Dub FX: voice, looper and an independent sound between reggae, hip-hop and electronics

When Australian Benjamin Stanford left for Europe in 2006, his plan was simple: live in a van, travel the world and perform on the streets wherever he stopped. A few years later, Dub FX has hundreds of thousands of record sales, appearances at the world’s biggest festivals, over 150 million YouTube video views and 600,000 Facebook fans. He achieved it independently, without record-company or major-agency support.

“I never planned a major career. I wanted to travel and look for inspiration,” says the artist.

After audiences filmed his street performances and posted the recordings on social media, where they became enormously popular, Dub FX soared into the adventure of a lifetime. The recordings captured his unique way of looping music and showed audiences how one artist creates an electrifying show.

“I like mixing different genres: jazz, reggae, hip-hop, samba, drum and bass, dubstep. I combine whatever I feel like at the time. That's the beauty of what I create,” says the performer.

Imagine hearing a recording on your way to work that sounds as though a group of DJs collaborated on it. You could not be more mistaken: one person creates this music using his voice, an FX effects processor, distortion and a looper. As for the lyrics, Dub FX’s message is always positive. He values honesty and calls for action, self-improvement and building an independent, free existence.

“I decided long ago that I wanted to be remembered for changing the world for the better. I can achieve that by inspiring people through my lyrics. It doesn't matter how unpopular they may be,” the musician explains.

Dub FX’s third album, “Thinking Clear”, appeared in 2016 through his own Convoy label with Germany’s Membrane. Its tracks were recorded at his private Treetop Studios. This holistic experience combines his characteristic genre innovation with a distinctive experience of surrounding nature. The resulting album inspires through interwoven transcendental acoustic and electronic sounds.

In July 2017, the artist returned to the roots of his work. The single ‘Listening’ is a raw blend of dub and reggae influences, recalling Dub FX’s earlier recordings.

The artist also recorded an 8-track album for his partner, Sahida. The lyrical recordings explore travel, building independence, optimism and social justice.

The artist is currently touring Europe. He will also appear at the Most Beautiful Festival in the World, returning ten years after his first performance. The artist will play the Main Stage on 2 August.

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