Please get involved in the conversation in the comments below, or if  you’d like to submit a question that could be answered in future Fan Bass posts, send it HERE. 

QUESTION: “You continue to make extremely raw, highly energetic, deliciously beautiful sounds and I love it, but I feel like the message of revolution is a little distant recently. I’m all about having songs on the other side of the coin, but we need to keep the fight alive and we need to educate all these fresh new fans that I love so much. I have no doubt you are still on point with it off the stage, but I personally believe a portion of it needs to be on the stage.” -innavibemusic717

=======================================

Thanks for that question. I assure you I have lost no steam in my vision or intentions. I will definitely say that I am searching for the most *effective* ways to contribute to the world, and currently I have more questions than answers.

I am very interested in sharing myself and my inspiration with other people, and giving back to a world that has given me so much. But since I want my actions to be effective, I am more interested in the Ends (making a positive impact in the lives of others) than the Means (doing it via politics, or music, or neither, or both). Politics are divisive, misleading, and confusing. I like to find creative ways of connecting with other people, and helping them connect to each other. Currently I am more interested in “humanistics” than in “politics”. I am more interested in helping to empower other people though education, community, health, and by encouraging self critique, self optimization, and proactive communication. It is hard to speak about in a concise manner.

Also, when addressing such a large amount of incredibly diverse people, communication becomes very difficult and almost disfunctional. Limited character space, and limited attention span are subject to misunderstanding, and very few people think critically of themselves, or want to look outside the box.

If I were to suggest that my fans read “The People’s History Of The United States” or watch the documentary “Why We Fight”, I would likely have to deal with more arguing and ignorance than I can engage with. There are so many disagreements and differences of opinion, so many preconceived notions. And I find most people want to talk more than listen. I am interested in truly open-minded discussion, but I have not yet found the best terrain for a meaningful exchange of information and perspective.

When I read that book, and watched that documentary, it ignited fury inside of me, a fury toward injustice and unfairness. I am dedicated to standing against that injustice, but how to be most effective? It’s simply a question which I cannot yet answer. So I am moving forward in the meantime, with a wide open mind and heart.

QUESTION:
“Lorin, there has been a lot of speculation going around saying you are going mainstream and selling out. How does this make you feel?” – Nicholas Whetstone

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Short story: I have not sold out, I have not lost sight of my vision, nor have I compromised my values. I never will. I am doing what I love, and it is an uphill battle to navigate all the ups & downs in this crazy world, but I have never lost sight of my core values.

Long story: This topic also deserves it’s own novel. But as the number of people tuning in grows, I am sure I will have to keep responding to it. So let me say a few things:

1. I have very strong personal standards, I have very clear artistic visions and moral intentions, I have a strong sense of integrity.
2. I do not compromise my integrity or my standards in exchange for popularity. I might make necessary compromises when I feel the need, but I will never compromise my core values.
3. “Selling Out” is a tricky phrase with a double meaning, and this makes the topic confusing.

MEANING ONE: In a negative context, “selling out” means compromising your core values, which I will never do.

MEANING TWO: In a positive context, it means having success (selling out shows, selling tons of CD’s, whatever). Bassnectar is growing in exponential popularity and “selling out shows” which is a different thing, a positive thing. It would be negative if i sold out my beliefs and my identity in order to make money, and that will never happen.

WHAT IS “MAINSTREAM:” There is a difference between “going mainstream” and being popular. There is a a difference between changing yourself to become mainstream (diluting yourself to appeal to the largest audience possible) and being pursued by the mainstream (doing what you do naturally while large amounts of people naturally respond and gravitate towards you). On some level if vast amounts of people gravitate toward your art, it does not signify a lack of quality (The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Dave Chapelle, Mozart, Stevie Wonder, Bjork, Radiohead, etc).

People who accuse me of “selling out and going mainstream” are misinformed, incorrect, and not paying attention to what I say or think… Their accusation contains negative conotations that suggest I have compromised my core values like a cheap bitch, and whored myself out for money. They are incorrect, because I am more commited than ever to my goals. And I am stronger than ever, more experienced, with more connections, and an increased ability to make an ever stronger social impact.

