Bassnectar:: the United States of BASS! (INTERVIEW)

BASSNECTAR

Music to most people is a way of life, a system of introspection, a sacred sanctity of ones own thoughts and reflections that can be recalled with the fire of imagination to create a new world, a new life or a break from the current one. When these types of people hear music that they appreciate it hits them straight in their core, it acts as a mechanism for multi-faceted synapse release that can induce a trance like state in the listener. Of the multitude of “artists” out there in the world the void that once existed between them has been bridged by the internet, nowadays new artists pop up like pimple’s on a meth heads face, and like the irritation caused to the poor junkie’s skin, most new “artists” can cause the same irritation to the listener, as time after time, track after track, the search for new and interesting music becomes mundane, suffocated by the vast, ever increasing well of “copy-cat”, carbon copy artists….

But then you stumble on to something different, in a way to almost part the red sea, the track fills up your immediate space, and you connect with it. Well for me, and many others like me, this happens with tracks from a man that they call Bassnectar!

If you haven’t heard of him, you might have spent too much time living under that rock, but for the vast majority who have, he has created a cerebral awakening in the hearts and minds of music lovers from all over the globe. His music is unique, flowing, smooth and fresh. His sound is his own and his style has not just been to duplicate 130BPM dance music, to keep the internet windmill turning, but each track that he offers expresses a feeling, a mood, a vibe. He does not work with the commercial crew, and despite his “fame”, he does not care to put a will-i-am on a track to sell records, but searches for the hidden talent, to siv the fresh from the rotten: He describes it himself as “omnitempo maximalism“, which means no rules, no limitations, and no hesitation in fusing the familiar with the strange or the classic with the cutting edge.

“We are so blessed, and so deeply fortunate to be alive and awake right now…it’s a basic truth, but it’s very powerful. I think privilege confers responsibility, and Bassnectar is a reflection of that opportunity to give back; the motion of my cells bouncing back at the world.”

- Bassnectar

What started back in the mid nineties as social action youth culture experiment has become a being that has ties all around the world, and loads of loyal fans spreading its wings. Bassnectar is awesome, a truely inspiration being that will give you his thanks and spends much time devoted to giving stuff back, whether its free tracks, merchandise or just a “thank you” response, this guy puts in the effort, which makes him seem normal in the world of the celebrity.

Truely, one of my favorite artists, Dont Party was lucky enough to be given some super good head-space time with the man himself, and he was well keen the entire way through!

Here is a bit of Bassnectar in a few questions or less…

1.    Recently you were in the running to be voted as America’s top DJ (by americasbestdj.net), seeing as your sound isn’t the stereotypical ‘commercial’, Black Eyed Peas blaring monotonously out of your speakers, did it surprise you to be in the running (and also do so well), or are you finding people are responding with much more enthusiasm to less corporately backed rubbish and want more from their music?

I hadn’t actually heard about that ‘nomination’ but I think most of that stuff is insane anyways. In general, YES: people gravitate toward authentic, raw quality over well-marketed, high-polished, low-risk sound. Underground music will always have that advantage, as we strive to mutate farther beyond the status quo, and get more daring in our adventures; we increase our potential to develop undeniable dopeness! (We also fail miserably at times too! ha)

2.    How would you describe the kind of music that you make/ play to the person who has been sheltered in the Antarctic for the last decade and hasn’t heard of you?

Well, I don’t follow many rules, and I love to allow myself un-disturbed creative freedom, so the sounds and styles change a lot. Really, it’s anything that I enjoy, and at times, it plays the devil’s advocate, or creates almost a foil or darkness so that another part or song can shine in comparison. I don’t know, I would probably tell that person in the Antarctic to read “Jitterbug Perfume” and drink some hot tea.

3.    Do you think that in today’s digital age, it is important to be a producer as well as a DJ to ensure longevity in your career?

I think it is pretty far past the point that an individual can simply DJ (the verb) and not participate deeper with their content (remixes, edits, or digital techniques) unless it is just a creative past time. In terms of professionally providing a state of the art experience for other people, the bar will always be raised, and it’s up to the individual if they care about where the bar is.

For myself, I could not STOP myself from producing, creating, re-creating, remixing, or participating in the constant changes and mutations of music. It is automatic.

