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 an Akai APC40, 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, he has been releasing his music and has built a growing reputation within the reggae and dub scene, collaborating with respected artists including Omar Perry, Samora, Double Tiger, Serocee, David Corleone, Micky B, Dhazed, Zoe Mazah, and Razteria. He was also a founding member of Heartwash alongside King Sillah, Toby, and Timmy...

Currently, Arky Starch is preparing new songs to release and perform a live DUB session, continuing his mission to unite conscious messages with heavyweight dub production.

One of his recent Mentors along the way was Canadian dub producer Dubmatix; Arky, aka Ilyas Schellekens, writes, produces, mixes, and masters all of his music independently through his label, Roar Like A Bass.