You might have gathered by now that here at THUMP we're big fans of Belfast. We're also big fans of Belfast based label Extended Play and got very excited when we found out that to celebrate their 50th release, label owners T-Bone and JMX had decided to gather 14 of their favourite producers from the city for a super sized compilation that runs the gamut from spiky house to synth-funk, disco to jack tracks.The result of that is the boldly titled Statement of Intent, which drops on Extended Play at the end of the month. Before you rush out and get your hands on a copy —and with tracks from the likes of Ejeca and Moodtrax on there you'd be a fool not to— why not check out this exclusive Martin De Brig cut, and read what the producers make of the compilation?
We have arrived at the BIG five zero and we have to say we are fiercely proud of this milestone and all our extended family. This release encapsulates a lot of what we love in late night electronics, represented across fourteen new Belfast originals. From deep tripped out house courtesy of new signings Bloomer White & AVA competition winner Sid Carey alongside EP mainstay Cromby. 80's synth-funk from Jordan, raw acid from JC Williams through to the peak time techno weapons from Ejeca, Chris Hanna & Cophin. We've got proper jack tracks from Slurrp & Moodtrax, hip-house via Martin De Brig and disco splashed house from veterans Scoper & Bubba as well as some straight up club workouts from us along the way. This is the soundtrack to a romp through our city and for once Belfast blowing up can only be seen as a positive. So this is it, our statement of intent for the future —we are incredibly excited about our scene and what lies in-store.Chris Hanna
"Broken Knuckles In The Bunatee" is my nod to the room in the Queens University Student's Union. It regularly hosts Belfast's rowdiest nights. When things kick off in the place the low ceiling always takes the brunt of it and I wanted to make something as a tribute to that exact moment. They've happened so frequently now they've started repairing it with concrete and wood, instead of giving us the plaster we want to destroy so eagerly. If anything it's testament to how lively and strong the scene is right now in Belfast - the fact they're having to repair a roof every couple of weeks because people are constantly punching the shit out of it having too much fun.Cophin
"Way Mon Tah" went from us messing around with a vocal way too much, to getting lost in synths and it all morphing into a club ready missile. We sent a couple of versions to Timmy who immediately jumped on the stab mix as the kind of techno he wanted to add to the EP50 artillery. Club weapons and rowdy partying are two things this city does well and we are excited to see how things are developing here at the min.Scoper and Bubba
Getting back into the studio together after 10 years felt totally natural, we have a weird synergy when developing sounds, we almost know what the other is thinking, which can only come from a life long friendship and sharing music. Channelling inspirations that we love and throwing into a pot of 80s electro, Chicago house, Italo disco and 90's techno—while putting our own little twists on things. We are excited to be on the EP50 comp, showcasing our sound alongside a host of fantastic artists that are emerging from Belfast. It is great to see that for such a small Island, we are having an impact across the world.Moodtrax
"Eastside Rhythm" was heavily inspired by the bare bones raw days of Chicago house. I wanted to add my own spin on things with some of my newly bought hardware, so I locked myself in my studio & got the head down on this Belfast banger. At the minute the scene here has never been better in my opinion. It's a small city, yet we have so many forward thinking DJ's, producers and promoters doing their thing and coming together to create the movement that is forming today. I have met so many talented people over the years, no frills, no pretension just like minded heads coming together to let their hair down like no other. If you get the chance to party in Belfast you will notice the connection we all share. I'm very lucky to be in the midst of it all and I will continue to do my bit. One last thing, go watch AVA Belfast Boiler Room, then you will start to understand!Jordan
Prior to setting up our weekly, The Night Institute, I could often be found lugging sound systems into noodle bars, art galleries and plush Indian restaurants where I'd invite my mates to party till the wee hours while trying my best not to get in trouble with the law. The parties were very fucking bold but always great fun, and my track on EP50 is reflective of that time, seedy, heads down illicit late night into early morning fun.Slurrp
"Late Night Roll" was produced in the twilight hours on a coffee fuelled production binge. I wanted to make something that sounded dusty and had a real nostalgic feel to it but also had to have a fresh approach. The vocal chops bounce along nicely and are aimed squarely at the dance floor. The scene here in Belfast has been on the rise for a while with the likes of Ejeca and Bicep paving the way for other artists from the Emerald Isle, but a scene also needs great material and for once I think the city really has an abundance of it. There's a feeling in the air that we are on to something, and there is plenty more to come.Sid Carey
I was overwhelmed to have my track win the EXTND PLY and AVA festival for an emerging producer competition, and to be featured on the EP50 release is a real honour. I made the track with the labels sound in mind—dark and trippy but packing a punch. I'm very happy to be part of such a strong community of electronic producers, Belfast is definitely where it's at right now!JC Williams
I took things back to basics with my track and laid down a good healthy, honest dose of 303/707 action. My acid fetish is fully on display here. I'm proud to be part of this landmark release on ExtendedPlay. The label is going from to strength to strength and has a growing family of super talented artists. I've got high hopes for the future, just have a listen here to see why. Play on!Statement of Intent drops on November 30th via, yep, you guessed it, Extended Play.Follow Extended Play on Facebook // SoundCloud
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Right, you can put those hands down now and get down to reading what some of the artists involved in Statement of Intent have to say about both the release and the state of Belfast in late 2015.T-Bone and JMX (Label heads)
We have arrived at the BIG five zero and we have to say we are fiercely proud of this milestone and all our extended family. This release encapsulates a lot of what we love in late night electronics, represented across fourteen new Belfast originals. From deep tripped out house courtesy of new signings Bloomer White & AVA competition winner Sid Carey alongside EP mainstay Cromby. 80's synth-funk from Jordan, raw acid from JC Williams through to the peak time techno weapons from Ejeca, Chris Hanna & Cophin. We've got proper jack tracks from Slurrp & Moodtrax, hip-house via Martin De Brig and disco splashed house from veterans Scoper & Bubba as well as some straight up club workouts from us along the way. This is the soundtrack to a romp through our city and for once Belfast blowing up can only be seen as a positive. So this is it, our statement of intent for the future —we are incredibly excited about our scene and what lies in-store.
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"Broken Knuckles In The Bunatee" is my nod to the room in the Queens University Student's Union. It regularly hosts Belfast's rowdiest nights. When things kick off in the place the low ceiling always takes the brunt of it and I wanted to make something as a tribute to that exact moment. They've happened so frequently now they've started repairing it with concrete and wood, instead of giving us the plaster we want to destroy so eagerly. If anything it's testament to how lively and strong the scene is right now in Belfast - the fact they're having to repair a roof every couple of weeks because people are constantly punching the shit out of it having too much fun.Cophin
"Way Mon Tah" went from us messing around with a vocal way too much, to getting lost in synths and it all morphing into a club ready missile. We sent a couple of versions to Timmy who immediately jumped on the stab mix as the kind of techno he wanted to add to the EP50 artillery. Club weapons and rowdy partying are two things this city does well and we are excited to see how things are developing here at the min.Scoper and Bubba
Getting back into the studio together after 10 years felt totally natural, we have a weird synergy when developing sounds, we almost know what the other is thinking, which can only come from a life long friendship and sharing music. Channelling inspirations that we love and throwing into a pot of 80s electro, Chicago house, Italo disco and 90's techno—while putting our own little twists on things. We are excited to be on the EP50 comp, showcasing our sound alongside a host of fantastic artists that are emerging from Belfast. It is great to see that for such a small Island, we are having an impact across the world.
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