Bass Cultures, How Low Can You Go!

Constructing sound systems has been an important element in the development of bass culture and in the development of widely different musical genres, from Reggae, Dub and Roots to Hip-Hop, Techno, Jungle to many more. The programme features musicians, DJs and creative organizers who in their own ways have contributed to and had leading roles in the rise of bass culture, by organizing and building sound systems, organizing underground music and clubs, in and beyond Sweden.

Over two days, the event focused, through film screenings, workshops, talks and DJ sets, on bass and sound system culture, its creativity, history and contemporary relevance.

More info about the programme and event can be found here

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PARTICIPANTS

Deng Deng HiFi is a sound system and record label from Malmö, founded by Dan I Locks, Jr Roots and Chris Michael in 2005. Driven by the love of roots music, the crew have frequently played and arranged sound system events in the local area of Malmö, promoting international, as well as Swedish sound system acts, producers, and artists.
Anna Gavanas is a social anthropologist with a focus on dance music culture, working life, migration, and family politics. She has published a number of interview based and archival studies on Swedish electronic dance music scenes with a focus on technological shifts, gender and cultural politics. Gavanas has also worked as a DJ and producer since the 1990s and onwards.
Eric Magassa (born 1972) lives and works in Gothenburg, Sweden. He is a multidisciplinary artist, combining mixed-media collage, painting and photography. He explores issues of identity, its intermediary nature and its connection to memories and places. Recent exhibitions include Flight at Malmö Konsthall, Malmö (2023) Marres House for Contemporary Culture, Maastricht, Netherlands (2021); Gothenburg International Biennial for Contemporary Art GIBCA (2019); Valongo Festival, Santos, Brazil (2019); Alingsås Konsthall
Papa Dee is a singer, rapper and dancehall musician. He was a member of the NYC group, Brooklyn Funk Essentials and Stonefunkers. Over the years he has released numerous albums, including solo releases. He has been a DJ, Radio host and important figure in the Swedish bass music scene.

Paula Cardozo (Paula Maxa), from Gothenburg, began DJ’ing in 2008 and got involved quickly in the underground scene – both playing and arranging clubs. She began to hold workshops for youngsters and became active in a Soundsystem. As a teacher, Paula uses music to talk about history and society, and how these are interlinked. Paula loves to dance and make noise.

Struck is deeply rooted in the musical underground of Gothenburg and Sweden, going through hiphop, acid house, acid jazz, hardcore, indiepop and more before discovering jungle in 1994 and from1995 on being a member of the Laymin Soundsystem and playing jungle, drum & bass, techno and dub at many underground parties and clubs since, under different alias and in various constellations, always with a deep interest in the music and the vibe of the party, still active today organising, promoting and DJ’ing.