Interview: In Conversation with Canis X Sirius: Last Days of Disco Part 2 (Dirtbox Recordings)
Some collaborations are built in studios. Others, in families. For West Midlands duo Canis X Sirius, it’s both. With roots stretching back to Sirius’ early 2000s run as a respected MC and a story that winds through fatherhood, reconnection, and raw creativity, their music carries more than just sound design—it carries legacy. Their latest EP Last Days of Disco Part 2 is the second chapter in a bold trilogy on Dirtbox Recordings, packed with cinematic textures, stomping basslines and emotional undercurrents. We caught up with the pair to find out how it all came together.
Your story is incredibly unique—a father and son duo reconnecting through music and now releasing your second EP on Dirtbox. Can you take us back to when you first started making music together and how the Canis X Sirius project came to life?
After retiring from MC duties around 12 years ago due to not seeing Bradley often enough, I set him up with a laptop with Studio One on and taught him the basics of Production, for years he learned the ropes mainly alone watching tutorials by Teddy Killers and otjer major artists on how to develop his sound design. When he hit 15, he started to make serious sounds and was a lot better with construction. One day I sent him an idea, a sample from the series Vikings and told him to make a track out of it. A few days later, Lagartha was produced, and it was at that point that I knew he had some special abilities. I sent the track to Jacky Lim, the owner of chilli tribe records, and it was signed from there. Brad was set in stone, and he only wanted to produce if I helped him as a duo. Our first official releases were ‘Never Let Me Down’ with some bootlegs to test the waters.
Sirius, you stepped away from the scene years ago to focus on fatherhood. Now that you’re back—alongside your son—how does it feel to be producing again, but this time as a team?
Watching him grow into the man he is today was a privilege, but to both share the same passion for music is literally a dream come true. He was always my biggest fan as a kid, and to be producing side by side with him is an honour. The lad has come leaps and bounds, and I now ask him for advice on sound design lol.
Lagertha was a major turning point for you both, especially as Canis’ debut. What do you remember about the creative process behind that track, and why do you think it hit so hard?
Lagertha was like a track that was just meant to be. When I sent him the sample, I visualised the track in my head before he made it. When he sent me the track a few days later, I was completely blown away by how epic it was. Because I had very little input, I put it out as a Canis release. His sound design, even at this stage, was way above expectations, even though he was only 16.
Proud was an understatement.
The new EP, Last Days of Disco Part 2, continues your three-part series. What’s the overall concept behind this trilogy, and what makes Part 2 stand out from the others?
We both love dark, gritty drum and bass inspired by the likes of Imanu, Teddy Killers, Menus, Camo and Crooked, Chase and Status, and Pola and Bryson.
We aimed to try to bring back those thick bass lines that tremble venues, but with sharp, snappy beats and reese basses. The Last Days of Disco was a way for us to bring back those raw dnb elements from the last into a new genre of dance floor tracks. Last Days of Disco is to stamp out our signature sound design.
“Fight Me” is cinematic, gritty, and full of tension. What inspired the mood and message behind the track?
Fight Me was a track that just fell together with ease, and although the dawn was loaded with vets, it was a relatively quick and easy track to make. Brad had already put in hours of work in sound design, so it was just a case of construction. As many of our tunes go, Brad made the drop, and it sat in our archives until I stumbled on it and finished it. He enjoys making drum patterns and epic drops but hates finishing anything. 16-bar loops and then asking his dad to do intros and construction was the go-to.
“Insomniac” shows your range—pulling in a more liquid vibe while still staying heavy. Was that a conscious move to showcase versatility, or did it evolve naturally?
Again, another easy track that didn't take long to produce. They do say less is more, and we certainly kept this one as minimal as possible to allow the sub to roll through the track. It was originally put out as an EP filler, thinking not many people would appreciate it, but we were wrong, and it was snapped up straight away by Dirtbox Recordings.
“Nitty” feels like a proper dancefloor closer—relentless, dark, and unpredictable. What was the vision for this one, and how does it reflect where you’re heading sound-wise?
Nitty was our attempt at making a dark, gritty jump-up track with more impact on the rave scene than our usual vocal track approach. We had fun making this and have a few more like it in the oven, ready for 2026.
Dirtbox has been a major supporter of your work, from Vibe City to this exclusive three-EP deal. What’s your relationship with the label been like, and how has it helped shape your momentum?
Lee from Dirtbox Records has been nothing but a blessing to us; the help and advice he has given us is just impossible to ever pay back. We originally sent our E.P to a few labels but didn't hear anything back, we understood this as there are so many good artists out there now, the chances of someone liking your track and releasing it are alot slimmer than when I was doing it a decade ago, when Lee got back in touch and agreed to sign several of our tracks we were over the moon and there isnt anyone else i trust in the scene like i trust lee. Top bloke!
As a duo, how do you balance roles in the studio—do you each bring something different to the table, or is it a fully collaborative process from start to finish?
I'd say Brad's job is predominantly sound design and beats. Without his work in these fields, we wouldn't be who we are. We both initiate the inception stage, but Canis makes the fundamentals. My job is mainly construction, harmonies, intros, and vocals.
Whenever we switch roles, we have a different outcome. I produce more liquid dancefloor tracks, whereas he likes his stab basses and monstrous stompers. It makes for a good concoction of styles.
How have you found the response to your music so far—especially with the backstory behind your project being so personal? Has it added an extra layer to how fans connect with what you do?
It has been a humbling experience so far, to have the legendary Andy C take our first E.P was an eye opener, we made a pact when we started the producing Together that we didnt want to be world beaters we just wanted to see videos of our tracks being dropped by the best djs in the world n to have that happpen on our first E.P was profound and gave us a spring in our step to continue our crafts.
Outside of the music itself, how do you manage the creative dynamic between family and business? Any golden rules for keeping things smooth when the sessions get intense?
Due to our easy-going attitude, we very rarely get stressed in the studio. We use the tools we are both best suited for, and it works brilliantly. We don't expect to be world beaters and treat it like a hobby. We plan never to forget our roots in this and stay true to our sound. If anything happens from it, then we will buy some stress balls for the studio just in case :)
With Part 3 of the trilogy on the horizon, what can we expect from the final chapter—and are there any surprises in store?
Part 3, we plan on bringing some explosive tracks with some collabs from the finest up-and-coming artists around. Part 3 will close off with our signature sound, dark and gritty. We are looking forward to the release and showing you all what we have in store.
And finally… if you could take just one drum and bass track—by any artist, from any era—to a desert island, what would it be and why?
Sientelo- Camo and Crooked and Mefjus ……. Has to be one of the best drum and bass tunes ever created ❤️
Big thanks to Andy & Brad for taking the time to speak with us. Last Days of Disco Part 2 is out on 4 July 2025 on Dirtbox Recordings, with Part 3 on the horizon. Expect more grit, more weight, and a few surprises in store.
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