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This is a weird post... But I am uploading my latest Sub.FM show and it has given me some time to think (when I have already been thinking about tings anyway).


Most of you probably know of Sub.FM - and how big they are in the game... but even generals get taken for granted by the foot soldiers.

I've been with Sub.FM for over 3 years - and I can say without a doubt - you'd be hard pressed to find a crew who puts in so much love for so little return. There are other pirate radio stations - but name one other purely digital station that has been going as long AND that broadcasts 24/7... it is in a class of its own. And not only do the DJs *not* get paid - we pay monthly dues to help keep it all going - that is how much we all believe in it.

Why do I bring this up? Because there are lots of DJs on SubFM who love to help promote the underground and want to give a lift to anyone who has written a dope tune. However - what I (and many others) have seen time after time... is that if a cat knows they have a tune on a show - SURE theyll be all psyched at give props to that one broadcast with reposts and shit... but where are they on the next show, when they might not have one of their tunes on, but still the show is playing other underground artists?

I'm not cranky... but I've been playing around with the idea of retiring from the scene. Believe me - it has very little to do with all of this... and whether or not I stay on (both producing & dj'ing) has little to do with what my Mixcloud/Soundcloud/etc count is... my decision has nothing to do with all that... BUT... I can tell you that the younger crop of djs is much less concerned with bringing up crews and supporting the scene. It might be a generational thing - but I know I spent a LOT of my cred when first came up on other artists who I thought deserved notice. I could have done better if I tried to keep it all to myself, but I know I got what I had on the shoulders of others... so I was always gonna spend cred on bringing everyone with me. I don't see that so much these days with the new crowd. Peeps are in it for themselves....

Most of the peeps that inspired me are now retired. If that scares me - that should frighten the shit out of you all... Build crews, and support those who support you. Best piece of free advice I can give.

You're one of the few on here I've never seen chat breeze. Salute!

Nice Wub - your support has always been appreciated.

... on the other hand, the tumbleweeds and crickets from the rest of DSF just proved my point. All too clearly.



Have fun in a barrel of cannibalism folks!

I don't know whats going on.

I definitely support my local scene, just has nothing to do with dubstep whatsoever.
Even started a crew of about 18 people, but I really don't have the energy to put up with most of them.
Like you said, people are too self-centered, plus a lot of them lack the passion for the actual music.

Wish I was one of those people who can get along with everyone. Although that must come at some sort of price.

Very nice post. I think you're spot on that the new generation is "in it for themselves." It might be due to everyone trying to be the next skrillex you know?

I usually get a pm on youtube/soundcloud or whatever and its some guy who says he's skrillex influenced and that he's been producing for years but then it turns out to be a track with just one note modern talking the whole way through. But what's worse is when you try to give them some advice or tips they act like you just insulted their mother.

Maybe someday the newer generation wont be as butt hurt and will actually establish friends/contacts...

Nah, I think that's just because producing music (or fart sounds) is a lot easier these days. Consequently, you get
a lot of people with zero experience or knowledge, trying to get 'famous'.

Dedicated people are still out there, and I don't see why the numbers would have dropped.
Could be though.

i do my best to help guys i know that are starting producing develop as best as i can, and when someone gives me something to listen to, i always do because i want to help them become better and succeed in music. even as a younger guy i can see completely what your saying, some producers wont give you the time of the day because their too amazed with themselves to help anyone.

John Peel style

Im confused, I dont get what response your after? Personally I listen to as many random peoples tunes on sc as I do releases. Im a shit dj who makes shit tunes and has no influence over anything like many on this board. Wouldnt you be better talking to these DJs directly? Not having a go at all btw mate ive got mad respect for the Sub FM crew and you personally

I listen to your show sometimes Matt, I just dont get in the chats as much as I should.

You have better&broader selection then 99% of online radio shows these days.

Big ups MadEP for not playing my tune this week

benjaminC wrote: Im a shit dj who makes shit tunes and has no influence over anything like many on this board.

Try harder.

Seriously i listen to sub fm at least once a day (almost out of habit haha). Its my favourite by far, big up mad ep and i have a huge respect for everyone involved in it

benjaminC wrote:Im confused, I dont get what response your after?

Had a hard time with it too. But he said it was going to be a weird post

Just got the app

I tried to listen to your mix live but I think timezones are off. I'm in Cali, started listening to part of it.

Mad EP wrote:I can tell you that the younger crop of djs is much less concerned with bringing up crews and supporting the scene. It might be a generational thing - but I know I spent a LOT of my cred when first came up on other artists who I thought deserved notice. I could have done better if I tried to keep it all to myself, but I know I got what I had on the shoulders of others... so I was always gonna spend cred on bringing everyone with me. I don't see that so much these days with the new crowd. Peeps are in it for themselves....

This is the most interesting point IMO. Kids aren't interested in supporting the local scene because they don't have to these days. Back in the mists of time, before the internet/file sharing/social networkinng was as big as it was, you had to get out there and get your demos in the hands of people who might like to listen to them.

I've still got a copy of the first ever mixtape I did, back in 2002 I think, that lead to me getting my first ever gig playing out. No Facebook, no Soundcloud, no emailing it over to someone I'd read about on some social networking site. I made a mixtape (TAPE!) that was 30mins on each side and dubbed a few copies of it and went out to nights to meet promoters/DJs to talk to them and get the tape into their hands.

I had to 'support the scene' as it were and foster relationships because there was no alternative. These days any fuckwit with an Internet connection can integrate themselves into a 'scene', albeit in a virtual context, and be at least as well connected as pre-technology dies. Not wanting to go overly luddite on this, but the advantage to this approach vs the good ol' days is that, if desired, your music can reach people from around the world. I've put mixes on blogs/forums that have got me plaudits from places in South America, Russia, Australia etc...something that was unattainable to 18yr old me due to geographical location etc.

I listen to subfm sometimes but tbh i think the days of internet radio are dying. Why lock in live to a show when theres literally hundreds of free mixes around in the web to listen to at your pleasure.

Also, no offence to subfm but quite often the shows i listen to are just rinse shows from two months ago with a few dubs added in from the dj in question.

I listen to music i like, message people who im feeling and buy their music if its out, beg for 320s if it isn't. Then maybe put their songs in mixes. A lot of people do the same, just look at some of the threads bigging each other up throughout the forum.

Gen-X is more countercultural (pirate radio), while gen-Y are subcultural and entrepreneurial.