Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I'm unable to find the time to write content for this. Roots Mentality will be back soon. :) I will still be sharing music via the Facebook Community.
Bristol Dub legends Dubkasm have taken to Gorgon Sound's latest (self-titled) EP, remixing it in its entirety; soon to receive its own release on Peng Sound Records: "Gorgon Sound vs Dubkasm - The Versions". Check out the above clip for a preview of 'Medusa' 'Dub Mirror'.
With releases dating back almost a decade on influential jungle and drum & bass labels such as Moving Shadow, Commercial Suicide and Cylon Recordings, Budapest (Hungary) native Matt-U is a (bad)man with a resume! Fast forward to 2008, where to this day he has continued to make a large impact on the Dubstep scene. After recently playing at Outlook festival on the coast of Croatia, Matt-U is Australia bound with a tour planned covering most of the country (including one stop in New Zealand).
With four releases (two of which are EPs) this year alone, Matt-U is showing no signs of slowing down! From taking a deep and medititive approach to 'Something About You' (NoMad Records), to the heavy hitting sounds coming from his recent (Black Box) EP 'Frequency'; Matt-U's vast experience shines through in his diversity between releases.
Quite literally steppin' out of the dungeon (in to a venue slightly more appropriate for an event of this calibre), Sydney crew Dungeon Events are gearing up to provide a party not to be missed. Also on the line-up alongside Matt-U is his Pressed Records label mate and local Sydney producer/dj; Commit. Tickets for the show are now on sale, available here. See below for tour dates and relevant links.
Tour Dates:
27/10/13: Adelaide - Hosted by Blueprint and Ez Now
28/10/13: Melbourne - Hosted by Heavy Innit!
29/10/13: Perth - Hosted by Dead Weight!
3/10/13: Cairns - Hosted by DEPTH
4/10/13: Sydney - Hosted by Dungeon Events
5/10/13: Christchurch (NZ) - Hosted by PLR Audio
Artist & graphic designer by day, deep, dark & moody dubstep producer by night. Louis Bullock AKA Venom is a young man from Adelaide who has gained the support of not only locals in his area, but also that of Distance and his podcast series; Chestcast.
"Music for me isn't just noise, it's about feeling and emotion."
At just 19 years of age, Bullock is entirely self-taught and draws inspiration from movies and games such as The Matrix, Dark City, Twelve Monkeys, and Half-Life. Such inspiration is made apparent by the use of an unconventional structure in his work. Alongside this, inspiration from producers such as Distance, Sleeper & other Chestplate artists is prevelant. Combine all of the above and you have a collection of works that aid the listener through a cold, sinister and emotion filled aural narrative.
"I adore the darker vibes, the rawness, the aggression."
When asked to put together something to show our readers, Bullock gladly provided us with the following teaser of some unheard & unreleased tunes, alongside some forthcoming bits. For now, you will have to sit tight however, as none of his music is currently available to buy/download. Australian dubstep has a bright (yet eerily dark) future. To stay up to date, follow Venom via the usual social outlets (listed below).
For those of you that are Croatia bound over the next week for Outlook and/or Dimensions, I'm entirely envious of you! The line up (for both festivals) is beyond ridiculous this year, it makes me sick to the stomach knowing that I won't be there! I could list some must see bass acts, though if you're going to either festival, you're already down with your bass music and you don't need me to tell you what's up.
However! There's a lot of solid hip-hop on the Outlook bill this year, too. Looking past the obvious acts like Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), The Pharcyde, Pharoahe Monch and J Rocc, if I had to suggest a must see out of the bunch that you may not know, it's the Split Prophets! SP are a hip-hop collective coming out of Bristol (UK), and I don't need to say much more. These guys are straight fire, check it:
..right? Right. Two members (Res & Datkid) have recent released an LP titled 'Drugs, Booze & Dental Issues' which you can cop over at their bandcamp page. I also highly recommend taking a listen to their older, debut album; Scribbled Thoughts.
Over the last 12 months Sydney has been blessed with some pretty special acts as far as dub/reggae and roots influenced bass music goes. With influential acts such as RSD and Mungo's Hi-Fi under their belt, Sydney's Dubwise specialists Foreigndub are here to spoil us again.
Introducing Alpha Steppa; A man responsible for bringing us some of the most dubbed out, roots influenced dubstep to date. Born and raised in Bristol, UK, and having his father and aunt being none other than legendary dub duo 'Alpha & Omega', Alpha Steppa was born with dub in his blood and a step in his stride.
Shortly following his appearance(s) at Outlook Festival in Croatia late this month, Alpha Steppa will be jumping on a plane headed for Australia and New Zealand; where you can catch him in between the 7th and 20th of September. In the meantime, here's a mix containing a whole heap of unreleased tunes you can expect to hear (providing you get out to a show) next month.
Tour Dates:
7/9/13: Melbourne - Hosted by Dub Club Melbourne
13/9/13: Brisbane - Hosted by ???