As I mentioned above, the biggest problem is that people’s attention spans are too short, thus preventing an adequate, intelligent conversation on the matter. This makes it difficult to discuss the intimate details of philosophy and intent, although I am happy to do so. In the meantime, I continue moving forward. So someone sees me being successful, and lazily assumes the worst, which is a shame. But I think it is important to know yourself, and try not to worry too much about other people’s misconceptions. I am already my own worst critic, and since I am hyper critical, I will be the first to judge and critique myself if I do something wrong.

Again, I could write another 15 pages on this, on the deeper intricacies of my intentions and how they have weathered the storm of this journey, but I’ve written enough for now.

Please get involved in the conversation in the comments below, or if you have a different question to posit, send it HERE. Now read on, people of the Bass:

QUESTION:
“I’m curious about the nature of your spiritual beliefs / knowledge / practices. I’m not a religious person myself but spirituality and the way that people connect with reality is of particular interest to me. I’m just wondering because you seem to be very conscious of other people and the world we live in.” – Micheal Margolis

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Short story: Treat other people how you wish to be treated.

Longer story: I could write a NOVEL about my opinions on religion, spirituality & the meaning of life. I do not think human beings have the capacity to fully understand the universe, and yet I think attempting to understand it is how we discover beauty. Einsten writes about the power of surrendering to the mystery of life, and finding beauty in phenomenon you cannot explain (but which is no less beautiful without explanation). Ghandi taught peace, Jesus taught love, and God taught us about Satan. Humans are awesome, and ridiculous. We add so much hysteria and confusion to everything, and yet we are all so beautiful & vunerable. I believe that human existence is simultaneously meaningless (in 5 billion years nobody will remember us) and meaningful (everything happening now feels so urgent & important) and I believe that due to that duality, there is no absolute good or evil. Only changing perspective of amorphous issues, across a wide spectrum of context. With infinite room for mistake and misunderstanding. Everything continues to change and surprise us so in the meantime, I try and treat other people how I want them to treat me.

PS: My own relationship with religion, including anti-religion, is another story all together

QUESTION:
“Dear Lorin, I would like to ask you how you view our future. You have traveled the world and seen many faces of creation. What are you philosophical and spiritual views? How do you see us as a civilization progressing?” – Albert

=======================================

I think it is common for people to think about themselves, their culture or their nation in a self-centric fashion. Americans think America is the greatest. The Chinese think China is the greatest. Christians think Christians are the greatest. And today, many people think we are nearing the end of the world as a civilization (Whether it is 2012, Y2K, or just a general sense that our cultural values are detiriorating, and we are nearing The End Times). I think people probably felt that way during the 1960s (Vietnam, assassinations of JFK and MLK, etc) and they definitely felt that way during World War 2, or the Great Depression, or World War 1. I bet they felt that way during the peak of the Small Pox epidemic, or the Bubonic Plague. But our drive is to survive, and I think we can not only persevere adversity, but also constantly improve ourselves and our socitey (cultural evolution).

I do not have much insight into the future, but I do think it is important to find what you love, and not focus on what you hate. I see so much of that online (needless and pointless bickering, negativity, and critique). The grass is always greener on the other side, and life is very short. I try to spend my time focusing on what I am grateful for, but I think it is also important to be an active member of communities and societies, and to reach out to other people. I think in general most people need more discipline, more patience, and more humility (myself included). And I think that all of us should spend more time listening, reading, asking, and learning, and less time assuming we know best. I hope that helps.

Regardless, we all seem so small in such a vast space of mystery, and that alone is more beautiful than words. This link illustrates it well, enjoy: CLICK HERE.

