Drum&BassArena will premiere its first full-length music documentary Drum & Bass: The Movement on May 25. Five years in the making, the film comprises of unique interview footage from nearly all the scene’s top players plus never-before-seen footage.

The most detailed and explorative documentary of the scene to date, the feature-length production tells the story from the artists themselves and covers many of the essential characteristics that make the genre what it is: its UK inner-city underground roots, dubplates, its many sub-genres, MCs, key territories, crucial clubs and tracks that changed the scene forever.

Directed by prolific music videographer Bailey Hyatt, produced by music video director and producer Craig Haynes and written by journalist, author and presenter Dave Jenkins.

Dave Jenkins: “In 2016 we set about the task of interviewing 30 pioneers and influential artists in drum & bass artists to try and capture as much of the story of the genre’s meteoric movement across the world as possible. With unlimited access to two decades worth of Drum&BassArena video archives, we created this unique snapshot of a 20 year period in the genre. It’s not the ultimate or definitive history by any means – the genre is so big and means so much to people that it could never be condensed down into one documentary – but it is an exciting, intense and super-detailed tale of just how drum & bass developed from its underground roots to worldwide dominance… Where it remains to this day.”

Premiering on May 25, and available to stream thereafter, Drum & Bass: The Movement will be aired as part of Drum&BassArena’s D&BTV: Locked-In series.

The post Drum&BassArena to release documentary appeared first on Kmag.

BNDT72 have released their new EP “Lost” on Beat Machine Records, signed by footwork pioneer and TEKLIFE head honcho DJ Spinn.

If you consider yourself a Junglist or a Hip Hop head, chances are you’ll love Footwork too. Why? Because it bangs at a similar tempo to jungle at 160 BPM: filled with frenetic percussion, rumbling basslines, minimal production and choppy Hip Hop samples. It’s no wonder that when you mix Footwork with jungle, it’s a match made in bass music heaven!

For anyone wondering what Footwork is, in a nutshell, it was born in 1990s Chicago. Kind of like a love child of Juke and Ghetto House! The genre was pioneered by producers like DJ Rashad, DJ Spinn, RP Boo, Traxman and DJ Clent, and their infectious beats sent dancers’ feet flying.

Since then, cities around the world have brought their own cultural influences to the sound, from Japan to Poland and France. And given its fast tempo, it’s no surprise UK Junglists have taken to Footwork like a fish to water too! The sound has been mixed beautifully with UK 160 BPM flavours, by artists like Om Unit (under the alias Philip D Kick), Machinedrum, Fracture and most recently, Sherelle and the Six Figure Gang.

One French duo that embodies Footwork’s global eclecticism are the talented BNDT72. Their latest EP ‘LOST’ has just been signed and remixed by Chicago legend DJ Spinn, and cuts up Footwork with acid jazz, dub vocals, and basslines reminiscent of early Dillinja or Lemon D. We loved the EP so much we were keen to meet the guys behind it! So we caught up with BNDT72 to hear about their influences, what the Footwork scene looks like in France, what makes French Footwork “French”, and what Footwork jungle tracks every d&b lover should check out…

Hey BNDT72 , absolutely love your new EP ‘LOST’! How did you get it signed and remixed by DJ Spinn!? 

Adios:Hey thanks for the compliment! We simply sent a demo and Beat Machine replied that they were interested shortly after.

Broady:And for DJ Spinn’s remix, Beat Machine took the initiative and we are very happy that he participated in this project! It’s truly an honour, much respect to him.

How did you take Chicago Juke and Footwork and flip it in your own way?

Broady: It’s the result of our diverse influences. We like a lot of different genres. So we didn’t want to put up a barrier and lock ourselves in one unique style. The EP is very Juke/Footwork but there are sounds from jazz, dub, techno… we like to try to mix genres and break codes. That’s all.

Adios:I don’t know if we could say that we really appropriated Chicago Footwork because precisely it is a very clean style with sounds proper to itself. Our sound has a lot of elements and inspirations, and the rhythm is the only element that we pick from Chicago Footwork.

DJ Spinn, Captured by TEKLIFE

What are your other key musical influences?

Adios: Our other influences are dub, jungle and hip hop and many more.

Broady: We like boom-bap style sampling and also breakbeats. Hip hop and jungle appeal to us a lot because these musical styles are already full of sample influences.

Captured by Eric Dietz

How did you hear about Footwork in France?

Broady: Since we met in high school, we’ve always been sharing our underground music discoveries. We always liked to find genres little known to the general public. We were fully into the deep dubstep at the time. Almost nobody spoke about it in France, and even less in our area.

