Category Archives: Dubstep

Frequency Friday

Posted by Bassweight Society on

Good day, folks. A lot of interesting/controversial things have happened within Dubstep this past week. Whether it was the victors of the 2011 Dubstep Music Awards held in Birmingham (Don’t forget the girl that received the “trigger finger”, so eloquently put by Skream, front row. Pictured above.), or a certain somebody receiving Grammy nominations. Everybody has their two-cents and it is a conversation so circular that it would be useless for us to even spark a debate about. All we will say is that Electronic music, Bass music included, has encountered a new frontier, whether you consider it a positive or a negative, and we are very interested to see how everything pans out. So today, on this beautiful day in Southern California, we are going to bring you some fresh new weight that we’ve seen circulating.

The first track we have for you is, yet again, an absolute gem from the badman Benton. This track, titled ‘Equilibrium’, emits some amazingly dark vibes. With misinterpreted claims about the Mayan calender predicting the end of the world next year, the vocal sample of this track is seemingly too perfect. A spacey soundscape takes the listener on a mystical journey into the heavy hitting drop filled with an ABSOLUTE amount of pressure on the low-end. Make sure to have your subs turned up when you listen to this apocalyptic masterpiece.

Benton – Equilibrium

The next two tunes that we have for you are produced by Jack Sparrow. The first tune is a 170 production, but on the slower side. It is a remix of ‘The Way I See You’ done by Maidu, and is an absolute roller! The beautiful vocals on this track perfectly compliment the break patterned drum sequences, as the hard-hitting bassline occupies the space left over. The second tune is a collaboration between J. Sparrow, Ruckspin, and Quantam Soul. This bongo-filled, meditation-induced stomper is truly one for the deep heads. The evolution/flow of this tune is a perfect example of how mixdowns should be constructed. Big ups to the man like Jack Sparrow, as well as Ruckspin and Quantam Soul!

J. Sparrow – The Way I See You (Remix)

J. Sparrow/Ruckspin/Quantam Soul – Minotaur

The next two tunes come from the Belgian production duo, Requake. These guy are truly underrated in our opinion and deserve MUCH MORE exposure! Do yourselves, and us, a favor by checking these guys out and spreading there sounds to everybody you know (IF you haven’t already done so). The first track is one titled ‘Thalys’. This tune hit so hard and makes your sub flex to its true potential! The second tune, titled ‘Berrua’, automatically sparks the “head-nod” onto its listeners. This bouncy low-end production is a great way to start off the day.

Requake – Thalys

Requake – Berrua

Bladoww! There you have it everyone, a Friday filled with a sufficient amount of bass-WEIGHT. Please visit the artists links listed above, “like” their page, give em’ a shout, and do anything else you can think of to support the continuance of their productions. Most importantly, GO OUT AND BUY THEIR DAMN MUSIC!!

Peace everybody, stay BLESSED.

-Bassweight Society

Exclusive ALL-VINYL Mix & Interview w/Compa: The UK’s Quick Rising Newcomer

Posted by Bassweight Society on

Boy do we have a special treat for the Bassweight family today!  It is our pleasure and, most importantly, our honor to get words from the man himself, Compa.  Since his first commercial appearance on GetDarker TV, March of this year, with Joe Nice and Watson, Compa has been blowing people away with his perpetually dark and heavy interpretations of the 140 arena.  Already gaining residency at the ‘Just Skank‘ nights in Manchester, he has played next to a countless number of Dubstep icons.  Compa’s unrivaled rise in the ranks stands tall and is backed with a nearly infinite arsenal of dubplates.  This is a man who truly embodies the vinyl culture, sacrificing his appetite, by funding the custom pressing of his acetate.  The time and dedication that this man puts into his productions, DJing, and appearances is truly inspiring.  On top of his already MASSIVE plate, Compa makes time to host his radio sessions, every Wednesday 2-4pm, on Sub.fm.  So make sure you tune in to hear the freshest of ‘dubplates’ from many prolific artists as well as newcomers.  Within his debut year Will has already managed to throw two huge releases under his belt with ‘Dreams/Them Dogs’ (Inna Riddim Records) and ‘Aftermath/Darker Observations'(Futureworks Music).  Listening to Compa’s music will take your mind through a history lesson on Dubstep as his sounds can be categorized with those of Mala, Loefah, and even early Skream.  The greatest thing about his sounds is that they are as fresh and new as they are classic and timeless.  Rather than just imitate the sounds of Dubsteps foundation, Compa has been able to build upon those foundations with the innovative and unique attributes in his music.  There is definitely no slowing down for this newcomer and only time will tell the amazing things that this english prodigy will have. Find out more about Compa and what he has in store for the future as we have a chat:
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BWS:  For those who don’t know, can you give us a quick rundown on yourself.
  • COMPA: I’m Compa. I’m a Dubstep music producer from Manchester. I’m originally from slightly further up north, A small town called Clitheroe to be precise, and right now I’m studying music production at university.

