Sub Focus

Last updated

Sub Focus
Sub Focus @ Club Formation (4159729869).jpg
Sub Focus in 2012
Background information
Birth nameNicolaas Douwma
Born (1982-04-13) 13 April 1982 (age 42)
Dundee, Scotland
Origin Guildford, Surrey, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • DJ
  • record producer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • sound engineer
Years active2002–present
Labels
Website subfocus.com

Nicolaas Douwma (born 13 April 1982), better known by his stage name Sub Focus, is an English DJ, record producer, songwriter, musician and sound engineer. He has been releasing records since 2003. [1] On 12 October 2009, he released his self-titled debut album. He released his second album, Torus , on 30 September 2013. [2] Douwma's album in collaboration with Wilkinson titled Portals was released on 9 October 2020 through Casablanca Records. [3] His fourth album, Evolve , was released on 12 May 2023.

Contents

Music career

Starting out

Originally a fan of rock music, including bands such as Nirvana, Douwma started a band at school with some friends although this was a short-lived ambition as he "wasn't very good" at playing musical instruments. At the age of 13, however, he discovered computer software for producing electronic music and became a self-taught producer, and started making rudimentary dance music. The main reason he followed this path and ultimately got more involved in it was because it meant that he could successfully create a whole song on a computer without having to be able to play a musical instrument. His first major influences were groups such as The Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers, artists who blended guitars with dance music. He first discovered jungle and drum and bass music after hearing "Incredible" by M-Beat and General Levy.

Douwma did not start taking music production seriously until he left school and deciding what to do for a career. In order to advance and to get more of an understanding of electronic music production, he went to college and studied sound engineering. [4] From 2001 to 2002 onwards, largely due to encouragement from his friends, he started sending out demo CDs. His breakthrough came in 2003 when a friend of his who was playing in a club on the same night as RAM Records boss Andy C gave him his demo CD, with his phone number written on it (he had the CD with him so he could have some exclusive tunes to play in his set). After hearing it, Andy was so impressed with the demo, he phoned up Douwma straight away and signed every track instantly, and Douwma was signed to RAM's sister label Frequency, before making his debut on RAM two years later.

2005–2008: Early career

In March 2005, Douwma had a number one single on the UK Dance Chart with "X-Ray / Scarecrow". The single reached number 60 on the UK Singles Chart. [5] In June 2008, he hit number one on the UK Dance Chart again with "Timewarp / Join the Dots".

2006: Sub Focus

In 2006, he traveled to the U.S. and played at Five Nightclub in Washington, D.C., courtesy of Upfront Productions.

2009–2010: Sub Focus

In August 2009, he cracked the UK top 40 for the first time with "Rock It / Follow the Light", which reached number 38. [6] "Rock It / Follow the Light" also got him a third UK Dance Chart number one, as well as reaching the B-list of BBC Radio 1's playlist. Sub Focus has also remixed selected works of The Prodigy, deadmau5, Rusko, Dr. Octagon, Empire of the Sun and Dizzee Rascal. On 6 October 2009, Sub Focus released "Smooth" which was free to download. On 12 October 2009, he released his debut studio album Sub Focus , the album peaked at number 51 on the UK Albums Chart.

2010–2019: Torus

In 2010, Sub Focus was a support act for Australian drum and bass band Pendulum on their UK tour to promote their third album Immersion . [7] Later that year, he produced the Example track "Kickstarts" for his second album, Won't Go Quietly . The track was successful in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number three. [6] This makes it Sub Focus' most commercially successful production to date. A free track "Falling Down" featuring vocals from Kenzie May was released on his website and was later released digitally as an EP. In 2012, he released "Out the Blue" featuring Alice Gold and it reached number 23 in the UK Singles Chart. It was followed by "Tidal Wave" featuring Alpines which peaked at number 12 in the UK Singles Chart, which also became his first to spend at least two weeks in the top 40. "Tidal Wave" also featured on the Mercedes Benz "Sound with Power" advertising campaign, along with Tinie Tempah. On 12 May 2013, "Endorphins" featuring Alex Clare was released, continuing his recent chart success, peaking at number 10 in the UK Singles Chart. The album's fifth single "Turn It Around" was released on 22 September 2013 and reached number 14. His second studio album Torus was released on 30 September 2013. He headlined the Radio 1 Dance stage at the Reading and Leeds Festivals 2013. Sub Focus played at Glastonbury 2013 with his new live show setup. Later in the summer of 2013, he went on to play at Dour Festival, Reading & Leeds, Global Gathering, Bestival and Isle of Wight festival among others. He headlined BBC Radio 1Xtra Live at the Bournemouth International Centre on 7 October. He then completed a 2013 UK tour. The sixth single from Torus, "Turn Back Time", slowly climbed the UK Singles Chart to number 10. The next single from Torus, a new version of "Close" featuring a session singer instead of MNEK, failed to chart.

