Situated in central Victoria, Bendigo seems like an unusual place to associate with dubstep. The city is a prime tourist destination, founded during the gold rush, and is now home to around 100,000 people. Australia is already a distant outpost of the dubstep sound and here we are venturing into the countryside, yet this is one of the most attractive things about it – the melting pot this distance creates is truly extraordinary and has set in motion some amazing hybrid sounds.
The ‘South Pacific sound’ has been led by a few stand-out Australian dubstep producers who have been getting worldwide attention lately. It is a testament to the quality of their beats and mix-downs, but also to how connected the scene is. At its heart is a strong level of (mainly online) interaction that eschews egos and emphasises international sharing. One of those producers is Josh Lamaro, otherwise known as Spherix.
Lamaro lives in an inner suburb of Bendigo. An osteopath by day, he has been slinging beats on an unsuspecting world for a little while now. With his first three international releases under his belt, 2008 has been a halcyon year. He started off with the respected Bare Dubs Records in February, followed on with the debut release for Australian label Sub Continental Dub, and finished off with a release for Tube 10 Recordings (also home to TRG and Jus Wan releases).
Spherix is a regular at local dubstep gatherings and often DJs too. He is intent on pushing the sound forward and avoiding tired formulas. “The Australian scene is connected, I suppose, by a close-knit community. It’s still very small here, so you tend to only find cats that are into the music at the parties, and some friends of said individuals. Australia seems to have a good outlook as far as pushing our own sound.”
The space and reflective elements in Spherix tracks contrast with the deep, strong baselines moving them forward. With solid half step vibes and exotic percussion he has his own sound palette. Like many dubstep producers, Lamaro was already writing other styles before he came to his current sound. “I’ve come from a drum & bass production background, working both solo and with Catacomb in the past,” says Lamaro. “I got involved in dubstep because I enjoy the spatial element as opposed to tech drum & bass, where I’m cramming millions of sounds in to make a tune. Dubstep allows less elements but with just as much emphasis on technicality. I also love old dub reggae stuff like Scientist, Prince Jammy and King Tubby.”
The technicality and space is a producer’s dream. It has allowed for experimentation and for the dubstep sound to morph and combine with its local flavours. There is a real push to see the Australian sound as unique and worth promoting. “I like the less is more approach,†continues Lamaro. “Usually the theme of the tune starts from some visual concept, a mood or thought I’m having around the time. I also try to get sounds to bounce off each other (the technicality), be it with delays or reversed bits to lead into another sound. So the different elements play off each other. It allows each element to do less on its own, but also creates rhythms and melodies [when combined]with the other bits.”
“I’ve always been drawn to creating my own stuff; ever since learning the piano from a teacher who could write the notation to a track whilst listening to it. I learned in his studio where he has a grand piano and a proper control room.”
Lamaro’s mention of visual inspiration makes me wonder whether there is an artist of another sort lurking behind the scenes. “I’ve always been a good drawer and wanted to go into graphic design, but ended up an osteopath,” he laughs, “which also has its base in structural symmetry and optimal function. So the human body is a big influence on me too.”
Spherix beats have this body-affecting quality that is a classic hallmark of great dubstep. Lamaro’ clean, minimal approach to tracks is what has got him some major attention internationally. “It’s weird how just having a record out in the physical form draws so many more fans,†he reflects. “The main thing I noticed is my inbox is filling up quicker! MySpace requests especially.”
“Other than that it’s really started the ball rolling for releases, with the Tube10 and Sub Continental releases and the forthcoming stuff for Aquatic Lab, 3.5 Recordings and On The Edge. I won’ say too much about them but keep a look out if you’re interested!”
Goblin/Dub Chemistry is released through Sub Continental Dub.