BWS:  What in your life led you to DJing and producing?  Have you always been around music, or did it just hit you one day?

  • COMPA:  When I was growing up, age 13 at youth club, I started Djing.   Later that year I bought turntables.  I was obsessed with playing music.  It came from nowhere.  None of my family were musicians, it just came natural.  At the time, everyone was playing house music, and later when I met other DJ’s they were playing Drum N Bass music.  I just followed on.  I started buying records and religiously attending youth club to mix weekely.  I’ve never stopped.

BWS:   Being an upcoming producer/dj establishing himself in the uk scene with some of the major heavyweights, yet at the moment being relatively unknown in the US, what are your hopes over the next year as far as spreading your music in the US and possibly gigging over here?

  • COMPA:  If I’m honest, I don’t know really how people end up hearing music and my name.  I get people from all over the world now asking about my music and I just feel like saying “Hold on, How do you even know about me?”.  But I’m pleased and blessed have come even this far so quickly.  Over the course of 2012 there will be more music made as standard, I’m not going to slow down.  So hopefully some of the music will be well received in the U.S through people like yourselves, especially after the releases I have planned for next year come out.  I’m hoping to join an agency over the next 12 months, if I’m lucky enough to have the opportunity, who I hope will be able to help me travel a little bit more internationally.  Up to now I’ve only played one gig outside of the UK.  That was in Sweden for the ‘Dubstep Bastards’ club night.  I have been talking to a few promoters in the U.S about coming over but let’s just have fate do it’s thing … (and if you’re reading this, book me!)

BWS:   Who are a few artists that you most look up to in the scene and why?

  • COMPA:  I’ve looked up to Mala and Kode9 for years because their music was the first Dubstep music that I heard so their influence was the original influence on me.  The sounds they use, the music they make – it’s all perfect to me.  Very inspiring, but recently I’ve been trying to concentrate on building my own ‘sound’.  If I was to list all my inspirations we would be here for a long time, but to list a few producers off the top of my head who’s music I really respect and enjoy; Goth-Trad, Burial, Loefah, Coki, Tunnidge, Cyrus, Vivek, Skream, Benga, Distance, Breakage, Pinch, Kromestar, Headhunter, Youngsta and Icicle.  Nearly all of which I’ve already been lucky enough to have played alongside (obviously not Burial though unfortunately).
BWS:  Being a resident at the ‘Just Skank’ nights places you on stage with some of the most prolific and respected artists in the Dubstep scene (Mala & Coki, Cyrus, Pinch, Vivek, Goth-Trad, Cluekid and Kromestar just to name a few).  Did you ever imagine that you would be in the position you are today?
  • COMPA:  Not at all.  I’ve always been so thankful to Pete and Jorge at ‘Just Skank’ for having me as a resident.  They’ve done me so many favours, and if not for them I wouldn’t have been able play alongside so many of the producers who inspire me, like you’ve listed above.

BWS:  Given that you’re one of the last DJ’s to spin only vinyl, or acetate more accurately, do you take this same analog approach to your productions?  Do you use hardware synths and sequencers, or do you handle your writing within the computer?

