So I started writing for a new online dubstep magazine called idubstep, unfortunately due to content size my first article wasn’t included in the first release. So I’ve posted it up here for you all to check out!
Heavy Filthy Dubstep VS Chilled Smooth Dubstep
For me, 2009 was the year Dubstep forced its way through to become more [I no you all love this word] commercial, or rather commercially accepted to the ravers unfamiliar with the bass infected sound.
Through out the year Dubstep raves where becoming more regular, more artists wanted a Dubstep track or remix, and thanks to DJ’s like 1xtra and Radio1’s Mistajam, Dubstep was even getting more regular daytime air play and exposure.
I’m going to review and compare two sides of Dubstep- the more chilled side of things, and the filthy heavy side.
Firsty the smoother side of Dubstep, that chilled out vibe, often instrumental, tho not always, where the focus is regularly on the 2-step beat, taking influence from it’s garage roots, and samples, rather than a wobbling bassline. An angle of the electronic dance music that’s filed with ambiance and perhaps suited for that hungover Sunday, where an emphasis on the bassline is too much for the worn eardrums from the night before!
Secondly that heavy/ nasty Dubstep, with a distinct bassline and clear ‘dark’ influences from drum and bass and grime.
There’s all the build-ups, drops and samples perfect for raving too, the beat gets more involved and the bassline gets more wobble than Rosie O’Donnell! Which exactly how I like my Dubstep!
I recently spoke with an up and coming south coast Drum & Bass/ Dubstep DJ- Mista P, about his take on these particular sides of Dubstep.
He said, “FIRSTLY I’LL SAY THAT I’M QUITE NEW TO DUBSTEP, I’VE ONLY BEEN LISTENING TO IT FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS, BUT IN THOSE TWO YEARS, I’VE HEARD A LOT OF REALLY GOOD (AND BAD) TUNES. WHERE I HAVE FOLLOWED DNB FOR SO LONG AND MOSTLY MIX IT, I HAVE LEARNT THAT IT IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE HEAVY HITTERS AND THE CROWD MOVERS; YOU NEED THE CHILLED TUNES SOME TIMES. THE MORE SIMPLE, BEATS/ BASS/ VOCAL’S TO BLEND IN TO MAKE A GOOD MIX.”
“ IM NOT THE BIGGEST FAN OF THE CHILLED STUFF BUT LIKE THE FEEL OF THE BASSLINE AND GARAGE VIBES IT HAS. BUT DARK AND GRIMEY DUBSTEP, THAT’S MORE MY KINDA THING FOR SURE! THIS STYLE OF DUBSTEP IS TAKING OVER IN MY EYES, ALL THO DUBSTEP IS UNIVERSAL AND IS PLAYED AND MADE IN SO MANY COUNTRIES, I FEEL THAT THE BRITS ARE WAVING THE FLAG HIGH AND THE YANKS ARE FOLLOWING VERY CLOSE BEHIND. WITH BOTH HAVING A DIFFRENT STYLE OF DUBSTEP- THE BRITS WITH THEIR CRAZY, ALL OVER THE PLACE BASSLINES/ BEATS, AND THE TRANCE AND RAGGA SYTHS ALSO MIXED IN WHICH GO SO WELL TOGETHER.
AND THE YANKS WITH THEIR SOME WHAT ROBO STYLE OF DUB WITCH ALSO GO HAND IN HAND WITH THEIR MENTAL BASSLINES AND CREEPY SYTHS (CREEPY IN A GOOD WAY) BUT BOTH STYLES HAVE THAT BOUNCE AND GRIME ABOUT THEM WHICH HAS MOULDED IN TO THIS SORT OF SUB GENRE IF YOU LIKE, CALLED FILTH.”
So even Dubstep has its different vibes for your different moods, so no excuse not to wack some on now!
By Danny ‘Dcee’ Cowley
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Thanks for the write up, how about a follow up for those of us that read this 10 years too late. You never cease to amaze me!
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