Lorin Ashton known as Bassnectar, is known to be the pioneer of bass music and is considered to be one of the most influential artist on the culture of EDM. Bassnectar is known to have the most devoted and loyal fan base within the EDM culture. In fact, his fans are known to have form a cult that call themselves “Bass Heads.” Bassnectar attracts thousands of passionate fans that follow and attend festivals just to witness his performances. Bassnectar distances himself from the mainstream and incorporates unique sounds to create songs unlike anyone else. He describes himself as someone “more interested in the art, the community, the impact… not interested in the fame.” (Diaz, 2015) His style of music has been consistent since he began and does not alter his musical production to fit the mainstream preference. However, with his constant increase in popularity, Bassnectar is considered to be a “headliner” on festival lineups by building a unique and specific fan base that differs from popular EDM artists that appear on the radio.
Recognized as the “Bass God,” Bassnectar produces “headbanging” heavy bass music that combines components from a variety of genres that his fans can’t seem to get enough of. Through his powerful live performances, Bassnectar controls the vibe and tempo of the crowd through his flawless song choices, smooth transitions, and DJ and production skills that seem to captivate the audience. On the other hand his style of production might be considered to intense and is not played on the radio. Therefore, he attracts the specific crowd of “Bass heads.”
Bassheads are also dedicated to Bassnectar for his overall messages. He is an ego-less, non-conformist that is involved with his communal fans and openly expresses his opinions and values on many different topics. He promotes peace and empathy. In an interview he says, “I want to create kind of a magnetic phenomenon that would inspire youth culture and make youth culture curious, thus expanding my sphere of influence, and my ability to interact and contribute on a deeper lever. I have some strong counter-culture beliefs and a lot of energy to act on them, to make a social impact, because I care.” (Chung & Deroche, 2010) He is extremely beloved and influential to his fans overall by being humble, sending positive messages, and his devotion for the art in addition to his vibrant and incredible performances.
I personally consider myself a “Bass head.” I have witnessed his performances on 6 different occasions and support his music and his message. I recently attended the Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival in Florida last month where Bassnectar was set to perform at 11:45 PM. I arrived at the stage 45 minutes prior to find a good spot in the crowd where thousands of people flooded the area by the stage. It seemed to me that the whole crowd consisted of “Bassheads.” Bassnectar flags, totems, and attire surrounded me. The crowd was waiting patiently for the “Bass God” to appear on stage with background music playing. I could feel the tension, anticipation, and excitement of the crowd around me. All of a sudden, the bass and volume rose to extreme levels as Bassnectar entered the stage. The crowd erupted into cheers, screams, and chants. At that moment, chills began to overcome my body and I realized that this truly is my heaven. There was no place where I would rather be.
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| Bassnectar at Okeechobee Festival |
Chung, N. Deroche, B. (2010). Bassnectar On Change: “I Want To Make A Social Impact.” Huffington Post. Retrieved from. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/05/bassnectar-on-change-i-wa_n_347463.html
Diaz J. (2015). The Cult of Bassnectar: Building a movement in the face of a sold out culture. Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved from http://www.dancingastronaut.com/2015/07/bassnectar-punk-metals-influence-edm-hating-fame-relating-kurt-cobain/
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