So, who’s this then? Ben Downton, a 34-year-old drum and bass producer from Horsham. Under the pseudonym Low:r he recently released his debut album, Can You Hear Me?
What is drum and bass? A genre of electronic music that emerged from the ashes of the UK jungle scene in the 1990s. The pioneers were influenced by hardcore, house and dubstep and in the decades since, it has evolved to incorporate other influences such as funk and reggae.
Which of them have an influence on Low:r? Most of them. Ben said: ‘My sound is quite varied. Some of the tracks have high energy levels and are inspired by dubstep, with bass-heavy loops and quieter moments of ambience. I’m known for funk too, mixing elements of rhythm and soul. The beautiful thing about drum and bass is that it crosses so many musical genres.’
But it’s not recorded like a band, right? Drum and bass music is made by combining a range of music samples using computer software. Ben uses Ableton Live, an advanced music production and audio editing programme popular with producers of electronic and hip-hop. He said: ‘You have a library with an almost endless number of samples that can be used and manipulated in many ways to make your own music. These samples include vintage synths, drum machines, electric pianos, as well as classic breaks, sound effects and even sample vocals. The skill of the producer comes from seamlessly blending these elements and creating an identifiable sound. One way to stand out from the crowd is to create your own instrumentals or record fresh vocals that can be mixed into your tracks.
Is this something that Low:r does? Several tracks feature original vocals, including Rave Rain (featuring Tempza) and the title track, Can You Hear Me? with vocals by Sam M. Two tracks – Mirage and Easy to Love – feature sampled vocals. Ben said: ‘I like to work with a vocalist as it encourages you to adapt a traditional song format. Also, you are not simply setting music to something already out there, which may have been used many times before. Instead, you are giving life to something new.’
How has the album come about? Ben has been releasing singles and EPs in recent years as Low:r. These include the Beautiful Dreamer EP in 2022, released through Spearhead Records, with a stand-out track being Make the Most featuring Aleya Mae. The EP was followed by a single in 2023 called Grandma Funk and another EP, In the Moment. Now, Low:r has released his best tracks from the past year on a 12-track album through Galacy, a sister label of Liquicity Records in Holland.
What are the stand-out tracks? The album ends with Untouchable, featuring vocals by Béo. Other highlights include Four Leaf Clover, one of two tracks with vocals by Dutch singer/producer SYNGA. However, it’s the two opening tracks that Ben is most proud of. He said: ‘The album opens with Bubbles, which has ambient influences. This is followed by Hit Different featuring SYNGA, which has more soul and funk influences and carries more energy. Those two tracks sum up my sound. That’s why I called the album Can You Hear Me? I wanted to showcase the full range of what I can do.’
How did Ben get into drum and bass? His love of music stems from childhood, when he was a pupil at Forest School. Ben’s older brother bought him some software for making music and he began to experiment. Ben said: ‘I was listening to a lot of heavy rock and electronica at the time and loved experimenting with different sounds with my friends. We would create weird noises, like playing an electric guitar with a toothbrush, just to see what happened. It wasn’t any good, but it was fun and an important part of my journey. Drum and bass seemed a logical progression, as I was young and angry, and I found that making music gave me an outlet. Then I discovered dubstep and loved the music of DJs like Rusko and Caspa, which inspired me to compose dub tunes under the alias of Morah. But for a long time, it was something I did solely for pleasure and I did very little to promote my music.’
What changed? At a crossroads in his life, Ben undertook voluntary work in Honduras and after a period of reflection, decided to return home and focus on drum and bass music, hoping it could lead to a full-time career as a DJ/producer. He has since performed sets around the UK, including in London, Leeds and Brighton, as well as at leading Belgian clubs. He has also played at a drum and bass festival in the Dutch city of Rotterdam and the renowned Liquicity Festival that attracts 15,000 fans. Only last month, he flew to Barcelona for a DJ set and through his record label hopes to play many more gigs and festivals this summer.
Is music a full-time career for Ben? Not yet, but that is something Ben is aiming for. He said: ‘I am still learning, as drum and bass is highly technical. It’s an undervalued skill and the world’s best producers are creating sounds that can only be attained from many years of hard graft. It’s not something that can be learnt overnight. I feel I have refined my sound with this new album and the next step is to promote the record and hopefully make another one in the not-too-distant future.’
Further information:
www.Lowrdnb.com
@lowrdnb
Article first published in AAH (All About Horsham) Magazine on 1st April 2024.
