In this exclusive Quivver interview Flow Music dives deep into the mind of one of underground electronic music’s most enduring pioneers. With releases on Bedrock, Anjunadeep, and Ugenius, Quivver has spent decades crafting a sound that blurs the lines between progressive, deep, and melodic. We explore his creative process, his reflections on the ever-changing industry, and what “flow” truly means to an artist who continues to shape the global scene.
Interview with Quivver
You’ve been shaping the sound of underground electronic music for decades – what first pulled you into this world, and what keeps you inspired today?
I was always very into music, and had a few piano lessons as a kid. I got a little Casio sampling keyboard one Christmas, and would spend hours messing around with that and a double cassette deck (yes, this was the 80’s).. When house music and then the rave scene came along I’d just left college and started my first job. I saved enough money to buy a proper sampler, a synth, some speakers and a DAT machine, and started trying to make the kind of music that I was hearing at raves and my local all night club, The Eclipse, in Coventry. I started out making what at that time was called a Hardcore or Jungle – which later became Drum & Bass – under the name Skanna. I later teamed up with an old friend from college Neil Barry and started the Quivver project. Neil and me parted ways after the 2nd Quivver release and I carried on with the project on my own. I’ve never really lost the passion to make music, and I’m constantly inspired by other artists..
You’ve released on some of the most respected labels in the game – from Bedrock to Anjunadeep. What defines a Quivver track for you?
I think the basslines, percussion and groove elements are what have defined the Quivver sound over the years, and the mixture of darkness and light. I think this is a carry over from my Drum & Bass beginnings..
Your sound has always blurred the lines between progressive, deep, and melodic. How do you keep evolving while staying true to your identity?
I’ve always listened to and played different genres in my DJ sets, so I guess these influences sink in. I get bored easily too, and try not to stick too rigidly to the same sounds and techniques. There’s so much music out there that sounds the same, like really formulaic, it may as well be AI.. and I don’t want to be doing that.
When you’re in the studio, what’s usually the first spark – a feeling, a groove, a sound, or something else entirely?
It varies, sometimes I’ll have an idea before I start a track, maybe inspired by stuff I’ve been listening to, other times maybe I’ve found a great sample or a sound that sends me in a certain direction.
Collaboration has been a huge part of your career. What makes a partnership like the one with Dave Seaman click creatively?
It helps that we both come from a similar background musically, and both of us are constantly listening to new music, so when we get together in the studio, we’ve always got ideas about what we want to do next. It’s nice to have someone else to bounce ideas off, and we don’t always agree 100% but those differences mean that we end up making tracks that neither of us would’ve made otherwise.
The underground scene has changed massively since the ‘90s. What’s the biggest shift you’ve witnessed, and how do you feel about it?
The biggest change is that what was the Underground eventually became mainstream and then the whole scene fragmented into loads of different genres and sub genres, and ended up smaller (in my genre anyway) than it was in the 90’s.. And of course the the amount of music that is released every week now is crazy. I would not wanting to be starting from scratch in todays music scene. Right now it’s probably at least as important to be good with social media than actually just being a decent producer or DJ.
What does “flow” mean to you – both in music and in life?
To me, in the studio it means things coming together easily and naturally and I’m totally focused and in the moment, which doesn’t always happen, but when it does is when I create the best music.
In a DJ set, it’s very similar, I don’t pre-plan sets but I have a rough idea of which tracks are gonna fit into the start, middle or end, and when things just roll perfectly together it’s a great feeling.
When you’re not behind decks or in the studio, what music do you reach for just for yourself?
I listen to all kinds of stuff, from hip-hop to drum and bass to rock music. I’ve just managed to get tickets to see Radiohead in November so I’m absolutely buzzing about that. My favourite band in the world.
Best band of all time in my opinion.
You’ve got a new album on the horizon – what can fans expect from this chapter of Quivver?
I wanted to bring some of my old school influences into this album. There are a few tracks which are kind of a fusion of Skanna (my old D&B moniker) and Quivver. They’re not as fast as d&b but they have some of the atmosphere and that contrast of darkness and light that I always aimed for with the Skanna stuff.
Like my previous albums, the tracks are not necessarily aimed at DJs and dance floors – there will be extended versions and club mixes but I wanted the album to be something people could listen to at home or in the car or wherever..
This Quivver interview Flow Music feature is a testament to timeless artistry and evolution. From his early rave roots to his latest explorations in sound, Quivver continues to inspire both producers and dancers across generations. Stay tuned for his upcoming album – a fusion of darkness and light that captures the essence of his journey.
