Weird Music: Dubstep

Weird Music: Dubstep is a blog dedicated to the strangest and most interesting music out there. From Dubstep to Death Metal, we cover it all!

What is Dubstep?

Many people believe that dubstep is a subgenre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the late 1990s. However, the truth is that dubstep has a much longer history than that. In this article, we’ll take a look at the origins of dubstep and some of its defining characteristics.

Origins

Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is generally characterized by sparse, syncopated drum and percussive patterns with low, rumbling basslines. The style emerged as an offshoot of UK garage, drawing on a tradition of synthesizers and sound system culture that predominated in the area.

In the early 2000s, dubstep began to develop more complex song structures and more intricate sound designs, incorporating influences from other genres such as hip hop, techno, and drum and bass. This new wave of dubstep producers helped to solidify the genre’s reputation as one of the most innovative and exciting in contemporary electronic music.

Today, dubstep has entered the mainstream consciousness through a variety of popular artists such as Skrillex and Flying Lotus. The genre has also spawned a diverse range of subgenres and derivative styles, including wonky, post-dubstep, future garage, and bassline.

Characteristics

Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is generally characterized by sparse, syncopated rhythmic patterns with prominent sub-bass frequencies. The style emerged as an offshoot of UK garage, drawing on a lineage of related styles such as 2-step and dub reggae.

In the early 2000s, dubstep began to emerge as a distinct genre. By the mid-2000s, a number of record labels had been established that were devoted to releasing new dubstep records, including Tempa, Evolution and others. In 2010, “dubstep” was designated as a subgenre of electronic dance music by the UK Music Industry Association (MIA).

The characteristic dubstep sound consists of layered rhythmic patterns with prominent sub-bass frequencies. These patterns are often syncopated and may be augmented with other percussion elements such as snares or claps. The tempo of dubstep tracks is usually in the range of 140–148 beats per minute (BPM), although some tracks may be faster or slower.

The music is often characterized by its dark, ominous atmosphere and bass-heavy sound. Basslines in dubstep are often created using one or more instances of low frequency oscillation (LFO), resulting in a “wobbling” effect that has come to be associated with the genre. This effect is sometimes achieved using an effects unit known as a “bass synth” or “bass module”.

In addition to LFO-based basslines, wobble basslines may also be created using digital signal processing techniques such as ring modulators and vocoders. These basslines often make use of pitch shifters to create shifting harmonic content, which can add to the feeling of instability and menace.

Where can I find Dubstep?

Dubstep can be found in a lot of places. You can find it online, on the radio, and even on television. It’s a genre of music that is becoming more and more popular. If you’re looking for Dubstep, you’ll likely find it in one of these places.

Festivals

For the dubstep fan, there are a few festivals that stand out as the must-go events of the year. The most obvious is probably Bangface, which takes place in South London and has been running since 2002. If you’re looking for something a little closer to home, look no further than Canada’s Shambhala Music Festival, which takes place in Salmo, British Columbia.

Clubs

The majority of clubs that play dubstep are in the US, UK, and Australia. In the US, there are a few notable clubs in major cities that play dubstep on a regular basis. In New York City, both Webster Hall and Cielo have been known to host dubstep nights on occasion. In Los Angeles, Avalon is one of the most popular clubs for dubstep. Other major cities with active dubstep scenes include Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco.

In the UK, dubstep has been steadily gaining in popularity over the past few years. The city of Bristol has been at the forefront of the scene, with a number of clubs and events dedicated to dubstep. London is also home to a number of well-known dubstep clubs, including Fabric and Plastic People. Other UK cities with active dubstep scenes include Birmingham, Leeds, and Glasgow.

Australia has also seen a recent surge in popularity for dubstep. Some of the most well-known clubs in Sydney that play dubstep include Goodbar and Home Nightclub. There is also a strong scene in Melbourne, with a number of popular clubs including Revolver Upstairs and Brown Alley.

Radio

The best way to find Dubstep is on the radio. There are many stations that specialize in this genre of music, and you can usually find them by searching for “dubstep” or “weird music” in your favorite radio app. You can also try searching for “dubstep” on streaming services like Spotify or Pandora.

Notable Dubstep Artists

If you’re into electronic music, you’ve probably heard of dubstep. Dubstep is a type of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1990s. It is characterized by its heavy bass and drum beats. Some notable dubstep artists include Skrillex, Bassnectar, and Zeds Dead.

Skrillex

Skrillex is one of the most well-known dubstep artists. He has collaborated with other artists such as Diplo, create tracks for video games such as “Halo 4”, and has produced his own albums.

Bassnectar

Bassnectar is the stage name of American DJ and producer Lorin Ashton. Ashton was born on February 10, 1978, in Santa Cruz, California. He began experimenting with music production at the age of 14, and his first release was the 1996 EP Double Trouble.

Bassnectar’s musical style is a blend of various genres, including dubstep, electro house, and hip hop. He often incorporates elements of metal and rock into his tracks. Bassnectar has released eight studio albums, two extended plays, and multiple singles and remixes. He has performed at major music festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Electric Daisy Carnival. In 2012, he founded the nonprofit organization Be Interactive which aims to promote social change through interactive art and music.

Zeds Dead

Zeds Dead is a Canadian electronic music duo from Toronto, Ontario. The duo consists of Dylan “DC” Mamid (born May 9, 1989) and Zachary “Hooks” Rapp-Rovan (born July 5, 1988). They are best known for their 2010 single “Collapse”, which was featured in the US TV series Teen Wolf.

Zeds Dead has released two studio albums, the first being Hot Sauce Committee Part Two in 2011 and the second being Northern Lights in 2016. They have also released a number of EPs and singles, including their most recent EP, A New Day.

Zeds Dead has performed at a number of festivals, including Coachella, Ultra Music Festival, Electric Daisy Carnival, and Tomorrowland.