The Real Queen of Britain

Many were recently disheartened to hear about the upcoming departure of BBC Radio1's experimental bass host, Mary Anne Hobbs. Anyone who knows me personally, knows I'm a heavy fanboy of hers. Normally I'd reject with embarrassment and complete deniablity such a label. But with Mary Anne, I can't hide the truth: I absolutely adore her. I most definitely would not be in the subcultural realm I am today without her weekly guidance on global bass music. So let me tell you the story of a naive kid stranded on a far away island...

After moving to the UK, I was actually introduced to dubstep that first week in January 2008. At the time, it was quite unavoidable in Britain as opposed to the US, which was en route to materialize to the almost comparable level it is today. A friendly stranger whom I'd met dropped off a copy of Kode 9 and Spaceape's "Memories of the Future". Although I liked it for exposing me to those deep, dark, tripped-out qualities, I still think it was a bit heavy as an introduction to dubstep from an American novice. (I now rate it as one of my top bass albums ever). After coming to love those plowing, guttural basslines I still tended to treat it as strictly party music. Which was totally welcomed at the time, especially dwelling in the authenticity of urban Britain. Where a bit of acid or ketamine made even the most deep and desolate of dubstep feel like "party music.

It wasn't until August of '08 that dubstep would become entrenched in me. That same stranger whom blessed be with the sound, had by then become my best mate. He gave me a mix which he explained that I just had to check out. The normally articulate, expressive rollerblader didn't even have words for it... just left it for me listen. That mix was the now infamous "Generation Bass" on Mary Anne's show. For the those unfamiliar, in 2006, the now trademarked dubstep pioneers of today had come together on MAH's show to produce a legendary set known as "Dubstep Warz". In tandem with Mary Anne's heavy work with Barcelona's Sonar Festival, this show became one of the pivotal moments in dubstep's still burgeoning history, helping precipitate it's ignition to eventual world-wide stardom.


(Mary Anne Hobbs @ Sonar Festival Barcelona, 2010).

Anyways, for summer 2008, MAH had gathered all of the same producer-DJ's of Warrior Dubz; Mala (Digital Mystikz), Skream, Kode 9, Vex'd, Hatcha, Loefah and Distance. She asked each of the preceding to choose a special up-and-coming artist to champion. A symbolic torch passing if you will; the hype for this show was eagerly anticipated and massive recognition would surely follow. This one-off two hour event -- all alone underneath the stars with a spiff in hand-- single-handedly made me a full-throttle bass head. An eclectic line-up indeed. Joker and Kulture became and still are my favorite producers, one respectively introducing the "purple" sound to the world, as the latter rescinded into poet irrelevance; albeit with true unsung classics under belt. Not an old-school UKG head till way later, Oneman's garage overtones opened and blew my mind. Chef, although not producing at the time, went on to mix the classic Dubstep Allstars series and is still a ascending internationally. Starkey rocked Maida Vale studios, making the transcontinental trip and representing the rising US scene. Cyrus (Random Trio) closed it out creating a deep, nightmarish environment just as dubstep began moving away from those traditional qualities.


(Mary Anne Hobbs @ WMC Miami, 2010).

After that show I began tuning in weekly. I remember leaving the clubs a bit early on Wednesday nights just to come home, spark up, and post-party with MAH woman. When I was unwilling forced to come back stateside in 2009, having withdrawals and cultural re-shock, Mary Anne gave me two hours of solace. When I'd miss a show I'd feel at a loss as if missing an important doctor's appointment. She always kept everyone ahead of the game. Her gentle laugh intoxicating, her voice as soothing as the deep dubplates provided. When she ventured back to Cali, where she used to reside years earlier, her West Coast Rocks special with XLR8R demonstrated her foresight ability of sonic aesthetics by producers that broke the rules and re-energized the global movement. Exposure of LA's Low End Theory boys and SF innovators like Lazer Sword began a powerful exchange of ideas back to the origins of the UK, and infecting everywhere else along the way. It was undoubtedly taking place without Mary Anne, she simply provided her audience with a panoramic lens to view the global, subcultural movement of bass-weighted material.



When I inevitably made it to Low-End Theory, I was finally granted the opportunity to see her live. Down from SB, I was alone in LA on a Wednesday night after leaving my credit card and passport with the bar at S.M.O.G. the night before. It was a random occurrence that also happened to coincide on birthday. Finally meeting Mary Anne and induced by her gravitating personality and warm, congenial manner, only solidified my admiration for her. The set was outstanding. And when I mentioned I had come down from SB and it was my birthday, the queen granted me a sweet kiss on the cheek... best B-day gift ever.


