Episode 17 of The Different Drumz Podcast Series featuring a fresh and exclusive drum and bass mix and interview from UK based Drum & Bass artist Con-Figure (Soul Deep / Celsius / Smooth N Groove)

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The Tracklist

1) Maykors & indigomind – Moonlight
2) Matt View – Blue Haze
3) Smote ft Shaded Lines – Yours
4) Con-Figure – Hot Sauce
5) Ill Truth – War
6) Con-Figure – Glass & Smoke
7) Con-Figure – Rendezvous
8) Con-Figure – Biosphere
9) Con-Figure – Velvet Haze
10) Con-Figure – Foolish Heart
11) Qumulus – Y.O.L.O
12) Matt View – Old Flame
13) Con-Figure – Still Holding On
14) Qumulus – Dreamstate
15) Con-Figure – A Lonely Road
16) Bad 4 Life & X-Tec – Shadows Of The Past
17) Manifold – Nebula Dreams
18) Overtown & Con-Figure – Midnight Avenue
19) M-Acid – No Future
20) Souldier – You And Me
21) Kr33per & SOLR – I Waited
22) Con-Figure – Stone Cold v1 (Dub)
23) HLZ – Cyclops

The Interview

Hey Joe, thank you so much for getting involved with Different Drumz for episode 17 of our podcast series – it’s great to have you on board with this exclusive mix & interview! We love your sound, but could you start by giving our listeners a little background info about yourself for those that might not yet know Con-Figure, and tell us a little about what we can expect from your podcast mix?

Big up for having me on Different Drumz – really appreciate the invite! For those who might not know me, I’m Con-Figure, a UK-based drum & bass producer focused on the deeper, more minimal side of the genre. I’ve come up through just putting the hours in and finding my own sound over time, rather than following a set path. My music’s always been about feeling first—stripped-back grooves, subtle details, and creating a vibe that pulls you in. I take a lot of inspiration from jazz, soul, and more atmospheric elements, and try to bring that into a modern DnB setting.

Outside of music, I work in telecoms, so I’m usually out on installs rather than stuck behind a desk. I think that contrast helps a lot creatively—it keeps me grounded and gives me space to come back to music with a fresh perspective.

For the mix, expect a proper journey through the deeper end of drum & bass. I’ve included a selection of my own tracks, including some newer bits, alongside music from artists and labels I really rate. Hope you enjoy it!

How did you first get into drum and bass, and what made you start producing?

I first got into DnB back in 1994, when a friend’s older brother and his mate were running a small promotion called Intense Promotions—that’s really where it all began for me. Around 1996, I drifted more towards techno, as ragga jungle wasn’t really my thing, but a few years later I found my way back to drum & bass after hearing Ed Rush & Optical’s Wormhole EP, which completely pulled me back in.

Producing came much later. It started off as just experimenting and trying to understand how these tracks were made, but it quickly turned into something I became properly invested in. I didn’t come from a musical background, so it was a lot of trial and error—just putting the hours in, learning as I went, and slowly developing my own style.

What made me stick with it was that feeling of being able to create something from nothing—building a vibe, capturing a mood, and expressing something that words don’t really cover. That’s still what drives me now more than anything.

Who are your main sources of inspiration when it comes to production—any classic artists or sounds that shaped your style?

I don’t really have a go-to source for inspiration. It usually comes from hearing a certain sound or noise that triggers a response. I try to avoid using artists as direct inspiration, as I find it can hinder workflow and lead to imposter syndrome. That said, people like Calibre, Peshay, and Bukem definitely helped guide me onto this path early on.

We know you’ve been putting out some proper liquid rollers lately. What labels have you been enjoying working with most, like Soul Deep or Celsius?

Yeah, definitely Soul Deep more so—it’s a label I really connect with. They’ve got that timeless sound and a proper focus on vibes, which suits the way I like to write. It feels like a natural home for my tracks, especially the more soulful rollers.

I’ve still enjoyed working with Celsius as well—they’ve been great—but if I’m honest, Soul Deep is probably the one that aligns closest with my sound and where I see a lot of my music sitting moving forward. Big shout to Scott Allen as well—he’s shown support from early on, which has meant a lot and definitely helped me along the way.

Your tracks often have that smooth, harmonic vibe with jazzy elements which you know we love here at Different Drumz. Where do those influences come from in your production style?

It all depends on what mood I’m in on the day, if I’m honest. I’m not really trying to force a sound—it just naturally comes through in the samples I choose and the overall vibe I’m building. I like things to feel warm and human rather than too clean or clinical, so I’ll lean into softer textures and subtle musical details to give the track some character.

I think it’s also about balance. Even when I go darker or more minimal, I still like to have something underneath that brings a bit of depth and feeling. That contrast between space, clean drums, and more musical layers is what really defines my style.

What’s the production process like for you these days—any go-to techniques for those jazzy pads and breaks?

I stick to a few simple rules when making a track: vibe and arrangement (it has to be DJ-friendly). About 75% of my sound is sampled. I can’t play brass or drums, so I have to source things in other ways—search and you will find!

We’ve spotted some great EPs from you lately, like your ‘Hot Sauce EP’ on Soul Deep, love that release. Can you tell our listeners more about your recent collaborations with labels and how those came about? Are there more in the works?

I haven’t really made a great deal of music this year, but I have finished a collab track with Overtown and done a remix for PoWR. I’m also working with Saffron and Peeb on projects which will be ready soon, and I’ve got a few finished solo tracks, some of which are included in the mix.

What future releases do you have lined up that we can look out for? Anything exciting on the horizon?

I’ve got tracks coming out on Smooth N Groove, as well as a collab with Overtown on Off World. I also have more to send to Soul Deep later this year, and a 3 track EP being lined up for release with you guys on Different Drumz Recordings.

Are there any collaborations you’ve done recently that have really pushed your sound forward?

The track I made with Dmytro Laroviy (Midnight Avenue) helped solidify my jazz-influenced style, I guess, but working with Scott Allen last year definitely pushed me forward.

If you could give new aspiring DnB producers tips on getting tracks out there and onto labels, what would it be?

Focus on your sound and make sure your music is genuinely you. It’s easy to get caught up chasing trends or trying to sound like what’s popular at the time, but labels can hear that a mile off. What stands out more is when someone has their own identity, even if it’s still developing.

Take your time with your tracks as well—don’t rush to send things out before they’re ready. A solid mixdown and attention to detail go a long way. Sometimes it’s worth sitting on a tune for a bit, coming back to it with fresh ears, and really tightening everything up before sending it anywhere.

Do your research on labels too. Send your music to ones that actually fit your sound rather than just firing it out everywhere. If it naturally aligns, you’ve got a much better chance of it being picked up.

And lastly, don’t get disheartened if you don’t hear back straight away. Everyone gets ignored or turned down at some point—it’s part of the process. Just keep improving, stay consistent, and build relationships over time. If the music’s there, things will start to fall into place.

Have you been playing out much lately? What’s been your standout moment behind the decks?

Last summer, I played at the Soul Deep vs Smooth N Groove event, where I finally met Scott, Chris, and Tyler. It was a huge line-up and great to meet Villem. The real standout moment, though, has been playing regularly at Deeper Drum & Bass—there’s something about the vibe there that’s unmatched compared to anything else I’ve experienced.

What have been some of your greatest musical moments over the last year or so in the DnB scene?

100% meeting the Deeper gang! These guys have supported me for a few years now and were responsible for getting me DJing again after a long time away from that side of things. Since playing at their events, my love for the music has grown more and more. I test all my new tracks there to see what’s working and what needs tweaking.

Who are some of your favourite established producers in the game at the moment?

I’m really feeling Zero T at the moment—he’s probably my favourite producer right now.

Any up-and-coming artists standing out to you, or new liquid heads pushing the sound forward?

Yeah, for sure—Bad 4 Life, Mag, Dynamic Stab, and Sereni7.

What’s next for Con-Figure this year—any cheeky heads-up on collabs or EPs in the pipeline?

I’m heading in a new direction with more minimal tech DnB. I’ll still be writing in my usual style, but I feel like a new path is needed for me to explore.

Outside of DnB, what other music or vibes fuel your creativity?

Outside of DnB, I’m mainly drawn to jazz, soul, and more laid-back, atmospheric music. Anything with a bit of feeling in it—whether that’s old records, film scores, or just music that creates a mood without trying too hard. I do like a bit of indie and 80s as well 🙂

Lastly, Can you give us 5 of your favourite tracks at the moment – whether classics or fresh releases – that really resonate with you right now and maybe explain why they hit so hard?

Sorrow – Futurebound (old but still my favourite track)

Noire – Bad 4 Life (smooth but hits emotionally)

Waisted Love – Mag & Criteria (big track, hits all the right spots)

Modern Walking – Spective (hits hard in a different way—crazy production)

Stone Cold – Con-Figure (the darker side of my persona)

Thanks again for getting involved with the Different Drumz Podcast series and for such a beautiful mix – we wish you all the best for 2026 and look forward to hearing more of your music!

Useful Links

Con-Figure Facebook | Con-Figure Soundcloud | Con-Figure Instagram