It's been a while since my last post but I am back with a whole new look, a more visual concept and more diverse content...

In May of this year I had the pleasure of walking along the beach in Cádiz, Spain. The sun was warm, the water cool and the views breathtaking! I really felt I needed to capture this vibe with a Drum'n'Bass mix to help keep the sunshine in my soul. #KeepShining Vol 4 - Summer Selection was born!

#KeepShining Vol 4 - Summer Selection by Niteglow on Mixcloud

I have been busy this year on a number of projects and events. I thought I would write a quick blog post as today marks a milestone on this blog. It is three years since I set up this blog and my Twitter account.

This year has been quieter on the blogging front but those who follow on Twitter definitely know that I have been out and about! I've been focusing more on my MixCloud DJ mixes this year because, as many know, Drum'n'Bass and Dubstep are smashing it up at the moment (especially with DJ Fresh's Louder getting to number 1!).

During this year, we have witnessed regime changes in the Middle East and riots here in the UK. Social Media played a part in these events and it is now safe to say that Social Media has firmly established itself globally and become mainstream.

Companies now favour putting links to their Facebook and Twitter than bog-standard links to a static website. In the midst of an economic crisis Social Media continues to grow and flourish encouraging people across to collaborate.

In the last year or so I have several ups and downs. Unfortunately, I have encountered some quite 'motivated' haters around and about. My message to them is that NiteGlow has always been about shining bright and carrying on in the face of these challenges. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger they say!

Having said that there has definitely been more ups and than downs. I am continuing to meet and work with some excellent and inspirational people. For instance the TEDxBristol event last month was a landmark event in Bristol and it was great to be involved in the Social Media, PR and event organisation.

In the coming year, I want to give this blog a revamp so expect some changes! I will also be getting involved in more local events and community projects. There will be more DJ Mixes going up on my MixCloud page as well new tunes on the SoundCloud page.

In short plenty more to come so roll on next year! Remember you can always catch me on Twitter!

The last few posts have been music related so I thought I would continue that theme a while longer. As you may have noticed from my twitter bio, I dabble in some Drum'n'bass and Dubstep production here and there. I have written a couple of posts on Drum'n'bass in the past but never really talked about what I've been up to music wise...

Well here's you chance to find out! I have decided to showcase some of my best demo tunes on SoundCloud and as part of this blog. This will yet add another dimension to the NiteGlow experience.

I should point out that none have tunes have ever been released before and are not signed to any record labels at the moment (hint, hint!).

Even if Drum'n'Bass/Dubstep isn't your thing I hope you'll still give it a listen. I produce stuff to get wider audiences interested too...

Without further ado here is the first Glowtune called 'Cascade'. It's a nice mellow summer roller for all y'all! As always I would love to hear what you think.....

Cascade by NiteGlow

Picture by deviantArt

It was just over a decade ago that I decided to, for the most part, throw in the towel with alternative rock, indie rock, etc for the life of blazing breakbeats and raw baselines of Drum'n'Bass.

From that moment on I have never looked back and observed an emerging music genre that now spans the globe while staying true to its initial sound. Drum'n'Bass is a style of music that you just cannot hold down no matter what. It is a genre which is able to incorporate many other styles of music into a sonic barage of fiery intensity. From old-school rave to reggae to hip hop to soul to rock nothing is out of bounds for Drum'n'Bass.

I remember at the end of the 90s in the UK many said Drum'n'Bass was dead and hailed in a new era of UK Garage. How wrong they were! The UK Garage scene has all but disappeared and Drum'n'Bass only continues to get stronger.

For me certainly it has been (and still is) the soundtrack to my life and I have evolved and grown with the scene over the last decade or so. The new producers along with house-hold names such as Grooverider, Fabio, Bukem, Blu Mar Ten and others never fail to surprise with wealth of new tunes that always push the boundaries. I still remember firm favourites like Goldie's 'Inner City Life' and Bukem's 'Music' but also embrace the continued quick evolution into the future. Artists like High Contrast, Sub Focus, Pendulum and Shy Fx have given the mainstream a taste of what Drum'n'Bass producers are capable of. DJs like Andy C continue to smash the clubs like they did ten years ago and how could I forget MCs like Skibadee, Stamina and DRS who always rock crowds with their lyrics.

People who wanted to label Drum'n'Bass as soley electronic music found it increasingly difficult with Roni Size and Reprazent's escapade into live Drum'n'Bass in 1997. It won them a Mercury music prize and inspired others to follow suit. Now we have live acts by Pendulum who again push things to the next level.