(Mary Anne Hobbs and Hoodzpah @ Low End Theory, 2010)

Now she's moving on... as she posted a full statement on her MySpace this week:

"Last week I resigned from BBC Radio1, after an amazing multi-dimensional 14 year career. The great freedoms the BBC have given me as a broadcaster, have allowed me to help break so many confrontational artists as diverse as Slipknot and Skream, and of course, the whole genre of Dubstep in recent times. My current Experimental show is in peak condition, it’s never been stronger. And although it’s a very emotional decision to leave the show that I love so much, it’s also an optimum moment to bow out, at the very top of my game. My work for Radio1 on the Breezeblock, Rock Show, many fascinating documentaries about everything from David Bowie to Dubstep, on daytime, at festivals and award ceremonies, has been exceptionally rewarding. These have been glory days not just for me, but for all the artists who have shared my BBC platform, and of course, the listeners everywhere from Beijing to Berlin, Baltimore to Blackpool, who shared a great passion for future sound. I will continue to DJ live, work in film, and curate at Sonar festival in Barcelona. I have also accepted a new job mentoring and teaching students at the University of Sheffield’s Union Of Students radio station, TV station and the newspaper that operate out of their superb Forge Media Hub, which presents me with a really exciting new challenge. My last show on BBC Radio1 will be broadcast: September 8th>>9th … Wednesday night >> Thursday morning… 2-4am www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/maryannehobbs Thank you so much for listening." --Mary Anne Hobbs

No, thank you, Mary Anne. Your show became a staple in my life for a good spell. It will be sad not to hear that lovely, gratifying voice, but we all wish you the best in your future endeavors. You mean the world to so many people, the world over, personifying our passion for music and culture so unique and unparalleled. Can't wait to catch you back in LA for some live action! P.E.A.C.E.

Santa Babylon 7.16.10

Summertime for the Santa Babylon clique has been rolling on by like clouds in the sky. June gave us one of our best shows to date. Yet difficult to compare them... Jungle legend APX-1's special dubstep set was as outstanding as it was exclusive. Especially, as he nonchalantly relayed, "I've only been spinning it for a few months." Although I've only been playing my part behind the decks since early 2010, I had never seen someone mix so fast. As a nascent emcee in this shit, I must say... Damn, that was hard to keep up with. Along the lines of: 16 bars, drop new track, 16--drop, 16--drop. Bewilderment and excitement flowing through my blood, I couldn't stop admiring the skill. Then I'd remember I'm supposed to be hosting. Inevitably, my line of sight would drift from the crowd back to the turntables, as a moth to a light. He very early on switched the house Serato vinyls with his own, functionally identical pair. Expressing that he just had to. I understood, as he quickly tossed aside the house Serato's bright pink vinyl, and got back to the mastery.


(APX-1 merking the Santa Babylon Soundsystem. City included) © Spencer Ramsey

On top of APX-1's mixment, there were loads of well-hard dubs in which I wasn't familiar. A few, which I would highly recommend, came from LA's Belgian badboy KNORSQ. Hosting a weekly radio show called BOMBADUB Fridays on sub.fm, where you can catch AKAIDER -- LIVE, TONIGHT at 8-10 pm pst. KNORSQ's hip-hop infused bass-rated innovations are becoming a staple within California. We also happened to host him in Santa Babylon last April in a knock-out party that would have made you think Coachella was canceled that weekend.

Our other guest selectah of June, local DJ Pursuade, destroyed it. With an almost beyond-natural ear for music (I've heard him do-up a variety of types) , man once again catered extremely well to the Santa Barbara niche in which he is becoming well established. Only recently has he begun to shift his interest moar to the darker side of electronic dance via dubstep. Looking FWD>> to the future collaborations! Our boy ERS-1, was celebrating both he and his newly-wedded wife's B-day. Big up, Geminis. So we made sure to make it a party... as usual. Which actually happens to be our standard platform and business model. Gotta have fun, get down, and get the fuck out (1:30 on the dot, or Babylon get the axe by the babylon, if ya get me). And we always do it with SB style -- it is after all, a proper bass party. All we need is moar bass. And we always got it... but that doesn't mean we can't always need moar, always. Right? Never.


(Left, KNORSQ @ Santa Babylon 4.16.2010) © Spencer Ramsey

(Right, DJ Pursuade w/ MC Hoodzpah 6.18.10) © Spencer Ramsey


Anyways, its about that time of month again. Santa Babylon will be turning up the summer heat Friday, 7.16.2010 @ Statemynt, State Street. This round presenting Los Angeles' own Dumbsteppaz. Originally dubbing their name -- as I was told -- for hating on the still-burgeoning scene awhile back. But like the rest of the lot: everyone comes around. As a dubstep artist, I admit, -- it took me a good minute to get into it. Luckily, living in the UK at the time undoubtedly expedited that listening pleasure. I was recently shown their remix of Die Antwoord, the S.A. trio we featured in April. Take a listen to the remix, below.


