Who Will Take Over For Tipper
Let’s be honest, nobody is ‘really’ taking over for Tipper… I’m not that crazy. I know we’re all just a little bit bummed that Dave is retiring – but it is well deserved after his illustrious career! There’s no doubt we will all miss his perfectly curated mixes of funky wubs, hip-hop, glitch, and psychedelia; here are just a few up-and-comers (and a couple familiar faces) that have a similar style, and would be excited to see them rise to a similar stage of success!
New-ish Artists
Resonant Language
Res Lang has made quite an impact in his short time on the scene, no doubt due to their impressive sound design! They have supported Tipper on numerous occasions, and it only makes sense for them to kick off our list. I didn’t expect Res Lang to be so new, given all the top-tier bookings, yet their SoundCloud page goes back about 6 years (my very very loose metric for ‘new-ish artists’).
Thought Process (All:Lo)
Shoutout to the entire All:Lo collective, but I think specifically, Thought Process, deserves a spot on this list. His style, in my opinion, is the most ‘TnF’. Plus, add in the Thought Process Live Band, and I think he sticks out as the top prospect from All:Lo. Big ups as well to parkbreezy, pheel and the other cats! The All:Lo collective has this cool minimal glitch-hop / trip-hop thing going, and I feel that Thought Process is the most ‘maximal’ of these minimal artists…if that makes sense. These artists also share a similar style to some more established artists that I’ll talk about in the next section.
Chez, Face Plant, base2, Rhizomorphic (The Rust Music)
All these guys could use their own write up, however, we have a LOT of artists to get to! I’m going to use this spot to shoutout the newest (I think) artist, Chez and his sideproject – Two Guys, with Crawdad Sniper. Absolutely insane glitch-hop!
Bread Winner, Tripp St
I feel like both these guys started coming up during/right after the ‘pandy’, and I love their midtempo glitch hop! I’ve known Tripp St for a while now, but Bread Winner is quickly becoming a new favorite for this style of Glitch Hop / Bass Music.
Goosebumpz
I don’t think Goosebumpz is completely new, but definitely a new import to the United States. Don’t get it twisted with the small numbers on some of their pages (they don’t do them justice AT ALL), Goosebumpz is absolutely on top of the production game right now! They have been bringing insane sets to TnF and Infrasound for their recent US debuts (iirc) and are certainly worthy of some headline slots. Goosebumpz could have closed out Infrasound in my opinion, and I wish that set was recorded…however, here’s a solid one from five years ago.
Audio Goblin
I remember Audio Goblin being around for a while now (just past my vague threshold for this section), however, I think his association with TnF is fairly recent – and it’s a match! I’m loving this glitchy goblin.
Tipper N Friends ‘Frequent Friends’ / Established Artists / More Collectives
Mickman
Not only known for his excellent live sets and production, Mickman is also known for being a man of the culture! I remember at Summer Camp he said something like “So…we’re all running over to see Thought Process, right?” He is also might be the newest artist that I deemed ‘eligible’ for the ‘Frequent Friends’ category, and rightfully so (in my humble opinion). From investing into his local sound system, to pop up shows around his locale (corroboration needed) – he’s that dude. Any Mickman set is not one to be missed!
KLO, Jade Cicada, Detox Unit, Boggdogg (+ solo artists)
I’m not grouping them together to say they all sound the same, but I do think they all have a similar Tip-Hop/Uptempo vibe (also after listening to some more Detox Unit, a similar vibe to All:Lo as well). These are also the big vinyl scratchers/producer combos (I have more turntablists coming up soon!). The L and O of KLO, bittersweetly, hold down the live performances without Kursa. Bogtrotter has a dope new team-up with Drrtywulvz (Boggdogg). There’s definitely the potential for a massive boom for one (or more) of these frequently seen artists!
ADDENDUM: I just spent a lot of time with some old Bogtrotter records… and DAMN! I’d really like to spend more time with all of these artists, and probably split them up into their own sections – it really all depends what live sets you go to, and what albums you’ve heard (whether or not you think they sound similar).