2020–present: Portals and Evolve

On 15 September 2020, Douwma announced on Twitter that a collaborative album with fellow UK artist Wilkinson would be released on 9 October of that year. [8] The album was made available for pre-order on CD and vinyl. [9] Portals ' tracklist was revealed by Douwma on 17 September. It contains 11 tracks, including the four singles "Air I Breathe", "Illuminate", "Just Hold On" and "Turn the Lights Off". [10]

On 8 March 2023, Douwma announced a third solo album Evolve , which was released on 12 May 2023. [11] The album contains 14 tracks including the singles "Vibration (One More Time)" featuring AR/CO, "Ready to Fly" with Dimension and "Off the Ground". The album won "Best Album" at the Drum and Bass Arena Awards in 2023. [12]

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High Contrast</span> Welsh musical artist (born 1979)

Lincoln Barrett, better known by the stage name High Contrast, is a Welsh electronic music producer, DJ and record producer. He produces drum and bass music, and his 2009 album Confidential reached BPI gold certification.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TC (musician)</span> English music producer, singer and DJ

Tom Casswell, better known as TC and also as Tommy Boy, is an English drum and bass producer, singer and DJ. He left school and started making music inspired by the sounds of the Bristol scene and the music and atmosphere of St. Paul's, the area of Bristol where he grew up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Example (musician)</span> British musician

Elliot John Gleave, better known by his stage name Example, is an English musician, singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer. He released his debut studio album, What We Made, in 2007, followed by the mixtape What We Almost Made in 2008. Example first found success in 2010 with the release of his second studio album, Won't Go Quietly, which peaked at number four on the UK Albums Chart and number one on the UK Dance Chart. The album had two top 10 singles, "Won't Go Quietly" and "Kickstarts".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calvin Harris</span> Scottish DJ and record producer (born 1984)

Adam Richard Wiles, known professionally as Calvin Harris, is a Scottish DJ, record producer, singer and songwriter. His debut studio album, I Created Disco (2007) was preceded by the singles "Acceptable in the 80s" and "The Girls", both of which peaked within the top ten of the UK singles chart. His second album, Ready for the Weekend (2009), debuted atop the UK Albums Chart; its lead single, "I'm Not Alone", became his first song to peak the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chase & Status</span> English music duo

Chase & Status are an English electronic music duo composed of Saul Milton (Chase) and Will Kennard (Status). In addition, Andy Gangadeen is the drummer when the band performs live. MC Rage formerly performed as MC with the group, but left in July 2021 to focus on solo ventures. The duo are from London, and formed in 2003 after meeting at university in Manchester. The duo have since released six studio albums and collaborated with major artists such as Plan B, CeeLo Green, Rihanna, Example, and Tinie Tempah. They run the independent record label MTA Records. William Kennard founded ELAM in 2014.

<i>Sub Focus</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Sub Focus

Sub Focus is the debut album by British drum and bass producer Sub Focus. It was released on 12 October 2009 through RAM Records. The album primarily features drum and bass tracks, however there are tracks showcasing dubstep, electro, house, breakbeat and trance music elements. "Rock It / Follow the Light" managed to break into the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart. Two later singles, "Could This Be Real" and "Splash", both fell just below, peaking at number 41. The album charted at number 51 on the UK Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flashing Lights (Chase & Status and Sub Focus song)</span> 2011 single by Chase & Status and Sub Focus featuring Takura

"Flashing Lights" is a single performed by British drum and bass duo Chase & Status, featuring production from fellow producer and label mate Sub Focus and vocals from Takura Tendayi. The single was released as a digital download on 18 November 2011 and serves as the seventh overall, fifth official and final single from Chase & Status' second studio album No More Idols.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out the Blue (Sub Focus song)</span> 2012 single by Sub Focus featuring Alice Gold

"Out the Blue" is the second single by British DJ and record producer Sub Focus to be released from his second studio album Torus. The song features vocals from English singer Alice Gold. The song was Sub Focus's highest-charting single until the release of "Tidal Wave".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metrik</span> English electronic music producer

Tom Mundell, better known as Metrik, is an English electronic music producer from London. He has been releasing records since 2007 and currently is one of the top drum and bass producers in the world, with 888,000 monthly listeners on Spotify as of spring 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Becky Hill</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1994)

Rebecca Claire Hill is an English singer and songwriter. She rose to fame after appearing on the first series of The Voice UK, auditioning with John Legend's "Ordinary People". She joined Jessie J's team and reached the semi-final of the competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rudimental</span> British band

