Drum & bass has served as the heart and soul of the UK electronic music scene for decades, but it's only recently that we've seen it explode in the US. Why has it taken so long for it to appear?
Enter Dimension, Sub Focus, Culture Shock and 1991 by WORSHIP, a supergroup of influential drum & bass artists redefining the genre for a new generation of fans. We sat down with the collective and their manager, Sebastian Weingartshofer, to talk about the rise of the genre in the United States and its longevity within the electronic music scene.
“For a long time, many drum & bass artists attracted large audiences around the world, then traveled to the US and played half-empty clubs,” Dimension tells us. “The artists were demotivated. I had the same experience. After a bad show in New York, I remember calling Seb and we agreed that things had to change.”
“I remember the moment I was driving back to the New York City airport with Rob [Dimension] and saying, 'It shouldn't be like this,'” adds Culture Shock. “So we really made a conscious effort to put our heads together and present the music as we thought it should be. “We've had to invest a huge amount, but it really seems to be working and the momentum is growing.”
Amid the volcanic rise of drum & bass in the United States, the group developed a master plan. They saw great potential in North America, Dimension says, to “create something new” by joining forces.
“Our goal was to help bring the genre back into fashion by fostering a new, young and genre-inclusive fan community by investing heavily in production and creativity, while working with the best venues and promoters,” he explains. “It's been incredibly humbling to watch a new fan community grow, with crowds and venues getting bigger and bigger. We like to think we've played a key role in this growth.”
When it comes to each of the members of WORSHIP, it's clear that they believe drum & bass culture is an invaluable part of the electronic music zeitgeist, and its spirit simply can't be captured anywhere else. They have always lived and breathed the genre and are now positioning themselves as axes of the current movement.
“I got into drum & bass pretty much from the beginning, when it was transformed from the jungle,” Sub Focus recalls. “It means a lot to me to be a part of their story. I love how it's like a secret subculture that we're all a part of.”
“My love for drum & bass started about 15 years ago,” adds 1991. “What attracted me the most was how mischievous it is. It hasn't always been the coolest genre, but it's certainly the most fun. For the most part “On the other hand, it's an inclusive scene where anyone is welcome. I think that's why I've always kept it going. It feels like a family.”
Take the necessary risks
Since drum & bass first piqued their interest, Culture Shock, Dimension, Sub Focus and 1991 have spent years ascending to their upper echelon with blistering tempos of over 174 BPM. However, reaching the top was only the beginning of his wide-ranging influence.
While his dedication to the culture is an important factor, many risks had to be taken in the United States for drum & bass to have true permanence.
“Big local acts are a big part of what makes the scene thrive in different areas,” says Sub Focus. “There's Pendulum and Luude from Australia, Netsky from Belgium, Camo & Krooked in Austria and many more examples around the world. Flourishing local drum & bass groups from the US will help the scene never end here “.
As artists like REAPER, Kumarion, AIRGLO, Justin Hawkes and many more lead the charge in the US, the growth of drum & bass has continued to skyrocket. WORSHIP are also doing their part as their current tour continues as one of the most in-demand tours on the electronic music scene.
They are immensely grateful to the American promoters who took a chance on them in the beginning.
“We have been building this project for four years,” explains Dimension. “I remember for the first tour we literally had to create a presentation explaining who we are, what country we were from and listing everything we were doing differently so that the tour tickets would sell. We had to put ourselves out there with the There is a very possibility that the whole WORSHIP tour could be a complete failure.
“Deep down, we all really believed in the idea, but in hindsight, it was the promoters and agents who took the biggest risk,” he continues. “The North American drum & bass scene was in such bad shape that you could say we had nothing to lose, but the promoters and agents deserve a huge amount of gratitude for backing us and believing in our concept.”
Keeping the drum & bass revolution alive
Ultimately, WORSHIP became a key player in the growth of drum & bass in the region, but their work is not done yet. Trends, especially in electronic music, can be hot or cold.
However, something as addictive as drum & bass has great staying power for a multitude of reasons.
“The energy of the genre is addictive and incomparable, while constantly pushing boundaries and setting standards,” says Weingartshofer, manager of WORSHIP. “Overall, the demographics of the genre remain young, helping to renew commitment to consumption and event attendance across many generations.”
Culture Shock agrees, calling the energy of drum & bass crowds “unmatched.”
“As an artist, it's a really fun genre because you can incorporate any style you want,” he says. “I feel like other genres within electronic music can be more restrictive and don't allow for as much expression.”
The unbridled energy of drum & bass is not its only cornerstone: its origins are equally fundamental. The underground is crucial for any musical genre, considering its artists push the boundaries when things above become obsolete.
“Drum & bass is completely independent in terms of style and speed; there really is no other genre like it,” says Sub Focus. “It has a rich history and a fertile underground scene, which has given it enormous staying power. While it has had moments of commercial success, it has always had a large group of people pushing its limits and boundaries away from the glare of the reflectors.”
Hit the road (again)
With a lot of experience and passion, the WORSHIP collective flies the flag of drum & bass in the United States. It's their third collaborative North American tour, culminating with their biggest show to date on March 30 at the famed Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
A few months later, in May, the entire team will return for one of the most anticipated performances at EDC Las Vegas, one of the largest electronic dance music festivals in the world.
“Being a part of this tour has been one of the most satisfying projects I've had the pleasure of being a part of,” gushes Dimension. “It's been very rewarding to see the community explode. I'm predominantly a solo artist, so achieving something together with your friends has made it very special. Personally, I'd love for fans to come away from our shows feeling like a drum & bass La party can be a lot of fun for anyone. Everyone is accepted.”
“The more people enjoy what we do, the more fulfilling and inspiring it will be for us as artists,” adds 1991. “I left the previous two WORSHIP tours feeling inspired to come back bigger and better, so that's all I can really hope for. this time”.
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While WORSHIP's quest to integrate drum & bass into the realm of American electronic music has been a long and winding uphill battle, 2023 was a defining year for the genre. And we have only seen it take off even more in the first months of 2024, a trend that Weingartshofer believes is here to stay.
“We are now seeing both fans and DJs being more open-minded towards the genre, as well as other genres of dance music in the post-dubstep/EDM boom,” he explains. “Headliners like Tiësto, John Summit, David Guetta and Dom Dolla are playing drum & bass in their sets and getting great reactions.”
Weingartshofer also credits grassroots artists and brands in North America for driving the scene with unabashed passion.
“Brands like Brownies & Lemonade are creating culture on the ground with their DNBNL series, exposing the genre to impressionable dance music fans,” he continues. “Record labels like Deadbeats and Monstercat are getting behind the music and supporting artists from all over the world. A decade ago this infrastructure didn't exist. It's great to see more confidence towards drum & bass in all areas.”
You can purchase tickets for WORSHIP's North American tour and learn more about the collective here.
Follow WORSHIP:
Website: worshipers.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/worshipartists
X: x.com/worship_artists
Instagram: instagram.com/worshipartists
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