Dubstepping With DJs
Dubstep, a form of electronic music that has everyone stomping to the beats, originated in a South London pirate radio, and has now taken over pop radio in the US. Dubstep has arrived in the US, there is no stopping that now. The new genre may have some listeners confused, depending on their perspective. That's because the London dubstep sound is different, with a great distinction between what's popular in America. The dubstep scene in America is much bigger, which is an indication of the power of the music.
For many, dubstep is the UK's version of hip hop. Powerful sounds that began as a reply to innovative UK garage music that became the groove behind the underground club movement. Influential artists like EL-B and Digital Mystikz tapered down the sound almost to match reggae. Spreading this sound to a wide audience are DJs from the BBC and radio station Rinse Fm.
Early dubsteppers like Kode9 and Burial gave way to artists like Caspa and Skream that lent a new meaning to the sound with edgy keyboard riffs but an intense and active beat that appealed to American teenagers. For record producers, the tempo was ideal to bring out fresh and exciting discs in line with current rap music with its blocky synth melodies and oscillating bass. UK artists like Rusko and Chase & Status produced tracks for major pop acts which soon the favorite with DJs. More than dancing dubstep brings with it orgiastic headbanging.
Dubstep now sounds a lot like rock'n'roll and the path have been set for its spread across America with DJs being heavily booked in the clubbing scene including Bassnectar and Skrillex. Undoubtedly, dubstep is diverse and American audiences are yet to absorb its diversity. From pop moves of Katy B to impressionism of James Blake, dubstep is taking it to the extreme, penetrating greater than what the techno and electonica movement could ever do.
Dubstep is beginning to take over the radio in America, changing the way people make and promote music, and of course, think about Djing. Dubstep DJ Lorin Ashton aka Bassnectar has been online for a while. The DJ has been a major part of the genre since a teenager in the 1990s enticing people to appreciate this version of electronic music with live shows and awesome lighting. For those who don't like DJs, Bassnectar is a great way to get introduced to the style. He mixes and matches songs with two sound sources. 'Divergent Spectrum' a recently released album, features originals and remixes of songs by Rollz and Gogol Bordello. DJ Bassnectar keeps his fans happy with regular festivals the latest being Bass Island and Bass Center that attracted over 10,000 fans.
Undoubtedly, dubstep will continue to rule the DJ scene as it continues to embrace new technology and styles of music. Technology plays a major role in Djing with vinyl now vying for a place with computers. It's crazy, and it is going to get even crazier in the world of Djing.