Die Antwoord - Enter The Ninja (Dumbsteppaz Remix) by Dumbsteppaz


Dumbsteppaz will also be featured along side MC Werd. The Los Angeles area emcee has been developed in the jungle/DnB and hip-hop underground for years. Naturally, dubstep was no long ting. Werd has rocked alongside world class DJs at classic LA events such as Ghettolife and Tonz of Drumz', "I ♥ LA". He also runs his own weekly event UPGRADE, every Wednesday in Costa Mesa, OC. Santa Babylon played there in April and it was off the hook. I highly recommend it for the OC bass kids. Try and pre-party a bit at Taco Mesa near-by, cool spot... but avoid unintentionally whistling at over-guarding women like Step Correct's true-bro faux-pas.


(MC Werd gonna light up the set @ Santa Babylon 6.17.10) © Spencer Ramsey
^Hoodzpah better take notes...

Definitely look FWD>> to this Los Angeles link-up. Let's be sure to give them a great reception by showing SB how we get down. That said, there will be plenty of the locals steppas -- who undoubtedly make or break a party -- out in full force. It's a strange thing to watch how the SB scene -- though equally strong at either time -- is rapidly altered by the dismissal of university classes for the summer. Not better necessarily, just different. I think that's a part of why the last APX-1 show in May, was held in such high-regard. I was just tripping on different vibes.

Having now preambled the local tip, I'm pleased to let you know next Friday's show will also bring you 805 DubCorps crew member and mutual supporter, Seppuku. The collective, front-manned by man, have a growing dubstep night at midtown's Creekside Bar and Grill. Although the venue and location is a bit different, its also ironically what makes it. First off, it's on a Thursday, one of youth-ridden Santa Barbara's finest nights. They also make it an 18+ event, which is something Santa Babylon, and the city itself, has been lacking since our arrival on State St. ended our back alley under-21 action. We miss all you on that Statemynt dance floor... but most your days are coming! Big upz, Dub Corps for feeding the need. Other welcoming points of contrast between D.C. is their mash-ups off all genres of bass. The crew plays rather obscure and extremely solid sets of hardcore, jungle, D&B, bassline, 2-step, grime, etc. I believe this gives the rapidly exploding, and thus, commercializing aspect of the dubstep scene, a new set of ears to hear other forms of underground music that they normally wouldn't surrender to. Once again, big upz, brochachos. Oh yeah, they also got BBQ till 11PM! Dub Corps keeps it moving for the blazers.



(Dub Corps's Sepukku performing at a S. American prison -- Heavy).
^R.E. Union will soon post some interesting input about this tour from Sepukku.

July 16th's event will also be having the usual Babylon soundbwoys pulling bro out shenanigans between blasted airhorns and tapping bottles; which by the way, should better be rationed out this time around before we get too low -- physically, and bottle-wise. Airhorns too. Hectic. Anyway... this mid-summer's night is gonna be the kicks! So bring your best pair and get ready to dance the night away with bass-pummeling shockwaves rinsing out the night.

On another note, Santa Babylon will be playing EOS night club's "Friday Night Cover," TONIGHT, July, 9th. I hear 9FeetOfSmoke's rumored to drop some rare house tunes for the EOS crowd. Uh oh. If your prone to face melting, be sure to wear your sunglasses tonight. Too many lasers. Not sure how the emcee situation will work out for this venue. Although it is a part of our show, I'll be stoked to see you there regardless... behind the decks or on the dance floor! Especially my boy Chris G. celebrating his born day -- mesa loc style. We will be in the newly established Goddess Lounge. DJ Wicked will be in his zone on the adjacent stage. Thanks to EOS night Club and Lounge for the wicked opportunity. You can also catch SB's Underground Souls collective now on the regular at the same venue. Next US-affiliated night will showcase Niko, bringing the styles with an extended 2.5 hour set, alongside the usual suspects on July, 23rd @ EOS.



Participating in a few undergrounds within the 805 for the remainder of July, Santa Babylon does have some wicked surprises coming your way for the rest of summer and into the year. Including a couple of our artists' individual production releases, massive headliners, bigger events, flavorful merchandise and MOAR BASS. So stay chooned. Check out Santa Babylon Group on Facebook for the latest updates. SantaBablyon.com will be up and running again shortly. Big tings a gwaan on in SB. Step up! P.E.A.C.E.