Loadstar

Loadstar is a Bristol, United Kingdom drum and bass group active since 2010. It is the duo project of Gavin Harris, known as Xample, and Nick Hill, known as Lomax, and it is associated with RAM Records. Their sound sits within drum and bass and electronic music, with influences drawn from Bristol’s scene and from artists including Roni Size, LTJ Bukem, Dillinja, Ed Rush and Optical, and John B.

Background

Xample and Lomax both grow up in Bristol and come to music during a period when electronic music is already established. Their early listening includes The Human League, Quincy Jones and Prince, and later The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers and Daft Punk. Xample first works as a DJ after moving to Liverpool, where he teams up with Sol and Futurebound and builds a reputation through club nights in Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester. His early productions appear on Hardleaders, Ray Keith’s Penny Black and L Plates before he signs to RAM’s Frequency imprint and then to RAM proper.

Lomax starts out in the drum and bass collective HoldTight, which releases music on Industry, Renegade and React. He also remixes for Cyantific on Hospital Records, Rodney P and Skitz, and Candi Staton, and has tracks licensed for Andy C’s Nightlife series and J Majik’s Fabric mix. He later works as a solo producer, moving toward a more minimal style, with releases on Critical and Bingo among others, and the track “Artisan” on Bounce Records. He signs exclusively to RAM Records and reaches number one in the dance charts with the “Faith Massive” EP.

As Loadstar

Xample and Lomax begin working together in 2007. Their early collaborations include “Lowdown/The Latter” and “Contra/Keep Their Head Ringing” on RAM Records. In 2010 they adopt the Loadstar name for the release of “Link To The Past”. That period also includes “Remember” and “Rushin’ Dragon”, which show the range of their joint production work.

The group later develops into a regular production team and continues as a duo within the RAM Records roster. Their work is rooted in drum and bass, with an emphasis on dancefloor production and a combination of Xample’s direct approach and Lomax’s more experimental edge.