Electronic music pioneer Ed Upton, aka DMX Krew, has been shaping underground sounds for over three decades. In this interview, he reflects on his early days, musical evolution, and the inspiration behind his new album No Way To Control It.
Three decades of DMX Krew
Ed Upton has been at the cutting edge of electronic music for more than thirty years. Under monikers like Computer Rockers, DMX Krew, and EDMX (to name just a few), Upton has produced everything from acid to wave on pioneering labels such as Hypercolour, Rephlex, and Shipwrec.
I caught up with Ed just before the summer, in between gigs he was playing across Europe and ahead of the release of his new album.
In our conversation, we trace the beginnings of his unique musical journey. We revisit the early days when the DMX Krew sound was first developing. We explore his initial techno experiments on DAP and how the prolific producer pivoted to synth-pop after signing with Rephlex Records in his early twenties.
Accompanied by his music, we journey through an impressively diverse and distinctive career. We delve into the halcyon days of London’s rave scene and the heady excitement of that era. Upton reflects on his musical evolution—from founding his own label, Breakin’ Records, to pursuing starkly different sonic paths with the cold electro of The Collapse of the Wave Function.
At the heart of the interview is DMX Krew’s new album, No Way To Control It, set for release on Shipwrec. A selection of tracks is presented exclusively, with Ed sharing their influences and origins. From frigid electro-funk to gritty industrial textures and into understated abstraction, this new album captures the essence of an artist continually exploring new creative directions.
Thanks to Ed and Fer for making the interview happen!
Playlist ::
DMX Krew :: 17 Ways To Break My Heart (Rephlex)
DMX Krew :: Soda (DAP)
Drexciya :: Hydrocubes (Rephlex)
DMX Krew :: Sound of the Street (Vocoder Version) (Rephlex)
DMX Krew :: We Are DMX (Rephlex)
DMX Krew :: Adrenalin Flow (Rephlex)
DMX Krew :: Rock Your Body (Hip House Mix) (Breakin’)
G.D. Luxxe :: Super America (Breakin’)
DMX Krew :: Make Me (Ghostly)
DMX Krew :: Lies Inside (Ghostly)
DMX Krew :: When The Going Gets Weird (Rephlex)
DMX Krew :: Iridium Flares (Strange Life)
Ike ‘N’ Mike :: White Chinos (Fresh-Up)
DMX Krew :: Interrupt (Shipwrec) (Upcoming)
DMX Krew :: Dangerous Dungeon (Shipwrec) (Upcoming)
DMX Krew :: Phaser Level 2 (Shipwrec) (Upcoming)
DMX Krew :: Ghost Fish (Shipwrec) (Upcoming)
DMX Krew :: Rephlections in Time (Shipwrec) (Upcoming)
DMX Krew :: I Wonder Why (Shipwrec) (Upcoming)
DMX Krew :: Sonic Escape Route
DMX Krew :: Xpanding (Shipwrec) (Upcoming)
Stacey Q :: Dancing Nowhere (Polydor)
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