Interview: In conversation with Varkid: the making of Finally
Featuring Varkid
Varkid discusses Finally on Dirtbox Recordings, from unfinished ideas to a full album, covering style, process, and the reality behind the project.
Four years is a long time to sit with an album, especially one that did not begin as an album at all. For Varkid, Finally grew out of unfinished ideas, loose momentum, and a working relationship with Dirtbox Recordings that gradually pulled everything into focus. We caught up with him to talk through how the release came together, and what sits behind it.
The title Finally feels quite loaded, especially with this being four years in the making. When you say that word now, what does it actually sum up for you?
I think it’s just because me and Lee have been talking about putting the album together for years now, the title seemed fitting as we’ve both put a lot of work into it.
You came into this as Brent Kilner with a solid background in bass house and speed garage. What was it about drum and bass that pulled you in enough to turn a side project into something this big?
Originally, VARKiD was just an “anything but Brent Kilner” alias. I made a lot of dubstep and other bass genres under this new name, but it became quickly apparent that my DNB was at the forefront of my favourite productions. I’m still making other stuff, but it’s mainly DNB (for now)
Early on, tracks like Bring The Fire seemed to spark things into life. Did that moment change how seriously you took the Varkid project?
Yes, definitely, I was actually shocked with the response it got if I’m honest. Not because I didn’t think it was any good, but I just never thought it would blow up like it did when I was making it.
From what we’ve heard, this album didn’t come from sitting down to “write an album”; it grew out of constant output. At what point did you realise you’d built something that needed to be shaped into a full record?
I just had so many tracks without a home, I tend to start projects, then leave them at 75% for months. It just happened that most of the unreleased tunes in the album ended up 100% around the same time.
Working closely with Dirtbox across this run, how important has that relationship been in getting the album over the line?
Very! Lee is brilliant, especially when it comes to putting up with me. I tend to be extremely lax, and he keeps me in line most of the time.
Dirtbox has its own identity, covering a vast array of DNB. Where do you feel Finally sits within that, given how wide the album stretches stylistically?
I like to imagine it covers all styles on the album. I think fans of the label will find a track they like on Finally regardless of their preference.
There’s a real spread across the album, liquid moments, jungle touches, and heavier dancefloor bits. Was that range intentional, or just a reflection of everything you were writing at the time?
I tend to develop the track's style after I’ve found some interesting elements to work from. I’ve found starting a tune with a certain style in mind can cripple creativity, “Does this sound fit the style?” etc. I prefer to let the style come naturally as the tune progresses.
The way the album moves feels quite deliberate, starting more atmospheric and then building in weight before easing off again. How much thought went into that overall flow?
I think the movement was easy to establish purely because there’s so much variation in the vibe of the whole album it was easy to find a pattern to work with.
Some of the low-end is heavy but very controlled. Has your approach to sound design changed over the course of making this album?
In my opinion making drum and bass has boosted my production ability massively, the techniques are somewhat different to bassline and making the melodic stuff has given me inspiration to work more of the feel of the track rather than just how heavy I can get it.
Did you road-test much of the material in sets, or were you mostly building this away from the dancefloor and locking it in afterwards?
Lee UHF did most of the testing along with a very select few others. With VARKiD technically being a side project, I don’t chase bookings, so I myself haven’t road-tested, but I’ve had excellent feedback from those who have.
This is also landing on vinyl and CD, which feels significant now. What does it mean to you to see this project exist as a physical release?
In the digital era, I think there’s something special about having a physical thing I can hold in my hands. A vinyl release has always been a goal of mine, and the CD as well as the vinyl will be getting pride of place, framed on my studio wall.
Looking back at where this started as a side project, does Finally feel like a turning point, or just the start of something bigger under the Varkid name?
Hopefully, something bigger. I’m interested to see which tracks on the album get the best response, and maybe that could lead me to follow a particular style from the album. There is a remix album in the works too.
And to finish, if someone drops into the album for the first time, which track are you pointing them to as the one that really captures where you’re at right now?
I think if I posted them to either end of the spectrum, they could get an idea of what to expect from the whole thing. I’d have to go with MiNDGAMES just for the pure grit and possibly Lifetime or Hide to show the more emotional, melodic side.
With Finally now out via Dirtbox Recordings, Varkid’s approach feels settled without being fixed. The album reflects years of ideas pulling into line, and the next step looks open, shaped by which parts connect most once it’s out in the world.