Entangled Mind, Maxfield, Ovoid, Smigonaut, Humandala, Rumpistol (The Rust Music)
Honestly, I could have probably just pulled The Rust Music’s roster in one section and called it a day… but I did want to highlight the artists that are newer to the game, as well as the ones who have been around the block (I’m definitely playing catch-up to the latter). The Rust Music certainly seems to be moving the TnF legacy forward all-around! Smigonaut is a personal favorite from this section (don’t miss his new side-project, Gunk); I’m liking Maxfield (new to me) a LOT! I also just found out that there’s a Rumpistol live project that I need to check out like yesterday (Rumpistol Ensemble).
Spoonbill, Globular, Bwoy De Bhajan, Ekorce, Herbalistek, Kaya Project (Feel Life Music)
Feel Life Music is an agency, not a label. But if you take a peek at their roster, I’m sure you’ll see a lot of familiar faces (and probably a few previously mentioned, a lot from The Rust Music)! Here’s just a few Tipper-adjacent artists from their lineup, a lot of it is psydub, psybient, trip-hop, & the psychedelic line in between – also a shoutout to 5AM and the 5AM Trio…I’m always a fan of live bass/dance music!
Schmoop, Wonky Llama, Mr. Bill (Vivid Kind Management)
Another roster that’s worth checking out is Vivid Kind. If you’re working your way through all of them, maybe start here – it’s just a lot shorter! And also management, opposed to a label or collective. Schmoop is definitely the stand-out artist as far as TnF vibes, but Mr Bill definitely deserves a holler for his insane production that might even be angrier than angry Dave… If that’s even possible! Bill’s music is just crazy – a dope blend of IDM, Glitch Hop, Dubstep, and more! Schmoop’s side-project, Wonky Llama, is also definitely worth a listen! Mr Bill’s side project with kLL sMTH, kLL Bill is also pretty dope too.
Somatoast, Soulacybin, WolfTech, Quanta, AkAshA (Shanti Planti)
I was just introduced to this label/collective (shoutout Quincho!), and there’s some familiar names in the list! Another special shoutout, this time to Grouch and Halfred, because I love their style of psytrance, psydub, psy-progressive, etc. I definitely need to check out more artists from AU and NZ! There’s a lot on this label, and Rabbits Eat Lettuce looks like a blast! Also shoutout another new one to me, Land Switcher.
ADDENDUM: I think this label has been around a little longer than their online presence. I recently got a bunch of older psytrance/dub records, and was pleasantly surprised to see some released on Shanti Planti. If you like PsyTrance, PsyDub and similar (some PsyBass), this label might become your new favorite friend!
Kalya Scintilla, Goosebumpz, MantisMash, Mr Squatch (Merkaba Music)
Kalya Scintillia definitely deserves a shoutout here, and Merkaba Music is yet another new one for me. There’s not a ton of active artists on here (no tour dates for the ‘main three’ on their website, I’m just starting to make my way through their stellar back catalog), but the productions Merkaba has selected are absolutely top-tier! A lot of this dope music is based out of AU/NZ (once again), and I definitely need to do some more research in that area of the world, they’re always bringing so much heat from down there! I listed Goosebumpz in the previous section, however, I don’t think he’s new for those down under… and definitely worthy of another quick shoutout.
Mindex
This was a newer artist for me, and I was surprised to see how long I’ve been missing out! Incredible, vast, and deep production – definitely worth mentioning alone, despite having releases on several of the collectives above! Also definitely worth a few listens; they have several albums, EPs, journey mixes…whatever floats your boat!
Supersillyus
Between the live & improvised sets, the Life Band, and everything else…there’s no doubt Supersillyus deserves to be recognized on this list! I do understand that their style is not for everybody (it is SuperSILLYus after all), just as every artist on this list isn’t for everybody. I quite enjoy the circus-themed stylings of Supersyllius, GUNK also seems to be taking their project in a circusy direction, and Spoonbill also kind-of walks that tightrope with all his funky, jazzy horns.
