Brostep / Skrillex and the Forum.

[Sonika]

Fine, I don't want to get into a huge forum-argument. The takeaway point I'm trying to make is that fans should support artists trying to branch out, even if it's not the exact style that they are used to.

Music moving forward is (generally) a good thing, although honestly I don't think brostep is a good thing. But whatever, they can enjoy their music, I'll enjoy mine.

That's all

[leyenda]

The takeaway point I'm trying to make is that fans should support artists trying to branch out, even if it's not the exact style that they are used to.

Not sure what you mean by 'support' here. If all you mean is not bitching about them constantly on a forum/IRL that's fine though people will always do this and that's ok really as long as it's in some sort of constructive manner. If you mean they should big up a record they don't like or even buy it then I don't know what to say really. I'm all for innovation/originality but some things are just failed experiments in my eyes.

Take Orbital for example (yes, I've carefully chosen an artist who is in no way related to dubstep). It's probably a safe bet to say I've listened to their music more than any other artist. I've also purchased most of their stuff they've released (bar loads of the remixes). However, this is only because you can only buy their stuff on CD not digitally. Now I can tell you that they started going downhill from The Middle of Nowhere onwards and The Blue Album and The Altogether have only about half a dozen tracks between them I like. These days I would have just selected the tracks off those albums I like to buy digitally and ditched the rest. That's my way of showing my lack of support for their style change. Incidentally, they noticeably changed style a few times in the period of their career that I love but these were welcome changes to me. My point being I guess that you most certainly do not have to show your support for an artist changing direction. /rambling

[Phigure]

Fine, I don't want to get into a huge forum-argument. The takeaway point I'm trying to make is that fans should support artists trying to branch out, even if it's not the exact style that they are used to.

Music moving forward is (generally) a good thing, although honestly I don't think brostep is a good thing. But whatever, they can enjoy their music, I'll enjoy mine.

That's all

you speak as if changing one's sound is always "moving forward"... and the reality is that it's not. just as often, it's a step backwards.

you also act like people will always get mad when artists change their sound, and that's complete bullshit as well. people just don't like change that's a step backwards. nobody complained when headhunter started doing his addison groove thing. nobody complained when loefah took dubstep to new territory with horror show.

most brostep isn't "moving forward". it's just an endless circlejerk pissing contest, a musical dead end.

[Cornbreadddd]

So obviously no one here is too keen on the sound that Skrillex is pushing. I'd really like to get a genuine answer, I know it's going to be kind of difficult because the sarcastic militia here is in full effect lately.

This question stems from a facebook status of someone who I am friends with on facebook.

Their status reads:

Skrillex is literally the sickest dj/producer I've ever heard I don't care what anyone says.

Now, since I have no desire to hear his mixes or live sets, I really wouldn't know. Regardless, even if I had heard his mixes, I wouldn't be able to tell because I'm not a DJ myself and I don't know the technicalities of the art. (If you can call it that when using CDJ's / Software Controllers)

I commented on this status saying:

Me: As long as peopple don't call the music he makes "dubstep," I have no problem with him. But, best DJ ever? Eh, I'll have to respectfully disagree. He uses software controllers and CDJS and to my understanding they really take a lot of the skill out of it. A handful of UK dubstep producers cut tracks to vinyl which takes an endless amount of talent to mix compared to a software controller/CDJs, and pretty much all real dubstep tunes are cut to vinyl in the scene. When I say "dubstep" I don't mean Skrillex, Flux Pavilion, Datsik, etc, I mean producers of real 140 bass music, dubstep.

The Kid:If anyone could mix songs as well as he could I'd definitely give them props. I've seen Skrillex live, and on a technical aspect, I can do everything he does with VirtualDJ Pro on my MacBook Pro but the way he does it is a whole nother thing in its self. It is undeniable, that he has an ear for mixing. He has taken dubstep and made it attractive to the ear that's use to hearing Pop and Hip-hop, (aka Americans). I've listened to dubstep artist before I had even heard of Skrillex, and there's simply no energy in that music, there's no way I would like that "old" dubstep. He knows how to draw a crowd and he's here to stay!

