Conrad Subs on Metalheadz, Ipswich Roots and Finding His Sound
- Undrtone Blog
- Sep 10
- 4 min read
When Metalheadz rolls into Cardiff’s Globe on Saturday, 13th September, the city will feel the weight of three decades of drum and bass history. Founded in 1994 by Goldie alongside Kemistry & Storm, the label is a cornerstone of the genre. Its Sunday Sessions at London’s Blue Note rewrote the rules for club culture, and its catalogue has consistently pushed boundaries from Photek to Dillinja. Now celebrating 30 years, Metalheadz shows no signs of slowing down. Grab your tickets here.
The lineup at The Globe is stacked with names who embody that spirit. Doc Scott, the Coventry pioneer whose Nasty Habits alias gave us ‘Shadow Boxing’, Quartz, one of the UK’s sharpest innovators, and Cardiff’s own Electra will all bring their distinct energy. Joining them is Ipswich-based Conrad Subs, a producer who has carved his name across liquid, jump-up and jungle with a versatile catalogue and his own imprint, Koba Audio.
For Conrad Subs, this booking feels especially meaningful. “The Headz nights are always pinch me moments really,” he says. “I’ve been lucky enough over the last few years to share lineups with some of my musical heroes, and especially when it’s a Metalheadz night, you know you are in for some serious beats flying about, so you have to bring your best.”
It’s the latest chapter in a career that has taken many turns. Before adopting his current alias, he produced under names like ADK and Sulako, but struggled to gain traction. Life took over, his computer broke, and he stepped away. “I had kids and the PC died, haha, so I called it a day,” he recalls. “But those years away gave me a real hunger to come back. I plucked the name Conrad Subs out of thin air and got obsessed with production again, and it all just clicked.”
That hunger has fuelled a prolific run. Tracks like ‘Leave Dem’ have become dancefloor weapons, blending half-time reggae intros with explosive jungle drops. “That was probably the first time I felt a bit of a buzz around anything I’d made,” he says. “I didn’t know if people would like it or not, like most tracks I make, I’m just following my gut.”
One thing that sets Conrad apart is his refusal to stay in one lane. His catalogue spans liquid rollers, raw jump-up and jungle steeped in nostalgia. “I don’t usually plan things too much. I just try and make all styles because I genuinely love all styles of drum and bass and like to keep things interesting for myself,” he explains. Old tape packs from the ’90s often provide inspiration, sparking studio sessions that echo the sound of classic jump-up while pushing forward into new ideas.
That blend of past and present also defines his relationship with Metalheadz. “It’s always been THE label for me,” he says. “If you’re into drum and bass purely for the music and what can be done within that sound, Headz still, after all these years, puts out music that surprises me. I like to draw back on the classic vibes but also keep one eye on where the music is now and where it might be going.”
Parallel to his work with Headz, Conrad runs his own label, Koba Audio. Launched properly after lockdown, it’s become a trusted platform for his music and other artists. “The releases are getting better and better, the sales are stronger, and I think people are starting to view the label as an outlet they can trust for good music,” he says. Still, when Metalheadz calls, that takes priority. “It was the label I’d been working so hard to get involved with all these years.”
Much of his sound is shaped by his Ipswich roots, where artists like Photek, Digital and Spirit laid the groundwork. “It’s definitely been a massive influence on me,” he says. “Sometimes I make a track and just think it sounds like an Ipswich tune, even though I can’t really describe it. But I’m proud to represent my town.”
Despite juggling family life, a full-time job, running a label and late-night studio sessions, Conrad keeps a simple approach to production: don’t overthink it. “If I’m sitting there for three weeks tweaking hi-hats, the vibe is gone,” he says. “I try and capture the sound in a moment. Obviously, it has to sound good loud, but I’ve never been a chin-stroking knob twiddler.”
That rawness connects. It’s why his sets and productions resonate with ravers who want music that feels alive. And as new producers flood into the scene, his advice is grounded. “You can follow trends and hope to blow up on social media, or you can stick to your guns and grow an audience who respect your work. If you make music for yourself that represents your taste, people will eventually understand what you’re about. If you just try and copy, you’ll never stand out.”
At The Globe, Conrad Subs will share the stage with legends who shaped drum and bass and peers driving it forward. It’s a fitting spot for a producer who straddles that same line: rooted in the past, energised by the present, and chasing the future.
Tickets for Metalheadz at The Globe on Saturday, 13th September are on sale via Skiddle.
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