11 things we learned from Bassnectar’s surprise Reddit AMA

“[W]e have this whole crazy NEUROTIC multi-dimensional plan to do a 7-night run,” Ashton says in a recent surprise Reddit AMA with fans.

If that statement isn’t enough to wet your whistle, then do you really consider yourself a basshead? The nickname, given to Bassnectar‘s loyal legion of cult-style family followers, is more than a name. It’s a lifestyle. So when Bassnectar takes to the interwebs to conduct a live fan AMA (Ask Me Anything), bassheads drop everything and seek to get their most personal of questions answered by the man himself.

Following the release of his most recent mixtape, Sound In Motion, which premiered last Thursday, along with a Friday release of three new All Colors tracks, Lorin Ashton (aka Bassnectar) stopped by Reddit to answer a few questions. The move was a complete surprise given how Ashton has been taking to Facebook lately to engage fans and answer questions.

Here’s what the King of Sound had to say in his most recent live fan AMA — from his next Sound In Motion mixtape, to revealing nearly every track from his forthcoming All Colors LP, to that long-overdue Naux Faux album, plus more!

To read the full AMA, head to r/Bassnectar.

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1) Right off the bat, Ashton reveals nearly the entire tracklist for All Colors…

The LP includes Bassnectar’s heavily-popular “Skin On The Drum” remix that he debuted at DejaVoom 2019, along with his YOOKiE collaboration, “Open Your Mind,” which was debuted at NYE 360.

He also reveals titles for joints with frequent collaborators UFO! and Zion I. When taken with the two singles Bassnectar released previously, and the three he released last week, that makes for nine titles that he’s revealed.

2) Bassnectar was planning to release a surprise album at Deja Voom called Signs of Life.

3) “Rewind the Track” is Lorin’s favorite track from the new album… for now.

Also, he says “Optimism” is a deep downtempo throwback, which rounds out as the tenth track off the LP.

Ashton’s incoming third mixtape, Music for Optimists, is centered around the All Colors track, “Optimism,” which he began working on all the way back in 2002.

4) Ashton is finally coming around to the live stream. 

And he plans to keep live tweeting the future mixtapes.

Bassnectar also says the live tweeting reminds him of getting on his mic with his production team during the show…

He also provides a little more context as to why live streaming goes against his philosophy of creating intentional moments.

5) Eons ago, Lorin used to run around the house in a hoodie to feel out the pre-show energy.

Obviously, that has become impossible in the current time.

6) Bassnectar also wants to know if the premiere for mixtapes should be Thursday or Friday.

He says the reason his second mission, Sound In Motion, was released on a weeknight is that DSPs (Digital Service Providers) dictate a Friday release date.

To make your voice heard, go here.

Ashton also says love how Apple Music is supporting mixtapes now because it allows artists that he plays to get paid out. Although, Ashton actually gets nothing.

Lorin reminds fans that a shout out to Apple Music is by no means a corporate endorsement against Spotify.

Lastly, Bassnectar reveals he is knee-deep in working on a 90s jungle remix project for one of his five mixtape releases (presumably the fourth).

7) Bassnectar actually planned to live stream NYE 360 this past turn-of-the-decade, but his team had to cancel it because of technical issues. 

He still plans to release the full recording as planned, but his time has been taken over by planning the mixtape releases.

8) Ashton reminds fans that “thinking critically” does not mean arguing with every bit of cynicism inside of you.

It means being open to listening and molding your worldview to include multiple perspectives.

Perhaps a good lesson for the cynical bassheads would do well to look up what critique/criticism actually means, both academically and politically.

9) Naux Faux 2 is LONG OVERDUE, Ashton says.

Ashton also addresses his Zeds Dead and Excision collaborations in the same question…

Ashton also speaks to the vinyl release for Underground Communication and Divergent Systems of Throb in the same question.

He says the two presses have been in the works for a LONG TIME. However, their releases have been bogged down by industry contracts and business blocks.

10) Bassnectar has been all output and little input over the quarantine.

While he has had little time to focus on listening to new music, he still shouts out Wreckno & GRiZ’s new track, along with ill.Gates and UHNK’s “Trapezoid” and Jade Cicada’s new ambient album.

So expect to hear those dropped in his sets.

And the best for last…

11) Bassnectar says he and his team have plans for a SEVEN NIGHT RUN once the quarantine is over.

“So we have this whole crazy NEUROTIC AS FUCK multi-dimensional plan in place to do a 7 night run,” Ashton says candidly.

These are just brainstorming and musings at the moment, although a seven-day event screams of Burning Man vibes. If it were to come to full fruition, bassheads better start putting on their marathon shoes.