Bumblebees of Bass

On November 6^th, 2010, beloved electronic music artist Bassnectar will be leaving the bay area and gracing us with his presence in the Big Apple.

We’re lucky, Bassnectar plays over 150 shows a twelvemonth… you know what that means? A third of the year crowds of habitual ravers in North America and beyond can enjoy what is called the “Bass Ritual”, also known as the sweatiest and craziest musical experience around with our main man on center stage.

Bassnectar was born Lorin Ashton in San Jose, California. As an adolescent, he says that he got musical inspirations from numerous rock bands, Metallica and Nirvana to name a few. He described himself as a metalhead teenager, heavily involved with the underground scene, hosting “battle of the bands” competitions in the Cupertino Library’s basement. At 18, he went to his first dance party that changed his life forever. It was at that point that he had discovered his genre and his passion. Shortly after, he moved to Santa Cruz for college and began promoting parties, djing, and studying electronic music. After over a decade of involvement in the underground electronic scene, Bassnectar has become a worldwide sensation.

Here’s a clip from Ashton’s unforgettable performance at our very own Electric Zoo on Randall’s Island.

HERE.

Although he had some previous releases, his first true debut was “Mesmerizing the Ultra”, launched in 2005. Ashton had four EP’s before then, “Freakbeat for the Beatfreaks” (2001), “Beatfreak Mania” (2002), “Motions of Mutation” (2003), and “Diverse Systems of Throb” (2004), however, he was unsigned at that point. His 2005 debut was the first time that Bassnectar’s music was actually distributed in stores.

Here is one of his better-known tracks, “Bass Head”, from the album “Timestretch”, released in 2010.

HERE.

Bassnectar has some of the most unique sound out there. He uses the broad spectrum of speeds in electronic genres to create what he calls, "omni-tempo maximalism” (whatever the fuck that means). Oh yeah, and we must not forget the generous portion of throbbing bass lines.

This fall, Ashton is playing sold out shows around the country. On the 23^rd of October, he will be landing in Bloomfield, Colorado, and will begin his conquest of the Midwest, injecting the bass to cities such as Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Chicago. Come November, he’s hitting the Atlantic, starting in DC and working his way up to Philly, and eventually landing home at the one and only Terminal 5.

The tickets in New York sold out quick, so I’m trying to make it to his show in Philly. Let you know if I make it!

Until next time!