:: random other comments by other people who are riding Skrillex's sack.::

The Kid Yea dude! I definitely agree Skrillex isn't TRULY dubstep but most people arent famliar with any kind of dub...or skrillex for that matter so if you start ppl listening to skrillex they'll be like yea dude that's hot lol And yea dude I know you like some dirty dub haha you were the first person to show me dub lol i think the first thing you ever played for me was "R U Ready" by Sektor. Been a fan ever since!



So my question is, is there in validity in saying that Skrillex has mixing skills?

[robbiej]

So obviously no one here is too keen on the sound that Skrillex is pushing. I'd really like to get a genuine answer, I know it's going to be kind of difficult because the sarcastic militia here is in full effect lately.

This question stems from a facebook status of someone who I am friends with on facebook.

Their status reads:

Skrillex is literally the sickest dj/producer I've ever heard I don't care what anyone says.

Now, since I have no desire to hear his mixes or live sets, I really wouldn't know. Regardless, even if I had heard his mixes, I wouldn't be able to tell because I'm not a DJ myself and I don't know the technicalities of the art. (If you can call it that when using CDJ's / Software Controllers)

I commented on this status saying:

Me: As long as peopple don't call the music he makes "dubstep," I have no problem with him. But, best DJ ever? Eh, I'll have to respectfully disagree. He uses software controllers and CDJS and to my understanding they really take a lot of the skill out of it. A handful of UK dubstep producers cut tracks to vinyl which takes an endless amount of talent to mix compared to a software controller/CDJs, and pretty much all real dubstep tunes are cut to vinyl in the scene. When I say "dubstep" I don't mean Skrillex, Flux Pavilion, Datsik, etc, I mean producers of real 140 bass music, dubstep.

The Kid:If anyone could mix songs as well as he could I'd definitely give them props. I've seen Skrillex live, and on a technical aspect, I can do everything he does with VirtualDJ Pro on my MacBook Pro but the way he does it is a whole nother thing in its self. It is undeniable, that he has an ear for mixing. He has taken dubstep and made it attractive to the ear that's use to hearing Pop and Hip-hop, (aka Americans). I've listened to dubstep artist before I had even heard of Skrillex, and there's simply no energy in that music, there's no way I would like that "old" dubstep. He knows how to draw a crowd and he's here to stay!

:: random other comments by other people who are riding Skrillex's sack.::

The Kid Yea dude! I definitely agree Skrillex isn't TRULY dubstep but most people arent famliar with any kind of dub...or skrillex for that matter so if you start ppl listening to skrillex they'll be like yea dude that's hot lol And yea dude I know you like some dirty dub haha you were the first person to show me dub lol i think the first thing you ever played for me was "R U Ready" by Sektor. Been a fan ever since!



So my question is, is there in validity in saying that Skrillex has mixing skills?

youre post is full of contradictions. if you dont listen to his music or mixes how do you know hes shit? how do you know hes using software controllers and cdj's? youre not a dj but youre explaining that mixing vinyl is so much more challenging than cdj's (its not, i use both, vinyl sounds better but its basically the same process) See i dont like skrillex either, but i dont pay attention to things i dont like. I just dont care what skrillex is up to or how many people like him nor do i feel compelled to make these kids understand "real dubstep". if people want to like him and think hes the best dj/producer around, then good for them. just let it go. concentrate on what you like .

Im starting to think youre a closet skrillex fan

oh and i apologize for completely not answering youre actual question. I have no idea if he can mix or not.

[Cornbreadddd]

I really see no contradiction what so ever in the slightest form in my post. I never said he was shit......(but he is.) Obviously I've heard his tunes before, but I've never heard him mix and that's whats my question is related to. Furthermore, I know he's using software controllers or CDJS because I have common sense, he's obviously not using fucking vinyl. I also have a general understanding that mixing with vinyl is more challenging then mixing with CDJ's, at least that seems to be the general consensus.

The only reason I wan't to know, is simply to know if this kids statement is valid, plus a little curiosity.

[scspkr99]

You know there's a containment thread right?

[robbiej]

fairl play..im not having a go at you, i just think its a waste of time to spend time thinking about things you dont like. just let them live in ignorance mate. as for the vinyl thing. im a vinyl head. i have literally thousands of pieces of wax. but i do own cdj's too and frankly, its exactly the same, just doesnt sound as good to me, but i do the exact same things if im mixing from vinyl to cd as i do from vinyl to vinyl or cd to cd.

