The Basslights minifestival is a two-night downtown throwdown by EDM speaker-knockers Bassnectar and Pretty Lights.
These Friday and Saturday shows at Klipsch Amphitheater will also feature Koan Sound from Australia and the Fools Gold electronic dance rap of Run the Jewels' El-P and Killer Mike.
Bassnectar is currently rushing down the highway with three semitrucks full of gear to meet Pretty Lights in Miami. We here at Crossfade caught up with him back in Atlantic City to find out about gambling, sex, and the origins of bass.
See also: Bassnectar and Pretty Lights on Basslights 2.0 in Miami: "Cinematic, and Hard and Heavy"
Where you at right now?
I'm in Atlantic City getting ready to lose it all on the slots. Nah, I'm full of shit. I never gamble.
You've got a new song and EP called Take You Down, right?
Yeah. I spend so much time doing live shows, remixing, bootlegs, and I wanted to make a song about just being on vacation for a week and not having to work. I went to a secret location by a lake with a lot of sun, got a tan, and made that song.
Have you ever seen people getting married, fucking, or falling in love at your shows?
Uh, I've heard tales of a lot of sexual intercourse, though I've never seen it. A lot of people talk about it. I guess they do it against the rail. I can't condemn or condone it, as long as it's consensual.
I've seen many marriage proposals go down. We either do them live onstage, or a lot of times now, they'll be holding up a sign in the crowd.
You give away free earplugs at every show?
Yeah. I've always believed in earplugs since I was a kid. They actually help you hear the music better and really feel the bass.
Who pays for them?
I've been buying earplugs and giving them away at every single one of my shows for the past ten years. I have spent a shit-ton of money on that.
Favorite Florida metal bands?
I was really into Deicide and Death in high school.
What's your history with Miami?
I guess the first time I played Miami was 2000 or 2001 for WMC. And I try and come back down every year. I've played the Fillmore, Ultra, I remember playing with Z Trip at Laundry Bar for Juan Basshead. We had this little table that kept falling over from so many people being there.
Otto Von Schirach is another very important Miami musical figure.
How do you like the amphitheater?
Such an epic venue! That's the stage I played at Ultra. You can see the whole crowd moving upward. The sound and feel is good. I love that.
What do you think of the government shutdown?
I think all the Republicans need to shut the fuck up.
What do you think are the musical origins of bass?
Thunder. Earthquakes. I don't know. I think musically it probably came before any language that we can identify.
Bassnectar and Pretty Lights' Basslights. Friday and Saturday, October 18 and 19, at Klipsch Amphitheater at Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. The show starts at 6 p.m., and tickets cost $41.75 to $47.75 plus fees via livenation.com. Call 305-358-7550, or visit bayfrontparkmiami.com.
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