There are many record labels, music groups and other entities in the electronic music scene looking to leave their footprint and excel in the world of freeform bass. Our friends over at Sum R&R have been doing this for a while now, celebrating their 5th year curating shows throughout the local Tampa bass scene and being a vessel for artists to showcase their work. This month, we will be featuring a few of these talented individuals off of the 5 Year Anniversary Compilation that Sum R&R will be releasing in late September. Our premiere and the first track we are featuring, comes from three extremely talented freeform bass artists, duo Sunken Frequency and Mystic Grizzly. Their track “Origins” combines a blend of experimental design flow that pays homage to the sounds of our ancient ancestors. This tune creates a beautiful downtempo soundscape that intertwines with spiritual vibrations that will leave you wanting more. Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling “Origins”, a certified bop.

1. If you could go back in time and start over given what you have learned in your career so far, what changes and approach would you have done differently?

Mystic Grizzly- What I would do differently is probably stick to one DAW since the beginning and would’ve organized all my file libraries and sample libraries better from the beginning, that way I wouldn’t have to backtrack years of organization.

Sunken Frequencies- If we could go back in time and start over,  we would spend less time on distractions and more time focused more on learning things quicker so we could be further along in our career, as well as proper file management/organization. Lastly having a strong consistent  social media presence. 

2. Is there a message you would like to portray through your music, and if so, what would it be?

Mystic Grizzly- The message I intend on portraying through my music is one of raising the vibration of our human race and opening the minds of people to new sounds and expanding their creative minds.

Sunken Frequencies- The message we would like to portray through our music is depths within oneself. Tapping into your inner consciousness to discover your true meaning in life.

Combining some absolute heavy hitting new and upcoming freeform bass artists all into one amazing 10 track compilation, Serotonin Signals Vol. 1 takes listeners on a unique journey aiming to showcase the unique sounds of each individual into a holistic album. Featuring artists such as Mystic Rouge, BANkaJI, and Adiios, each of these tracks show off the specialized sound that we have come to love from all of these different projects. Our premiere track “Transformations”, coming to us live and direct from absolute madman, Smokestax, creates an atmospheric bouncy melody fueled by a downtempo bassline that makes this song there perfect vibe for any situation. Intended to showcase the many styles he has come to love in bass music, Smokestax hits a home run with making this track both tranquil and wubby all at the same time. Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling “Transformation” and the rest of the Serotonin Signals VOl.1 album, a certified bop.

1. If there was an artist you had the chance to collaborate with, who would it be and why?

If I could collaborate with any artist I’d have to go with Tsuruda. He was a really big inspiration for me to combine my love for lofi hip hop and bass music together. He’s always stayed true to himself as an artist and I really admire that so much. Outside of bass music I would love to work with Monte Booker. He’s another producer who stays true to his sound and intention no matter what others think. He’s always pushing the boundaries of what I thought hip hop could be. Expressing yourself through music has always meant a lot to me personally and my musical projects. 

2. What kind of impact do you wish to have on the scene 1-2 years from now with your project?

My goal with my music and project is to bring people together and be able to feel something. I dealt with a lot of trauma and loss growing up, and music was always the thing that kept me going. All my favorite music I’ve written has come out through pure raw emotion. My goal is to make at least one person feel this way and maybe brighten their day.

When searching for new music many listeners look to transport themselves into new realities, transcending time and space with every measure they listen to. Many artists strive to incorporate this journey into their work, but a lot of times it is easier sadi than done. However, it seems like it is never a struggle for Michigan bass producer, LSTER, whose music seems to open up a whole new world with each and every release. His newest piece of work, the Earthly EP, combines glitchy tones and heavy bass sounds to create his soundscape. This is especially prevalent in our premiere track today of this 3 track compilation, “Submerge”. This track creates a beautiful atmospheric downtempo vibe that definitely emphasizes on the wubby experimental bass design of this EP. All three of these tracks will take you on an organic journey that is not to be skipped out on. Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling “Submerge” and the rest of the Earthly EP, a certified bop.

“What kind of impact do you wish to have on the scene 1-2 years from now with your project?”

I hope to simply bring my listeners and people within the scene a fun, high energy, and beautiful listening experience. Whether that be through streaming my music or shows with a unique audio and visual experience. I try to not pin myself down to any specific genre or style so I see myself dipping my toes into every area of electronic music and continuing to develop my act in order to put on a great show for people who come to listen.

“Is there a message you would like to portray through your music, and if so, what would it be?”