  • COMPA:  I don’t use any analogue equipment.  I can’t afford it if I’m honest.  Every spare penny goes on cutting acetates.  Sometimes I even walk a few miles to University and go without food if I know I have to cut dubplates before a certain date.  I’ve kind of settled into a piece of toast for breakfast and a ready meal for tea.  To answer the question: I made all my music inside Logic. 100% software.

BWS:  What are three vinyl’s that came out in the last 12 months that are needed in any person’s collection? No right or wrong answer here mate, just a matter of preference.
  • COMPA:  The last 12 months have seen a lot of music that has really inspired me being released, by a lot of great producers, established and up-and-comers, particularly in the early stages of this year on Deep Medi.  In fact, all three of these releases have come out on the Deep Medi imprint.  The label has always been number one for me in terms of consistency and quality, each and every.
  1. Mala – Return II Space (DMZLP001)
  2. Vivek – Eyes Down (MEDI042)
  3. Goth-Trad – Sunbeam (MEDI048)

BWS:  Radio is a great way to reach a large audience, it gives you a chance to play your new dubs as well as play out the artists you support. How has having your own radio show benefitted you and enabled you to network your way into the scene?

  • COMPA:  I’ve been able to play people the music I love as well as play people new music, and I love to be able to actually talk and interact with the people who feel the same about the Dubstep music that I play.  It’s also been a great way for people who don’t know what I’m about yet to hear me do my thing live and hear the stuff that I play in a typical DJ set.  If you didn’t already know I play on Sub FM every Wednesday at 2-4pm GMT.

BWS:  You recently played on the world-famous Rinse Fm down in London, The radio responsible for breaking Wiley’s career, as well as helping Skream, Benga, Youngsta and Hatcha become famous, and the same station that holds shows by Distance, Plastician, Oneman and Youngsta, How did it feel to visit the studio and how has the appearance benefitted you?

  • COMPA:  It was surreal.  I wasn’t even nervous because I just felt so honoured and blessed to be able to visit the studio. meet some of the people that I look up to face-to-face and play a set on the radio.  Playing on Rinse FM was a lifetime aspiration, I can’t believe I’ve had the chance to do that this early on in my career.  Truly blessed.  Big thanks to Ben who sorted it for me.  After the show my Twitter exploded, as did the Rinse FM twitter when we were in the studio and I’ve had lots more positive reactions my music.  A few bookings came off the back of the airtime too, which was great.

BWS:  What’s are your favourite tracks at the moment in dubstep and outside of dubstep?

  • COMPA:  Well I pretty much religiously listen to Rinse FM and Sub FM ever day, but I’ve been listening to a lot of Hip-Hop like Nas, Redman, Doom, Jay-Z, De la soul and Gangstarr.  On top of a lot of Techno and Funky.  I’m always listening to everything really.  I love Funk and Soul, too.

BWS:   Gotta say, Dem A Talk is an absolute gem. Great to hear that reggae chant throughout the tune accompanied by low-end pressure. Has reggae played an influential roll in your musical development?  If so, what artists are big inspirations to you and can we expect to hear more reggae influenced riddims in the future?

  • COMPA:  If I’m honest I don’t really listen to much Reggae music at all and I never have.  I wish I could say that Reggae and Dub music has influenced me because I know originally when Dubstep music began being produced there a Dub element to the sound and half-step tempo but, no.  Originally I played drums at a very young age and I was into Punk Rock, Metal and then like I mentioned, I got into House and Electronic music in general and it all progressed from there until I ended up falling in love with Dubstep music.

BWS:  What should people be on the look out for, as far as upcoming releases for the remainder of 2011 and early 2012?

  • COMPA:  This year, nothing else coming out.  Next year I’ve got three 12″ releases planned so far.  One of which will be a bootleg coming out on vinyl-only, without a digital release.  One making my debut vinyl release on Boka Records and one on Area Recordings.  Really looking forward to seeing those releases come out.  Hopefully next year I’ll be able to release some other bits too.  Only the future will tell.

BWS:   Where can people hear more of your music?

