[Event Listing] - Wee Bit Mean 6 - 2 Part Sheffield Dubstep spectacular

'Wee Bit Mean' has been running in Sheffield for over a year and has played host to some real deep and experimental dubstep artists. As MC host for Wee Bit Mean I've had the pleasure of working with Headhunter, Starkey & Syncro, Pangea, Luke Envoy, Sukh Knight, Marcus Intalex and a number of local artists including Montrave, Kidnap, Commodo, Jack Opus, Rogue State and Vandal.

The vibe at Wee Bit Mean is always very energetic with a good mix of lads and lasses but the music tends  to steer away from jump up and crowd pleasing stuff. It's a great combination, I'm still get the tingling feeling when a big crowd of ravers is mesmerised and immersed by a really, really deep drop. Reminds me of the early days back at Exodus, like the first time I saw Distance and he played the Vex'd version of 'Fallen', very meditative. 

Here's the full press release from Wee Bit Mean:

Jeez Guys n Gals, it’s been a while. We have a two part special, two WBM's in the space of 7 days. Deliberations as to whether it was too much for us went on late into the night but here we are. Sticking to the same format for both nights we're going to hold both of the Thursday night showcases at everyone’s favorite joint, DQ.

Across both shows we have booked artists that we tip for 2010.

For Pt 1 we have;

Darkstar (Hyperdub)
With an upcoming album on the same label that brought you Burial, these guys have got the attention of music lovers across the genres right now. Darkstar really represent some of Britain’s finest current musical prospects. After releases such as 'need you' were placed inside Pitchforks top 500 tracks of the last decade and Fact Mag rated the amazing 'aidy's girl is a computer' 6th best track of last year, as well as counting their upcoming album as one of the top ten to watch for 2010, these guys are clearly on it. Not to be missed.
(Anyway, anything on Hyperdub is reliably quality, we should all trust in an old Scotsman’s taste.)
http://www.myspace.com/darkstar001

Hyetal (Punch Drunk)
This Bristolian earned his stripes in 2009, his versatile production style won him great acclaim from tastemakers like Mary Ann Hobbs. Tracks like 'we should start a fire' and his 'don't sleep/ice cream' collaboration with WBM favorite 'Shortstuff' were slammed on dance floors across the country... Bloody class!
http://www.myspace.com/hyetalmusic

Rudi Zygadlo (Planet Mu)
Hailing from Glasgow and named after a pair of Russian ballet dancers, Rudi is an affiliate of the illustrious LuckyMe Crew and is set for a huge 2010. Despite limited releases, his production quality and personal style means that he won’t be able to hide from the spotlight too much longer. You'll be bragging that you saw him before he was massive.
http://www.myspace.com/rudizygadlo

James Montrave (WBM)
Monty reps. If you’re expecting dink from our residents, be warned. The sets are tight and the tunes are groovy.

Reuben (LSS)
Representing the LSS nationwide outfit Reuben is one of the best DJ's out there. Coming at us with a funky flavor, expect it deeper than your average (he’s been on it longer than the bandwagons been about.)

Hosted by ALEX DEADMAN, R8 Records boss, surely you all know now?

So... head to DQ for 10pm, I’m sick of pushing the early thing but it’s important. The drinks are always dirt cheap midweek, come on.
£5adv, £6otd before 12. Tickets for both parts can be bought together for £8, but there are only 150. Bargain. Tickets should be in shops by the end of the week.

