The things that drew me to dubstep in the first place weren't necessarily the kind of testosterone-driven environments that you got from say, late jungle or some of the drum 'n' bass stuff that was happening after that. I think the dubstep that has come over to the US, and certain producers — who I can't even be bothered naming — have definitely hit upon a sort of frat-boy market where there's this macho-ism being reflected in the sounds and the way the music makes you feel. And to me, that is a million miles away from where dubstep started. It's a million miles away from the ethos of it. It's been influenced so much by electro and rave, into who can make the dirtiest, filthiest bass sound, almost like a pissing competition, and that's not really necessary. And I just think that largely that is not going to appeal to women. I find that whole side of things to be pretty frustrating, because that is a direct misrepresentation of the sound as far as I'm concerned.
ARE YOU PROACTIVELY COVERING FEMALE MUSICIANS? Oh no, not at all. Those are just songs that I like, and definitely not decisions I made based on gender at all. But I have noticed this kind of pattern in female pianists, especially, the style of play is a very supportive role within the composition. And I love that. And I kind of envy that. Because there's this kind of male tendency to flourish and to embellish on things that might not need it. And that is definitely an ego-driven thing which I don't think someone like Joni Mitchell really was a purveyor of. And I kind of appreciate that about her music.
JAMES BLAKE + CHAIRLIFT | Paradise Rock Club, 967 Commonwealth Ave, Boston | October 3 @ 7 Pm | 18+ | $25 | 617.562.8800
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