Adios: In 2012, a mutual friend [also a producer/digger, called Itako]advised us to listen to the Bangs & Works compilations of Planet Mu (volume 2 was released a few months ago) and at the same time, there was also the release of Reworkz EP from Dream Continuum. We found it really refreshing and innovative. Then in 2013, it was like a revelation hearing Legacy – RP Boo, Double Cup – DJ Rashad, Teklife Vol. 3: The Architek and Vapor City – Machinedrum.

What’s the Footwork scene and sound like in France?

Adios: Footwork and more generally sounds from UK or American underground cultures are little represented in France. It’s a kind of music classified as “marginal”. It works almost like communities, where we talk and get to know each other through forums or Facebook groups.

Broady: In 2015 there was a collective called Le French Work. It released the first compilation with the aim of bringing together French-speaking producers from France, Belgium or Switzerland. They warmly welcomed us. They’ve just released volume five and with each volume, we’re happy to see new names and the collective growing. Big shout out to them!

Adios: And in terms of sounds, the compilations are rich with various influences, which will sometimes even draw on the old French song or Eurodance Anthem.

What are your top 3 Footwork Jungle tracks that we should check out?

Adios: 

Broady:

Why do you think Junglists and DNB lovers should listen to footwork?
Broady: I ​​think it’s the right musical style for Junglists and D&B lovers looking for freshness. They will find tracks close to d&b/jungle with a different and innovative look. It’s also a genre close to hip hop by its approach to street culture with mixing urban influences.

Adios: Because more and more D&B/Jungle producers are inspired by this culture. So it will help them understand why this genre is becoming a pillar in electronic music.

Follow BNDT72 on Soundcloud, Instagram and Facebook. You can contact them at bndtseptdeux@gmail.com

The post BNDT72 are the French footwork jungle duo you need to know appeared first on Kmag.

Missing the rave? Why not take solace in the touching ways D&B promoters Distant Planet, Innersoul, Moondance, Rebel Music, S2K, SINE and Stay at Home Festival have risen to the 2020 pandemic.

Drum & bass: you either get it or you don’t! But if you do, chances are our scene has added profound joy and meaning to your existence. But as this pandemic’s revealed, it goes deeper than that. Millions of people’s livelihoods depend on our community too, and on dance music’s in general. From artists and promoters, right through to nightclub cleaners and door staff.

Despite the industry’s uncertain recovery, what’s been beautiful to see are the ways our niche D&B community has held one another up. Here at Kmag, we want to shine a light on some of those people. So this week we chatted with some of the top D&B promoters, who’ve grafted hard to maintain our community platforms in the absence of raving. It’s no wonder these guys have provided us with so much euphoria over the years!

Innersoul, Captured by @AppsPhotography

1) Promoters are staying motivated thanks to the D&B raver community

The sudden loss of income is devastating for rave promoters all around the world. And let’s face it, millions of us are struggling with money in lockdown. But the good news is, boosting artists and promoters’ algorithms with likes and comments is the number one way to support your scene for free. 

It’s this crowd reaction that gives promoters the hope and morale needed to keep pushing out music and maintain their brand presence… Regardless of physical venue or income.

“The biggest thing that we’ve learnt from the lockdown is how amazing all the ravers can be by coming together to support the artists and music communities in this difficult time.” – Julian, Goat Shed (Stay at Home Festival)

Likes, comments, follows and shares make a huge difference

Like Nicky Soula (Innersoul co-founder) told us, “we won’t be able to run an event for pretty much a whole year. That’s tough for us. So if we’re putting on a live stream, come say hello! Share the live streams! Let us know you’re there”. Online interactions are the best way to support your scene, even if you’re out of pocket.

It’s been so encouraging for promoters to see how the ravers have reacted with online support. Moondance owner Funki told us how this pandemic has “really hit home how much of a family we are”. From lively DJ Whatsapp groups, to ravers keeping each other’s spirits up on comment feeds.

SINE Summer Series: Anca, Sweetpea and Becca Jane Grey

2) D&B promoters are sharing advice on how to stay afloat

“Do a bit more in terms of radio stations, online streaming, label podcasts. Anything that’s creating a bit more content that will allow your fans who like your music to get more of it and keep them interested.” – Ben Green, CEO at Rebel Music

Use this time to build your online presence

As Distant Planet managers Louise Plus One and DJ Hughesee told us, it’s essential to “keep a high profile and stay in contact with your fans” in lockdown. Similarly to Rupture head honchos Mantra and Double 0, who did a hugely successful three-hour live stream on the night that would have been their event… On 30th May, Distant Planet are doing an all-nighter rave. It’ll last in real-time from 10pm – 7am!

