In honor of the release of Into The Sun and Bassnectar’s “Think For Yourself” campaign at Electric Forest 2015 we’ve decided to collect a handful of diverse and thought-provoking songs that Bassnectar has remixed during his career.
Lorin Ashton chooses carefully when applying the Bassnectar treatment to others’ music. Often the tunes he remixes are not even electronic. Some of the remixes on Into the Sun sound like hip-hop while others sound like rock and roll, but Bassnectar almost always chooses songs with important messages or sentiments. We chose a selection of songs that highlight Lorin’s creativity and flexibility as a DJ and producer, as well as his conscious attitude as an artist.
Immigraniada – Gogol Bordello
The Ukrainian folk/punk band is stressing the point that virtually anyone in America was an immigrant at one point or another. Given this, we should have more empathy towards the immigrants who work the low wage jobs in our towns and cities because as the frontman says, immigrants are not going anywhere. In fact, they’re “coming rougher every time”. I first heard Bassnectar’s remix of this song at Madison Square Garden during Bass Center VIII and was struck by his decision to play the tune in the city to which immigrants have flocked for over 150 years.
Ego Killer – Eligh & Amp Live
Bassnectar’s remix of “Ego Killer” has one of the most off-kilter and jarring bass drops I’ve ever heard, and it truly lives up to it’s name. The original tune is an introspective rambling that begs the question why we cannot be comfortable in our own selves. Clearly the ego is to blame, and it must be eliminated by way of vicious bass drops.
Hip Hop – Dead Prez
Where to begin with this one. This tune harps on many themes including the power of music, the insidious power of money, the illusions of stardom, poor living conditions in ghettos and of course who shot Biggie Smalls. Dead Prez asks us to not allow the glamour of any music scene to distract us from the message that is bigger than the music itself. Bassnectar’s remix of “Hip Hop” is over five years old, but at Electric Forest 2015 he played Dead Prez’ song virtually unedited with heavy vocal manipulation to drive home the point about the “monotonous material” in contemporary hip hop.
My Machine – Princess Superstar
Very few recorded versions of Bassnectar’s remix of “My Machine” exist, though he played it at Chicago’s Lollapalooza in 2012. If you look at Bassnectar’s album covers (NVSB, Mesmerizing the Ultra, Diverse Systems of Throb) you may notice his interest in the female form. In the video from Lollapalooza Lorin dedicates his remix of “My Machine” to any and all young women who have been convinced by the mass media that looking pretty is the most important aspect of life.
Love Here – Mr. Projectile
So this one is a bit more abstract. The original tune sounds nothing like the Bassnectar remix in terms of tempo or melody, and that is truly a testament to the creativity and originality of Bassnectar music. “Love Here” from 2009’s Cozza Frenzy has always been a touching Bassnectar track, and I’ve interpreted it at face value to mean that love is here. “Here” could be a Bassnectar show or it could be inside your car during a commute or inside your bedroom after a stressful day. No matter WHERE you are, love is HERE.
Think For Yourself
Though Electric Forest and the Think For Yourself campaign is over we encourage you to check out the monologue posted alongside the campaign announcement on Bassnectar’s website. Lorin Ashton has always sought to inspire people to free thought through his album themes, his song titles or through songs like these that he has chosen to remix.
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