For Pt 2. we're dishing out a Hemlock Recordings showcase;

Untold (Hemlock, Hessle Audio, Hotflush)
Untold is one of the most exciting DJ's on earth right now. 2009 was the year this producer broke boundaries and genre definitions beyond recognition. Taking the advice of the legendary guru Fat Joe, Untold 'switched his style up,' incorporating stabbing synths and a tropical afro-rhythm. His sound has become ominously recognizable and made him one of 2009's firm favorites. This will surely be a Sheffield debut that no one will want to miss.
http://www.myspace.com/untolduk

James Blake (Hemlock)
James Blake has been a WBM favorite for a while now and it don’t take a genius to see why it's not just us who feel that way. With releases that were among the best of any music form, anywhere, the 'stop what your doing' refix and the 'air and lack thereof' had people shook. This guy's is tipped by all to become 'lord of the dance' and trust us were backing em. This is one fella you should definitely start following on twitter.
P.S He sings, I know what your thinking dubstep producers singing, memories of Stenchman's attempt to springs to mind? Nah, not like that it's something else. Check 'unluck'.
http://www.myspace.com/jamesblakeproduction

James Montrave (WBM)
Culprit & Scapegoat - Back to back these guys have been running riot across Sheffield's party scene. Now they’re bringing the party to you.

hosted by ALEX DEADMAN

£5adv, £6otd before 12.
If you buy both pt1 & pt2 tickets the price is £4 each for the first 150 only.

FREE TRACKS - Rogue State drops a promo EP on R8 Records - R8DUBS002

R8 Records have put out a number of free mixes over the years and also some free tracks.

Label partner Rogue State has always got more material than we have room for on our normal release schedule and in the past, some fantastic tunes have fallen by the wayside. In steps R8 DUBS, an offshoot of R8 Records dedicated to giving out older material for free in high quality mp3 format.
Last year we put together the 'Head Gone' EP and now we present 'Draw Fer Dubs', a rare selection from the R8 vault.

1. Go - Rogue State Bootleg Rmx
2. Labba Labba Duck
3. Draw
4. Move it Gal - Rogue State Bootleg Rmx

- Download and listen to the tracks individually on Rogue States Soundcloud page
- Download a .zip file containing the 4 tracks

Check out a quick vid of Rogue State performing alongside Parly B at Dark Crystal on Sat Feb 13th 2010. The crowd goes mental when new dubplate 'Axion' is played. Big up the Sheffield crew! We filmed in HD (standard!) but unfortunately that means the video is a bit too wide for my blog.

1st Post! - Welcome to Deadman's blog

Music is my passion in life and this blog will reflect that.

I live in Sheffield and have been an active DJ/MC on the circuit for the last ten years. Initially this began with Junglist Alliance (playing/promoting old skool) and more recently (2005 onwards) I began playing dubstep sets and founded a dubstep record label, R8 Records with Rogue State and Hood-E.

I've also spent several years performing with a reggae band, I-Witness alongside Junglist Alliance partner, Tim Walker. Reggae is also very important to me, I think that it's often under represented in the UK underground music press, particularly the still thriving sound system culture and it's associated dub music. Occasionally I find myself selecting for reggae artists including Daddy Freddy, Bongo Chilli, YT, Dan Man and D Bo General.

In 2006 I wrote a piece about the emerging dubstep scene for ATM Worldwide Magazine. I was driven by a real desire to understand the origins of this new, captivating music and in the process I interviewed a fair number of people including Benga, Blackdown, Kode-9, Mala, Mark One (Mrk1), Mary-Ann Hobbs, Oris-J and Youngsta. After the piece was published, ATM invited me to stay with the mag and I've worked for them ever since as the news editor and online culture specialist.

I've always wanted a place to collate my written work and that is the purpose of this blog. I recently took on a job writing local urban/dance news for a new Sheffield magazine, Acoustic Shave. My work with ATM does not call for vast quantities of Sheffield based news stories but working with a local publication made me realise just how much was going on here and how little of it is reported anywhere. Hopefully I can change this.

In the next few weeks I'll upload some of my older work, filed under the date it was originally published and plenty of new stories. Last Saturday (Feb 13th 2010) was the 4th birthday of my dubstep event, Dark Crystal and was headlined by Si Kryptic Minds. I was lucky enough to grab an interview with him which, once edited, will be the first feature created exclusively for Deadman's Blog.

Alex Deadman