If you’re looking for a dance party drawing on a milieu of genres, look no further than SBTRKT this Saturday at the Bluebird Theater in Denver.
Join the dance party this Saturday with SBTRKT at the Bluebird. (CU Independent File/Jake Fojtik)
Little is known about the rising electronic music producer SBTRKT (pronounced “subtract”). The man behind the music wears a mask during performances, and has maintained anonymity even after rising to stardom.
In a time when so many dudes behind laptops demand fame (ahem, Skrillex), SBTRKT insists on quite the opposite.
“For me, it was more about creating music and letting it work on its own merits — not having to go out and say, ‘I am the person behind this, this is where I was born, and this is why I make what I do,’” SBTRKT said in an interview (via SPIN).
SBTRKT’s live set incorporates certain live elements—sometimes a singer, sometimes drums—making for a more interesting experience than watching a guy stand behind a laptop. His sound is a bit eclectic, drawing from elements of R&B, funk, tribal, dub and electro. The instrumentation and arrangement of his music is what truly makes SBTRKT shine in front of a backdrop of Abelton DJs.
His song “Wildfire” centers around soulful vocals of Little Dragon, and sticks to the snare-kick of hip-hop drums and bass while utilizing dubby and wailing synths to please almost any crowd. “Hide or Seek” has a streamlined, yet quick and dancy bass line, with upbeat snares and lofty strings. SBTRKT can identify with many different genres—UK garage, house, soul—resulting in a listenable and wide-reaching sound. While he has an array of astounding original material, his remixes are polished as well. His remix of Alex Clare’s “Up All Night” is all house and definitely enough to get a party started.
All around, it’s music you can’t help but dance to.
SBTRKT was unavailable for comment, but it’s likely he’d want you to listen to the music instead of reading about his personal life.
See SBTRKT this Saturday, November 5 at the Bluebird Theater, and stream the songs below for a quick preview of SBTRKT’s sounds.
SBTRKT ESSENTIAL MIX by sbtrkt
SBTRKT – Hide Or Seek by sbtrkt
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Rebecca Bratburd at Rebecca.bratburd@colorado.edu
