Artist: Ian K
Aliases: Ian K | Prototype IR | MC Verbal
Styles: Hard Trance | NRG | Hardcore | Freeform
Labels: Hardscience Recordings
Affiliations: Twenty 1 Crew | X-DJs
Location: Seattle, WA (USA)
How old are you?
I am 27 years old, born in ‘77
Where are you from?
Born and raised in Seattle WA.
What brought you into the scene?
I got into the scene initially through my great friend Ian, aka DJ Dummy. When he came home from school he was into the dance scene quite a bit, and was into spinning records. He was into hardcore and let me have a go at it. I enjoyed it quite a bit, and started buying records. I also was listening to mixtapes and anything else I could to hear it live. I noticed the MC's on a UK Hardcore tape and Ian explained what they did, and their point, which was to hype the crowd. I got more into that side of things, and started MC'ing for him at local parties. Things began to take off for us immediately, getting support from Simon Apex and the SSU crew and that's how we got our foot in the door.
How did you get into djing/production?
Well, as I explained above Dummy was kind enough to let me practice spinning with him, and that's how I got my feet wet. I learned about production through Simon Apex, who had his own studio. One time when we were staying with him for a gig we started working on a track together and things kinda took off from there. We never got much finished on that particular track, but Simon was great at explaining to me what things meant, how they worked, basically gave me an informal "Into to Production". Since I had some music background I had a good foundation for understanding the concepts that he was showing me. I kept at it, with a lot of feedback and critiques from Simon, and eventually found a comfortable method to writing.
I kept a lot of my tracks under my hat, since I didn't really have any outlet for them at the time. After my first gig spinning Hard House (151 all stars at Organik 2) I got hooked up with two awesome crews, Check 6 was one and the Reaction DJ's were another. A close friendship with Reaction DJ' planted the seed that eventually became Hardscience, while my friendship with Check 6 and Wheelz got me into a weekly netcast from a local space. This was the forum that I first attempted a live PA, and the first time I played my tracks out for the public.
How did you obtain your first gig? When and where?
My first gig dj'ing was for an Abducted party at NAF, where I tag teamed with DJ Dummy spinning Happy Hardcore. Man this was back in 2000, towards the end of the summer.
My first gig MC'ing was New Years Eve 2000-20001 at FX. Great time in that back room. I was nervous as hell, but as soon as I saw kids with their hands in the air, I was hooked.
How did you come up with your name?
I came up with MC Verbal by coming at it from two different directions. First, I wanted to choose a name that was indicative of what I was doing, and as an MC, verbalizing was pretty much a key component. I also followed the lead of a lot of others out there, and tried to think of film characters that I was into. After seeing The Usual Suspects, I really liked the character of Verbal Kint, and unassuming character that seemed to be of little importance, but was key to the story. That sort of embodied my belief about mc's, that a lot of folks didn't like them, thought that they weren't important, but if done well can really bring out a lot in a performance. Coming at it from those different directions, I arrived at MC Verbal.
When I got into production it was pointed out to me that I needed a new moniker. I chose to use my real name, Ian K, for no other reason than that it was all I could come up with.
What are some other styles you have been through?
Well, I got started with Hardcore, and that will always be my #1 love in dance music. I have tried my hand at almost all the various hardcore sub-genres, breakbeat, happy, gabber, freeform. I then started getting into Hard House in the spring of 2003, started buying records and getting back at spinning. This lead me right towards producing Hard House/NRG/Hard Trance. I also have spun Jungle with my friend MikeMC,
How would you describe your current style?
I consider all the music that I am writing to be Hard Dance. After that it's a matter of BPM. If its 175-185, it could be considered Hardcore, if its 150-160 then probably Hard House/NRG, etc. Most of the time I start with just a riff, then try it out at different tempos, see what works out best, does it work best with a breakbeat, or an off stab bassline, or 16th note bassline, etc. It's about what works best with the riff, what brings out the groove.
Who are some of your influences?
