Bio: Brooklyn-based Sub Swara writes, produces and performs genre-bending bass music that parallels the diversity of their hometown. Consisting of Dhruva and Dave Sharma, Sub Swara's musical genome brings together ... (more)
Bio: Brooklyn-based Sub Swara writes, produces and performs genre-bending bass music that parallels the diversity of their hometown. Consisting of Dhruva and Dave Sharma, Sub Swara's musical genome brings together a wide assortment of DNA - dub to hip-hop, dancehall to punk rock, and all the global sounds in between. With sets crafted for both dancefloor intensity and cerebral curiosity, Sub Swara combines electronic production, live instrumentation, and 3000% of recommended energy levels to create an ecstatic, human experience.
Originally started a club night, founded by Dhruva and original members Haj and Sunder (with Sharma coming on board in late 2007), Sub Swara has always focused on melding bass music of all creeds and cultures. Over 3 years, the night became one of the most popular and respected club nights in NYC, hosting artists such as Mary Ann Hobbs, The Glitch Mob, Bassnectar, The Bug, and Poirier. As creating music and touring took over in priority, Sub Swara ended the nights in December of 2008, and Haj and Sunder stepped away from Sub Swara on amicable terms in 2010. Emerging from this chrysalis, the group now consists of Dhruva and Sharma.
Sub Swara released their 2008 debut album, Coup d'Yah, to widespread acclaim; critics and tastemakers from Pitchfork, to XLR8R, BBC Radio 1 and the FADER all lauded its seamless melding of varied rhythms, intricate global instrumentation and production both deep and dancefloor-centric. The group toured extensively after its release, put out three volumes of remixes (remixers included Eskmo, Poirier and Mochipet), produced a dozen remixes for artists like Balkan Beatbox, Bassnectar and Fort Knox 5, and released several popular white label remixes. Sub Swara's remix of Balkan Beatbox’s “Balkumbia” was featured in the Fader/Nike mixtape series for the 2010 World Cup, Pitch Perfect.
Sub Swara's second album, Triggers (Low Motion Records), continues the group's exploration of different spaces in bass music, and draws from a completely unique sound pallete that marries both live (much of the percussion is actually played by Sub Swara, in addition to other instruments by guest artists) and electronic elements. It traverses through dubstep, hip hop, and sounds yet to be classified, binding these elements together with strong melodies, intoxicating rhythms, relentless energy and inventive production. Triggers was written as Sub Swara’s performances become increasingly live, incorporating live drumming, re-composition and improvised sequences—all while maintaining dancefloor intensity and bass weight.
With vocalists such as Dead Prez, Lyrics Born, Kendra Foster of Parliament Funkadelic and the up and coming hip hop act, Freddie Mills featured on Triggers, the collaborations are largely hip hop and soul-based, while the vocals in Coup d'Yah were largely dancehall. The instrumental collaborations feature the afrobeat horns of Antibalas, beatboxer Shamik, and a host of master session musicians from around the world. Sub Swara will be touring extensively in the fall of 2010 to support the new album (less)
