Corey Smith, also known as Subfiltronik, is an esteemed dubstep DJ/producer based out of the U.K. A pioneering trailblazer of the riddim subgenre, the renowned talent has paved the way for many in the landscape. Over the years, the Manchester native has been featured on various imprints the likes of Buygore Records, Circus Records, Disciple, Never Say Die, and many more. He’s also graced the decks at venerated nightclub venues and events such as Sydney, Australia’s iconic Chinese Laundry nightclub, Santa Ana, California’s Yost Theater, and Paris, France’s Redlight, to name just a few.
Learning how to craft relentlessly unyielding beats from a very young age, the musician eventually took his passion to the next level and pursued a degree in it during his undergraduate studies. Blending different styles together in his signature brand of dubstep, the multifaceted creative force has released tracks featuring influences from hip-hop, R&B, drum and bass, and drumstep. Subfiltronik’s recent tracks from 2020 include his remix of UZZI's ‘Longboi Pit’, ‘Too Tough’, and his collaborative hit with Aweminus ‘Subminus’.
THE INTERVIEW
CR: Hello Corey aka Subfiltronik, glad to have you on Canadianravers, how are you doing?
S: Hello there its nice to meet, yes I am doing well thank you.
CR: Tell us a little bit about yourself and a little backstory about your stage name Subfiltronik?
S: As you all know that I am Subfiltronik, my real name is Corey and I was born and raised in Manchester, England.
CR: Your recent track 'Vendetta' on Malignant Vol.2 is a great track overall, did you create the plugins from scratch or were they pre-sets created beforehand?
S: Thank you, on the track vendetta I made the new sounds from scratch and before the breakdown the aggressive wobble bass was an old bass I created years before I created Vendetta.
CR: You are a pioneer in Riddim, has it changed a lot since it started as a subgenre in the Dubstep scene?
S: Yes most definitely we have all been blessed with wonderful new talent showcasing new sub-genres like future riddim that is breaking through the dubstep scene very nicely. There is a lot of things I could say that changed the genre and made it better as a whole but for you, all I can say is that the scene is growing and
expanding through other countries.
CR: We know Dubstep and Riddim scene is growing in the UK, how did the culture and scene influence you as an artist? Also, which club in the UK is your favourite to attend?
S: I wouldn’t say the dubstep scene is growing in the UK anymore but to be honest drum and bass takes that title for shows over here in the UK. The culture has influenced me in different ways to try other genres and create something out of my own comfort zone. My favourite club in the UK that I played at is Moho live. The venue itself is not around anymore but when I was younger I would say it was my favourite place to be in my hometown of Manchester.
CR: Can you describe the process and idea of a track to a complete track? How long does each step take before you go to the next? Do you get an “in the zone” feeling when you do create a new track?
S: To be honest I don’t really feel anything when I am making music as I am technical with my work. There is no right or wrong to creating music sometimes I start an intro or just go into the drop first and create that and then I make a bridge that compliments the intro or the other way around. Some people
might start with a vocal sample its all down to preference. I would say in the past I use to get a gut feeling when I made a good bass but other than that I drink coffee and sit for hours on end to complete a track. My advice is to know about the fundamentals first like short keys as it will help you move faster when creating
music.
CR: Tell us a little bit more about your music taste, what is your favourite genre and some artists?
S: My tastes are different haha I listen to a lot of rock music and Hip-hop music, my favourite band is ‘protest the hero’ which are based in Canada and for Hip-hop am more of an old boomer and like to listen to artist like Lloyd banks, Kendrick Lamar, RZA, Dr Dre and mobb deep.
CR: What was the single event that has changed you and the way you view life?
S: I would say my first major show in Belgium the event was called blackline event in petrol, I got to meet loads of artistes and get to see them live at a big venue back then in 2011. It changed my life as I never felt bass hit me the way it did when I was performing in UK as you might know some sound systems work better than others but at this venue it was on a whole different scale, so it made me carry on making more hard hitting music.
CR: When you are not performing or producing music, what does an average day look like for Subfiltronik?
S: Haha like everyone else, working a day job being responsible adult.
CR: Since it is the New Year, what is your New Year Resolution and What is 2022 looking like for you?
S: My new year resolution is to go hard on music in 2022. To do a lot of shows and to everyone to enjoy my music globally.
LIGHTENING ROUND
Texting or talking? Talking
Coffee or tea? Coffee
Hard liquor or Wine? Red wine sometimes hard liquor
Cake or pie? Pie
Hot dogs or hamburgers? Eww none, I love animals.
Xbox or PlayStation? Xbox
Movie theatre or arcade? Arcade
Guitar or piano? Piano
Marvel or DC Comics? Marvel
Dog or cat? Dog
Hot weather or cold weather? Hot weather
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