I would have to say Simon Apex, since he has been so supportive, folks like the Nu Energy Crew and the Check6 and Smokeshack Crews. All these people have such definitive styles, hearing what they play gives me so many ideas for writing, it lets me see what people are reacting to, what the DJ's like to play. In terms of other producers, I would have to say BK, Nick Sentience, Kevin Energy, and Sharkey. Those are the producers that I feel have shaped their scenes. I also have to give respect to other local producers that I have met, people like Ministry in PDX and MarQ, who are also working hard to contribute something to the scene.
What are your favorite labels?
For Hardcore, anything out of the Nu Energy Collective, the Next Generation/Blatant Beats stable, anything on Evolution, I used to really love Quosh too.
For Hard House, I like Nukleuz and Tidy, even though a lot of folks talk a lot of shit about ‘em. I like the Project 5 stuff, again, anything out of the Nu Energy crew, and lately I have gotten into Orange Records.
How about your favorite dj and producer?
All time has to be Simon Apex, as many skills behind the decks as behind a keyboard. Always gives 100% to his performance, and then goes home and pumps out awesome music.
What is your most memorable event that you've performed at?
Most memorable would have to be Nokturnal Wonderland, 2002, at Lake Havasu. It was like nothing I have ever experienced before in my life. The scale of the event was unlike anything I had seen before, 7 stages on an abandoned landing strip in the middle of the desert. Getting to share the stage and perform with the likes of Force and Styles, Hixxy, MC Storm, Scott Brown, Simon Apex, Sharkey, Kevin Energy, it was incredible. The event was so big that they had golf carts to drive performers around backstage. The highlights of the whole night was MC'ing for Scott Brown, and MC'ing Lostboy for the last set of the night, and him dropping Trixxy's "Sunrize" right when the sun came over the mountains behind us. Seeing the crowd, the reds and orange of the sunrise, it was a moment I will never forget.
Another was Yellow by Funshine. Even though there were some issues around the event, the party itself was so much fun. I never thought that in my hometown that MC Storm, Lostboy, Simon Apex and I would perform together on stage. 2 dj's back to back with 2 mc's, it was a wikked night. Hixxy and Storm tore it up, and brought some amazing tunes.
What was your worst event?
Not that this is a "worst" per say, but it was the weirdest night. It was the first TBBJ party, in OR, and it was set to be held in some kids back yard in a barn. We got there, and there was Little Terror, Climaxxx, Robatroid, Mischief, Pandemonium, and me and Dummy and a few kids. We rocked hard, played some good hardcore, and right after Dummy and I finished this guy (who was quite a jerk), was like, "Ok, now I'm gonna spin some GOOD music". He jumped on the decks and played some REALLY bad house and trainwrecked. The cops showed up immediately and shut it down. The hardcore kids all took off, we ended up at a park and just fooled around, then we went to some kids apartment, setup the decks on the floor and connected them to a home stereo, and played records till the next morning, hopped in Dummy's Golf and made the drive home. Quite an interesting night.
Craziest trip to an event?
Would probably be Nokturnal Wonderland again. We flew from Seattle to Phoenix AZ, rented a car, and drove it from Phoenix to Havasu, about 3-4 hrs. We eventually found the hotel, got checked in and met up w/ the rest of the crew. We piled into our rental car, drove out to the abandoned airstrip where it was held in the LONGEST line of cars ever.
After we got done, I was driving us back to the hotel, Dummy asked if I was ok to drive. I said, "Yes", and then promptly fell asleep behind the wheel. Dummy took over and got us to the hotel safe.
The next morning we were hanging out at the hotel pool, listening to old Rat Pack tapes, Simon and Lostboy were there, Angela, Sharkey, and bunch of other SSU crew members. Sitting at the edge of the pool, Simon informed me that I needed to go get beer since I was the only one dry. I jumped into the pool with all my clothes on, looked up at Dummy who was still dry and said, "Sorry, I'm swimming, make Dummy do it!"
I was too tired to drive so Dummy drove the rental back to Phoenix (he didn't have a license at this point", we got the Phoenix, ate some crappy burritos and slept the whole way home on an empty plane, we had our own rows to sleep in.
Describe your dream event, who would you choose to play with and why?
