Dubstep
What Happened To The Legends Of Dubstep?
To say that the music industry is a fickle, ever-changing world would be an understatement. Genres, trends, and artists can rise and fall at the drop of a hat, with some experiencing the dizzying heights of fame and the devastating lows of obscurity all within an alarming space of time. Of course, this is not always the case.
According to a report by the industry boffins at Music Machinery, the average length of an active music career for a ‘successful’ (see: top 1000 in the charts) artist is a whopping 17 years. However, such a lengthy career is rarely guaranteed to artists of highly specific genres. A relevant case study that we all remember is the strange and mysterious death of Dubstep.
This was a genre that rapidly emerged at the turn of the 2010s to become a pinnacle of mainstream electronic music, with its most vaunted artists headlining the world’s largest festivals, from Coachella to Glastonbury. Then, sometime around 2014, the bubble popped.
Tastes changed and electronic music took on a darker, more serious edge. Almost overnight, the demand for and the cultural cachet of Dubstep evaporated, leaving a trail of artists in its wake. So, what happened to Dubstep’s leading luminaries? Let’s dive in and find out.
Skrillex
When you think of Dubstep, you probably think of Skrillex. The long-haired, moody figure behind such monster tracks as Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites and Weekends once even topped the prestigious BBC Sounds of the Year Ranking, where he was listed as one of the world’s most influential artists. Following a mammoth world tour at the apex of the Dubstep craze, Skrillex promptly dropped off the face of the Earth, producing virtually no music between the years of 2012 and now. However, this may be set to change. In a recent interview with EDM Magazine, Skrillex re-emerged to announce that he was working on a new, full-length studio album, one that will mark a “new chapter” for the artist.
Deadmau5
To describe Deadmau5 as a Dubstep artist in the first place is controversial in itself, given that the artist was famously reported in Rolling Stone as having described himself as a “sell-out” for deciding to branch into the Dubstep genre. The masked DJ behind manic dancefloor bangers such as FML and Ghosts N’ Stuff also went silent not long after the Dubstep bubble burst. Today, he is most active in the world of gaming. He appears as a playable character in console titles such as Activision’s DJ Hero, as well as in Goat Simulator and even the online vehicular soccer game Rocket League. Fans of his music can also enjoy his legacy in the world of online casino gaming. In his only branded collaboration of this type, the artist released an official Deadmau5 slot game with Betway online casino, where players can spin the reels to some of his hottest tracks. Who would have thought online slots and Dubstep were such an obvious tie-in?
Swedish House Mafia
The Swedish EDM supergroup Swedish House Mafia had the world in its grip at the turn of the last decade, thanks to infectious tracks such as Save the World and Don’t You Worry Child. After announcing their break-up at the very height of their career (arguably a shrewd move that predated the fall of Dubstep by just a few months), they went on to play a farewell tour that sold out in seconds. After this, the group largely went their separate ways, reuniting occasionally to play the UK festival circuit. Since then, the group has reunited and broken up several times, only this summer announcing that they were back together “permanently” with a not-so-subtle billboard in New York’s Times Square. The group has just begun to tease tracks for their upcoming album Paradise Again, which marks a significant departure from their previous work. In keeping with changing times, Swedish House Mafia has opted for the 80s dance-pop sound that is now ubiquitous in the charts. Let’s hope it pays off.
Although the leading lights of substep are not what they once were, their legacy has not been forgotten. Regardless of your opinions of the genre, it’s difficult to deny that these music pioneers did a lot to bring electronic music into the mainstream.
Blending the retro styles of the past with the eclectic sounds of today’s electronic realm, Effin announces his highly anticipated debut album ‘Cheap Thrills’ out now.
There is something beautiful and courageous about bringing new life to things forgotten. It takes something special to preserve the magic of what was while molding it into something fresh and spectacular. In the world of music today, many artists are merely interested in finding the newest sounds and styles in order to prove their originality. Effin, however, has found that sometimes the road to becoming one-of-a-kind is right under your nose.
With the release of ‘Cheap Thrills,’ Effin takes a deep dive into the ocean of his musical talents. Having taken years to develop his style, the artist was beginning to wonder if he would ever find his place in the industry. To his surprise, the path leading to his success was there all along. Pulling from his roots in Nashville, Tennessee, Effin renders an insanely energetic twist on old classics.
Sampling styles from the 50s and 70s eras, the artist completely revamps timeless tunes into some of the most sophisticated and original tracks to date. Not only does he harness the old-school sounds with integrity, but he channels them into something that is completely his own.
“Cheap Thrills is everything that Effin represents and will represent going forward. It’s an audio collage of hundreds of different sounds, styles, and influences slammed and crunched together. Above all things, it’s a love album. It pulls you in and spits you out, filled with digital nostalgia and distorted fantasies. This one is incredibly special to me and I think that will be obvious from the opening thrill until the final goodbye.” — Effin
Although the album demonstrates the raw talent that exudes from the artist, Effin has not had the easiest journey of finding his niche. Bringing older styles of music to the forefront can be risky, but with the proper attention to detail and dedication to stand out, the possibilities are endless. Effin, like many of the artists he sampled before him, took a chance on creating something eccentric and rooted in originality. Each track is vastly different from the next. Every breakdown brings forth a unique animation. The album brings listeners through decades of music, while continuously reminding them of the future of Effin’s sound. From beginning to end, the collection is a powerful and inspiring ode to the timelessness of music and the fruition of a creative mind.