This past weekend was off the hook, as we sold out of nearly every presale ticket for every show on the VAVA VOOM SPRING TOUR. Full ticket onsale has now commenced. Last fall many shows sold out far in advance and people were forced to scalp tickets, so make your plans with us now, whether you are planning to road-trip or represent your hometown: www.bassnectar.net/tour

Would you like to gyrate? We suspect that you would, so we are giving away the latest Bassnectar freestyle session:

AMORPHOUS MUSIC MIXTAPE VOL.7
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ON FACEBOOK

Or you can stream/download via our free BASSNECTAR APP!
(Download is in the ‘Mailing List’ section)

TRACK LIST:
Beastie Boys – Intergalactic (Bassnectar Remix)
Bassnectar – Wildstyle [live edit]
Futurebound – Blind Cobblers Thumb (Giz-roc edit)
DC Breaks – The More I Want (Bassnectar edit)
BLUR – Song 2 (Bassnectar Remix)
Bassnectar & Jansten – Red Step
NastyNasty – The Goalie (Bassnectar Remix)
Foamo – Centavo [live edit]
Bassnectar vs Mochipet – Sloppy Face
Shotgun Radio – A Bad Place Ft. Mimi Page (Minnesota Remix)
MyBack – Blomman
Little Jinder – Youth Blood (12th Planet & Flinch Remix)
Bassnectar – Underwater

Enjoy!
- Bassnectar Crew

Here is a brand new Fall Tour Recap video – scope scenes and footage from the shenanigans and mayhem!

CLICK HERE FOR VAVA VOOM TOUR 2012 TICKETS

Have you missed us over this long winter? We’ve missed you!!!

We’re ready to heat it up in the lead-up to Summer with our VAVA VOOM TOUR 2012. I am flying out to New Zealand & Australia this week for The Big Day Out Tour, then zooming home to finish up the next Bassnectar EP: VAVA VOOM!!!!!

This past Fall Tour was a beautiful mix of mayhem and sweetness, with so much love and support from an ever growing family of bass fanatics from all walks of life. Now we are focusing our sites on the upcoming wild ride, and we invite you to join us:
UPCOMING 2012 TOUR DATES

Fri 03/02/12
The Complex
Salt Lake City, UT

Sat 03/03/11
Rain
Las Vegas, NV

Sun 3/04/11
Snowball Festival
Avon, CO

Sun 03/25/12
Ultra Music Festival
Miami, FL

Sat 03/31 – Sun 04/01/12
Lollapalooza
Santiago, Chile

Sat 04/07 – Sun 04/08
Lollapalooza
Sao Paolo, BR

-

VAVA VOOM TOUR- SPRING 2012
Bassnectar fan tickets go on sale this Saturday, January 21st at 10:00 AM EST here: www.bassnectar.net/tour

Wed 04/11/12
Egyptian Room
Indianapolis, IN

Thu 04/12/12
The Midland
Kansas City, MO

Fri 04/13/12
Exhibition Hall @ Alliant Energy Center
Madison, WI

Sat 04/14/12
The Congress Theatre
Chicago, IL

Tue 04/17/12
Memorial Auditorium
Burlington, VT

Wed 04/18/12
House of Blues
Boston, MA

Thu 04/19/12
House of Blues
Boston, MA

Fri 04/20/12
BASS CENTER V
The Liacouras Center
Philadelphia, PA

Sat 04/21/12
Rochester Armory
Rochester, NY

Tue 04/24/12
The NorVA
Norfolk, VA

Wed 04/25/12
The National
Richmond, VA

Thu 04/26/12
Knoxville Civic Coliseum
Knoxville, TN

Fri 04/27/12
Bi-Lo Center
Greenville, SC

Sat 04/28/12
Boutwell Auditorium
Birmingham, AL

Sun 04/29/12
The Moon
Tallahassee, FL

Thu 05/03/12
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Santa Cruz, CA

Fri 05/04/12
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium
Sacramento, CA

Thu 05/10/12
Blue Lake Casino
Blue Lake, CA

Fri 05/11/12
Roseland Theater
Portland, OR

Sat 05/12/12
BASS CENTER VI
WaMu Theater
Seattle, WA

We are looking forward to seeing you all throughout this next year, and will keep you posted on the upcoming VAVA VOOM EP, slated for release early Spring 2012.

To tide you over in the meantime, we have a release of music for the DJs out there: the Divergent Spectrum Remix EP featuring tracks from Steve Aoki, The Glitch Mob, Terravita, ill.Gates, and Beats Antique! If you don’t have it already, you can get it here on the site for FREE: DIVERGENT SPECTRUM REMIXES

We’ll be seeing you all in the very near future! ONWARD TO AUSTRALIA!

