Doctor P is a name we all know. Co-founder of UK-based Circus
Records and the man behind classics like “Sweet Shop” and “Tetris”, there is no
denying he is one of the pioneers behind the explosion of the international
dubstep scene. The music he produces is a distinguishable combination of heavy
bass paired with catchy melodies. We had a chance to sit down with the Doctor
(known to his friends and family as Shaun Brockhurst) before his set at this
year’s Global Dance Festival in Colorado. Not only is he undeniably passionate
about his music, but he is also humble and extremely easy-going. It was a real treat
to chat with Doctor P about his plans for the future, the dubstep scene, and
more.

APIS: It’s really great to have you back here at Red Rocks, Shaun.
Every time you come to Colorado is really special and we definitely have a lot
of love for you here!

Doctor P: Thank you! Yea, I definitely get that feeling. I never
a bad show here, the vibes are absolutely massive

APIS: Throughout your career, you’ve come from playing small
intimate basement parties to playing massive venues like this one, and other
big festivals worldwide. How do you feel out the different vibes of these
crowds to design your sets?

Doctor P: It’s a weird thing, playing a massive show…especially
a festival. I think a lot of people that come to festivals, come because it’s
the festival. They’re not necessarily here to see me. It can actually be more
difficult, so I try to win them over a little bit. If a play a headline show in
a smaller club, most of the people know every single one of my tracks. It is much
easier, I just play the tracks and they go crazy!

APIS: I saw you earlier this year at Beta Nightclub in
Denver. The crowd had amazing energy, it was a lot of fun.

Doctor P: Yea, with a good sound system and a crowd that
knows the music, it’s just good, clean easy fun. Festivals can be a little more
tricky, so I try to feel them out a little bit.

APIS: Definitely. Well the Colorado crowd definitely has a
passion for dubstep and bass heavy music.

Doctor P: (laughs) I know Denver does love dubstep, so I was
gonna play a lot of dubstep!

APIS: Speaking of dubstep, the scene in America has seen some
dynamic change in the past several years. What are your thoughts about where
the community will be in the future?

Doctor P: People always talk about dubstep being dead. But
honestly? Consistently over the years, dubstep has just been the most popular
thing I play in my sets. I guess it’s because I’m associated with it so a lot
of people come to the show who are dubstep fans. But even at festivals, dubstep
just consistently gets the best reaction. People love telling me that it’s
dead, but it’s only dead when it’s dead.

APIS: A couple months back we had Global Dub Festival with
lots of dubstep artists and that was a hugely successful show. It also sold out
Red Rocks!

Doctor P: Yea, people want it, people are hungry for the
music.

APIS: We’ve heard some exciting rumors about an EP in the
works in the near future. Can you tell us more about where you hope to go with
that?

Doctor P: The EP is basically there, I’ve got music ready to
go now. It’s taken me a long time. I work on music all the time, but I just
haven’t been happy where I’ve been with it. I feel like a lot of my stuff was
sounding old, and it wasn’t moving forward enough.  So I’ve just been making more and more music
and now I think I’ve finally got to a place where I’m kinda happy with the
sound. I’m trying new things, and looking toward hip-hop as a new direction for
my music.

APIS: What are some of your hip-hop influences?

Doctor P: I grew up listening to hip-hop. Wu-Tang Clan, D12,
stuff like that. I’ve got 3 new vocal tracks, kinda similar to “The Pit”. Full
vocal, hip-hop type tracks. A lot of producers have gone down the trap route, which
is sort of, semi hip-hoppy. I’m
trying to go the other direction of hip-hop. I feel like I’ve moved onto the
next stage in my music, finally. I was a bit stuck for a while, but I feel I’ve
moved on a little bit. Trying something a bit new, but I still think you can
tell it’s me when you hear the track. I’m gonna play it tonight so you’re gonna
hear it.

APIS: Awesome, can’t wait for the preview! You’ve clearly
been staying busy. With such a brutal tour and studio schedule, what do you
like to do to unwind and recharge?

Doctor P: I’ve got a 3-year old son so, generally, play with
him. He’s 3 and a half now. Unwinding is generally spending time looking after
him. It’s a world away from DJing and producing.

APIS: Circus Records projects have always caught my
attention because it’s very evident that your team is a tight knit family. How
has it been watching each other grow and evolve styles throughout the years?

Doctor P: I think it’s really cool that we’ve gotten a group
of friends working together. We just try and support each other and help each
other out, and work on each other’s music. In the beginning we didn’t really do
that, but the scene’s moving along so fast we kind of need each other’s help
now. Flux just finished writing his album. I was in the studio with him a lot, working
on his album with him. It’s cool to be able to do that.

APIS: Where do you record your music?

Doctor P: At the house .We don’t have actual studios, we
just record in our bedrooms (laughs) I’m still in the spare bedroom of my
house.

APIS: Oh wow, I wouldn’t expect that! I know a lot of DJ’s
work on the go while touring as well.

Doctor P: Yea I work on my laptop a lot. Macbook speakers
are actually pretty good for producing. I make a lot of my stuff on the Macbook,
and just finish it at home.

APIS: What production software do you use?

Doctor P: Cubase.

APIS: I’ve heard you and Joshua (of Flux Pavilion) played in
a band together before you got into DJing. Out of curiosity, what kind of music
did you guys play?

Doctor P: System of a Down covers. We wrote our own tracks
as well along the lines of System of a Down. We had a funk band as well! At the
time we were making electronic music as well. And then the electronic music
just kinda took over.

APIS: What would you be doing if you were not in the music
industry?

Doctor P: I originally wanted to be a graphic designer, so I
guess I would be doing that. I actually do the designs of my artwork for my
releases. I do that myself! So it’s kind of a hobby still…kind of a boring
hobby, graphic design, (laughs) but I enjoy it. I’m always quite proud when I
see a release come out, and the artwork that I did is there written on my
advertisements. That is all me!

APIS: Involved with every aspect of your work, that’s
awesome. Thank you again for taking time to talk with us. Can’t wait for your
set!

Doctor P: Thank you! Hope you enjoy.