I wouldn’t say that there is any one message behind my music. I go into writing a piece of music with a feeling in mind. I like to set a physical space in my head and go off of how that space would sound and how it would make the listener feel. If my songs can put people in a better headspace or elicit a personal memory than I’ve won the game in my mind.

Hailing all the way from another planet somewhere deep within the cosmos, freeform bass producer, Astrolizard, has rendezvous another message to us in the form of a heavy hitting high energy track. Coming to us live with “Psychedelic Bass Project”, which we have the privilege of premiering for all of you earthlings, Astrolizard has pushed the boundaries of the universe, combining nasty heavy hitting drops with a unique melodic soundscape designed to get any crowd up on their feet. Though Astrolizard has only been on Earth for a little over a year now, he continues to push the boundaries of human bass music and spread joy throughout the planet with his catchy tunes. Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling “Psychedelic Bass Project”, a certified bop.

1. What kind of impact do you wish to have on the scene 1-2 years from now with your project?

I wish to impact the scene in my reptilian ways, by showing that any form of music is meant to be appreciated without it being “heavy” or “vibes.” Being on this planet for a little over a year, I’ve realized that humanity is heavily drawn towards the mentality of black or white. I’ve come to bring some color.

2. If there was one thing you could change for the betterment of society, what would it be and why?

I would utilize my reptilian technology to change everyone into a reptile, so that there isn’t a separation between pigment in skin between individuals. One thing i find perplexing is that humans are all made of the same genetics, yet fight over the small distinction of culture or skin tone. I believe if humans were to work cohesively, blind to these facts of minuscule distinctions, we could progress much faster and worry about real problems that our society faces.

If you are looking for something new to break from the mainstream ways of the electronic bass scene, then boy do we have good news for you. Bay Area producer, Orenda, is hitting the ground running under his new moniker, setting out to push the limits of freeform bass and incorporate new sounds into his already incredible music. Today’s premiere, “Temple” is the first taste we are getting of his highly anticipated EP coming out later next month that is going to be both a high and low energy ethereal journey that is not to be missed. The title track off this upcoming compilation, that we have the privilege of premiering for you today, combines beautiful tribal bass sounds and articulate percussion into clean drops, creating this unique high energy track. This track alone will put any listener into a trace and definitely makes us excited to see what the entire “Temple” EP will have to offer! Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling “Temple”, a certified bop.

What’s one artist you’re grateful for that has inspired you to be where you are today and why?

“Charlesthefirst was a huge inspiration to me. Seeing an artist creating music that was so different from what was being made at the time find so much success was really eye opening for me. I realized I could make the kind of music I’ve always wanted to, and that there was a place for it to be accepted. His blend of story telling beauty, and complex sound design heavily inspired the direction that my own music has taken.”

What kind of impact do you wish to have on the scene 1-2 years from now with your project?

I hope to have a similar influence on others that Charlesthefirst did on me. Following my own unique path in music that tells a story and displays emotion. Music is a in integral part of my life I could not do without. I hope to honor it, and make it my own. Hopefully I can add my story to the thriving bass music community that has always uplifted and supported me throughout my life.

Michigan-based producer and “sexy, forward” thinking bass wizard , Gardella, is here to further establish himself as a forerunner in the up and coming freeform bass scene. He continues his mission today with his latest release via Morflo Records, “BLOCK THRUSTA”, which proves to be an absolutely mind warping listen. With his desire to take time to create a heavier sound, this track is the perfect combination of metal and trap all tightly wrapped to create hard hitting drops, beginning a new era for the Gardella project. We know that this tune is going to be played out again and again, and will have listeners up on their feet as soon as they hear the intro (and that’s on baby). Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling the stomper of a track “BLOCK THRUSTA”, a certified bop. 

1. If you could go back in time and start over given what you have learned in your career so far, what changes and approach would you have done differently?

If I could do anything differently, I would not worry about what genre I’m making and just create. I spent so much time trying to find a lane & stick to it. Looking back, I wouldn’t have thought twice about creating more than one genre and I would have just created more instead. I think limiting your creativity is pointless. It’s more fun to make whatever you’re feeling as opposed to trying to put yourself in a box! Essentially, what I’m trying to say is, “I’m making riddim… sue me!”

1. What has been one of the most memorable career achievements so far as an artist and how did that impact you moving forward?

Between a release on Circus Records with Conrank & Wreckno, being able to tour all around the country, and being the sexiest gay dj in the game, sis, it is truly a tossup. All I can say is, “Ya girl is just getting started, no kizzy!”