Sub Focus has long been one of the major players in drum and bass. First releasing a track in 2003, with Down The Drain/Hot Line, he quickly climbed up the ladder to become one of the scene’s biggest forces, and soon found himself on the full RAM Records roster.
Just two years later, Sub Focus - real name Nick Douwma - was sitting at the top of the UK dance charts with X Ray/Scarecrow (which even reached #60 in the UK singles chart). After that, his position as one of DnB's high rollers was sealed.
After remixing the likes of the Prodigy and deadmau5, headlining nights alongside Andy C and putting out his own album, hitting the mainstream was almost inevitable for Sub Focus. As rapidly as he emerged, he turned into a regular radio fixture.
Producing tracks for Example and Top 20 chart hits soon followed, and he’s now being booked for massive festival slots and headline tours - but how much has his music actually changed over the years? With a new album, ‘Torus’, out in September and a tour of the UK lined up for October, here we take a look at how Sub Focus became one of UK dance music’s biggest names.
Acid Test
Sub Focus' second release perfectly captures his earlier style of production: heavy and full of that original Reese bass that we know and love so well. Similar to early Fresh releases (think Signal) and always a contender for the pull-up, this will go off at any rave.
X Ray
An epic track that saw Sub Focus top the UK dance chart and break into the singles chart for the first time, this annoyingly catchy tune swapped the Reese for a chunky guitar riff and a more synth-oriented sound. X Ray also earned him a spot on volume two of Andy C’s seminal Nightlife collection.
Timewarp
This track proved Sub Focus had created and perfected his own signature sound, and saw him smash into the dance chart Top 10 once again. That's something he's now done numerous times throughout his career. Out in 2008, this featured on his self-titled debut LP - and once again bagged a place on Nightlife (#4).
Take Me to the Hospital (Remix)
This was Sub Focus' second remix for dance titans the Prodigy, and combined his unique style with a more mainstream sound for a marching, wob-filled track that pleased both drum and bass lovers and radio-listening muggles. This was the only remix, out of five, to feature on both the 12” vinyl and CD release of the original tune, and also made its way onto This Is Drum and Bass.
Tidal Wave
Slap bang in the middle of the chart-ready drum and bass of Out the Blue and the synth-heavy, soulful dubstep of Endorphins, this half-time hit confirmed that Sub Focus had left the realm of hardcore drum and bass and entered the world of headline Academy gigs, enviable festival slots, and fast cars.
Sub Focus’ 'Torus' officially hits shelves on September 23, and he’s just unveiled another new track from the record (Turn It Around). You’ll also find the dates for his massive upcoming UK tour below - follow the links to find tickets through Stereoboard!
Wed October 16th 2013 - BRISTOL O2 Academy Bristol
Thu October 17th 2013 - MANCHESTER The Ritz
Fri October 18th 2013 - PORTSMOUTH Portsmouth Pyramids
Sat October 19th 2013 - LONDON Roundhouse
Tue October 22nd 2013 - NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Thu October 24th 2013 - BIRMINGHAM The Institute
Fri October 25th 2013 - LEEDS O2 Academy Leeds
Sat October 26th 2013 - NORWICH Norwich Uea
Mon October 28th 2013 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE O2 Academy Newcastle
Tue October 29th 2013 - GLASGOW O2 ABC
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