Lorin & Bassnectar Crew

Although it’s intended mostly for DJs (each track is on the harder edge of the spectrum, targeting dancefloors and flash mobs of bass heads who want to rage) we wanted to make it available to anyone and everyone, for free.

Upside Down (Bassnectar & Terravita Remix)
Red Step (Steve Aoki Remix)
Voodoo (Bassnectar & ill.Gates Remix)
Heads Up (The Glitch Mob Remix)
Voodoo (Beats Antique Remix)
Colorstorm

This pack kicks off with a collaborative remix I did with my good buddies TERRAVITA. We traded the files of “Upside Down” back and forth for a few months, and the final master that Seth did makes this one of the loudest, wildest drops to date!

After that is a remix of “Red Step” by none other than Dim Mak‘s label boss, STEVE AOKI. A definitive electro house banger with a beefy halftime drop, he has been the only DJ with this weapon for a few months; now it’s yours too.

Up next is a collaboration with Amorphous Music artist ILL.GATES who spent a few days in the Bassnectar Labs this summer building synthesizers and samplers with me in Ableton. As we worked and geeked out, we built this drum & bass version of “Voodoo”, which then became a staple of my sets for the last fall tour.

The fourth track comes from long-time friends and collaborators, THE GLITCH MOB, who took “Head’s Up” into dubstep territory, with the unmistakable glitch-bass flavor.

Another mix of “Voodoo” follows; this time the basitions of creativity known as BEATS ANTIQUE flip the original into an antique bass version with live instrumentation and some surprises.

We decided to include the full version of “Color Storm” in this package since it was never properly released, and this rounds out the package.

We hope you enjoy!!!! Free bass to heat up your winter bodies, tiding you over until the next full release – the VAVA VOOM EP is set for launch April 2012!

www.beatsantique.com
www.theglitchmob.com
www.illgates.com
www.steveaoki.com
Terravita on Facebook

For more info, CLICK HERE.

Sponsor: Sponsor for this contest is Bassnectar and/or Amorphous Music (“sponsor”).

Prize details: One “Grand Prize Winner” will win the “Grand Prize” of 2xVIP tickets to Bass Center V with flights and accommodation provided. Five “Second Place Winners” will win the “Second Place Prize” of 2xGA tickets to a Bassnectar event of their choice. And 20 “Runners Up” will win a pack of Bassnectar gear and downloads. Prizes have no monetary value and cannot be exchanged or amended in any way. All prizes are non-transferable and will only be granted to those who are declared “winners” by the sponsor. All prizes and their distribution are at the the sole discretion of the sponsor and can be changed at any time. Sponsor assumes no liability for any additional expenses incurred by the winner while traveling.

Eligibility: Grand Prize available only to US residents and those aged 18 years or older WITH VALID ID. Second Place Prize subject to availability and applicable age restrictions for the requested live events. Festivals and other one-off shows will not be available as the Second Place Prize, at the discretion of the sponsor. Valid ID will be required for entry to any event regardless of age restriction for said event.

Winners: Grand Prize Winner, Second Place Winners, and Runners Up will be selected by the sponsor and notified via email within 14 days. The decision of the sponsor is final. The Grand Prize Winner must show proof of valid ID and US address within 7 days of notification, and if unable to provide these items or unresponsive to notification will be removed from contest and a new Grand Prize Winner will be selected. Second Place Prize winners will be informed of the age restriction for their chosen event, and the Sponsor accepts no responsibility for their entry to the venue if they can not meet the age requirement or do not bring valid ID to the event.

We have been compiling various remixes from the Divergent Spectrum tracklist, and decided to put together a free pack of a few favorites. Keep on the look out for other versions from a multitude of friends and artists as they drop out of various corners the digital sky.

Although it’s intended mostly for DJs (each track is on the harder edge of the spectrum, targeting dancefloors and flash mobs of bass heads who want to rage) we wanted to make it available to anyone and everyone, for free.

