Sugar Society Presents ‘Drop It’, Cultivates Local Electronic Dance Music Scene In the Carolinas

‘Drop It’ is an initiative to give back to a scene and region that has supported the development of the Sugar Society brand.  It will consist of a monthly event, where Rob Banks strives to cultivate an experience for attendees at the most value for their dollar. He also looks for the event to provide a platform for local and regional talent to spin and begin to create a following in the area. This event aims to combine exceptional lighting, talent, and sound for a full culmination of electronic dance music production.

I remember when I was coming up as a dj and it was hard to get a chance to play anywhere. It was hard to find a break. – Rob Banks, Sugar Society

Banks says that this will give those kids a shot to take the stage. As I spoke with him on the phone I could feel his passion and drive behind putting this whole thing on. While Sugar Society hosts major events with huge names in electronic dance music, their strides to sustain the scene which supported them speaks volume to the character of the individuals behind the reigns. This week’s headliner is a perfect example – Dirty Cutt straight out of Charlotte himself.

The event will take place on one Saturday each month in Charlotte, NC with plans of expansion to Raleigh. For now the venue is The Neighborhood Theater and this months event takes place tonight October, 6th.

Interview with Rob Banks on ‘Drop It’ and the mission:

1. What is the mission of ‘Drop It’ and in what way do you think it will help cultivate the scenes in Charlotte/ Raleigh?

In it’s simplest form, Drop It was created in order to produce a headliner-esque show, but without the big name headliner. The vision was to be all about the locals. Local talent, Locally sourced production, local audience. We wanted to develop a party that would consistently have jaw-dropping visuals, chest pounding sound, and an energy level typical of shows with a well known artist.

We want to use Drop It as a vehicle to help grow and maintain the regional scene. For those who have been in it since the beginning, we want to keep providing quality, fresh, and frequent content so there is always a show to look forward to. For those who are new(er), we want to provide an experience that can be enjoyed regardless of how involved you may be in the scene and it’s culture.

Production and Lighting

2. You told me that you want someone to leave thinking “Wow. I just payed 9 bucks for that experience and it was awesome.” How do you plan on delivering on that? Both in terms of talent and production.

We are very lucky in the Carolinas to have such an incredible scene. The region is filled with aspiring DJ’s, budding producers, performers, and young Sound & Light production companies. No doubt though, The greatest battle has been staying within budget on every show. To be honest, we’ve gone over budget on every show so far in order to make sure we are bringing the best. Certain names like Life is Art Production,  Mars K Lasers, Billionaires Clothing, and Kevin Focus have been with us on this series since day one.

They make sure to give us top of the line material every show, while staying within our financial needs. Combining that with the wicked support we’ve received from all the fans, and Carolina family, we are able to continuously provide a killer show while keeping ticket prices low.

3. Personally, what does “Drop It has become a success” mean to you?

For starters, it satisfies a personal goal. The entire SS team has put a lot of time into bringing this to fruition. Seeing that hard work payoff means a lot, but we still have a long way to go. Most importantly though, it shows me that the city/state/region in support of us. And that is so humbling. Part of the SS “Mission Statement” is to “Provide innovative, electronic music events.” When the people are in support of that event…it’s a promoter’s dream come true.

4. If a producer/ artist/ dj is interested in becoming a part of this, how would he or she inquire about performing?

The best way is through our Facebook page. We frequently run contests for show sets. Otherwise, you can reach out to us through FB message or email. And a tip: When inquiring, Send us original production, a mix, or video of a live set! We want to see/hear how you would perform if we did book you. We get so many inquiries for bookings, but so many people forget to give us those essential items.

5. Comments on Dirty Cutt. Why should we be excited?

The kid is an electro / progressive house genius. For the short time he’s been producing, his tunes sound so mature. They pack a complexity, and elemental construction that can match up with some of the biggest tracks out there. I promise you will have his build ups, breakdowns, and synth lines stuck in your head for days after the show. Let his music explain the rest! Soundcloud here. 

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