:: INTERVIEW ::

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🔥 Light Twerkerz: When and how did you meet Light Twerkerz?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: Rich Nines and I go way back to Toronto’s golden days of dubstep, the days of Dubslingers Wednesdays at Thymeless, where we’d DJ. I’m not sure exactly when I met Crystel Clear, but the clearest memory I have of her making a distinct first impression was when I played Diversity Festival on Texada Island in 2012 – where she was consistently holding down the dancefloor with big smiles and brightly poppin’ styles. I later was invited to play a series of events at her famed studio space “The Web” in East Van, which were always a treat.

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🔥 Light Twerkerz: How would you describe your connection with the group?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: Peers and supporters of a similar vision – one of connecting a contemporary “bass” /

festival audience with the reggae/dancehall culture from which it originated.

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: How would you describe Light Twerkerz to your parents?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: The well-intentioned, booty-shakin’ pirates of the west coast festival scene!

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: If you were sharing this DJ mix to someone you were crushing on, how would you describe Light Twerkerz to them?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: A warm and friendly assortment of body-positive individuals that champion top-tier music

selections, athletic dancing and yes – the facilitators of Bass Coast’s Twerkshop!

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: How did you first discover twerking?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: Thursday Ting! Thank you Tank Gyal for inviting me onboard as a rotating resident while

I was stationed in Vancouver. I feel like Megatron needs a shout-out here too for always supporting, and consistently shaking up the dancefloor.

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: What is your personal cultural background? Any specific cultural traditions related to booty-shaking that have influenced you?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: Indeed, my background is of a mixed European Caucasian descent. I was, however,

lucky enough to grow up just outside Toronto, and experience the melting pot of cultural influences that it had to offer from an early age. I was particularly inspired by the West Indies community of West Eglinton and shops like Trea-Jah Isle, and of course the venue Thymeless on College St [RIP].

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: What music did you grow up with around the house?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: My Mom has always had a healthy vinyl collection kicking about, usually focusing on

rock and blues – with a little reggae on the side. Bob Marley’s “Kaya” LP was an early favourite from my Uncle’s collection.

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: What got you into DJing sound system music?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: Initially attending large Toronto-area jungle parties had me enamored with the scene, but

the scale of the raves was so large that it never occurred to me that I might want to DJ – I was just having fun, enjoying the music and the people. It wasn’t until I went away to University in Victoria where the scene was smaller and more inviting, that I started jamming on friends’ set-ups and playing my first gigs. Joining up with the Dubslingers back in Toronto while dubstep was emerging certainly helped accelerate the size of stages that I would be invited to play on, until my move to Nelson and initial Shambhala appearances which really ignited my growth.

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: What is your connection to the styles of music that you play?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: As my sets evolved from jungle / drum & bass to incorporating dubstep, dancehall, hip

hop, garage and beyond – those initial influences of reggae and dub that I soaked up early on in Toronto have remained omnipresent. That is why I chose the name Dubconscious, as I feel that undertone remains prevalent throughout the many different styles of selections that I draw for.

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: What is the most butt-tastic dancefloor activity you’ve ever witnessed while DJing?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: Blondtron’s booty-shakin’ headstands on top of the DJ booth were always a wonder to

take in – as precarious as they may have been!

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: What was your ASSpiration for this mix?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: I’d been considering what my LiT Mix might sound like for quite some time, and after

moving through several iterations – I decided that a showcase of my favourite modern dancehall artists would be the best direction, in that it best aligns my sound with the Light Twerkerz’ aesthetic. My hopes would be that it incite a living room or backyard dance party or two, and provides an energizing soundtrack to one’s gym session or mountain shredding adventures.

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: What is your set up like as a DJ? How did you record this mix?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: I am a bit of a vinyl purist and still prefer to use turntables. I recorded this mix using two

Technics 1200s, my old Rane Empath mixer and a Serato SL-4 unit.

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: I know DJs love requests. So let’s say I want to “hear something I can dance to” while you’re DJing? What’s the best way to get you to play my song?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: Deliver a fine tequila cocktail to the stage – with an appropriate selection request for the

situation at hand – and I’d certainly consider it!

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: Who are your favourite DJs?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: This is a tough one! I came up admiring drum &; bass DJs like Andy C, Shy FX & Toronto’s own Marcus Visionary. Discovering Mat The Alien and his unique style of incorporating turntablism into bass music really opened my eyes to what a DJ could do. While I was living in Vancouver, the Lighta! Crew’s diversity and high standards of quality were continually inspiring. I could go on forever, so I will stop there!

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: Fav labels?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: Critical Music, Digital Soundboy, Mixpak Records, 1985 Music

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: Fav producers?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: Shy FX continues to remain relevant and stay on top of the game. Sam Binga is versatile and a personal favourite, same goes for Alix Perez. Also loving the dubwise sounds of O.B.F. and Mungo’s Hi-Fi.

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: Fav vocalists?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: As you can tell from the mix, I am a big fan of Shenseea, Ward 21, Gappy Ranks, Cham, MC Fox. Also loving Little Simz, IAMDDB and FKA Twigs.

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: What kind of butt do you have?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: LOL. A skinny one.

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: Do you have a favourite booty type? Kindly explain...

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: One that bends down low, and is naturally moved by sweet reggae music.

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: What’s your favorite booty music to DJ?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: Dancehall!

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: What inspires you to move your butt as a dancer?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: Jungle!

