EDM artists and Shreveport natives Nanalog, Da’politiks and Benoit will be teaming up Feb. 12 for Sub State Throwdown – a night filled with innovative up-and-coming dubstep acts.
Varsity Theatre will host the evening’s festivities. Each DJ will be bringing their own sound to the stage during their respective sets.
Nanalog, the first performance of the night, will incorporate live guitar playing into his set. His guitar will be used to accompany and add to certain melodies on different tracks.
“A lot of sounds come via Midi triggering on the guitar, just how some people would with a keyboard synth,” Nanalog saids. “It also models different styles of actual guitar tones.”
While Nanalog loves performing, he said he sees his future in music as a lighting organizer for other EDM performers. He wants to help other artists define their concert experiences with his work, the DJ said.
Nanalog has been close friends with Benoit, the second performer on Friday, since he provided sound for Benoit’s first performance while they were in high school.
For his first show, Benoit recruited a team of friends to help him with promotion, and it ended up being a huge success.
“I built my audience by playing a lot locally and then by word of mouth,” Benoit said. “I knew a few people who knew a few more people, and we ended up selling out the show.”
He said he urges newer EDM performers not to be afraid to try new things and push the boundaries of the genre.
Benoit said he’s been heavily influenced by artists like Bassnectar and Pretty Lights because they’re able to transform obscure samples into their own melodies. He said the best way to stand out from other amateur EDM artists is by playing more than what’s trendy. The artist said many newer performers choose this route over trying to innovate far too often.
Benoit said he has plans to release an EP within a few months and hopes to eventually build his music into a career.
Da’politiks began his career producing rap beats. He first experimented with creating his own electronic noises in his freshman year of college and he quickly moved on to producing full EDM songs.
“My music incorporates a lot of Louisiana hip hop,” Da’politiks said. “It feels like you’re at a Louisiana rap concert and a bass heavy concert at the same time. It’s a big party.”
Da’politiks said he prefers producing EDM to rap beats because it’s a more fun, fast-paced experience. People come to a dubstep show with the sole intention of dancing, having fun and letting go of stress.
Sub State Throwdown is the first event of its kind for the three Louisiana DJs. The trio of producers said they would like to host a similar event once every few months.
WHEN: Friday, February 12 at 9 p.m.
WHERE: The Varsity Theatre, 3353 Highland Rd.
TICKETS: $10

Gallery • 2 Photos

Courtesy of Da’politiks' Facebook