Interview with Charlie B (Optimus Gryme)

Charlie B aka Optimus Gryme is a self taught producer who has been tapping away on beats for just over a decade. Over the last 2 years he has evolved into one of Aotearoa’s leading
Dubstep pioneers.

In 2008 he released NZ’s first solo Dubstep EP ‘Annihilation Of The Ego’, as well as releasing Aotearoa’s first Dubstep 12inch on his own imprint – Optimus Gryme Recordings.

Charlie’s love for Dubstep has stemmed from his 10 year addiction to Drum & Bass and Jungle. Over the last decade Charlie has played a massive part in the NZ D&B scene; forming Offbeat Records back in 2002, hosting Roll TV which was NZ’s first nationwide TV show dedicated to D&B, managing Concord Dawn’s label Uprising Records, hosting the NZ D&B show on Kiwi FM and writing as D&B editor for Infusion Magazine.

Charlie has also been actively DJing since 1999; supporting many international acts including Black Sun Empire, Chase & Status, and Outrage, as well as playing at some of Aotearoa’s biggest parties; Groove in the Park, Deep, Hard & Funky and Phat, just to name a few.

Although Charlie still DJs and producers D&B, it is Dubstep which has recently caught his attention.

Dubstep has similar elements to Jungle and D&B. “It’s got massive drums and huge basslines. It’s refreshing to hear the sounds that made me fall in love with Jungle over a decade ago, being mashed up and re-packaged in a different way, and at a different tempo” says Charlie.

Doors get closed and phones turned off at eight, so get in a little early, grab a Becks or a RedBull and make yourself comfortable!

See you there..

http://www.optimusgryme.co.nz/
http://www.facebook.com/dubstepnz