09 Aug 2011, Posted by admin in Aba,Thoughts, No Comments. Tagged Aba, dub, music, The Fam
In Search Of Dub
Words by Aba
My first experience of dubstep was in 2006 as a fresher at uni in London. I went to the club night FWD at Plastic People with some friends to see what all the fuss was about. I remember drawing back the black curtain and stepping onto the dance floor as this insane sound system made every cell in my body shake. Bass notes heavy like tar dropped into the air, resonating in the space between our bodies and even moving through them. Soon my spine curved, my booty dropped and I found myself moving to this strange, hypnotic sound.
Since then I’ve encountered lots more dubstep at various clubs, festivals and parties. Some good, some bad; some really really bad. But dubstep itself, like all new genres, has also been on a journey of its own. From the relative underground scene it was launched into the mainstream thanks to the likes of Skream, Benga and countless others. It even found its way onto Britney Spears’ comeback track. And as a type of music, it has mutated, spawning post-dub / future bass / call-it-what-you-will.
I recently enjoyed a night of the post-dub experience at Night Slugs at Rivington Studios, where I was treated to the sounds of L-Vis 1990, Bok Bok, Egyptrixx, Girl Unit and Boddika. These disciples of the post-dub, gutter house movement (as labelled by trustworthy Resident Advisor) absolutely killed it, track after track, but as I danced to the gods of the beat, I noticed that I heard none of the dutty wah-wah-wah sounds of my other dubstep experiences. Not that its a bad thing. It just reminded me how far music sometimes moves from its original source.
Now I’m not the biggest fan of labels but I found myself wondering what category the Night Slugs crew could comfortably slot into. Their sets varied; at times quite dubby/bass heavy, at other times plotted safely in the realm of house, and sometimes even (dare I say it) treading the line of minimal tech. I guess as long as its good music to dance to, labels don’t matter. Dubstep has simply become an all-encompassing behemoth which we must submit ourselves to when its beat calls. Don’t try to resist. Even Thom Yorke’s jumped on the bandwagon, so you know it must be good.
