Dub FX

Benjamin Stanford (born 11 June 1983), better known by his stage name Dub FX (stylized as Dub Fx or DubFx), is an Australian musician and worldwide street performer.

Dub FX
Dub FX performing at Larimer's Lounge in Denver, CO 6 October 2012
Background information
Birth nameBenjamin Stanford
Born (1983-06-11) 11 June 1983
OriginSt Kilda, Melbourne, Australia
GenresDub, hip hop, dubstep, drum and bass, jungle, Reggae, Ska, Dancehall
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, vocalist, record producer
InstrumentsVocals, beatbox, loop station, effects pedal, guitar
Years active2003–present
LabelsConvoyun.ltd
Associated actsFlower Fairy, Mr. Woodnote, CAde, Kila mega giga tera, Sirius, chali 2na, mc stamina
Websitedubfx.com

Born in St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia,[1] at the start of his career he was singing in a local alternative rock and rapcore band initially known as Twitch, which would later change its name to N.O.N (Never or Now). In 2004 they released a debut and the only album Exeunt Omnes.[2][3] Soon after he moved to Italy and began a solo career. His trademark is creating rich live music using only his own performance aided by live looping and effects pedals combined with his voice.[4][5] He creates intricate hip hop, reggae, and drum and bass rhythms.[4]

Dub FX currently resides in Victoria, Australia with his wife, and two kids.

Associated acts

Stanford used to travel and perform with his former fiancée, Flower Fairy.[1][6] Dub FX first met her in Manchester, after which she joined him on his travels around the globe to busk for the public. Flower Fairy would usually be seen selling CDs during Dub FX's performances or on stage alongside Stanford when they perform several tracks together. She is also featured singing on tracks from Everythinks A Ripple, "Wandering Love", "Flow", and "Time Will Tell".

Two songs from Everythinks A Ripple, "Flow", and "Wandering Love", feature a street saxophonist named Mr. Woodnote, who also uses similar looping techniques as Dub FX, using a saxophone.

After his first summer traveling through Europe in 2006, he came home to Melbourne where he shared a flat with Melbourne-based producer Sirius. Stanford showed Sirius this new style from the UK called dubstep. and by 2010 together they released the album titled Dub FX and Sirius – A Crossworlds. Dub FX does not beatbox on this album.[7]

Dub FX is also part of the dubstep act Kila Mega Giga Tera, the other half being Glade Kettle (Distro)(aka Sirius). To date they have released one song on Aquatic Lab Sessions Volume 1, a CD and limited edition vinyl compilation released in 2009. Kila Mega Giga Tera also have an album,[8] which was released in 2010. This album is called A Crossworlds.

Music

Dub FX is completely independent, using only live performance, word of mouth, internet social networking, and a number of easily accessible free samples. Dub FX is also the main founder of the label Convoyunltd, which could be described as a co-op label for Dub FX's own work and that of other artists.[4] To date, artists that have released albums on Convoyunltd are: Flower Fairy, Sirius, Mr. Woodnote, and Dub FX, with additional featured artists on separate songs of each album. Every album released through Convoyunltd has been produced by Dub FX with the exception of Dub FX & Sirius's release, A Crossworlds, a collaboration album released in 2010 which revealed a much darker and instrumental sound.

Dub FX's lyrics address both general world events and contemporary angst, while suggesting individual-based revolution through self-determination and engagement. He also addresses issues of social importance, the most notable example being the song Society's Gates, loosely based on the life of the philosopher Socrates.

Equipment

Dub FX started off with a Boss GT-6 multi-effects pedal which he then traded up for the GT-8, and now uses a Boss GT-10B bass guitar effects pedal for nearly all the effects used over his voice. He also used an Akai Head Rush pedal for a loop station originally, but has since also upgraded this to a Boss RC-50 Loop station and then the Boss RC-505 Loop station respectively. Note that he also uses an SYB-5 Bass synth to add an extra depth to the bass line. On stage he uses a DR-880 Rhythm Machine for some songs. In the past he has toyed with other equipment like the Boss A/B foot switch (an add-on for the RC-50) as well as a green slicer pedal, as seen in his Ghent performance. As for a live vocal microphone, currently he favours the RØDE M1 mic, however at the heart of his recording studio lies the Soundelux U195 condenser microphone.

Discography
  • 2004 – Exeunt Omnes (as a part of the band N.O.N)
  • 2007 – Live in the Street – A collection of live street performances performed in various countries throughout Europe during the beginning stages of his busking.
  • 2009 – Everythinks a Ripple – The first Dub FX studio album. The promotional material says "all sounds on the album were created with his voice using a Roland effects & loop pedal."
  • 2010 – A Crossworlds – With Sirius as Kila Mega Giga Tera
  • 2013 – Theory of Harmony
  • 2016 – Thinking Clear
  • 2020 – Roots

References
  1. Moses, Allan (2010) "Dubbing into Dub FX", The Hindu, 26 November 2010, retrieved 9 April 2012
  2. https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/non
  3. http://neverornow.bandcamp.com
  4. Wickrematunge, Raisa "Dub FX in Sri Lanka", Sunday Leader, retrieved 9 April 2012
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. Banerjee, Debesh (2010) "Medley Score", The Indian Express, 25 November 2010, retrieved 9 April 2012
  7. "The Philosopher Street Musician | Kortars". kortars.com. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Uz1MaHinVc
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