Would you accept dubstep on an alternative station?

[TonySantiago]

I bring this up in here just to ask a question, not to provoke a controversy. ;D

With the rise of dubstep into the music world in the US. if an alternative rock station had a specialty dubstep show would you accept it?

Dubstep may be closely related to EDM but the sounds that come out of it has the dance music community mixed. Even though it is electronic, the groove is a lot slower than dance music genres such as house, electro, etc. Yet with the amount of younger folks really loving this sound, yet really can't be accepted per se into a dance music fold, would dubstep work out better on an alternative rock station along the lines of today's music?

I can't help to think that if 92.7 WLIR in Long Island still existed with their format, that dubstep would be a huge factor in there.

Your thoughts on this?

 

[atlantaboy]

My experience with dubstep has been really pop-leaning (remixed Britney, Kesha songs, etc.), so I'm not sure what the association would be with Alternative

 

[TonySantiago]

My experience with dubstep has been really pop-leaning (remixed Britney, Kesha songs, etc.), so I'm not sure what the association would be with Alternative

I'm thinking more along the core artists of the genre such as Skrillex. I wasn't thinking the Britney, Kesha pop side to it.

 

[SilverTonicFree]

Live 105 (KITS- San Fran) does a DubStep show "Wobble Wednesday" Wednesdays from Midnight-2. I haven't tuned in to see what the focus is though.

 

[justpassingthough]

Tony- thanks for bringing this question over to the alternative board from the thread over in Dance.

I think dubstep is a somewhat natural fit at alternative, as you've suggested. Its slower than typical EDM, it has a young following, and is somewhat rebellious in nature. It has the leanings of an 'alternative' genre- a culture outside the mainstream. Plus, Skrillex is perhaps its biggest star right now, and his beginnings were in the band From First to Last-so its an evolution of his musical tastes that is a reflection of his generations evolution in tastes.

I'm probably outside the dubstep demographic (I'm 30) but I've been to two Skrillex shows this year, as well as a third show this Friday, and the audience seems to be the young crowd seeking something outside the mainstream.

Has alternative always been the landing ground format for more 'experimental' music that didn't work elsewhere?

 

[Bongwater]

Has alternative always been the landing ground format for more 'experimental' music that didn't work elsewhere?

It usually is.

 

[TonySantiago]

Tony- thanks for bringing this question over to the alternative board from the thread over in Dance.

I think dubstep is a somewhat natural fit at alternative, as you've suggested. Its slower than typical EDM, it has a young following, and is somewhat rebellious in nature. It has the leanings of an 'alternative' genre- a culture outside the mainstream. Plus, Skrillex is perhaps its biggest star right now, and his beginnings were in the band From First to Last-so its an evolution of his musical tastes that is a reflection of his generations evolution in tastes.

I'm probably outside the dubstep demographic (I'm 30) but I've been to two Skrillex shows this year, as well as a third show this Friday, and the audience seems to be the young crowd seeking something outside the mainstream.

Has alternative always been the landing ground format for more 'experimental' music that didn't work elsewhere?

Thanks!

I mean, hearing the music makes sense for alternative and NOT dance.

It's rebellious, has that "angst" in there that a young crowd can associate with along with the experimental sounds that challenge the crowd. It's also amazing that dubstep events sell out! But to put that sound on a "dance/rhythmic" station doesn't give dubstep the proper justice, since you have many in the dance music side that hate it. But for what it is as "EDM", I would think that alternative would hop and ride on this. For the 21st century, since most everything has gone electronic anyway, this would make sense.

 

[WBIMDJ]

To answer your question Tony: YES, I certainly would. And I'm waiting on stations to pick up on it. It's only a matter of time. After seeing kids this past summer at Lollapalooza and North Coast Festivals in Chicago go NUTS to acts like The Bloody Beetroots, Skrillex, Steve Aoki, Benny Benassi, Bassnectar etc. I realized that Dubstep is the next big thing. And radio stations have to take notice. Now with different acts from pop to dance to alternative people hopping onto the Dubstep train it all depends on what artists would fit in on Alternative station. Obviously a Britney Dubstep Remix would not work. However, take notice this video featuring Steve Aoki, and (a staple of alternative radio for almost 18 years now) Rivers Cuomo from Weezer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ITuMknU8eVo#!
Honestly I feel this track would work on (most) Alt stations..It doesn't have the traditional WOOOB WOOOOB Dubstep bassline, but it does have electro elements that almost all of the 'step songs do. And once an artist such as Steve Aoki or Skrillex got established on Alt radio you could go even further.. And look, KoRn and Skrillex's collaboration is also doing quite well..

