Bensley, Justin Hawkes, and Kumarion Help Launch New DnB Label BEACON

**Bensley, Justin Hawkes, and Kumarion showcase the sounds of the North American drum and bass scene with the first release on BEACON, Carry The Fire.**

Drum and bass has catapulted its way into the hearts of an increasing number of dance music lovers in North America in recent years. While the UK-born genre has had a persistent presence on this side of the pond for decades, the recent resurgence in popularity has been remarkable to witness. Many drum and bass artists have been instrumental to this big push, but there’s no doubt that it wouldn’t have happened without artists like Bensley, Justin Hawkes, and Kumarion helping keep the vibes alive.

Unlike many of their contemporaries from the UK or Australia, Bensley, Justin Hawkes, and Kumarion hail from Canada and the US. They’ve championed drum and bass for years on North American soil but have impressed global listeners and gained plenty of honors along the way. And as the genre continues to rise, a new home has surfaced for artists like these three to call home, BEACON.

Founded by Anthony Tedder, BEACON is a new US-based label focused on the genre that intends to help nurture the scene and foster its growth. Adding more power to the label is their partnership with the founders of the iconic label UKF, AEI Music, to further solidify their initial status in the community.

As we’ve seen DNB make massive leaps internationally, we can’t help but want that for our stateside community. The USA definitely feels like, “Why not us?” I’m not saying that BEACON is the savior or the answer, but we will do our part in nurturing the scene and fostering its growth. Hand-in-hand with artists and professionals, both home-grown and international, we will reach our goal of making Drum & Bass a mainstay in American dance music culture.
Anthony Tedder, BEACON Founder

But no label can truly launch without music, and for that, BEACON looked to Bensley, Justin Hawkes, and Kumarion to carry the proverbial torch… or rather… fire. The trio of artists had already been familiar with each other in the North American drum and bass scene, so coming together to create some music was a natural step in the progression of their careers. While they each have distinct styles within the drum and bass realm, the result of these sessions has now culminated in the four-track Carry The Fire EP.

The Carry The Fire idea is more of a memory of what mine and our mutual experiences have been, of isolation and internet friends getting better together to make awesome music. Omar and Pete are two of my greatest friends, and it was the perfect opportunity to combine our strengths.
Justin Hawkes

Carry The Fire begins with “Supernova,” which provides a solid introduction to the soundscapes that surface throughout the collection. Vocal chants, claps, and synths guide the way to punchy percussion that finds a way to kick your energy levels into high gear on this one. The title track arrives next, the simple vocals on this one are backed by a frenetic bassline filled with drum and bass drops that you’ll find yourself craving long after its runtime.

“I’m Losing My Mind” is another gem on Carry The Fire with its hard-hitting groove that you can’t help but move your body to. That same type of energy carries into “Sell My Soul,” giving drum and bass lovers a final dose of energy with its stuttered breakbeat, booming elements, and underlying vocal sample bookended by airy moments.

If this release is an indication of what’s to arrive on BEACON in the future, then that future is brighter than ever. Listen to the Carry The Fire EP on Spotify or your preferred platform, and stay tuned for more from by following the label on social media!