Champagne Dub - Drops (2018)

Champagne Dub is a collective of selected artists who come together to practice psychedelic dub rituals.

The project was conceived by drummer and producer Betamax (the comet is coming, Soccer96) who makes a nod to a range of influences through Free-Improv, Psychedelic Post Punk, English Folk, Performance Art and 70s Dub. However the band also draws on the teachings of Zen Buddhist philosophy, to create sound without intention, to capture and dub the natural shape of subconscious intuitions.

After several explosive live shows, the group headed into the studio where they found themselves deep in the presence of a 1/4” tape machine. The results of which were soaked in biochemically enhanced mix of reverb and analogue effects. This was then distilled into a potent psychoacoustic blend of syncopated hallucinations. Once the vision was truly realised and tested on some animals, it was deemed safe for public consumption and was thus thoroughly impressed onto 12” vinyl. Champagne Dub will be released into the sonic environment with the spiritual guidance of ‘Faith and Industry’ records.

Bass player Ruth Goller (melt yourself down/acoustic ladyland) applies her distinctive sonic boom to the low end of the group. After effortlessly lording through London’s many musical pockets, she has discovered a genuinely original approach to the instrument, whilst mastering her technical ability. Punk as fuck and funkier than a pimp truck, Goller pummels pure tones through the dirt with all the rhythmic precision of a washing cycle set to ‘silk with rinse’.

Ed Briggs is a sound artist from brighton who plays homemade synths incorporating mechanical parts from a Herdie Gurdy. He also Programs using MaxMSP where he can perform mind melting sound granulation in real time. Currently well known as the first person to invent ‘Laser bagpipes’, his creations include a solar flare detector and an antigravity camera. Briggs is a full time DIY inventor and home-science experimenter with a family background in English folk.

Mr Noodles, the anonymous performance artist/vocalist cuts a dark figure on stage. Noodles uses many voices, shamanic percussion and unpredictable movement, haunting the band with a plethora of dreamy mantras. Once described by an audience member as ‘my reoccurring nightmare’, Noodles is both vulnerable and dangerous.

Mexican artist Nahum Mantra's day job normally sees him working for the European space Agency where he works as an artist/magician.
Once Nahum had mastered the art of Hypnotism at a young age, his career gravitated towards the link between science and art.
His latest technological sculpture was launched into space in early 2018 and is currently orbiting the planet. Also known as member of ‘Orchestra Elastique’- Champagne Dub also sees him feature on his natural instrument the Theremin.

Betamax (the comet is coming/Soccer96/Superbest friends club/Hot head show) has been playing drums for ages. However after taking mushrooms he realised that there was a deeper layer of rhythm that remained trapped by his ego. An expression so honest, naked and uncultured that it had been withheld by the subconscious. It was a rhythm that couldn’t be understood - that always shifted, but always spoke the truth. Sometimes still, other times explosive- Champagne Dub is what is now. Now who are you?