The skirllex lovers to me are like a screaming child. you just ignore them until they get it out of their system.

[Sexual_Chocolate]

he doesnt mix. he plays one track after the other... with abit of an echo between each 'tune'

[Shum]

he doesnt mix. he plays one track after the other... with abit of an echo between each 'tune'

[Sexual_Chocolate]

he doesnt mix. he plays one track after the other... with abit of an echo between each 'tune'

he didnt mix either..... mans a straight SELECTA BOH BOH BOH!

[daeMTHAFKNkim]

I've seen him twice. First time he did good. Second time he sucked at mixing.

From,
Young Skrillex Fan, 8 Year Old Producer Coming From The Slums Of Shaolin

[Sonika]

I really see no contradiction what so ever in the slightest form in my post. I never said he was shit......(but he is.)

No one else saw the ironicism here?

[Sonika]

Not sure what you mean by 'support' here. If all you mean is not bitching about them constantly on a forum/IRL that's fine though people will always do this and that's ok really as long as it's in some sort of constructive manner.

Yes, that's what I mean.

[Sonika]

Fine, I don't want to get into a huge forum-argument. The takeaway point I'm trying to make is that fans should support artists trying to branch out, even if it's not the exact style that they are used to.

Music moving forward is (generally) a good thing, although honestly I don't think brostep is a good thing. But whatever, they can enjoy their music, I'll enjoy mine.

That's all

you speak as if changing one's sound is always "moving forward"... and the reality is that it's not. just as often, it's a step backwards.

you also act like people will always get mad when artists change their sound, and that's complete bullshit as well. people just don't like change that's a step backwards. nobody complained when headhunter started doing his addison groove thing. nobody complained when loefah took dubstep to new territory with horror show.

most brostep isn't "moving forward". it's just an endless circlejerk pissing contest, a musical dead end.

Which is why brostep isn't moving forward.

Also, the only way we WILL see innovations and artists taking a step forward is if we don't instantly shut down all their attempts at experimenting.

[Sexual_Chocolate]

Fine, I don't want to get into a huge forum-argument. The takeaway point I'm trying to make is that fans should support artists trying to branch out, even if it's not the exact style that they are used to.

Music moving forward is (generally) a good thing, although honestly I don't think brostep is a good thing. But whatever, they can enjoy their music, I'll enjoy mine.

That's all

you speak as if changing one's sound is always "moving forward"... and the reality is that it's not. just as often, it's a step backwards.

you also act like people will always get mad when artists change their sound, and that's complete bullshit as well. people just don't like change that's a step backwards. nobody complained when headhunter started doing his addison groove thing. nobody complained when loefah took dubstep to new territory with horror show.

most brostep isn't "moving forward". it's just an endless circlejerk pissing contest, a musical dead end.

Which is why brostep isn't moving forward.

Also, the only way we WILL see innovations and artists taking a step forward is if we don't instantly shut down all their attempts at experimenting.

give us some names of producers who you think are pushing the limits & experimenting with new elements at the moment?

[Sonika]

Skream - always looking to try new things, amazingly talented producer
Kryptic Minds - they didn't pioneer the dungeon sound (I'm pretty sure Youngsta did?), but in my opinion, they do it the best. They convey strong emotions through their tracks, and artfully.
Datsik - yeah, yeah, I know ill get a lot of hate for this one, because he's supposedly "brostep," but the thing that sets him apart from the others for me is 2 things. First, he brought something new to the scene, using different types of sounds and carrying a heavy hip hop influence, not heard before in dubstep. Second, he has continually tried to change his style to be original and groundbreaking, rather than just sittig back and using the same techniques to make the same sounding tunes (ahemskrillexahem). I have mad respect for that. He recently posted 3 songs for free dl on his soundcloud page, all which have his "new style" that he's trying out. I like em.
Distance - he's been there right from the beginning, and he has yet to rest on his laurels for even one second. The guy puts out pure fire and continures to push the scene and be revolutionary in every new tune. He has his roots in metal, but he maintains space in his songs (not that barrage of noise that metal seems to be to me), while still maintaining the dark and sometimes evil feel of metal.