BBC's Radio 1 and 1Xtra host several Drum'n'Bass show including the Fabio and Grooverider show which has been an indispensible resource for latest tunes for over 10 years. With the growth of podcasting Drum'n'Bass has also turned its attention there. London Electricity's Hospital podcast has won awards and is consistent with its output of all styles of Drum'n'Bass. There also others such as the Lifted Music Podcast and the Drum'n'Bass Arena Podcast. There seems nothing that Drum'n'Bass people cannot do when they put their mind to it.

There are so many artists, DJs and MCs in scene right now that I rate I could even begin to list them here. They all share a passion for the scene and provide consistent good music whatever else is happening in other music scenes. I hope this will continue into the future. Also while Drum'n'Bass draws from many wordwide influences it is the only style of music that originates entirely from the UK (if you can think of any others let me know!). People in the UK should celebrate and value this more.

For my there seems to be a tune that suits every mood. I have stuck with Drum'n'Bass this far and look forward to another decade of smashing breakz, basslinez and rhythmz...

BIG UP D&B MASSIVE!

Brazil's DJ Marky feat. Stamina MC - LK

Most people that know me know that I have always been passionate about Drum'n'Bass music. It is a style of music that is constantly evolving and diversifying in different genres and sub-genres. I have dabbled in some d'n'b production over the years too and I hope to take this up again soon.

Anyway in this post I wanted to share some interesting facts about Drum'n'Bass that most people may not be aware of.


1. Made in the UK! - Drum'n'Bass is the only musically genre to be made in the UK. While it draws many influences from outside it has developed exclusively in the UK.

2. It's gone Worldwide - While Drum'n'Bass used to be just a UK ting, there are new scenes cropping up all around the world (such as Germany, Brazil, Holland, Scandanavia, Eastern Europe, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, USA Canada and Japan). Recently even the French have begrudgingly embraced a Drum'n'Bass scene.

3. David Bowie did a Drum'n'Bass Album - Even Rock Legend David Bowie saw the light when he released his album 'Earthling' in 1997. 'Little Wonder' was released as a single and it was 'little wonder' it didn't do so well as I don't think Bowie actually understood Drum'n'bass (Genius that he is!)

4. The Live Act - Drum'n'Bass is one of the few electronic dance music styles that can be performed live with 'real instruments'. After winning the Mercury Music Prize in 1997 Roni Size's Reprazent paved the way for the Drum'n'Bass live act. Their act featured live drums, live double bass and live vocals. Since then others have built on the live sound such as London Elektricity and Craggz and Parallel Forces.

5. Drum'n'Bass in Adverts - Advertisers use Drum'n'Bass as bedding music. Check out the Specsavers or Ford Focus ads for good examples. Even Pantene Pro V used a Drum'n'Bass track in their ad - who'd have thought it!

6. Drum'n'Bass in the Movies - More and more Drum'n'Bass producers are getting involved movie soundtracks though they don't shout about it. For example The Italian Job (2003) soundtrack was composed by Photek (long time and well respected producer).

7. Drum'n'Bass Producer makes waves in the Hip Hop Scene - In 2002 Adam F proved he could make it in the Stateside Hip hop world when he released the album 'Anti Acoustic Warfare'. He teamed up with likes of Redman, De La Soul and LL Cool J among others.

8. Who are the Godfathers? -Since the early nineties LTJ Bukem, Fabio and Grooverider have been pushing the Breakbeat, Jungle and Drum'n'Bass sound in the clubs. Nowadays Fabio has his own Radio Show on Radio 1. Fabio effectively created a sub genre known as 'Liquid'. Bukem championed Ambient D'n'B in the 90s and is still DJing along with running the record label Good Looking Records. Grooverider has recently been released from prison in Dubai after a drugs charge! We look forward to having him back.

9. How can I forget the Man Goldie?!! - Wild child of Drum'n'Bass, Goldie (real name Clifford Price) is famous for his album 'Timeless' and seminal track 'Inner City Life' in 1995. On his next album 'Saturnz Return' he did an immense 1 hour track dedicated to his mother. Goldie has crossed over into TV and Movie Land. He starred as a Bond Villain in the film 'The World is Not Enough' and had a brief apperance in 'Snatch'. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother but was kicked out of the house pretty soon after! He was even in Eastenders briefly playing a gangster with a bad attitude. Not a difficult role to pull off for him I think and Im sure he gave Phill Mitchel a run for his money. He has continued to make waves in the scene with his long standing label, Metaheadz and a new album called Sine Tempus.

10. Drum'n' Bass is not Dead! This is the biggest load of BS ever as you can see from the previous 9 points. I have a theory that this is most likely a conspiracy created by the UK Garage headz in about 1999 and 2000 (you know who you are!! lol!) I have one question for them "where is UK Garage now?" ;-) Drum'n'Bass continues to goes from strength to strength without compromising its roots.

If you are interested in checking out some of the tunes I did a while back head over to www.myspace.com/taurusbeatz