Arky Starch (DuB)

Bio

ARKY STARCH

His recent achievements include winning the Talent Hunt at Antwerp Reggae Festival 2025 and securing a Winner Play selection at Kortemark Congé 2026.

Arky Starch is a producer/bassplayer of roots dub reggae from Belgium. Starch blends old skool roots dub with modern, immersive sounds.

On stage, Arky delivers powerful, uplifting dub performances designed for festival stages, sound systems, and dub corners.

Blending deep basslines, live instrumentation, improvisation, classic dub effects, and dynamic arrangements, each performance offers a distinctive, immersive experience.

Depending on the production, Arky performs either as a solo live dub act accompanied by a sidekick on horns, melodica,... or with an expanded live band featuring bass, brass, percussion, guest vocalists, and additional instrumentalists. Each configuration is tailored to the event's scale and atmosphere while maintaining the project's signature energy, authenticity, and sonic depth. Arky likes to switch it up and stay focused on entertaining.

Inspired by the healing power of reggae and dub, Arky creates immersive live performances that unite audiences through deep grooves, positive vibrations, and spontaneous musical interaction. Using a hands-on live dub setup featuring a dub mixer, Space Echo-style delays, spring reverbs, and original productions, he reshapes his music in real time. Every performance becomes a unique sonic journey—deeply rooted in the tradition of classic Jamaican Sly & Robbie live dub while reimagined with a contemporary approach.

Available for festivals, clubs, sound system sessions, cultural events, and international collaborations.

Contact: arkystarch@gmail.com

Since 2020, Arky Starch, aka Ilyas Schellekens, has been releasing music and building his reputation in the reggae and dub scene, collaborating with artists including Omar Perry, Samora, Double Tiger, Serocee, David Corleone, Micky B, Dhazed, Zoe Mazah, and Razteria.

Before focusing on production, Arky played bass and keyboard with Sun Flower Crackers, Dread Invasion, and Ion Youth. Meeting Yosa was also pivotal: from him, Arky bought his first Atari and Cubase, marking the beginning of his production journey. Along the way, he has been mentored by Canadian dub producer Dubmatix and is currently taking bass lessons with Don Chandler of RBC – Reggae Bass Club.

Arky writes, produces, mixes, and masters all his music independently through his label, Roar Like A Bass. He is currently preparing new releases and developing a live dub session, combining conscious messages with heavyweight dub production.