  • COMPA:  Soundcloud is good (Link Below).  But live is best on a good sound system.  I handle bookings myself at the minute so if you’d like me to play for you, feel free to get in touch via email at: willcompa@hotmail.com.
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Thanks for the feature.  Much Respect.
-Compa
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Well a BIG UP to Compa for taking the time to answer our questions!  Below you will find links to Compa’s Soundcloud, Twitter, Facebook, and Personal website.  Please support by visiting his pages and listening to his music!  Make sure you keep your eyes open for those releases due out early 2012.  To really end things with a bang, we have an EXCLUSIVE mix from Compa done primarily with ‘dubs’ and entirely on acetate!!!  An absolutely MASSIVE shout to Compa for taking the time to put together this  true badman rinse out.  Sit back with the subs ready to FLEX.
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Compa – Exclusive Bassweight Society Mix/30 November 2011
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Tracklist:
1. Mala – Return II Space (Deep Medi Musik)
2. Compa – Dem A Talk (Dub)
3. Biome – Untitled (Dub)
4. Compa – Sentence (Forthcoming Boka)
5. Compa – Signals (Dub)
6. Compa – Before U (Dub)
7. Coki – Gobin (Ringo)
8. Subreachers – Tidals Vip (Dub)
9. Biome – Untitled
10. J:Kenzo – Ruffhouse (Forthcoming Tempa)
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Enjoy!
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-Bassweight Society (Kinman)
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Another Day, Another Dubplate

Posted by Bassweight Society on

Damn, another week has passed!  The days just keep flying by.  We hope everybody has been enjoying their holiday season thus far.  Despite the fact that Thanksgiving is the celebration of a terrible combination of genocide and ethnocentrism, it is always nice to get together with the family and friends that you don’t often see.  Today we are going to be bringing you some ABSOLUTELY HUGE upcoming releases.

First off is a release from one of the most OG bass music producers on the planet, Headhunter (aka Addison Groove).  This artist has been producing some of the most amazing tunes since day 1 of his appearance.  Having already established himself as one of the most respected producers in the Dubstep scene, he has been releasing tunes under the moniker Addison Groove with an acid-juke vibe.  Of course, he has been killing it with those productions as well.  But he’s back with some ridiculously large Dubstep productions to be released on Black Box Records (BLKBOX020), due out in early December of this year.  The ‘A’ side, a track called ‘Clone’, is an absolute dance floor messiah.  The 808 style kick drum vibrates through your whole body in this heavyweight roller!  On the flip, ‘Projector’, Headhunters massive bass line capabilities are complimented by the shuffly high hat sequence that makes it nearly impossible to refuse moving your legs to the beat.

Headhunter – Clone

Headhunter – Projector

Secondly, we are bringing you a release from the Budapest bass-slanger, Matt-U.  Not too long after his extremely recognized released, ‘Watchin’ U EP’, he is back with another chest-rattling trio, called the ‘Straightened Up EP’.  This release contains 3 tracks that truly embody the Bassweight Society ideals.  The first track, ‘Straightened Up’, is one that we heard dropped early this year on mix, that we can’t remember who did, and we went BONKERS.  The synth in this track makes you feel like a gangster just by listening!  The second tune, ‘Mind Game’, takes you on a journey through some extremely deep bass production seeming almost as if you’re in a slow-motion vortex the whole time.  The last and final track on this Release, called ‘Caveman’, rolls out heavy hitting kick drums that keep your head nodding and your feet stomping!  Catch this release out on December 19th on Subway Music (SUBWAY019).

Matt-U Straightened Up EP

To finish the day off, we bring you a release from Benton.  Ol’ Dirty Benton has been making some of the heaviest tunes on the market this past year and shows no signs of slowing down.  This release, which is due out on Wheel & Deal Records (WHEELNDEAL025) December of 2011 or early 2012, speaks for itself.  The ‘A’ side, ‘Wormholes’, is a 100bpm track that gives you some extremely eerie vibes as the shaker almost too closely resembles the sound of a rattlesnake telling you to back off.  The flip, ‘Sleepless’, is back to the 140 business and emits quite the vibration through your subwoofer.  Both of these tunes are of proper production and display Benton’s very well articulated talent.

