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**Check out the full PHOTO ALBUM so you can tag yourself in the pictures | Photo credit to the always-talented Ryan Wiklund**
Bassnecter in Burlington VT is never taken lightly, and this year it was absolutely no exception. Every year Lorin Ashton seems to be able to make it up to Burlington Vermont, and our long standing patronage to the basshead himself has kept him loyal to us even with the expanse of his lustrous career. Within days of the box office opening up his ticket sales, they are depleted; some say they are worth their weight in gold. With around 50k people living in an area the size of about half a NYC block, and the biggest venue in the area able to only hold around 3000 people, there is a high demand and a very short supply for the chance to see one of EDMs biggest names.
Continue reading to see what we thought of the event, and to check out photos from the event. Continue Reading…
As we get closer and closer to the end of 2012, many of dance music’s biggest names are pushing to get out quality tracks to close out the year with. They’ve spent weeks upon weeks touring all around the world, but in the mean time have been working in between shows to create the awesome tracks that fans recognize them by. We’ve got plenty of EDM big shots looking to push some big productions out this month, and here’s what is in store for just this week!
Figure — Monsters, Volume 3
Bassnectar — Freestyle EP
Seven Lions — Days To Come
Dada Life — The Rules of Dada
Some big names on that list! Figure is coming back with some hardcore bass music as he returns just in time for Halloween with his Monsters series! Bassnectar drops his Freestyle EP to compliment his tour and his mixtape from last week, which in case you missed it, we posted it here for you guys so you can gear up for the EP. Here’s a track from the mixtape also as a little bonus!
We also had one of our other writers do a look into what to expect from the Seven Lions EP here, which looks to highlight their signature dubstep style. Finally, we have some house music in the form of our friends Dada Life. This is a full album, containing much of their previous hit singles, along with plenty of new material for fans to enjoy!
Bassnectar has always had his own unique way of approaching dubstep. He is the master of the craft but has constantly advanced his own sound, the mark of a true musician and true artist. He often has undertones of hip hop laced within his tracks. This hit a new level when he enlisted Lupe Fiasco to provide the voice of his smash hit ‘Vava Voom‘. His new ‘Freestyle Mixtape’ takes this approach even further. This most recent release mixes aspects of several genres – hip hop, reggae, jazz and of course some dubstep. Mixing hip hop classics (see ‘Hip Hop‘ by Dead Prez) with new rap anthems like ‘100‘ by Belngladesh that features 2 Chainz, Jadakiss & Pusha T, Bassnectar continues to keep his mixes original. There are several of his remixes included in the mixtape including Butterfly, Hologram and a true highlight, his remix of Zion I’s ‘Human‘. The long haired California native continues to impress with inventive new ways to thrill his fans. This mix has the feel of an actual mixtape with down points that separate distinct sections of the mix. Oh and in true mixtape fashion, it’s free.99 because thats the kinda guy he is!
Counterpoint may be the most ambitious yet exciting festival project to emerge this year. It’s literally groundbreaking, if just for the sacred soil it tramples on, once (and perhaps still, by many) thought to be only reserved for traditional Southern Hip-Hop. Such legendary hip-hop acts as Outkast, T.I. and Ludacris have emerged from the Georgian capitol and established strong roots among the city’s predominantly urban population as an epicenter for the affected and characteristic styles of Crunk and Southern Hip-Hop. The musical influences of the population span further and farther back in time, into the R&B, gospel, blues, and jazz realms, for example, but still haven’t come close to to touching the relatively new phenomenon of EDM.
While the new wave of trap music might have you believe that the lines between EDM culture and urban culture are being blurred, let me assure you that day is far away. Will Atlanta be receptive to the almost exclusively white crowd that this festival promises to bring in attendance? Only time will tell but, who knows, maybe Atlanta will become the next Chicago? After all, with C3 Presents, the production company behind Chi-town’s Lollapalooza, helping here, they should know precisely what to do. But moving in on new territory is not the only way in which this festival breaks ground.
Bassnectar has been tearing it up with cutting edge sounds for the past decade!
Anyone that has been keeping up with dubstep, or simply electronic music, at some point in the past decade has become familiar with our friend Lorin Ashton, better known as Bassnectar to the rest of the world. His unique style of bass music has dazzled festivals and shows worldwide, and has been doing so for years (his first album came about in 2001). While his sound has progressively altered to whatever he feels his will stun his audience, his method to his madness has remained relatively intact. You can click here to access his interview with NPR in which he breaks down how he goes about his productions and much more.
He may not fall within the lines of dubstep in which artists like Excision or Flux Pavilion have defined how we perceive the genre’s dive into mainstream culture, but Bassnectar is definitely earned a spot amongst the greatest in dubstep. While there is always the iconic ‘Bass Head’ and the first real mainstream dubstep remix in his remix of Ellie Goulding’s ‘Lights’, there is also all the albums that came out years before (Divergent Spectrum was his 8thalbum). In fact, the first track I ever heard from the man was ‘Bomb The Blocks’ and it will always be a favorite tune of mine. Its a good example of his glitch style that makes his music is very unique, which revolves around his quick use of sampling other songs (which is explained better by Lorin in the NPR interview). I personally feel that glitch (whether in glitch hop or some other form) will become more popular in the future, having been reflected in artists such as The Glitch Mob, Mimosa, and Pretty Lights that have also have had rising popularity. Dubstep DJs/producers now days are also diverging from the typical 140 BPM of standard dubstep, realizing that by doing so, they can captivate a larger population of EDM enthusiasts, and also add diversity to their live sets. Bassnectar has stayed ahead of the game here, and it is what has propelled him to his success.
I’ll also be leaving you with his latest mix, which he made for Mixmag. It’s a great sampling of what his sound has evolved to in the past couple of years, and also contains some unreleased material. This is a shining example of all the different sounds we can expect to grow increasingly popular as dubstep continues to remain a dominant genre in the electronic dance music scene here in the states. We shall have to wait and see if the man is truly a prophet and if more producers carry this subgenre in a similar direction. Make sure to catch Bassnectar on tour this fall, and enjoy the mix!
In 2007 I graduated highschool, I made plans for college and after discovering my new interest in electronically produced music, I purchased Bassnectar’s “Underground Communication” from a local record store. Lets just say ’07 was full of some life changing events.
Ever since I put that CD in my car I have been a diehard Bassnectar fan. As of recently I will be honest and say that I have not been as impressed with his performances and releases, Vava Voom was so-so and last time I saw him play I didnt feel the same level of energy as I did when Wildstyle was released.
But Mr.Ashton has surprised me once again with his remix of RUN DMT’s Sugarcube. The song opens up with some high pitched whining synths leading to the first breakdown with some simple basslines. Then the second drop hits, and I am completely blown away by solid wobbly basslines with a feel that reminds me of Rusko in his prime. This song is an absolute banger (and I try to use this word as little as possible) and has got my hopes up for the bass head himself. Please check it out below and let me know what you think. As always, Cheers!
Some older Rusko and Bassnectar for shits and giggles
P.S. if you are in the Burlington Area please email me at [email protected] for any information on events in the area that you would like blogged on our website. Thank you!
