Before there was DJ Pauze, there was just music.
Back in the early 1990s, I became completely drawn into the growing rave scene. The music, the flyer artwork, the colours, the energy, the mystery around it all. I was still young, but it felt like another world opening up in front of me.
DJs like Randall, Kenny Ken, DJ Hype, Jumpin Jack Frost, DJ Ron, Top Buzz, Mickey Finn, DJ Rush, Fabio & Grooverider and loads more, all played a part in shaping that early soundscape that pulled me in.
The Cassette
Long before I touched turntables myself, I was collecting tapes to listen to, and flyers to cover my bedroom wall. The visual identity of rave culture hit me just as hard as the music did. Bright colours. Chaotic and unique artwork. Strange typography. Everything designed to grab your attention instantly.
The Basscap Cassette design represents the start of that journey.
Back around 1990–1991, I was discovering taped DJ sets and listening to them constantly on my Walkman while walking to school or doing paper rounds. I became addicted to the atmosphere of the music and the feeling it created. The cassette became more than just a format. It became an entry point into a completely different world.
The bright green print on black tee directly brings back memories of that time. It reflects that loud, eye-catching energy that rave flyers had during that era. Designed to stand out immediately, just like those walls covered in event flyers and pirate radio advertisements.
The Basscap Vinyl design moves into the next stage of the journey.
The Vinyl
By around 1992, my connection to the music was deeper. I became drawn to vinyl and record shops, the physical side of music all became part of the love. This design feels more understated, reflecting the darker and moodier energy that surrounded those early jungle and breakbeat years.
The military green colour was chosen on purpose. This design isn't about shouting for attention, it’s more of a statement. It gives the piece a more grounded and subtle identity while still allowing the artwork to speak for itself quietly.
Both designs balance one another through colour, mood and energy. The theme and inspiration connect naturally to the Found Sound collection, especially the Tape Pack pieces, but these designs reach even further back into my own story. When Pascal designed the Found Sound collection, I connected with it on a deep level, then created the Basscap collection as a response through my own experiences and journey.
They represent the years before broadcasting, before radio, before DJ Pauze existed publicly.
This is the foundation of where it all started.
