Ones to Watch: Trashbat

If you ask me, dubstep is a much maligned, misunderstood genre. It’s been almost a decade since Skream released Midnight Request Line, arguably the first dubstep track and since those early, experimental days in the depths of London the name has been adopted and corrupted by the likes of Skrillex and his ilk, such that most people associate it purely with filthy drops and wobbles.

In reality, there’s far more to it than that. The scene (especially within the UK) has been growing and evolving and the results vary from pulse-pounding to soulful, from dark and ominous to ambient and beautiful. Callum Grant, aka Trashbat (a moniker brilliantly taken from the underrated, hilariously depressing Charlie Brooker/Chris Morris series Nathan Barley) is one of the genre’s most interesting exponents. His work is awash with cool, jazzy tones, gorgeous chord progressions and inspired vocal samples, from quotations from Tupac and Jim Carrey to dialogue from The Wire.

He’s one of the most significant names on the phenomenal MindStep Music label and a real pioneer of one of the most captivating, varied genres in electronic music. I had the chance to speak with him earlier this week:

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Photos by P.K. Photography and Maša Gojić for Bass Pass Blog

Hi Callum, how are you?

Hi! I’m super, thanks for asking.

How would you describe your sound and your ethos with producing?

I’d say it was somewhere between dubstep and hip-hop, at and around the 140 bpm mark, taking lot of influence from jazz music, with a focus on chords and melodies.
Electronic music, with more emphasis on music.

What, for you is the real appeal of dubstep?

The appeal of dubstep for me, is the vast spectrum of styles and sounds, there’s no real one dubstep sound (although I’m sure some people would probably argue with that).
I think there’s always at least one or two artists that someone could connect with, there’s a sound for every emotion, personality, and situation I think, and its still rapidly growing and developing even now with so many new and fresh artists providing their own takes on the genre.

From a creative perspective its the same again really, its very freeing, there aren’t really any rules or parameters aside from a rough bpm mark.
I think that’s what drew me to MindStep Music label, I really liked the fact that their releases were so varied in sound and different in vibes and style, you could have a dubby, reggae EP in the vein of something like King Tubby or Yellow Man, then the next one would be a dark rumbling dubsteppy roller, or a deep ambient mini album, its more like a collection of artists with the same passion for sub-bass and good vibes at about 140 bpm.

Who are your biggest influences outside of the genre?

Outside of dubstep I’m into bands like Tool, A Perfect Circle, Deftones, progressive and experimental artists like Devin Townsend and Mike Patton, I think its because they’re a little unorthodox, and have they’re own unique style, and I’ve always been attracted to the slightly weirder things in life.

I’m also quite heavily influenced by hip-hop, artists like Cypress Hill, RZA, Just Blaze, KRS One and more recently people like ASAP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, Action Bronson, I love that old smokey, chopped and screwed style, I’m really into sample culture in that way, I love the idea of incorporating something old into something new, like certain samples that seem to make it into every genre respectively, it encourages people to dig a little deeper into music, and exposes people to things that perhaps influenced their favorite artists, it sheds a little light and pays homage to where certain sounds and style have originated from, its almost like a circle of life thing.

What process do you go through when you create a new tune?

Usually, I start with a sample or riff. It could a be a vocal sample, some strings, a harp, a horn, a piano riff, anything, but I’ll always start with that. Most people I know start by making the drums and going from there, but for me, I like to lay lots of musical elements down first and see what sort of vibe it sets, then that allows me to work out a drum pattern, and then that gives me ideas as to what to add next, sometimes I’ll leave the drums for ages before I start on them and just lay down all the music.

For me starting with the drums is like pre-setting the vibe of the track, I don’t know how the drums go until I know how the tune goes, I think this is because I played drums in a band for several years, so I would always make drum patterns up based on riffs the guitarists would write, and I guess I’ve brought that mentality with me to producing.

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What do you think sets the UK scene apart from the rest of the world?

That’s an interesting question, I’ve really thought about it, I would say the UK underground scene has been growing and developing so rapidly for the last few decades and still continues to do so, I think we have a good reputation for our creative innovation and ‘do it yourself’ attitude – from the indie to house, garage and grime and even the dubstep scene throughout the years. I think this progression is reflected in our openness to music from across the world.

Which other producers (other than yourself) would you recommend to newcomers?

Vaun – Beautiful atmospheric music that covers a range of tempos and genres, very emotive and forward thinking.

Chord Marauders – These are a collective of producers focusing of more melody driven, groove soaked side of dubstep and such like, if your into the sort of sound I make and play, then these are a must.

Drew’s Theory – Another guy blurring the lines between hip-hop and dubstep, with lots of reggae and dub influence this time, Drew has cultivated very unique sound, definitely one to check out if you like your beats with a little soul

Elefant Doc – This dude is yet another producer that has recently emerged with a fresh perspective on the dubstep sound, rolling drums and percussion, harmonic chord progressions and deep bass!

Where and when was the best set you’ve ever played?

Wow, that’s a tough one, I’m not entirely sure I could pick a best of all time, but in the past year I would definitely say when I played Gent in Belgium for a group of promoters called De Jeugdzonde, that was an amazing night, really great crowd, everyone was bouncing, the vibes were just right and the promoters were professional and really friendly. There’s also the night when we played at a club called Channel Zero in Ljubljana, Slovenia, that was an amazing experience, again, wicked crowd, really responsive and everyone was just grooving, the club itself was really nice, it seemed like it was was in quite an arty area, like the Slovenian Camden or something, and the people was great, really beautiful country too!

If you could play anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Anyway where in the whole world?! Hmmmmm, I think Japan would be a dream, I’ve always had a fascination with Japanese culture and would love to see how my music would go down.
If we’re saying anywhere at all, in the world, ever, then maybe like a secret party in the middle of a jungle somewhere, like the amazon or something, or a beach party in Bora Bora…

Any live dates or projects we should know about?

I have a 5 track EP due out in November on MindStep Music that I’m really excited about, it has features from two extremely talented vocalists that I can’t wait to share.
I also have a few tracks coming out on a two separate compilations on different labels early next year, along with another follow up EP that I have been working on for the best part of year that’s a little different that I’m incredibly excited about, but that’s pretty much all I can say on that one for now.

I also have have some upcoming at the following dates:

3rd Oct – Candyland, Shordeditch
18th Oct – Format, Bristol
1st Nov – Blaze Launch – Athens, Greece
13th Dec – T-Klub – Lokeren, Belgium

I have a more international gigs and some more around London and the UK that will be announced soon too, so keep a look out!

 

You can download and stream Trashbat’s latest EP here

 

Photos by P.K. Photography and Maša Gojić for Bass Pass Blog

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