Rudimental are a British drum and bass band, signed to Asylum Records, Atlantic Records and Black Butter Records. The band consists of Piers Aggett, Kesi Dryden and Leon "Locksmith" Rolle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disclosure (band)</span> English electronic music duo

Disclosure are an English electronic music duo consisting of brothers Howard and Guy Lawrence. They grew up in Reigate, Surrey. Their debut studio album, Settle, released on 3 June 2013, by PMR Records, was nominated for Best Dance/Electronica Album at the 2014 Grammy Awards. They released a second studio album, Caracal, on 25 September 2015 which was also nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 2016 Grammy Awards. Their third studio album, Energy, was released on 28 August 2020, and was nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 2021 Grammy Awards, alongside the fourth single from the album, "My High", which was nominated for Best Dance Recording.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endorphins (song)</span> 2013 single by Sub Focus featuring Alex Clare

"Endorphins" is the fourth single by British DJ and record producer Sub Focus, released from his second studio album Torus. The song features vocals from British singer Alex Clare. The song has reached number 10 on the UK Singles Chart and number seven on the UK Dance Chart.

<i>Torus</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Sub Focus

Torus is the second studio album by British DJ and record producer Sub Focus. The album was released on 30 September 2013, through RAM Records, Mercury Records and Virgin EMI Records.

Mark Wilkinson, better known by his stage name Wilkinson, is an English record producer, DJ and remixer from Hammersmith, England. He has released music on RAM Records and Hospital Records, as well as Virgin EMI. His 2013 single "Afterglow" with vocals by Becky Hill reached number 8 on the UK Singles Chart on 20 October 2013.

<i>Lazers Not Included</i> 2013 studio album by Wilkinson

Lazers Not Included is the debut studio album by British drum and bass record producer Wilkinson. The album was released on 28 October 2013 through RAM Records under license to Virgin EMI. The album includes the singles "Tonight", "Need to Know", "Take You Higher", "Heartbeat", "Afterglow", "Too Close" and "Half Light". The album has peaked at number 46 on the UK Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turn Back Time (Sub Focus song)</span> 2013 single by Sub Focus

"Turn Back Time" is a song by British DJ and record producer Sub Focus, featuring uncredited vocals from British singer Yolanda Quartey. It was released independently on 20 December 2013 as the sixth single from his second studio album Torus. However, the song charted prior to independent release and continued to rise, peaking at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart for the week of 25 January 2014. Along with "Endorphins", it is his joint highest-charting single to date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sub Focus discography</span>

English DJ and record producer Sub Focus has released three studio albums and 31 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dirty Love (song)</span> 2014 single by Wilkinson featuring Talay Riley

"Dirty Love" is a song by the British drum and bass producer Wilkinson. It features vocals from British singer Talay Riley. It was released on 12 October 2014 through RAM Records as the first single from the extended edition of his debut studio album Lazers Not Included, and the seventh single overall. The song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 20, after sitting at number 13 in the midweeks.

<i>Portals</i> (Sub Focus and Wilkinson album) 2020 studio album by Sub Focus and Wilkinson

Portals is a studio album by English DJ and record producers Sub Focus and Wilkinson. It was released on 9 October 2020 by Virgin EMI Records. The album includes the singles "Illuminate", "Just Hold On", "Air I Breathe", "Turn the Lights Off" and "Freedom".

References

  1. ↑ Sub Focus Discogs
  2. ↑ "SUB FOCUS on Twitter" . Retrieved 11 March 2015– via Twitter.
  3. ↑ Scilippa, Phil. "Sub Focus and Wilkinson Reveal New Forthcoming Album, "Portals"". EDM.com. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  4. ↑ [ dead link ]
  5. ↑ "polyhex.com UK Singles Chart runs". Polyhex.com. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  6. 1 2 "everyHit.com search results". Everyhit.com. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  7. ↑ "Ish-Media Music Promotions". Ish-media.com. 2 December 2009. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  8. ↑ Focus, Sub. "Excited to announce that my collaborative album 'Portals' with @WilkinsonUK is coming out 9th October! Can't wait for you guys to hear this" . Retrieved 28 September 2020– via Twitter.
  9. ↑ Garrison, Logan. "Sub Focus and Wilkinson Announce New Album 'Portals'". EDM Identity. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  10. ↑ Focus, Sub. ""Here's the artwork and tracklist for Portals! Hope you guys love this as much as I do..."" . Retrieved 28 September 2020– via Twitter.
  11. ↑ Focus, Sub (8 March 2023). "Excited to announce my third solo album EVOLVE". Facebook.
  12. ↑ Kicks, Whiskey (6 December 2023). "DRUM&BASSARENA AWARDS 2023 – THE WINNERS".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.