JDNB INTERVIEWS

POYNT TOO JDNB INTERVIEW

Australian producer and DJ Poynt Too has been immersed in jungle and drum & bass since the mid‑90s, channelling a love of breakbeats, hip hop‑infused vibes and heavy basslines into both his high‑energy DJ sets and studio work. Now based in Tasmania, he’s been steadily refining a sound that sits somewhere between classic rave energy and modern production weight, with recent releases on Jungle Tings Audio—including a Juno Download Number 1—as well as the legendary 24 Karat Recordings, and an upcoming EP on Kniteforce Records. We caught up with him to talk origins, studio nerdiness, the Australian scene, and what’s next for Poynt Too.

Thanks for joining us, Poynt Too. For anyone who hasn’t heard of you yet, can you introduce yourself and tell us what you do in drum & bass?

Hello! My name is Poynt Too. I’m an Australian producer and DJ. I’ve been producing for about 10 years now, and I’ve been DJing since the mid‑90s.

Where are you based, and how did you first get pulled into drum & bass? Any early rave / club / radio moments that changed everything for you?

I’m based in Tasmania now, although I’ve lived in most parts of Australia over the years. I started raving back in 1995 and I’ve always had a love for jungle and drum & bass. I actually started out with happy hardcore, but as soon as I heard those breakbeats and hip hop samples in jungle, I was hooked.

Talk us through the name “Poynt Too” – where did it come from and does it have a story behind it?

I got the name Poynt Too at an event with Kenny Ken and Stevie Hyper D back in 1997. It was one of the best nights of my life. I had all my crew there, and Hyper D was a hero to me. In that moment, I realised this music and this culture were the “point to” life for me. To remember that night, I named myself “Point 2” – and then changed the spelling to “Poynt Too” to make it a bit different and more memorable.

Are you more at home in the studio or behind the decks, or do they scratch different itches for you?

I honestly love both. Producing is a never‑ending learning curve. I’m an audio nerd, so I love sound design, digging into mixdowns, and learning more about music theory. DJing, on the other hand, is like therapy for me. I get to have fun, play tunes, and lose myself in the music. They’re different, but I love them equally.

How would you describe your sound to someone who loves DnB but hasn’t heard your tunes yet? Any key influences people might recognise?

I like to think my sound is somewhere between Aphrodite and Dillinja. I do feel like I’ve got my own thing going on, but I always aim for strong drums and punchy, hard basslines. I try to keep things fresh by mixing styles rather than getting stuck in one lane. I’m always trying to push the boundaries of what feels new and relevant, while still exploring my own creativity and what I want to hear.

Let’s get nerdy for a second – what does your production setup look like? DAW, favourite plugins, any bits of hardware you can’t live without?

I’ve got a tonne of hardware synths that I use, and I make sample packs from them as well. I mainly write in a DAW, but I also do a lot of DAWless jams that I stream on Facebook and YouTube. If I use hardware in tracks, I’ll usually sample it and work with those sounds in the DAW. I use whatever inspires me – hardware, software, or samples I can twist and mangle into something new.

What does a typical track start like for you: drums first, bass, a sample, a vibe in your head, or something else?

I almost always start with drums. I love drums, so they always get a lot of attention. I always say if the drums on their own don’t make you want to dance, the rest of the track is going to struggle too. Sometimes I’ll hear a sound or get an idea or a vibe that sparks something, but usually I’m chopping breaks or programming beats first.

Every producer has a “problem area” in the process – arrangement, mixdowns, sound design, finishing tunes… what’s the toughest part for you, and how do you push through it?

Honestly, the toughest part for me is actually naming the track. I really struggle with finding good names. The music is the easy part compared to that.

You’re also active as a DJ. What can people expect from a Poynt Too set – quick‑fire doubles, long blends, heavy rollers, genre‑hopping…?

My DJ sets are always full of energy. I like to mix tracks that flow nicely and transition smoothly. I’ve got a radio show on Underground Bass every second week called “Liquid With A Twist” where I start off with Liquid and then head wherever I’m feeling. Every now and then I’ll even jump on the mic and drop a few rhymes between mixes.

What kind of tracks do you naturally reach for in a set? Any sub‑styles you’re especially drawn to (tech, rollers, liquid, jungle, jump‑up, deep minimal, etc.)?

I’ll play pretty much anything and everything, except for maybe Jump Up – I’m not really a fan of that style. Some of my favourite sets have actually come from dipping into sub‑genres I don’t usually listen to much, so I do like to keep things open and flexible.

Tell us about some recent releases or projects you’re especially proud of. Any tracks that feel like they really represent where you are as an artist right now?

I’ve had a few recent releases I’m really proud of. My last one on Jungle Tings Audio hit Number 1 on the Juno Download bestsellers for the week. I’ve also just had a release on 24 Karat Recordings, which I’m always proud of – they’re like family to me.

Are there any upcoming releases, collabs, or label signings you can talk about yet, or is it all still under wraps?

I’ve got a few things coming up that I’m really excited about. I’ve got an EP coming on Kniteforce Records, which is a dream come true because I’ve loved that label since the early days. I’ve also got a few things lined up with Conrad Subs’ Koba Audio. There are a few more bits happening behind the scenes too, but they’re hush hush for now.

From your perspective, how’s the DnB scene where you are? Any local nights, crews, or artists you want to shout out?

Australia has a really good, tight, and polite scene. We’re getting lots of internationals through, and it’s always growing and getting better. Unfortunately, Tasmania doesn’t have too much going on yet – it’s a small island and electronic music isn’t huge here. Hopefully we can help change that over the next few years.

What’s your take on the current state of Drum & Bass globally – anything you’re loving, or anything you’d like to see more (or less) of?

Globally, Drum & Bass is just getting bigger and better. The downside is there’s a lot of stuff that sounds generic and “done,” but if you look in the right places there’s so much good music being made. There are loads of small labels pumping out pure gold. The production quality across the board lately has been absolutely phenomenal.

You’ve no doubt picked up a few lessons on the way. What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you started producing and DJing?

The one piece of advice I wish I’d always had is: just be yourself. That’s what you bring to the scene that no one else can. Play what you want to play and do what you want to do. That’s the secret. It keeps things moving forward. People don’t want everyone to sound like someone else – the ones who are really doing well are usually just passionate about good music and true to what they’re doing.

Outside of music, what keeps you balanced? Any hobbies, work, or routines that people might not expect from a DnB producer/DJ?

My family keeps me balanced. My daughter is my world and I love spending time with her. When I’m not with her or my wife, I’m usually drawing. I love graffiti, and I’m often in the shed listening to tunes and sketching. That’s what I love doing when I take a break from making music.

If you could play back‑to‑back with any artist in the world, who would it be and why?

I’m pretty old school, so I’ve always loved the idea of doing a back‑to‑back set with Micky Finn. I think his musical knowledge is incredible and he’d be a wizard on the decks. We’ve got a similar style too, so I can really see that working. I would’ve also loved to do a set with Randall – such a legend.

Finally, where’s the best place for people to follow you, hear your music, and keep up with what you’re doing?

You can find my music on all the usual digital platforms – just not Spotify, as I don’t really vibe with that platform. You can catch me on Underground Bass every second Sunday, 8am–10am, with my DJ sets. I’m also active on Facebook, where I post my jams and general shenanigans.

Stream or buy the EP "On The Edge" now: https://www.beatport.com/release/on-the-edge-ep/5679073

Poynt Too // Facebook / Instagram / Soundcloud

24 Karat Recordings : Official Site / Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp