Emalkay discusses both the U.K. and U.S. dubstep scenes

[larspro]

LOL 2:10

[Blue Patterns]

I remember around 2000/2001 listening to college radio up here in Canada....people were playing garage. along with a lot of other dance music. I only realize this in retrospect but it's interesting nonetheless.

[Mr. Mittens]

To my mind, the selector's job in a dance is to play good music and move the crowd. Now, the term "good music" means something different to everyone. For me, I would put both Goblin and Sinners into that category. However, if only Goblin type tunes were being played all night, I wouldn't have a good time. Same thing for Sinners (although my ears would hurt less). Fortunately we've got fellows like Jason putting both tunes on the same plate, encouraging us to enjoy different ends of the spectrum.

Dubstep's greatest strength is its variety, and its ability to build a tune from several different points of view that will appeal to lots of different people with different tastes and backgrounds. I'm not a chin-stroker, and I don't think my tastes are superior... I just don't like it when the tunes sound the same all night, whatever the style.

On another note, I played Blue Notez to a room full of people essentially standing still and it kind of broke my heart. But then, I guess that means that I wasn't doing my job properly

[corpsey]

most people in the UK are into wobble over 'deep' stuff, I'd say.

that sound has more mass appeal.

[Mr. Mittens]

it just sucks that most of the time, at least lately, its a "one or the other" kind of situation. Rarely get both.

love it when a set looks like this



instead of just topping out (or bottoming out) the whole time...

[honey-d]

So I read through ALMOST all of the pages (gimme a break if someone already brought this up) but in america there is little to no knowledge about UK Garage, 2-step, etc. and most of the "deeper" songs have a stronger UK Garage influence which is something that American's frankly don't identify with. It's not like in the UK where there's pirate stations playing garage since the nineties, this is America, we listen to hip hop... alot of hip hop. I feel like alot of the people who are only there for the jump up feel like it takes the groove and pace of a nice hip hop song and then jams some crazy ass heavy metalesque sounds on top of it and they vibe on the music from that angle, which is chill to me but yeah

hmm interesting insight into the average US dubstep fan....

American's aren't familiar with garage so they don't appreciate the more future garage sounds as much

Shame, you lot invented it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_Garage

Please dont take that as insight into an "average" US dubstep fan... some of us have been into this since '06

...and funny, I was gonna bring up the Paradise Garage stuff too, but didnt want to get flamed for the US trying to take too much credit. Glad you did though lol.

I got into dubstep around '06 as well and I can DEFINITELY say that you and I are NOT the average American dubstep fans. Most people I know weren't into it until the big raves started putting Rusko on the ticket in like '09.

[dj_donga]

To my mind, the selector's job in a dance is to play good music and move the crowd. Now, the term "good music" means something different to everyone. For me, I would put both Goblin and Sinners into that category. However, if only Goblin type tunes were being played all night, I wouldn't have a good time. Same thing for Sinners (although my ears would hurt less). Fortunately we've got fellows like Jason putting both tunes on the same plate, encouraging us to enjoy different ends of the spectrum.

Dubstep's greatest strength is its variety, and its ability to build a tune from several different points of view that will appeal to lots of different people with different tastes and backgrounds. I'm not a chin-stroker, and I don't think my tastes are superior... I just don't like it when the tunes sound the same all night, whatever the style.

On another note, I played Blue Notez to a room full of people essentially standing still and it kind of broke my heart. But then, I guess that means that I wasn't doing my job properly

this sounds familiar
and i think it's well reasoned
if one sound dominates it feels boring to me too - and alienating
as a dj there's a lot of pressure to play jump up sounds
even if i take out a bag of my 'harder' beats i sometimes am forced to accept that people really want the trademark mid-range saw-tooth style all the way!!
dread-infused heavy heavy moodiness wont cut it for some
but thats way more powerful than mindless aggression to me -
all I can see is headbanging sometimes and stage barrier thrashing and i ran away from rock music to dance music years back to escape that!
it's worth sticking to your guns though for the few that approach and remark that you've played stuff they never hear others play
i never wanted to conform anyway

[steezpromo.com]

steeze promo needs to get their audio in check, only reason people yell for the harder shit is because they cant hear anything but muddy tunes otherwise. the mc yelling into the little sound we can hear doesn't help much either.

doing it terribxly wrong, tbh. its much worse than that video shows

The sound at our events is more then proper. The venue is the premier live music venue in Baltimore and we supplement the sound for these events just to make sure its proper. The production aspect is one of the things we take most important at our events, proper lights, sound, video, etc is extremely important to us.

As for the crowds taste and response, here is actually just more of a preference, especially in the younger crowd, for the straight up grime sound. We have varied from these types of bookings by bringing in people like Joker, Martyn, and consistently bringing ambassador of dubstep Joe Nice and these events do just as well but its definitely a process of opening people up to the entire spectrum.

As far as the variance in age restrictions, while some of the older crowd (25+) isn't interested in being at events with 18 & 19 year olds, it is important to us to make our events as inclusive as possible, not just with regard to age but also race, style, whatever. I think its this approach that has helped us grow the dubstep scene in Baltimore from crowds of 50-100 for smaller dubstep events, and 100-200 for headlining shows, to crowds of 400+ for shows with smaller talent, and 600-2000 for bigger bills. It goes without saying that this wouldn't have been possible without all ages & 18+ events. Definitely makes for a fresher vibe. Having been promoting dance music events for 11 years, its extremely revitalizing and re-energizing to see a younger crowd coming out again. Joe Nice can attest to the fact that we saw Baltimore go from a healthy burgeoning scene to being on life support for a couple years and its exciting to see it burgeoning again.

[WatchYourStep]

What's the song at the beginning of this vid?

[rez pez]

The sound at our events is more then proper. The venue is the premier live music venue in Baltimore and we supplement the sound for these events just to make sure its proper. The production aspect is one of the things we take most important at our events, proper lights, sound, video, etc is extremely important to us.

As for the crowds taste and response, here is actually just more of a preference, especially in the younger crowd, for the straight up grime sound. We have varied from these types of bookings by bringing in people like Joker, Martyn, and consistently bringing ambassador of dubstep Joe Nice and these events do just as well but its definitely a process of opening people up to the entire spectrum.

As far as the variance in age restrictions, while some of the older crowd (25+) isn't interested in being at events with 18 & 19 year olds, it is important to us to make our events as inclusive as possible, not just with regard to age but also race, style, whatever. I think its this approach that has helped us grow the dubstep scene in Baltimore from crowds of 50-100 for smaller dubstep events, and 100-200 for headlining shows, to crowds of 400+ for shows with smaller talent, and 600-2000 for bigger bills. It goes without saying that this wouldn't have been possible without all ages & 18+ events. Definitely makes for a fresher vibe. Having been promoting dance music events for 11 years, its extremely revitalizing and re-energizing to see a younger crowd coming out again. Joe Nice can attest to the fact that we saw Baltimore go from a healthy burgeoning scene to being on life support for a couple years and its exciting to see it burgeoning again.

the subs are way overpowered, the speakers are so underwhelming people yell to turn the monitors their way, haha. the main room in the venue has great sound, but your side room is pretty lousy, subs are good but everything else is too low. that mc over the tunes is terrible and doesn't help with the situation either, i understand its good to have a vocal presence, but damn hes doing a disservice to so many tunes.

no hate on the all age/18+ deal, i wouldnt be able to attend otherwise

[fractal]

Maybe your experience is different but I have honestly NEVER EVER met someone stateside who knows what Garage is, let alone 2 step.

Yeah, for the most part most people I've met that like electronic music, that are under 25-27, have no clue what garage/2step is before I tell them about it. Older heads remember though

this

lol, thank god i'm 28... garage came from over here and has always had love in the states. it's never been big, but then again neither has ANY style of edm over here.. raving in the early 09s , for me at least, was all about garage and house, with speed garage and eventually jungle in the 2nd room. I would have to agree that kids who missed this part of american rave culture probably do have a hard time enjoying the "deeper" sounds. some people didn't get into raving until jungle had deteriorated into Dnb, so it makes sense that they would like that tear out, "filthy" sound. Age is an important variable, for sure

[Steve_French]

Canada > everywhere else

[knivez]

to me its not so much if its deep or wobbly or any of that it has to be damn good music and the dj has to mix the shit right if your playing some straight bangers and you mix in some deep tune and it doesnt go with what you were playing of course people are not going to move you got to really practice your sets. I know its easy for me to say i dont have poeple sending me plates or tracks left and right but i notice that when i hand pick my sets track by track people groove to that shit sometimes i just dont pick the right tracks for people to bounce to.

[seckle]

in the next 30 days, NYC (and thats just my home town as an example) has Shackelton, 2562, Untold, Martyn, Caspa, Sinden, Kode 9 and tons of other acts coming through. there's complete diversity in north america, so please get your facts straight, and don't make some big statements from hot air.

[rez pez]

all the kiddies dont get that diversity tho

[eshscramble]

i read this whole thread. i thought a lot of stuff. i worked it out. i'm ok now.

anyway, i'm looking forward to joe nice playing here in san diego next month, because he plays awesome stuff.

dj's should just stick to playing 'awesome stuff' and things will just be more awesome. that's all.

[eshscramble]

i also like when dj's play with the crowd... for the crowd... against the crowd...

ANYTHING

just pay attention. it's not 'your set' that's important... it's the 'time' in the room.
it's all a matter of respect toward everyone that is spending time with you.

i personally have seen dj's play stuff i hate, but they are into it with the crowd, making faces at people, checking how their tunes make people move... adjusting how they feel and how people feel and generally riding the wave with everyone. i liked it - just like i like "good" graffiti, and UGLY graffiti that looks like someone had a good time painting it.

music decorates time just as paint decorates canvas... it's the respect and effort put into both that can make you truly like/enjoy the big picture. anyone can turn on the radio or put on a cd... where's the connection? that's what live music is for. feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel.

put some energy out there, mix it around... as the center of attention, you are not up there to take from the room. to have any expectations. you can be selfish all you want, and in fact, that's a GOOD thing, but your intentions are what count. any dj that plays for handshakes and hoes, rather than to have a good time with people... not my style. any dj that plays to have a good time with people, knows that those things come tenfold when not expected or tried for(if that sort of thing pleases them).

back to topic: i really can't listen to an emalkay mix. i have seen him play twice though, and even though i'm not into those types of tunes, i really enjoyed his sets. doesn't add up? sure it does. stop thinking and start doing. it's better that way.

[Dark Reign]

Canada > everywhere else

This guy knows what hes talkin about

[fractal]

i also like when dj's play with the crowd... for the crowd... against the crowd...

ANYTHING

just pay attention. it's not 'your set' that's important... it's the 'time' in the room.
it's all a matter of respect toward everyone that is spending time with you.

i personally have seen dj's play stuff i hate, but they are into it with the crowd, making faces at people, checking how their tunes make people move... adjusting how they feel and how people feel and generally riding the wave with everyone. i liked it - just like i like "good" graffiti, and UGLY graffiti that looks like someone had a good time painting it.

music decorates time just as paint decorates canvas... it's the respect and effort put into both that can make you truly like/enjoy the big picture. anyone can turn on the radio or put on a cd... where's the connection? that's what live music is for. feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel.

put some energy out there, mix it around... as the center of attention, you are not up there to take from the room. to have any expectations. you can be selfish all you want, and in fact, that's a GOOD thing, but your intentions are what count. any dj that plays for handshakes and hoes, rather than to have a good time with people... not my style. any dj that plays to have a good time with people, knows that those things come tenfold when not expected or tried for(if that sort of thing pleases them).

back to topic: i really can't listen to an emalkay mix. i have seen him play twice though, and even though i'm not into those types of tunes, i really enjoyed his sets. doesn't add up? sure it does. stop thinking and start doing. it's better that way.

i like this post

[notch]

I do know this...
The stuff getting produced in San Diego is the DEEP bizness.
No Brostep here.