Forged from the raw chaos and rich D&B heritage of São Paulo and influenced by pioneers of the UK scene, L-Side brings his signature sound to Must Make Music with his four-track Unsaid EP. Ahead of the release, Kmag caught up with him to delve deeper into this latest project, his influences, and what’s in store for the rest of the year.
Brazil seems to have a knack for producing the exceptional; whether it’s footballing phenoms, its globally celebrated Carnival culture, or some of the finest drum and bass artists the genre has ever seen. The likes of S.P.Y, Bungle and the ultimate OGs DJ Patife and DJ Marky are just a handful of the names that make up the astonishing line-up of breakbeat legends to have emerged from Brazil over the years. It’s the city of São Paulo that sits at the heart of this rich lineage, boasting one of the world’s most vibrant and influential drum and bass scenes, and home to another mainstay of Brazilian D&B: L-Side.
A name that has become synonymous with the mighty V Recordings since debuting on its sister label Chronic back in 2012, L-Side has certainly earned his seat at the table of Brazilian drum and bass royalty. With releases also spanning across Symmetry, Playaz and The North Quarter just to name a few, the range of his production is there for all to see. Equally as adept at engineering a lethal dancefloor damager as he is at sculpting a deep, soulful cut, L-Side tracks never compromise on the weight, warmth and raw energy that have become his calling card. He’s also a certified remix maestro, having worked his magic on tracks from titans of the game including Break, Krust and Paul T & Edward Oberon.
Suffice to say, L-Side’s credentials speak for themselves. With such a broad and accomplished catalogue to his name, it’s no surprise to see his latest project land on Workforce’s Must Make Music imprint. A quick dive into the label’s archives reveals a similarly expansive outlook, with recent releases spanning everything from 160 BPM excursions to stripped-back, leftfield rollers, all bound together by forward-thinking, finely crafted production. A natural home, then, for L-Side’s Unsaid EP.
The EP covers the full sonic spectrum, from soulful tracks to that signature, weighty L-Side sound. Was it a conscious decision to showcase those different styles, or is that just how the project naturally came together?
It was definitely a natural evolution. When I’m in the studio, I don’t like to box myself in. For this EP, I wanted to explore the space between the emotive, musical side of D&B and the raw energy of the dancefloor. When I sent the tracks to Jack (Workforce), we looked for a selection that felt like a journey: something that had the Must Make aesthetic but still carried that heavy, textured L-Side foundation. It’s about showing that weight, not just about the bassline; it’s also about the atmosphere.
Does that mix of moods reflect a particular state of mind that you were in during the writing process?
Absolutely. Music is where I translate whatever I’m feeling. Some days I’m chasing warmth and nostalgia, other days I’m trying to recreate the tension and movement of São Paulo at night. Being able to move between these moods keeps the creative process fresh for me; it’s a reflection of life, it’s not just one emotion all the time.
How does your approach differ when producing deeper, more soulful tunes compared to the club-focused ones?
My approach is deeply rooted in that early 2000s era. I grew up listening to the contrast between the Manchester sound of Marcus Intalex and Calibre and the raw, rolling pressure coming out of Bristol from legends like Krust and Die.
With club-focused tracks, I usually start from rhythm and tension – something that immediately moves the dancefloor. With deeper tunes, I tend to focus more on groove, texture and the emotional weight of the samples.
A great example of that is ‘Is What They Say’ with my long-time friend Subsid. We actually started producing together back in 2006 using Fruity Loops (FL Studio), so there’s a lot of history there. He’s been getting back into production lately, and this collaboration flowed naturally; it felt like we were picking up right where we left off, but with all the experience we’ve gained over the years.
Whether I’m making a deep tune or a heavy roller, the goal is always to keep that sense of soul and authenticity running through the music.
You’ve spoken before about your love for hip hop and reggae, and it certainly bleeds into these tracks. Were there any specific influences that helped shaped this EP?
Lately, I’ve been diving back into dub and reggae heritage. For tracks like ‘Leaving’ and ‘Silent Pressure,’ I wanted to use those spacey, psychedelic delay tails and the ‘less is more’ philosophy of dub mixing. I’ve always been a fan of how hip hop producers use samples to create a mood, and I try to bring that MPC-style grit into my drum and bass.
You’ve released on a host of incredible labels over the years, and of course there’s that long standing connection with V Recordings. Why was Must Make Music the right home for this project?
I’ve always admired Jack’s curation. Must Make has a very specific, high-level artistic standard. It’s not just a label; it has a really distinct visual and sonic identity. I felt these tracks needed a home that appreciated the nuances and the depth in the production, rather than just looking for a standard club banger. Releasing here allowed me to show a side of my sound that perfectly aligns with their catalogue.
A debut set from Brazilian Badness was announced recently: yourself, Alibi and Level 2 b2bb. Some link up! Why do you think so much incredible talent has come out of São Paulo over the years?
São Paulo is a massive, chaotic metropolis, and that energy is the perfect fuel for drum and bass. The city has a very rich heritage; it’s the place that gave the world icons like DJ Marky and DJ Patife, who really put the Brazilian sound on the global map. Back in the mid-2000s, the scene here was huge. We had big festivals like Skol Beats, which drew crowds of 30,000 people, and legendary clubs that regularly hosted pioneers like Bryan Gee and Marcus Intalex.
This environment was a melting pot. When you mix that international D&B influence with our local roots in Brazilian music, rap, and the sound system culture, it creates a very specific creative energy. That’s why so many talented producers emerged, such as XRS and Drumagick, who were essential in shaping the Brazilian sound.
Today, the Brazilian Badness link-up with Alibi and Level 2 is a continuation of that legacy. It comes from years of friendship and shared history. We still carry all those influences – the grit of the city and the soul of our music – into everything we do.
With this project done, what can we look forward to for the rest of the year?
It’s a busy year! I’m currently deep in the process of finishing my second album for V Recordings, which is a huge milestone for me. Beyond that, I have a project coming on Doc Scott’s 31 Recordings, which I’m really excited about, plus a few remixes in the works. I’m also looking forward to the Brazilian Badness debut in the UK and Europe this summer.
L-Side’s Unsaid EP is available to stream and purchase here.