We invited label newcomers Octavate to take control of February's edition of our Dispatch Label Mix Series. Full of their own productions and upfront dubs, Octavate demonstrate their influences and showcase their sound in this hour-long mix. 

Be sure to check out their debut release for Dispatch -  "Ultimatum EP" which features heavily in this mix (general release from 12/02/2024)

Octavate - Dispatch Label Mix - Feb 2024

Ant TC1 along with Hidden Agenda founded Dispatch Recordings back in 2001, Ant originally helped out with the management side of the label before finding his feet within the realms of production; which was a natural progression for him having DJ’d on pirate radio and in clubs from the age of 14 (since 1992).  His first release alongside frequent production partner Stress Level appeared on Dispatch after almost 3 years of hard work getting their collective sound where they felt it needed to be before even thinking about turning on a DAT recorder.  After their first release hit the stores they quickly picked up a wealth of DJ support across their early material and went on to release for a who’s who list of established Drum & Bass record labels including the likes of Renegade, CIA, Advanced, Critical Records Integral, Liquid V, Commercial Suicide, Good Looking Records, Bingo Beats and Samurai Music.

By demand remix work started to feature heavily within their output and the duo went on to remix for the likes of Hidden Agenda, Chris SU, Artificial Intelligence, Kabuki, Total Science, Optical & Ryme Time (Jagged Edge), Atlantic Connection, Tactile & DJ Marky.  Branching out and working with other producers such as Survival, DLR & Philth has only furthered experience Ant’s skills at the controls over the years, Ant has also released his own solo material more recently on top of remixing for the likes of Lomax on Integral Records.  In 2014 Ant realised a lifetime ambition, securing his first ever release for the legendary Metalheadz label “Hungry For Atmosphere” alongside Mako, DLR & Villem with further releases for the label and counting going into 2024.

Ant’s production output has featured on a mass of compilations and mix CD’s compiled by the likes of Shy FX, LTJ Bukem, Total Science, AI, Spectrasoul, Klute and Brian G.  Additionally his work has featured very heavily within the radio shows of Friction, Grooverider, Fabio, Goldie, Bailey & Rene LaVice on their respective BBC Radio 1 slots over the years as well as BBC 1Xtra where Ant once hosted his own one-off 4 hour show, he has since additionally made 2 guest DJ appearances for DJ Friction on his Radio 1 show.  His DJ’ing work has seen him play all over the globe from Adelaide to Los Angeles, from Hong Kong to Sarajevo, Vancouver to Bangkok and last but by no means least regularly UK and EU wide. Additionally for the most part of the decade beyond 2010 Ant also worked as the Artist Manager for both Outlook and Dimensions Festival in Croatia, leading up the booking process, budgets and travel aspects for the festival.

Fast forward through to 2024; Ant is now responsible for the lead label management roles of both Metalheadz & Dispatch Recordings and is based in Thailand, with a purpose built studio room recently finished the plan (alongside managing a mass of planned record label releases) is to get back to focusing on writing music more consistently than he ever has previously.

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