4.    How do you feel about the age of the ‘traktor’ DJ?

I’ve never used Traktor. I use Ableton LIVE, and I love it. I started off playing guitar and drums in death metal bands, moved into production in 1995, and DJing just happened because it was so easy (“oh, you mean play the music you love for other people? Ok, easy.”)

At this point I have no interest in DJing (beat-matching 2 songs on vinyl or CD) because it just doesn’t sound engaging. Live sonic mutation through the use of unlimited layers, samples, and effects is still fun, but the real pleasure is pleasuring other humans in a live setting… that is what cannot be pirated, duplicated or faked.

5.    When I hear one of your tracks, I immediately know it’s yours, the combination of your unique bass sound and those sick swung drums… something that you’re very well known for. Is this originality something you’ve consciously worked towards, or has it just been a natural development?

I’ve heard a pretty specific sound in my head for a LONG time…
In 1995 when I started going out to ‘techno raves’ I was so new to it all that just loved everything I heard. Then as I got more specifically into psy trance I liked the heavier, more demonic shit, and I loved the really crazy percussive stuff. As I steered into experimental electronica I wished it had more bass and thickness, and I wished jungle was slower and heavier. At the turn of the century I was DJing with most of my records pitched down to 33, usually I would record it like that and add new percussion loops on top for brightness, I was doing extreme electronic edits to my material by 1998, so it has been a pretty mutant style ever since then.
I guess I create sounds to compliment what’s already in existence, in that I am not as interested in producing sounds that are already well-developed and distributed. The heavy-swung 100 bpm bass-hop thing started in 1999 by accident with some beatbox loops I recorded, a JP-8000, and the discovery of the “shuffle” function in quantizing.

6.    Take us through a normal day in your life?

HOME: wake up around 11, wrestle with email/phone correspondence until sundown, and then make music until about 3am.

TOUR: wake up around 11, travel for 4-8 hours, sound check, execute the set, crash.

7.    You always seem to be touring, how do you find time to make tracks?

That is extremely difficult. I have so much unfinished…I even have collaborations (including one of the sickest acapellas I’ve ever heard, from South African MC: SPOEK) and unfinished tracks as far back as ten years which are just collecting dust…nearly 1000 unfinished song ideas… it’s just how it goes I guess.

8.    What software do you use for your production?

Previously: Reason, Cubase, Sound Forge.
Currently: Ableton, Massive, Albino.

9.    Do you own any outboard gear?

My chair.

10.    Do you ever struggle to stay motivated because you have such a rigorous schedule?

Motivation has never been a problem. It is the least of my concerns.

11.    How do you feel about electronic music at the moment, is it progressing nicely, or do you feel like it’s in a weird kind of rut?

It’s great. I am mostly attracted to either: extremely well-made high quality music with undeniable groove (that would be all the household names and such) *OR* totally freaked-out genius experimentation (Wormstorm is a great example of this, as is Die Antwoord, whom I recently discovered and have since become their number 1 fan).

12.    You said to me previously that you are really interested in the South African scene…

a.    What sparked this interest?
b.    From what you’ve heard do you thing South African producers have got what it takes to compete on a world stage level?

Years ago I discovered Sibot, Spoek, Markus Wormstorm, and all their loco side-projects and stuff. Recently getting new material from P.H. Fat and Die Antwoord, I just think it is fantastic… overall I don’t think about ‘competing on a world stage level’ …instead I think about creating hi-quality music and art, and there is something really unique about the rawness and the ingenuity of what I’ve heard coming out of there, as WELL as staying true to heavy, crushing sound. It is obvious that a lot of my favorite South African artists are hearing certain styles, taking that in, and then responding with a mutated personal take, which becomes a sound all their own. I love it!

13.    When are you coming to South Africa!!!!????

In North America, things are just exploding; I barely have enough time to think straight. The tour schedule is literally nonstop (and has been for years on end) so I haven’t made a lot of time to travel across the sea, either to Europe, Asia, or Africa…. I know it would be a great adventure and one day I am sure it will happen, but in the meantime, my plate is full, and I am mega grateful for everything I have experienced. And the future looks bright…. :)

2010 IDJ Mixtape by  Bassnectar
Cozza Frenzy (Original) by  Bassnectar

For more of the BASSNECTAR’s antics check out: Bassnectar.net (click)