 

[Saladressing]

Generally speaking the format has desperately needed a "new revolution" for SOME TIME now. This would be welcome.

 

[dplantz]

Wouldn't shock me if the labels launched a couple of Skrillex knock offs real soon and tried to spin "dubstep" as "the new grunge".

I do think dubstep/brostep (the condescending purist name for it), could be the jolt alternative stations need.
But there's also a part of me that thinks this is emo all over again. Most alternative stations left emo for the web, save a few big FOB and Panic! tracks that likely crossed-over to CHR.

I could see dubstep's influence and popularity with high school kids being a potential dividing line in generational culture, assuming the trend lasts more than a year.
This also has the potential to drain CHR formats of some of their dominance as the younger dance-pop listeners migrate to dubstep from the Gaga, Kesha and Katy Perry boom of the past two years.

 

[sdh483]

My experience with dubstep has been really pop-leaning (remixed Britney, Kesha songs, etc.), so I'm not sure what the association would be with Alternative

That's what killed it for me when I first heard dubstep. The first dubstep song I heard was a Birttney Spears song and I totally wrote off the whole style for a long time. Recently, however, I've began to like the style of music. I just had to find the right direction. As long as pop music doesn't accept the sound, I don't see why alternative stations shouldn't at least do a dubstep special on friday or saturday night.

 

[Saladressing]

The feminine alt-folk era (i.e. Zero guitar distortion) has lasted forever IMO and also stations are relying on gold from 15-20 years ago, most of which is completely burned out. Even a Pure Jazz era would be welcome at the format right about now!

 

[hubcity]

Eh, John Peel was playing dubstep in 2003. I'm good with it.

 

[puddingpop]

KROQ is now playing "Bangarang" by Skrillex in evenings and overnights. I don't think the song sounds too out of place; kind of feels like this decade's Chemical Brothers, Crystal Method, et al.

 

[Radical348]

Live 105 also plays "Bangarang" evenings & overnights, as well as "Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites" all day. They've been trending electro lately.

Also, "Narcissistic Cannibal" by Skrillex ft. Korn is around #20 on the alternative chart.

 

[Obtuse1]

I say: "Why not"? Alt radio. traditionally has been no stranger to dance music, though the format has narrowed considerably over the last 10 years or so (at the exclusion of the more "electronic" genres...though that seems to be changing).

Dubstep is certainly not too far a stretch, considering the other forms of electronic/dance music they've embraced in the past, which is reflected in some of the "gold" titles they still play, from the Gorillaz and Fatboy Slim to Nine Inch Nails and Prodigy.

 

[Saladressing]

The electro trend at Live 105 is great: Playing MIA, Avicci, Example, Skrillex...

The alt. format needed a major shakeup better late than never! Lets hope other stations diversify as well.

 

[Saladressing]

Another tight track being played by Live 105 in regular rotation right now, Electric Guest "This Head I Hold". This move by them to add in electronic music is bold and it brings something to the format that hasn't been around in decades: EXCITEMENT, and wondering what song will be next.

 

[justpassingthough]

Another tight track being played by Live 105 in regular rotation right now, Electric Guest "This Head I Hold". This move by them to add in electronic music is bold and it brings something to the format that hasn't been around in decades: EXCITEMENT, and wondering what song will be next.

Imagine that, an alternative station that is truly "alternative" to what all the other corporate run, tightly playlisted stations in town are playing...

 

[puddingpop]

Another tight track being played by Live 105 in regular rotation right now, Electric Guest "This Head I Hold". This move by them to add in electronic music is bold and it brings something to the format that hasn't been around in decades: EXCITEMENT, and wondering what song will be next.

Imagine that, an alternative station that is truly "alternative" to what all the other corporate run, tightly playlisted stations in town are playing...

CBS has always allowed its alternative stations to be as unique and creative as they see fit. Sadly, the only ones they have left are KROQ in Los Angeles, Live 105 in San Francisco, X107.5 in Vegas, and the newly-resurrected HFS in Baltimore.