Slynk
He’s been a personal favorite of mine for years! I’m all about funky music, and so is Slynk. His music has an emphasis on funky glitch hop (especially his earlier, ghetto funk releases), but also makes some dnb, house, and other bass music. His music has tons of Tipper-adjacent, IDM influences as well. He’s also a solid scratcher, talkbox singer, and all-around instrumental experimentalist. I almost put him down in the ‘tangential’ section, since he’s so funky and uptempo glitch hop-focused. However, I have heard slower glitch hop from him lately, he’s a great watch for tutorials, and guess what….it’s my list, so I’m putting him here 😉
Cualli
Ok, honestly, I ended up delaying this article to move this guy (& Slynk) up from Honorable Mentions. Also, it looks like Cualli releases mostly independently…so I couldn’t just lazily add him to a collective mentioned earlier. Been in the game way longer than I realized, and has a vast, deep discography. Really, I feel like I should have known about him… he plays live guitar! And I’m all about the live instrument x EDM combo. There’s honestly so many more I should move up, however, I just don’t know what I don’t know. Also, Red Rocks just happened and everybody’s raving about Cualli and Mr. Bill!
Let’s Not Forget The OGs!
These artists might already be able to do an &Friends / their own festival, if they haven’t already! Most of these artists are pioneers in a sub(sub?)genre, and I could have listed so many…however, I tried to stick to fairly active and similar artists. It is a lot of psytrance, psydub, psybient & similar …until the last couple.
Ott (NOT Of The Trees hah)
Shpongle / Simon Posford / Younger Brother / Prometheus / Hallucinogen / Raja Ram
Juno Reactor
Desert Dwellers / PheuZen / Liquid Bloom / T.MT
Pretty Lights (+ Michel Menert, Break Science, etc)
Amon Tobin (Two Fingers, ISAM)
The Super Scratchers
Most of these artists are less known for their deep, psychedelic production discography…. And more known for being some of the best turntablists in the business. Not to say that they don’t produce, but their music is just a little different from Tipper…usually leaning hip-hop, or straight-up bass music. Many in this section are renowned DMC champs!
Chris Karns (Hip-Hop / Pretty Lights) DMC CHAMP
Cut Chemist (Hip-Hop)
DJ Qbert (Hip-Hop) DMC CHAMP
DJ Shadow (Hip-Hop / Electronic)
Jon1st (Bass Music) DMC CHAMP
Zeke Beats (Bass Music) IDA CHAMP
The ‘Tangentials’
I felt bad leaving so many incredible artists off this list, I added this section at the last minute. Maybe not as psychedelic, bassy or wubby as Tipper, but they deserve a little something! These artists typically revolve around a single genre (or similar subgenres)…and honestly it’s how I found a spot on the list for a lot of OGs I felt extremely bad for not listing previously! They wont scratch all your Tipp itches, but they might get you close.
