WUB, WOMP & WATTAGE

If you’ve hit the electronic-music festival circuit the past few years – both pre- and postCovid times – you’ve certainly noticed that bass music and all its permutations (dubstep, bass house, trap, etc.) have maintained a stranglehold on the mainstages. And given the massive sound systems these DJs play through, it can make for a teeth-gnashing, brainrattling experience – just the way the kids like it. But, as it stands now, there are really few genre talents that can match Subtronics for wub, womp, and wattage.

I first caught the 30-year-old Philly-based DJ/producer (aka Jesse Kardon) this past summer at Electric Zoo festival on New York City’s Randalls Island and, once his mainstage set began, it was impossible not to think, “OK, this sound is totally on another level.” Blasting tunes from his 2022 full-length Fractals – on his own Cyclops Recordings – Subtronics rocked the joint for an hour with intricately compelling soundscapes to match the seismic bottom. Really, nobody else sounds like this guy. So, as Subtronics began his 2023 AntiFractals Tour, our Brian Bonavoglia connected with the genre giant.

In our Sound Bites column, we visit with Dada Life, Sweden’s wacky electronic duo and discuss its latest single, “Take Me Into Space,” a collab with Chinese DJ/producer DEXTER KING. Additionally, I get some studio talk with U.K. talent Matt Guy, who has struck gold with his affinity for retro tunes in the form of hits like “Set My Mind Free.”

Also, in a unique pair of Q&As, we connect with Eli “Elyte” Goldstein of Soul Clap and Nebraska inmate Russell Wardlow (aka WayOfLife), who collaborated on a full-length album – no mean feat, given Wardlow’s circumstances. After meeting through Give A Beat , – a social-justice-driven non-profit organization – the two created a nine-cut, hip-hop album full of life and trauma, regret and redemption.

On the lighter side of life, we reveal what went on aboard the 35th edition of the Groove Cruise, which ventured from Miami to Haiti and back, and presented DJs of all genres, including Claptone, Markus Schulz, Nora En Pure, and Jauz. And for Festival Spotlight, Viet Nam-based scribe Saxe Colson reports from Thailand on Wonderfruit, one of the world’s more unique festival experiences.

In our tech-review columns, Denver-based Wesley King takes on KRK’s very mobile GoAux4 monitors in Studio Session. For Playback, Minneapolis-based DJ Deets puts Pioneer DJ’s DDJ-FLX4 controller through its paces. In this issue, we also offer an expanded Gear section.

In the mobile-DJ world, we ask several top practitioners how they handle their biggest business challenges – from procuring to pricing. In Mobile DJ Profile, we talk with New England DJ vet Ken Cosco, who dishes sage advice and explains how he’s navigated his way to success. In DJ Business, Rochester, N.Y.-based Joshua Volpe discusses why customer service is more important than it’s ever been and offers new ways to communicate with clients.

And don’t forget: DJX’23 is all set for Aug. 7-10 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. In addition to an exhibit hall full of the latest DJrelated gear, 30 seminar/keynote sessions, and sponsored After Dark events, the show will offer some new wrinkles – including “The DJ’s Vault Live” (please see Pg. 8) We hope to see you there.

Cheers, Jim Tremayne Editor, DJ LIFE

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