Music
Why bassline is still vital in 2017
Jamie Duggan, former resident at Sheffield’s legendary Niche, explains why the bassline sound is still going strong today – and picks six tracks that represent the scene right now.
Bassline house burst out of Northern England around about 1997 – a big, bold variant on the speed garage sound employing bouncy four-to-the-floor beats, warping basslines and euphoric, pitched-up vocals. The scene was vilified by the press and authorities, and the genre’s spiritual home, Sheffield’s Niche, was shut down after a police raid in November 2005. But despite this, the sound has continued to flourish, with the sound moving outside its locale and a raft of new producers coming through.
Now, a brand new compilation, Pure Bassline, collects the best in new bassline across two CDs, with a third CD that finds scene legends DJ Q and former Niche resident Jamie Duggan going b2b with a selection of classics. Red Bull UK caught up with Jamie to hear why bassline is thriving in 2017, and to get seven of his tracks of the moment.
Former Niche resident Jamie Duggan
© Press
To a lot of people bassline never went away – it just went underground
Bassline had a tough time in the mid '00s. Why do you think bassline has continued to thrive?
It survived firstly from the love of bassline being so strong, mainly up north and in the Midlands. To a lot of people it never went away – it just went underground, as more commercial venues weren't allowed to be seen playing it. So the underground scene remained strong and patient, with producers like DJ Q still making the sound and keeping it going.
Where are the main strongholds for bassline now – is it still predominantly a Northern English sound or has it spread its wings further?
Bassline's main audiences in my experience over the years have always been Northern and Midlands-based, but the sound was always very strong in cities like Bristol and Cardiff also. And it's still the case now but it definitely seems to have reached London a lot more this time around and hitting further up north in places like Newcastle.
How has the sound changed since its heyday? Who are the new producers pushing the sound forwards?
Essentially the sound still centres around a big dirty bassline to some degree, just like it did back then. I'd just say the sound now is bit more hard-hitting, with drops that send the crowd insane. Don't get me wrong, that was the formula back in its heyday too – but it was also a lot more vocal-orientated back then. There were a lot more sing-a-long or catchy vocals sat on nice warping basslines, whereas now it's based more on energetic drops and bass sounds. The new producers really standing out and making a lot of noise are Skepsis, Holy Goof, Notion, Darkzy, Ussy, Shaun Dean, Deadbeat, Jack Junior… then you still have the originals like DJ Q, Bass Boy, Virgo and TS7 all still doing the business!
The bassline sound now is bit more hard-hitting, with drops that send the crowd insane
What is bassline’s secret to success – why have clubbers stuck with it through thick and thin?
Bassline is a unique style with a unique crowd of loyal supporters. It's like a 'This scene is ours, it's what we love and if you don't like it, we don't give a shit' mentality. So whether it has its ups or downs within the industry click, the bassline supporters will always love bassline. Even those that pretend not to! Ha!
Jamie picks 7 tracks keeping bassline vital in 2017
1. Skepsis – Goes Like (Original & VIP)
"Probably the biggest track in the scene at the minute and two versions to take your pick from. Either one causes pure mayhem!"
2. Bassboy ft Laura Aston – Baby Cakes VIP
"A VIP exclusive for the Pure Bassline album. This is the vocal anthem of the bass scene right now!"
3. Holy Good x Notion – Sweet Talks VIP
"Just complete madness, that is all."
4. P Money ft JME & Wiley – Gunfingers (Jamie Duggan & Booda remix)
"A dub me and Booda did for DJ sets quickly got picked up on by P Money and added as an official remix!"
5. Whtkid – Say To Me (Shaun Dean Remix)
"This one’s been around a few months but when it first dropped onto the scene it had instant impact – and still has now!"
6. Mr V – Hypnotic (Skepsis Remix)
"A bassline classic from Virgo got the remix treatment from Skepsis. He's got two tracks in my top six – says it all, really."
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