14/9/13: Sydney - Hosted by Foreigndub
20/9/13: Auckland - Hosted by Lion Rockers Hi-Fi
Choosing an artist to feature for the first of many to come here at Roots Mentality was no easy task. With many local producers and djs oozing raw talent, there's one man from the western side of our island that we were unable to look past.
With a debut release less than 12 months ago on New Zealand's digital imprint Redshift-One, Travis "B9" Baker has since contributed to a string of releases, namely the popular "Groove Booty" release by the newly founded coop known as the "Chord Marauders", which Baker has co-founded alongside a few other artists that need little introduction; Geode, Jafu & Congi.
It's to no surprise that after his performance over the last 12 months, Baker has recently released his second (solo) release, signing with no less than MindStep Music. If meditative bass-lines, clean inviting melodies and well crafted grooves sound like your kind of jam, then Baker's recent release Avenue is worth a listen. Here's a preview of the EP:
We caught up with Travis to get more of an idea of where these smooth beats are rooted. Give it a read:
Hi Travis, first off thanks for taking the time to chat with us! Who is B9, and what does he do?
No worries, I am a quiet loner who makes beats in my spare time.
Has music been a prominent part of your life? What does it mean to you?
Yes, music has been very influential for me. It has big part of the way I think and feel about life in general. Distracting really, hehe.
How did Chord Marauders come about? How was that experience?
Basically, we had all been vibing off of each others stuff before hand, sharing dubs, collaborating etc. George (geode) propped the idea to us and we all pretty much jumped at the opportunity. Its a humbling experience being able to work with like minded people. Everyone is passionate and enthusiastic about music.
Awesome! Your debut album featured 3 hip-hop tracks (among others with various influences), did you produce much (other music) before steppin' in to 140? And what are some of your other influences?
Yes well I listen to a lot of different genres, but I like to think I focus more on the vibe than the genre. Mostly jazz, jungle, techno, hip hop and a tone of 140. Basically 140 has been the genre I have always made, but I like to experiment with different tempos and styles.
Is there a specific artist or song that is responsible for your involvement with dubstep?
When I was younger I was more into the louder energetic stuff. I'd have to say Caspa, Skream and Rusko got me involved with dubstep. 2562 and Martyn have had the biggest influence on me as far as producing and listening goes.
What is on the horizon for you?
Chord Marauders!
To the point, I like it. Finally, What is exciting you in music right now?
All of the Chord Marauders fam. Geode has been making some insanely fresh music lately, have your ears on stand by! Also artists like Gerwin and Galimatias are coming up with some great stuff.
B9's Avenue (EP) is available now on CD & Digital from the following:
Albeit unexpected, the recent announcement of the man they call Wen making his way down under mid-late this month is (personally) one of the most exciting forthcomings that the (Sydney) bass community has had to offer this year.
After listening to and finding inspiration from the sounds coming out of Dusk & Blackdown's show on Rinse, Wen went on to build his own sound, a unique blend of.. well, it's difficult to put a finger on it, and this is what makes Wen's productions so interesting.
While trying to not put the sound in a box, those unfamiliar with Wen can expect a blend of spread out minimal garage, dubstep and grime influenced riddims. Underlining this, an incredible sense of space, dread filled basslines and chopped up grime vocals to finish; mostly running ~130bpm.
It's been a good year for Wen. He's seen his debut EP Commotion, featuring the monster title track signed to Keysound Recordings, and has since sold out. He's also worked on releases with Badimup, South Fork Sound, as well as receiving support from bass giants such as; Kahn, My Nu Leng and Akkord, among others.
Enough chatter, Wen's music speaks for itself. Here's a mix he put together for his recent feature over at Hedmuk. We highly recommend you have a listen, and get out to one of the shows later this month!
Tour Dates:
23/8/13: Perth - Hosted by Dead Weight!
24/8/13: Melbourne - Hosted by Heavy Innit!
31/08/13: Sydney - Hosted by Qualia
If the name 'Kahn' doesn't ring a bell, now is a good time to recognise. Voted 'Best Producer' in the 2013 Dubstepforum Awards, Kahn has risen to become a prominent figure in UK bass over the last few years, and his recent EP released on Black Box records is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Alongside his solo productions, Kahn boasts a versitile skill set on side projects with friend and production-sidekick; Neek. When the duo aren't writing tunes under their sound system/reggae influenced, 'strictly dubplate and vinyl' operation 'Gorgon Sound', they're writing and releasing dance destroying Grime tunes on their (also limited vinyl-only) record label, Bandulu Records.
After a sold out repressing of the label's first imprint 'Percy / Fierce', the duo is now set to release unleash their second pair of cartridge-replacing rompers; 'Chevy' and 'Theif In The Law'. These tunes are not for the faint hearted, or for those in search of Kahn's more meditive side of bass. For the rest of us, this is not one to be sleeping on.
Kahn & Neek's 'Chevy / Theif In The Law' 12" is available now exclusively via Idle Hands for a week before it is made available at all good record stores. I've bagged my copy, you should too: 'Chevy / Theif In The Law' @ Idle Hands
For a more in depth write-up, be sure to head over to Tape Echo and check out their feature on the label: Tape Echo - Bandulu Records Feature
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