“Things move fast in our scene. So it’s important to reach out to your fans and let them know you are still there and not going away.” Simon and Louise – managers at Distant Planet

This rave crew have utilised their time in lockdown to deliver consistent, high-quality vinyl live streams on Distant Planet TV. Featuring crowd favourite DJs like Coco Bryce, Double 0, FFF, Equinox, Pesk, Hijack, Warlock and Dwarde who represent their old skool hardcore/jungle sound. You can catch their next all-dayer this Saturday 16th May, from 3pm-midnight.

Coco Bryce at Distant Planet: Captured by @Holographicz Creative

Don’t sweat the tech!

Also, Funki from Moondance reminded us not to “sweat the tech. There will be lots of glitches on home setups using domestic broadband with feeds being taken down all the time”. It’s a learning process for everyone. So “just think of it like the early 90s when we had to move venues… and trust that the ravers will understand!” Everyone is adapting to live streaming, so don’t panic about glitches. We’re all in the same boat!

3) Promoters are running charity initiatives despite losing income

Live stream mega raves

Some of the big old school D&B promoters like Moondance, or the live stream experts behind Stay at Home Festival (AKA Goat Shed) have brought the mega rave home. Attracting over two million views and £30,000 for the NHS collectively! Whether Moondance’s old skool Lockdown Sessions is more your style, featuring DJs like Ratpack and Slipmatt, or Stay at Home Festival’s lineup of D&B legends like Sub Zero, Aphrodite and Bryan Gee – the quality of these sets are as good as any rave. And the best part is, after the events, everything’s immediately available online!

“Moondance is a fun event and you can really feel the energy on the night, despite being online. The volume of comments and videos of ravers having their own home parties tell their own story. It’s an escape from the madness and best of all we’ve raised thousands of pounds for the NHS!” – Funki, Owner of Moondance.

 

Left: Moondance raised £8,000 for the NHS through T Shirt sales! Right: Stay at Home Festival poster

[Update]: Just in! If soulful liquid is more your vibe, on 15th May the guys at Innersoul are hosting a three day House Party for Refuge: the domestic violence charity. You can find all the details here.

Brand new D&B LPs

There’s been an influx of music production in lockdown. So it’s no surprise promoters like SINE and Rebel Music have utilised their labels to curate LPs to help those who need it most. The Rebel One LP features the likes of Tephra & Arkoze, Kolectiv and Taelimb, and is a “donate what you can” concept for the NHS. “A SINE of Relief” showcases artists like Villem, Subtle Element and Trex, with proceeds going to the NHS, MIND and some of the contributing artists who need the support.

Rebel One by Various Artists

Pyxis at S2K Publishers has also been busy raking in the pennies for artists, while simultaneously creating a series of albums for mental health charities. It’s called “Beats in Mind: Headsbass”, and features liquid legends like Ben Soundscape, Loz Contreras and Collette Warren. It’s a double win that we can still enjoy listening to our favourite artists while knowing our money is going to a great cause.

4) D&B promoters can see a light at the end of the tunnel

We rise together and fall together

S2K encouraged us to keep the faith, “because this will make us stronger in the end”. And Innersoul reassured us that “whatever the D&B scene goes through, we’ll get out of it – we rise together and fall together”. For all of us missing the rave, it’s comforting to know D&B promoters and organisers can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

“This is time to get on the decks, learn a new skill, so that when we emerge from this lock down we will have the best rave scene ever!” –  Simon and Louise, Managers at Distant Planet

There’s now a more level playing field 

As Andy Wade (head honcho at SINE) pointed out, “with people being online a bit more, the lockdown also gives artists a more level playing field. It gives more unknown DJs, producers and independent labels a better chance to come through”. Stay at Home Festival also noted that “the current times give newcomers a chance to get themselves noticed on what is now a more equal platform”.

And it’s true. With everyone’s attention online, and with more time on our hands, now is the perfect time for up-and-coming artists to get musically productive in quarantine.

Captured at Moondance

Thank you, D&B Family! 

“This pulling together epitomises what the D&B family are all about and always have been. As a veteran raver in the 90s, I can honestly say I have never known a stronger bonded scene”. – Pyxis, S2K Publishers

D&B and dance music generally has taken the biggest blow in the history of time. Its severity depends on what steps the government will take next. But COVID-19 has only revealed our D&B community’s beautiful true colours. Championed by acts of generosity, positivity, and motivation. Everything our promoters are doing to bring our scene closer together is crucial. So let’s continue doing everything we can to save our scene, so our promoters can continue to put on our favourite raves and support artists on the flip side!

The post Four beautiful ways D&B promoters have reacted to COVID-19 appeared first on Kmag.