Sigma Interview: "We love to mix and we like to talk a lot of shit"

Ahead of their Trilogy show in November, Jasmine Phull talks to Sigma about impending EPs, musical politics and their Life podcasts – an extension beyond the raised stages and audio peripherals.

 The digital age is well and truly upon us, and with it eagerly follows many opinions identifying the ‘pros’ and the ‘cons’. And with heady vocals from those making the music and those consuming it, Sigma’s Jo Lenzie lays it all out on the table. 

As one half of the London Drum ‘n’ Bass act, Lenzie, as well as partner Edwards, are busy completing their impending Night and Day EP, which like their earlier work will be formatted on both vinyl and digital. Released on their own Life Recordings imprint, the boys, with a decade under their belt, recognise the symbolic importance of the ’12 inch’ - but these days it’s not so much about ‘symbolism’ as it is about ‘demand’. The newest generation of audible customer can’t imagine listening to a format that wasn’t just a byte size download filed away on their laptop, but for those who take delight in the days that started it all, Sigma will turn a blind eye on ‘demand’ and continue to remember vinyl – the instigator of it all.

You released your 2010 “Stand Tall EP” on Vinyl and Digital Download. How important is vinyl in this digital age? 

To be honest the days of vinyl are almost numbered. Even now, guys who’ve always been strictly vinyl, like Andy C, a lot of the time they’re playing CDs. Vinyl’s a wicked format and it sounds really good and we’d love people to be buying our records because it just means a lot more. The sad thing is it’s so much cheaper and on a lot of occasions it’s even free, if you illegally download the mp3. Also it’s just much lighter.

What are you working on at them moment?

We’re working on another EP that will come out on our own imprint. It’s called the Night and Day EP. The first track is like a vocally, piano-ey thing that we’re hoping is quite accessible to the Radio 1 crowd, then there’s a disco one, a jungle-y one... We always try and make sure there’s something for everyone. That’ll also be on vinyl and digital.

Why did you decide to release via your own label?

We were working on drum ‘n’ bass stuff with DJ Zinc, when he had Bingo Beats, and that was just before we started doing the house thing. Anyway we had all these tracks that we were due to release and he decided he didn’t want to do the drum ‘n’ bass thing anymore. There are no hard feelings and we just decided to put them out on our own label. We’ve sold shit loads, which is great!

You have collaborated on a number of tracks. What’s your view  on collaboration vs competition? Is one better or worse in terms of musical output?

We enjoy collaborating because you can get influenced by other people’s style and then put your take on it. Though in certain situations it doesn’t always work: say if you’ve have massive input in a track with someone who’s better known than you are, when it comes out you might end up getting overlooked.

Do you think competition from those in a similar field to you can always be used to drive and motivate yourself?

Of course. You have to have competition otherwise you will become complacent. When Pendulum came along with its new well-produced sound, the bunch of guys that were really at the top of their game in the drum ‘n’ bass scene, for example Dillinja and stuff, had to rethink what they were doing. That’s definitely an example of that.

You’ve got your YouTube diary and also your Life podcasts. Tell us a bit about your Life Podcasts. Is Sigma more than just the music you hear at the clubs or through the speakers?

Well, we love to mix and we like to talk a lot of shit. If we’re in a position where we can have a mix and a chat to whoever wants to listen then that’s what we enjoy doing. It’s not something that we usually get to do and it’s another platform to be able to promote the label and stuff.

Do you think people are responding to it?

Yea massively. Since we’ve started doing the podcasts I don’t think there’s been a night where there hasn’t been at least five people mention the podcast. I think if you talk a lot on your podcast you’re introducing a more personal element, and so people get to feel like they know you.

How important is visual aesthetic to Sigma?

We like to make an effort to look ok but it’s not like we have a specific look that we go for. The music should speak for itself but there is definitely something to be said for making an effort with your appearance. It shouldn’t matter with music though. Obviously guys like Rusko don’t give much of a thought to it! (Laughs).

Festival season is in full swing. How important is festival season for artists? Why?

It’s a good opportunity to be playing at these festivals because you’ve got much bigger crowds. Sometimes you’ve got to play a bit more commercial than you might do if you were playing at one of the nightclubs, though we’re happy to do that if everyone is having a good time. We do appreciate small crowds as well ‘cause the vibe is more intimate.

Is there much preparation that goes into your festival set? 

We always like to make a bit of an effort with our sets because we’re always a bit paranoid about turning up and stuff not going down that well...

Finish this sentence: If I wasn’t producing music I would be…

...A gigolo (Laughs).

Last song you listened to?

Let me look on iTunes and I’ll tell you. Nero ‘Must Be the Feeling’.

First album you bought?

MC Hammer’s ‘Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em’. Well my parents bought it for me! (Laughs).

Interview by: Jasmine Phull

Catch SIGMA at Trilogy Part 3 with Skream and Benga in November. Tickets are available below

Tickets are no longer available for this event