My dream event would probably be to have something on the scale of Sensation Black in Amsterdam. Thousands of people, in one huge area, DJ's in the center. I'd like to see Lab4 live, Yoji Biomehanika, Nick Sentience, Lee Haslam, then ending the night was Scott Brown. It would be sick to have something similar to the 151 All Stars, that was one of my favorite gigs, 8 dj's spinning back to back, a chance to showcase the best in locals. Put that somewhere in the middle, since hey, it's my dream right. I'd like to play the last 20-30 mins of the 151 set with a Live PA. Something like that would be just awesome.
What is your all time favorite track?
Ok, I know that I am going to get slagged for this one, but "Love of my Life", the Brisk and Ham mix on the NGLP Sampler is my favorite track EVER. It has all the elements of anthem-style hardcore, a great hook, awesome vocals that are easy to sing along to, a wicked riff, and hard percussion. A little cheesy, but my favorite still.
Do you listen to anything outside of electronic music? If so what is it?
Hell yes. I love a lot of different types of music, screaming emo, hardcore punk, indie rock, math rock, all sorts of jazz and blues, old time country/folk/bluegrass, metal, pretty much anything. The only things I have a huge problem with are acts like Ashlee Simpson and Avril Levine, Good Charlotte, crap like that. Radio "punk", like come on, you were on the cover of Rolling Stone, how mad can you be at the system? "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"? Give me a fucking break.
What are some of your other interests, hobbies?
I am into computers in general, trying to stay ahead of the curve on emerging technologies. I like to ride my Bike, this year my goal is to ride about 30 miles a week. I also am into writing, something that I would like to devote more time to.
Do you work full time? In school?
I work as a Social Worker, working with foster youth to prepare them for independence. I feel sickened by the lack of supports for these kids, both financially and (more importantly) personally. These youth are shuttled from home to home, with no chance to put down some roots and begin to develop as a human being. They are in a constant state of upheaval and transition. My goal is to provide one area of their lives where they have an adult they can trust, who is there to assist them, and to help them help themselves live on their own.
Do you have a significant other? Married?
I am married, just had our three year anniversary last week. We've been together close to 8 years now, and I couldn't be happier.
What are you looking forward to this year?
This year I am looking foreword to seeing Hardscience launch as a label, especially since one of the tracks I have worked on is the debut release. It says a lot for Dave and Ryan to take someone like me under their wing and be so supportive of the music that I work on. I am excited about the Prototype IR project with Ryan, and I am hoping that I can get some remix work sometime this summer
What is your contact email for bookings?
iank@hardscience.net
Where do you see yourself and the scene in 5 years?
My hope is to still be doing what I am doing now, writing music, playing out every so often and getting to travel a few times a year for gigs. If I could be playing more, traveling more, that would be cool too.
As for the scene, I feel that in 5 years the scene will have gone through another cycle of renewal. The folks who are just straight up "party kids" will have moved on the DJ'ing/producing/promoting, some of the mainstays in the current scene will have move down, leaving a space to be filled by new blood. We seem to be coming out of a rut, with things beginning to pick up gradually. Slow progress will beat quick success ANYDAY. I would like to see Hard Dance move to the clubs, like in the UK. I would also like to see promoters who have their hearts in the right place, wanting to give as great show to the people, not a quick money scam. If you look at the level of production in the UK/Europe, it is on a different level. The "Masters of Hardcore" parties are straight Hardcore/Gabber all night, and they are using spaces the size of the Key Arena, with multiple screens, multiple lasers, intelligent light arrays and amazing decorations. There is a scene to support it, and I would like to see something like that here. Someday I suppose.
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Artist: Channel Surfer Remixer: Ian K Label: Televisionary Records Genre: Hardcore Release Date: 2008-04-15 
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| Our Time (8:12) | Cue in Player | Play Now | |||||
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Artist: Ian K Label: Hardscience Recordings Genre: Hardcore Release Date: 2006-01-06 
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| Who Do You Love (8:21) | Cue in Player | Play Now | |||||
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Artist: Ian K Label: Hardscience Recordings Genre: Hardcore Release Date: 2005-09-27
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