GOT A REDEEM CODE? ENTER IT HERE:
REDEEM
-

Upside Down (Bassnectar & Terravita Remix)
Red Step (Steve Aoki Remix)
Voodoo (Bassnectar & ill.Gates Remix)
Heads Up (The Glitch Mob Remix)
Voodoo (Beats Antique Remix)
Colorstorm

This pack kicks off with a collaborative remix I did with my good buddies TERRAVITA. We traded the files of “Upside Down” back and forth for a few months, and the final master that Seth did makes this one of the loudest, wildest drops to date!

After that is a remix of “Red Step” by none other than Dim Mak‘s label boss, STEVE AOKI. A definitive electro house banger with a beefy halftime drop, he has been the only DJ with this weapon for a few months; now it’s yours too.

Up next is a collaboration with Amorphous Music artist ILL.GATES who spent a few days in the Bassnectar Labs this summer building synthesizers and samplers with me in Ableton. As we worked and geeked out, we built this drum & bass version of “Voodoo”, which then became a staple of my sets for the last fall tour.

The fourth track comes from long-time friends and collaborators, THE GLITCH MOB, who took “Head’s Up” into dubstep territory, with the unmistakable glitch-bass flavor.

Another mix of “Voodoo” follows; this time the basitions of creativity known as BEATS ANTIQUE flip the original into an antique bass version with live instrumentation and some surprises.

We decided to include the full version of “Color Storm” in this package since it was never properly released, and this rounds out the package.

We hope you enjoy!!!! Free bass to heat up your winter bodies, tiding you over until the next full release – the VAVA VOOM EP is set for launch April 2012!

www.beatsantique.com
www.theglitchmob.com
www.illgates.com
www.steveaoki.com
Terravita on Facebook

The contest is now live! The bass head who can most accurately predict the exact routing for the Spring Tour 2012 will win the grand prize. (Grand prize open to entrants in USA aged 18+ only.) Other free tickets and runners up prizes available – more info on the contest page.

We’ve been posting clues on our site and social networks, and have gathered these cryptic tidbits from across the Bassnectar Community so you can piece some of the puzzle together before you enter. Check them out below.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR ENTRIES – CHECK YOUR INBOX TO SEE IF YOU WON TICKETS!

Clue #1 – The tour kicks off on 4/11/12 with a visit to an Indiana city where Lorin once performed alongside a Russian cohort who remixed ‘Boombox’…

Clue #2 – Lorin held two jobs in the town we are visiting on 05/03/12: teaching music programs at Juvenile Hall, and dressing up as Barney The Purple Dinosaur as a birthday party entertainer.

Clue #3 -Bass Center V 4/20/12 – not far from Bass Island. MD DE NJ will be close to hand. Friends in CT + MA have further to travel…

Clue #4 – On 04/26/11 we’re returning to the town where Bassnectar played the first, last, and only “Girls Get In Free” show where only guys were charged admission (also one of the last shows where Lorin invited the entire party up on stage, back before that was “the thing to do”, and enjoyed having his computer shut down repeatedly by spilt beer and drunken enthusiasts.)

Clue #5 – Our target city on 04/18/12 was the first to sell out in advance last year when the Spring 2011 dates were announced”

Clue #6 – On 04/13/12 we return to the city where in 2011 we gave away event tickets to volunteers to help promote improvements in Public Education.

Clue #7 – 04/28/12 – sounds like Burningman.

Clue #8 – ‘What success I achieved in the theater is due to the fact that I have always worked just as hard when there were ten people in the house as when there were thousands.’ On 4/25/11 we’ll be visiting the birthplace of the famous musician whose quote is central to the Bassnectar ethos…

Clue #9 – On 05/05/12 we’ll be playing the only city where Bassnectar has performed live with a Gamelan Orchestra.

Clue #10 – The first Saturday of the tour lands us in a city that once hosted a festival attended by 27 million revelers. Lorin first played here at an underground party in an abandoned warehouse, circa 2002.”

Clue #11 – As promised, we return to this Southeast city 4/29/12, where the roar of ‘school spirit’ erupted during our last show there

Clue 12# – Often credited as the birthplace of an entire musical genre, the city we are coming to on 05/12/12 is a bridge between two fanatic territories of bass heads. During Lorin’s first set here, the promoters were upset when he jokingly closed with Salt N Peppa’s “Push It”.

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
CHECK OUT THE TOUR MAP ANYWAY