CONNECT WITH EFFIN NOW!
British Bass maestro Zomboy joins forces with the vocalist Micah Martin of The Zealots band for their powerful new single “Monsters,” delivering an unexpected and unique sonic experience that’s about to be the soundtrack to everything from your workouts to your next headbanging session.
The head of Rott N’ Roll Records artfully fuses angsty vocals that bring to mind Hardcore Rock of the early aughts with Drum & Bass production, complete with rapid-fire breakbeats, dark synths, and distorted basslines. The overall effect is an energetic, cathartically aggressive record that brings the listeners’ inner “Monsters” to the surface to be slayed and will appeal to fans of Heavy Metal, Bass music, and beyond as a track that is truly unbound by any genre.
It also serves as a follow-up to Zomboy’s ‘Dead Man Walking Pt. 1’ EP and his earlier collaboration with Micah – “Flatlined,” both from 2022. Read on for the artist’s inspiration behind “Monsters,” which represents Zomboy’s sonic exploration and sets the tone for future experimentation with Bass music.
“I am beyond excited to put ‘Monsters’ out into the world along with my amazingly talented friend Micah Martin. Not only has this song been absolutely destroying the dance floor, but it will forever symbolize a very difficult yet positive part of my life. Everyone deals with their ups and downs in different ways, and I am just so glad I could call on Micah to help me vocalize these feelings and emotions. I really hope everyone enjoys my first real step into drum & bass, something I’ve wanted to do for a long, long time.” — Zomboy
CONNECT WITH ZOMBOY NOW!
Canadian DJ and producer Defunk releases his brand new 14-track body of work ‘The Voyage,’ his 1st in almost a decade and 5th in overall, and it is a true journey through the genre-bending soundscapes that have established him as a pioneer of bass-influenced music throughout his long career. It is also a deeply personal body of work for him, which serves as a testament to his journey both as an artist and as a man as he navigated both the global pandemic and becoming a father. From the opening notes of “The Departure,” Defunk makes it clear that the voyage the listener is about to embark on is not for the faint of heart, as the piano melodies and ethereal vocals fuse into the deep basslines and serrating synths of “Blast Off.” Each track melts into the next with liquid sophistication as Defunk expertly steers through the groovy tech-house beats of “Coming In Hot” to the headbanging, drum & bass-oriented synths of “Waves” and the hip-hop vocal bass of “All Your Love.” Wrapping up with the sparkling notes and futuresque drops of “Sunrise,” the album displays Defunk’s impressive versatility in a sprawling range of bass-focused gems and it’s clear that there’s heart and soul in every track. The album’s drop also launches Defunk’s “The Voyage Tour” across North America, which begins in September and spans across Detroit, Vancouver, Minneapolis, Portland, Kelowna, Las Vegas, and more till November.
“I can finally release my first full-length album in almost 10 years. I’ve never worked so hard on such a large project, with so much of my heart poured into every song. ‘The Voyage’ is a very personal 14-song concept album that tells the story of my evolution, both personal and musically, through the pandemic and into my new role as a parent. The voyage will be released on Westwood Recordings, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.” — Defunk
Canadian-born Logan Anderson, known as Defunk, has made a distinct name for himself in the electronic music scene with his dirty, funky, bass music. Defunk’s unique fusion of funk, hip-hop, electro, and heavy bass music allows him to be a true connoisseur of genre-blending. His innovative style has paved the path for fans of all genres to venture into the bass music scene and a niche that has left him virtually untouched. He constantly pushes the boundaries of what bass music can be with live performances that captivate audiences all over. The versatility Defunk delivers in his sets, and live performances has caught the attention of Pretty Lights, GRiZ, Gramatik, LSDream, and others across the bass music scene. He’s played at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, Insomniac’s Electric Forest Festival, Canada’s Shambhala Festival and toured internationally for 10 years. Equipped with constantly changing sets and a rapidly expanding discography, Defunk constructs each performance to the brim with allure and absolute magic.
Defunk’s “The Voyage” Tour (tickets):
Sep 08 – Galaxie – Louisville, KY
Sep 09 – Unison Festival – Aztek, MN
Sep 15 – Tangent Gallery – Detroit, MI
Sep 16 – The Stache – Grand Rapids, MI
Sep 23 – The Red Room – Vancouver, BC
Sep 30 – Pryes Brewing Co. – Minneapolis, MN
Oct 05 – The Get Down – Portland, OR
Oct 07 – Waverly Hotel – Cumberland, BC
Oct 20 – Distrikt – Kelowna, BC
Oct 21 – Five Mile Hall – Grande Prairie, AB
Nov 04 – Arkadia Festival – Las Vegas, NV
Nov 09 – Summit Music Hall – Columbus, OH