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: Are there any affiliations (labels, crews, blogs, etc…) that we should list/link you with when promoting this mix?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: I’d need to shout out my Living Room, Grove & Village Stage families at Shambhala for

the countless number of booties we’ve shook up in collaboration over a multitude of sets since my inauguration in 2010. Same goes for Bass Coast’s curators, I am forever thankful to The Librarian & co. for the warm welcomes over the years. As we come up on 2 years deep into this pandemic, I am realizing more and more just how vital those experiences have been in my artistic evolution. Gratitude also goes out to Grant Jawbone & the Dubslingers crew back in Toronto for putting me on from early, and inspiring and encouraging me as a young selector.

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: What style of underwear?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: Boxers. Sometimes briefs (i.e. when snowboarding). And yes, it’s safe to say that it’s indicative of my mainly laidback and relaxed way of life.

 

🔥 Light Twerkerz: Any final words?

📣 DUBCONSCIOUS: Just wanted to say thanks for the opportunity to work together on this mix drop, thanks to everyone that listens, and thanks to everyone that has supported me along the way in this journey. Looking forward to things opening up and hitting the road to reconnect with the artistic community across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. I would also like to acknowledge that I live and operate on unceded Sinixt territory, who are not extinct. I also acknowledge that there are overlapping land claims of the Ktunaxa and Syilx Nations to this region. I respect this land and graciously defer to the knowledge and wisdom of the indigenous elders of this territory. Furthermore, I would like recognize that a lot of the music that I play and love comes from Caribbean origins, and pledge my support of the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement. 🍑

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:: TRACKLISTING ::

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1. Trick’a Treat– SHENSEEA [Chimney Records, 2019]

2. Heavy – JADA KINGDOM [ONErpm Music, 2019]

3. Taste (Make It Shake) – AITCH [Since 93, 2019]

4. Instruction – TODDLA T ft. ALICAI HARLEY [Steeze, 2019]

5. Baroons – AUDIT [East Van Digital, 2016]

6. Don’t Give It Away – SUKUWARD & LEFTSIDE [Misik Muzik, 2018]

7. Bad Gyal Anthem – DJ SABZ & INDIE [Lion Eye Records, 2021]

8. Nuff Tings – RAS DEMO (aka DEMOLITION MAN) [Lion Eye Records, 2021]

9. Get Drunk – CHAM ft. MISS O [Madhouse Records, 2017]

10. Sekkle & Bop – POPCAAN & MR EAZI prod. DRE SKULL [Mixpak Records, 2021]

11. 2 Late (Don’t Call) – FLORENTINO ft. MS. NINA [Mixpak Records, 2018]

12. Wah Gwaan Mad Head – BUSY SIGNAL [Crawba Production, 2021]

13. Vacio – FOX ft. TRIGGANOM prod. FLORENTINO [Swing Ting, 2016]

14. Dash It – STYLO G [365 Records, 2021]

15. Money Out Deh – GAPPY RANKS prod. WUNDAH [VP, 2012]

16. Look Around – LEFTSIDE [UIM Records, 2017]

17. Upset – SHENSEEA [Chimney Records, 2020]

18. Lit Like This – SKEPTA [Boy Better Know, 2021]

19. Chambacú – QUANTIC ft. NIDIA GÓGORA (CHIMPO Remix) [1000 Watts, 2016]

20. OG Kush – WARD 21 [Germaica, 2016]

21. Groundz – WARD 21 [Germaica, 2016]

22. War Start – WARD 21 [Germaica, 2014]

23. Ms Legendary – LEFTSIDE [Seanizzle Records, 2020]

24. Dung Dung Diggy – GAPPY RANKS [Larger Than Life Records, 2017]

25. Generation – GAPPY RANKS [NoDoProd Inc, 2015]

26. Blam Blam – MIKEY MURKA prod. SUBACTIVE [Cubicolo Records, 2013]

27. Out An’ Bad – CHIMPO [Exit Records, 2014]

28. She Want It Ruff – FRACTURE & SAM BINGA ft. RIDER SHAFIQUE [Astrophonica, 2014]

29. Tippy – SAM BINGA & FOREIGN CONCEPT ft. FOX [Critical Music, 2018]

30. Pop It Off – BARISONE Blend ft. SPRAGGA BENZ & SIERRA LEONE [Self-Released, 2014]

31. President Of Hoochie Land – WARD 21 (DANNY SCRILLA Remix) [Self-Released, 2013]

32. Shak Out – THE MOUSE OUTFIT ft. SPARKZ (BENNY PAGE Remix) [hhv.de, 2016]

33. Sexy Or Sweet – REDDERS prod. MORESOUNDS [Critical Music, 2016]

34. Yeah – CHAM [Madhouse Records, 2015]

35. Ride On – THINK TONK [V Recordings, 2017]

36. Raggamuffin – SHY FX ft. MR. WILLIAMZ [Digital Soundboy, 2019]

37. Thickiana – VYBZ KARTEL [Romeich Entertainment, 2020]

38. Bad Habit – SHENSEEA [Romeich Entertainment, 2020]

39. Hand In The Air – MR. VEGAS [VP Music, 1998]

40. Infiltrate – SEAN PAUL [VP Music, 1998]

41. Ignite – ENEI [Critical Music, 2021]

42. Rude Girl – SAM BINGA & PARTICLE ft. ONEDA [Critical Music, 2021]