Aphex Twin – IDM Pioneer + Ambient, Acid, Breakcore (Practically Retired)
Autechre, Plaid/The Black Dog, Squarepusher, Boards of Canada – More IDM Pioneers
Richard Devine, Reso – IDM, Glitch, Experimental Electronic
Machinedrum – IDM [early] + Footwork, Juke, Future Bass
LTJ Bukem – Ambient D&B/Liquid/Funk Pioneer
Bonobo – Downtempo [early], Electronica, Organic House, Live
Emancipator – Chillhop, Downtempo
EPROM, Chee – Experimental Bass, Glitch, Leftfield
Opiuo – Midtempo, Glitch Hop, Funk
The Glitch Mob – Glitch Hop, Cinematic Bass
The Orb – Ambient House Pioneer
Bluetech – PsyDub, Psybient
Carbon Based Lifeforms – Psybient, Ambient
Prefuse 73 – Abstract Hip-Hop, Glitch-Hop, Experimental
KOAN Sound – Glitch Hop [early], Neurohop, Future Bass
iLL.Gates – Glitch Hop, Bass Music
Culprate – Experimental Bass, IDM, Glitch-Hop
Kursa, Seppa (Slug Wife) – Neuro Hop Pioneers, Glitch Hop, Experimental Bass
Skope (+Holographic) – Neuro Hop, Glitch Hop, Experimental Bass
Lusine – IDM, Minimal Techno, Ambient Electronica
Zebbler Encanti Experience – PsyBass, Dubstep, Experimental
Solar Fields – Psybient, Ambient
Honorable Mentions
Alejo
Attya
Aes Dana
Androcell
Arcturus
Andreilien/Heyoka/Iterate
Birds of Prey
Charles Nimbus
CharlesTheFirst (RIP)
+Potions & Lab Group
Common Creation
Copycatt
Cosmic Trigger
Circuit Bent/bioLuMigen
Cloudchord
Craftal
Cualli
Cutterpiller
Danny Grooves
DjRUM
Drrtywulvz
Duffrey
Eastwood Red
Eazybaked
Erothyme
EVAC
Faelow
Fika
Flintwick / LuSiD / Acid Katz
Frequent / Hudson Lee / Upscale
Foxtail
Hokey Boi
Hullabalo0
Hinkstep
K+Lab
Keota
Kloud Forest
Kromuh
Malakai
Ooga
Orenda
Psymbionic
Psybur
Phutureprimitive
Relativity Lounge
Rhino Betatron
Saturna
Smilk
Snilk
Shamanic Technology
Shwamp
Swomp
Sweez
Sylph
VCTRE
Wessanders
Woofax
Zen Baboon / Zen Racoon
Zonra
5AM/Trio
That’s more than 100 artists, and I immediately apologize to whoever I left off (and to artists that I found last minute, and should definitely be bumped up from Honorable Mentions)! I’m sure there’s dozens (if not hundreds) of PsyDub, PsyTrance, etc. artists that I’m not privy to yet. I also had to leave some artists off that might be older, and it was difficult to track down any significant amount of music for…some of these artists didn’t create ‘google-able’ names (a lot of the OGs predate Google). It’s also so hard to keep track of all them – especially with similar names like Smilk and Snilk… Molokai and Malakai (+Mikayli & Mihali hah)…Shwamp and Swomp LOL- ITS A ONE LETTER DIFFERENCE FOR A LOT OF THEM! I tried to listen to as many of these artists as possible. It’s unfortunate that the farther down the list we get, the less time I was able to spend with them. I wanted to put my own ears to these artists, and still have dozens of 90s/00s/early10s PsyTrance and Psydub artists that I need to get to. If you’re a fan of a specific style of ‘Psy’ either dub, -bient, or trance particularly… These are old genres and there’s easily dozens (if not hundreds) of artists waiting for you to discover them!
I also want to give a quick shoutout to a few festivals and events that have been curating a lot towards the Tipper community; Astrnox, Badger Bass Camp, Infrasound/Snowta, Secret Dreams, Shambhala, Sound Haven, and Submersion just to name a few! There’s some obvious location-bias, so I decided to avoid deeper write-ups. There’s so much in Europe, AU/NZ (mentioned above) and more that I have no idea about. I’m just diving into the world of PsyTrance (and adjacent), and that’s been a giant blindspot for me. I just found a group near me that does PsyTrance. Unfortunately, they seem to be taking a step back…while I seem to be heading the other direction!
With Tipper out of the mix, we can maybe start to enjoy some of these artists more. Let’s not be sad that Tipper is retiring, let’s celebrate all of these amazing artists who are all now positioned to grow their careers exponentially! Do you know all these artists? If not, there’s a lot of great music that your eardrums are waiting for! I also know I missed a lot of great artists, everyone has blindspots – including myself.
Also, every time I think this project is done, I remember (or am introduced to) another artist! This list ranges from people I’ve seen live several times, to artists I just listened to for the first time creating this!
Let us know who else I need to hear in the comments!!
– sweez