...and plenty, plenty others. I could go on. In a nutshell, most of the Chestplate, Tectonic, and Tempa crew to name a few.

And some Dub Police. I rate most of Subscapes tunes.

[ultraspatial]

Fine, I don't want to get into a huge forum-argument. The takeaway point I'm trying to make is that fans should support artists trying to branch out, even if it's not the exact style that they are used to.

Music moving forward is (generally) a good thing, although honestly I don't think brostep is a good thing. But whatever, they can enjoy their music, I'll enjoy mine.

That's all

The argument was not about fans supporting the music... Nor the progression of it. It was strictly a rant about people getting into popular music for $$$ and/or relevance.

[ultraspatial]

Skream - always looking to try new things, amazingly talented producer
Kryptic Minds - they didn't pioneer the dungeon sound (I'm pretty sure Youngsta did?), but in my opinion, they do it the best. They convey strong emotions through their tracks, and artfully.
Datsik - yeah, yeah, I know ill get a lot of hate for this one, because he's supposedly "brostep," but the thing that sets him apart from the others for me is 2 things. First, he brought something new to the scene, using different types of sounds and carrying a heavy hip hop influence, not heard before in dubstep. Second, he has continually tried to change his style to be original and groundbreaking, rather than just sittig back and using the same techniques to make the same sounding tunes (ahemskrillexahem). I have mad respect for that. He recently posted 3 songs for free dl on his soundcloud page, all which have his "new style" that he's trying out. I like em.
Distance - he's been there right from the beginning, and he has yet to rest on his laurels for even one second. The guy puts out pure fire and continures to push the scene and be revolutionary in every new tune. He has his roots in metal, but he maintains space in his songs (not that barrage of noise that metal seems to be to me), while still maintaining the dark and sometimes evil feel of metal.


...and plenty, plenty others. I could go on. In a nutshell, most of the Chestplate, Tectonic, and Tempa crew to name a few.

And some Dub Police. I rate most of Subscapes tunes.

LOL Youngsta is first and foremost a DJ, he has a few collabs and remixes around, but that''s about it It's associated with him because he pushed the sound heavily. Kryptic Minds didn't pioneer halfstep, but they did came with a fresh sound.
As for hip hop influenced dubstep... Starkey, Parson, Various Production, Matty G and the whole Bay Area scene... The only thing Datsik came with was that robot noise that got boring after one release.

Also, Dub Police aren't really inovating anything. Caspa's Fulham 2 Waterloo was the only one that brought a new sound. Having quality tunes out doesn't mean inovating or pushing the limits. Neither are Chestplate, Tectonic or Tempa.

[leyenda]

Skream - always looking to try new things, amazingly talented producer
Kryptic Minds - they didn't pioneer the dungeon sound (I'm pretty sure Youngsta did?), but in my opinion, they do it the best. They convey strong emotions through their tracks, and artfully.
Datsik - yeah, yeah, I know ill get a lot of hate for this one, because he's supposedly "brostep," but the thing that sets him apart from the others for me is 2 things. First, he brought something new to the scene, using different types of sounds and carrying a heavy hip hop influence, not heard before in dubstep. Second, he has continually tried to change his style to be original and groundbreaking, rather than just sittig back and using the same techniques to make the same sounding tunes (ahemskrillexahem). I have mad respect for that. He recently posted 3 songs for free dl on his soundcloud page, all which have his "new style" that he's trying out. I like em.
Distance - he's been there right from the beginning, and he has yet to rest on his laurels for even one second. The guy puts out pure fire and continures to push the scene and be revolutionary in every new tune. He has his roots in metal, but he maintains space in his songs (not that barrage of noise that metal seems to be to me), while still maintaining the dark and sometimes evil feel of metal.


...and plenty, plenty others. I could go on. In a nutshell, most of the Chestplate, Tectonic, and Tempa crew to name a few.

And some Dub Police. I rate most of Subscapes tunes.

As said above Yunx is and certainly then was primarily a DJ. Earliest dungeon track I've heard is SP:MC - Trust Nobody. Think KM are often credited with spawning it because they came shortly after with about half a dozen dungeon tracks that got a lot of (well deserved) hype.