ARTIST SPOTLIGHT – STICKY DUB
Sticky Dub is an artist who defies categorisation, seamlessly weaving elements of broken beat, UK garage, dub, and hip-hop into a sound that is uniquely his own.
Rooted in Northern culture and a DIY ethos, his music reflects a raw authenticity and a commitment to constant evolution. In this spotlight, he shares the philosophy behind his artistry, the inspiration for his enigmatic track titles, and his vision for the future.
Your music blends elements of broken beat, UK garage, dub, and hip-hop, but it feels like there’s an authenticity to it, as if you’re creating what feels right rather than consciously mixing genres. Would you say this blending is something you actively think about, or does it come more naturally from within?
I used to concern myself with incorporating certain genres into my music. This was untilI i found this deliberate and forced approach thwarted my creativity. Only when I let go of ego drives and categorisations in my mind did I really find my sound. When I listened back I heard all my influences there, existing naturally.
Never Give Weapons to a Man Who Can’t Dance sounds like a timeless saying, almost like a piece of ancient wisdom. Where did this title come from, and does this kind of juxtaposition—something that feels both satirical and profound—inform how you approach making music?
Being a student of life has led me to contemplate the happenings of my life, of course! Being a man in this current world is a confusion and abstraction for me, so I looked to nature and history to find meaning. One of the sources of my healing came from writers Robert Bly & Michael Meade who combine mythology, sociology, nature and psychology so poetically on this very subject. This title is inspired from their teachings amongst other things of a similar essence. The Book ‘Iron John’ by Robert Bly was so relevant to my life and it definitely came out through my music.
You’ve described your music as reflecting Northern culture and rudeboy energy—two phrases that feel like they capture who you are as a person. How do you think these elements come across in your music?
When I read this question the first thing that came to mind was Jamaican & Irish culture! Hahah.. These two places have been merged for a while and I am a tiny slice of that merger. The history of these places echoes in me and has manifested itself in my being as a certain perception of the world. Subsequently, this became a perspective, that i want to share
One thing that stands out about your music is that it has a high production value while still keeping a grassroots, DIY feel. You don’t seem confined by fancy studios or expensive equipment. How intentional is this approach, and what does it mean for your creative process?
It’s not at all intentional haha. If I could have all the best equipment in the world I definitely would! Circumstances put me in a DIY zone but I’m so grateful for that. It’s great that I’ve not had access to the fancy equipment, that’s what made me resourceful and provided the limitation I needed to facilitate creativity. Now I like my set-up, it’s super simple and geared towards mobility.
Liverpool’s underground music scene is vibrant and ever-evolving. What’s your take on the current scene, and where do you see it heading in the next few years?
Yeh Liverpool music has been goin through a rebirth in the last few years. I think there’s much more growth to happen and new artists to come out of the woodwork. In Terms of where I see it headingI don’t know, to be fully honest I’m just thinking about me and where im heading.
For those new to the scene or trying to break into genre-blending production, what advice would you give on finding a unique sound and making an impact?
The best piece of advice I can give is to never begin a session with an idea of what you want to create. Throw stuff on to the canvas, search, explore and discard of anything that doesnt give momentum as fast as possible
What’s Next for Sticky Dub?
Next for me is solidifying myself in my own lane, i hate being categorised . Since reflecting on my current releases I am inspired to delve more into my artistry and produce higher quality, more honest, more raw music. i will forever remain a student and continuously aim towards mastery
To keep up to date with Sticky Dub, follow him here.