Shallow and the deep are a socially charged live hip hop band who are making waves in the live hip hop / indie scene. Electro synths, thrashing guitars, live drums and sampling give this Berkshire based band an electric live show and a powerful presence in the hip hop market. Having had their upcoming album picked up by legendary producer Baby J who is executive producing with MC Cope SATD’s front man, this group have a bright future ahead of them…

So how long have you been together and been on the live scene?

Well we all used to play in different bands for years around London and Reading . We’d support each other’s gigs loads and genuinely loved the music each other played. We were in metal bands and progressive bands before and once I had the sound sorted and the album pretty much put together we started playing live with S.A.T.D. There’s a big difference between what we used to play and what we love playing now. Hip hop to me is an honest and straightforward way of me expressing myself, and I think it comes across on stage.

So for those of us who don’t know you, what should people expect from your music and live shows?

The music has quite a live feel to it. I don’t really enjoy just programming beats or sampling stuff. I play a lot of guitar and piano on the tracks and am lucky enough to be surrounded by really talented musicians and singers. That’s why our live shows have a full back line of guitars, bass, drums, decks, synths, piano, percussion etc.. so we are really busy on stage and gets a good response (touch wood). I rap about real people and real ideas that hopefully people can relate to.

I like to think there is a bit of everything for everyone. There are 80’s references and grungy undertones scattered throughout it all. Shallow and the Deep is quite different to the majority of UK hip hop out there and I want the album to represent my background and my views, that way it stays honest.

You’ve managed to get the interest from UK legendary Producer Baby J who is the Executive Producer of the debut album, how are things going with the record so far?

Yeah to be honest I’ve followed a lot of his music for years and he was actually the only producer I sent the rough mixes of the album to. He got back to me and seems to like it so far so we are just fixing a plan as we speak. I really respect his input but at the same time he doesn’t want to tread on my toes so it’s a cool thing. The album “Treading Water” should be out in late August.

Who are your major influences?

Well our drummer Luis has a background in grunge and rock and loves Pearl Jam. DJ Kodiak is well into his d’n’b and used to DJ a lot before SATD. James the guitarist loves his punk and metal bands like Strung out and Lamb of God and I love a bit of everything really.

Rappers like Jehst, Eminem, Klashnekoff and Biggie have had a big influence on me, but I love La Roux, Friendly Fires and respect Burial a lot.

I think the main point is that we all love hip hop and try to put our past influences into SATD to give it it’s sound. It’s cheesy but I can’t say it clearer than that really.

In one word, explain the live show..

Throbbing.

Why shallow and the deep??

Um, mainly because some of my lyrics are really shallow and some of them are quite deep. It depends what mood I am in really. Most of the music is about coping with things that life throws at you, good or bad.

Any shows coming up?

Yeah we’ve got a big one in High Wycombe on the 27th June at the Nag’s Head in High Wycombe near where we come from. Should be a big night. I urge you all to come!!

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