Benton – Wormholes

Benton – Sleepless

Well that’s the word for today, kids.  You can find all of these releases on Chemical Records, so please support these artists by purchasing them either in digital or, ideally, vinyl format.  Hope everyone enjoys the sounds!

Peace & One Love To The Gods.

-Bassweight Society

Monday Recovery Session

Posted by Bassweight Society on

How goes it, everyone?  Our apologies for the lack of a new post, we’ve been recovering from partying with TRUTH all weekend.  We are hoping that everybody had as good of a weekend as Bassweight Society did!  We were fortunate enough to receive an ABSOLUTE rinse out by TRUTH on Thursday at the EOS Lounge in Santa Barbara, CA.  Then, to top the cake with icing, we took him into Isla Vista to show all those UCSB students how Dubstep gets thrown down in the most proper of fashions.  Personally, we believe that there couldn’t be a better place to listen to some of the most amazing tunes than on a deck, overlooking the ocean 🙂  MASSIVE shout out to TRUTH for supporting BWS and playing those shows for us!  It was definitely one of the most amazing weekends we have had in a long time.

Taking heed to the fact that we are all still hurting from the partying this weekend, we want to highlight some music that, although still weighty on the low-end, has a soothing effect on the mind and body.

The first track we have for everyone is a track done by Starkey.  The tune is called ‘Open The Pod Bay Doors’ and was released October 31, 2011 on Ninja Tune.  This tune embodies Starkey’s signature sounds to the fullest extent.  The spacey ambiance of this song along with the break patterned drums compliment each other wonderfully.  This is a song that you close your eyes to and let your imagination take you away.  The video goes with the music perfectly, might we add.

The second track we’re bringing to you is a remix by Synkro from Manchester, across the pond in the UK.  The original of this song was written by The XX, and is called ‘Night Time’.  On its own this song is already absolutely amazing.  We believe that it is very rare that the remix of such an amazing piece of artistic expression, is of equal quality.  This here remix is one of those.  The emotion that is captured by Synkro in his take on the song is explicit and unrivaled.  Listening to this song takes you on a journey of introspect and forgotten memories.  We hope you’ll enjoy this as much as we do.

The XX – Night Time (Synkro Remix)

The final track we’re bringing ya’ll, out of respect for this past weekend, is a release by TRUTH from their Stranger Than Fiction EP that was released back in 2010.  The track, called ‘Stay’, is one of the most relaxing Dubstep rollers that we have come across in our day!  The tune is filled with the utmost soulful vibes!  The vocals on this track bring us back to early childhood days, hearing the funky sounds of groups like Love Unlimited.  Press play and let the music fill your soul with this one.

TRUTH – Stay (Disfigured Dubz)

Alright everybody, until next time.  Hope you enjoy the tunes.  Get out there and support your favorite artists by purchasing their music and spreading their sounds around the globe!!

 

p.s. BIG UP to our boy Chadillac for the logo you see at the top!!

Peace.

-Bassweight Society

Feeling ‘Love Sick’ : A Look at One of Brighton’s Emerging Bass Labels.

Posted by Bassweight Society on

Today we have the very special honor of interviewing with one of Brighton’s newest Bass labels, Love Sick Recordings.  Founded by Riskotheque, Marchmellow, and the Southbound Hangers(Screen Age & Mudie), this label has already been off to a great start.  Prior to starting the label,  each of these artists has had a number of releases from labels such as Disfigured Dubz, Boka, and Skint.  With that said, what can be expected other than HUGE sounds?  The label’s sound has been recognized by some of the most respected names in the scene such as: Kode9, Skream, DJ MADD, Ramadannman, N-Type, Trolley Snatcha, and Mary Anne Hobbes(And that’s just to name a few).  To top it off, they have gained a residency at HOSPITALITY, which is one of the UK’s most successful club nights run by Hospital Records.  With the label’s intention of side-stepping “the more aggressive styles of dubstep”,  they have made a great appeal to “educated music lovers”.  Given the versatility of the genre and Love Sicks production abilities there is no way to identify a distinct sound within the label.  Their ability to incorporate influences from a variety of genres only further accentuates the bright future that this label has.  In the words of the label, “Love Sick is a bass music label with one thing on it’s collective mind……Love!”  Make sure you keep your eyes out for these guys because they’re sure to turn heads, as they already have.

