody’s lips?

Quest: For me it’s the fact, that this is the only gig I get every year, where I’m abroad with all of my friends in the music industry. It’s also an opportunity to make new friends, especially artists that you might of never met without that festival, for example myself and Silkie hooked up with Rappers Jehst, Michael Parkingson and DJ High Q in the first year of the festival as we were all in the same apartment, which was cool! Over the years since then I have connected with many other people. You also have the opportunity to play to a bigger audiences and experience music in the sun! What more could you ask for? I would recommend anybody to go.

Thamash: I’ve heard you’re going to release your first longplayer. How far is the work on our debut album and when will it come out?

Quest: My debut album is in it’s finishing stages and is set for a release in the early stages of 2012. It has different styles and isn’t so much focused on Dubstep as people might think.

Thamash: And what are you up to next after completing this personal milestone? Any plans for next year or any other big steps forward?

Quest: I’ve really got into producing tracks for artists lately, so a lot more of that is to come. I’m also in the middle of sorting out publishing, which will lead to stuff like synching and other stuff in the media. Myself and Silkie has also decided, that the next big project we will work on after my album will be a joint album, so we are excited about that! I am also doing a lot of work with Joker and Swindle, so look out for that aswell.

Quest spielt diesen Samstag auf der Sub Sickness in Dresden.

Info zur Party  –> http://www.dubstep.de/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6111

http://www.sub-sickness.de/