BWS was fortunate enough to get a couple questions answered from these guys aside from their busy schedules:

BWS: What are Love Sick’s  plans for 2011 and 2012?

  •  Love Sick: For 2011 -2012 we really plan to build the Love Sick label/brand. This will include more releases of course, initially from us but with a view to building a strong roster of new talent too, and all within the context we have already established for Love Sick Recordings. We are considering organising Love Sick events too… club nights with a musical policy directly related to the labels output… quality music for music lovers. Maybe even touring with the label too. Our weekly radio shows on the Electric Sound Stage channel of iHeart Radio have been incredibly well received in the U.S. so this could more than possibly lead to some sort of American tour… Watch this space!

BWS:  Much respect for keeping the vinyl culture alive.  What are some of the challenges that come along with pressing vinyls in today digital age?  How do you overcome them?

  •  Love Sick: In this throw-away digital age we think its important to give people the option to buy a product that is more than just a bunch of 1s and 0s on their hard drive… something they can hold, collect, treasure and show off to friends! Obviously we would never disregard the digital format as many people don’t have the luxury of a turntable these days but in the same way we wouldn’t want to leave out those that still love the whole thing of collecting and playing vinyl. Infact we want to encourage this and to this end we will be adding extra bonuses for those buying the limited vinyl, to show that we appreciate their support…. and we have some really cool things lined up, believe me!

BWS: Who were some of your biggest musical influences growing up?

  • Love Sick: All four of us have very different musical backgrounds. I (Riskotheque) grew up with rave culture and was influenced very early on by this but having worked in an indie record store for 6 years my influences have diversified hugely. It would be boring to mention them all… just imagine lots of great music in the melting pot of my brain and you might understand.

BWS: If you had to describe your label’s sound to someone who has never heard ‘dubstep’ or electronic music, how would you do so?

  • Love Sick: It’s a combination of the soundtrack to a 70’s porno flick, a Woody Allen romantic farce and that bit in Bambi when his mother dies.

BWS: What about the ‘deeper’ sounds of dubstep appeal to you?

  • Love Sick: We love the longevity of the so called ‘deeper’ sound. The fact that you can keep coming back to this music without tiring of it and discover hidden details and intricacies that maybe you hadn’t noticed on the first few listens. It’s music that gives the listener space to attach their own meanings and emotions rather than thrusting it forcefully down their throats.

The labels first release, LUVSIC001, came out TODAY!!!!, November 14th in 12″ and digital format.  You can find the it at almost every major site such as Beatport, Chemical Records, Surus, and Juno.  This release contains ‘All Alone” on the A side, which is produced by Marchmellow and Riskotheque.  On the flip you’ll find ‘You Don’t Understand’ by Southbound Hangers.  Both of these tunes exemplify great production skills, and exhibit a sense of maturity in the sound that is hard to find these days.  Support the atrists and BUY these tunes!

PS. Don’t forget to envision Bambi’s mother dying next to Woody Allen while he’s watching some old school porno’s when you’re listening to the Love Sick sounds 😉

Below are links you can listen to and follow Love Sick at.

Riskotheque & Marchmellow – All Alone(LUVSIC001)

Southbound Hangers – You Don’t Understand(LUVSIC001)

Von D & Mr. Lager – You’re My ft. Phephe (Riskotheque Remix)

Chase & Status – Time ft. Delilah (Southbound Hangers Remix)

Love Sick Facebook Page

Love Sick Soundcloud Page

Well folks thats what we got for you today. Check back for more tunes and interviews. If you like the content, please share BWS with your friends and fam.

Peace and as always, one love to the gods.

-Bassweight Society