UK drum and bass artist Natty Lou is at the forefront of the genre’s next generation. She swung by to dive into her backstory, share her thoughts on the community, and more.
The UK has birthed many talents in the drum and bass scene over the past three decades, and Natty Lou is one who you need to have on your radar. This DJ and producer has already begun to rack up nominations for the Drum & Bass Awards and the Drum and Bass Arena Awards while being named one of UKF‘s “Ones To Watch” in 2023. Her music has graced labels ranging from Liquicity to Viper Recordings, and her sets everywhere, from Tomorrowland to Rampage Open Air, have captivated thousands of fans.
Natty Lou is prepping for another massive year ahead filled with top-tier releases and even more performances. Luckily, she had some time to sit down to discuss her roots, touch on the scene’s current state, and find out where she hopes it will be heading in years to come.
“Drum and bass has shaped me into the person I am today,” Natty Lou shared as she recalled memories from the past. She mentioned hearing the genre and jungle between 2008 and 2012 while she was studying in Bristol, which began her journey as a raver. You could catch Natty Lou at venues like Motion, Lakota, Timbuktu, and O2 Academy back then. Soon enough, she joined the female dance troupe called the Bass Honeys, which performed with Andy C, Dillinja, and Sigma, among others.
“I’ve always felt very welcomed by the community, and I’ve met lifelong friends along the way due to our shared love for the music,” Natty Lou told EDM Identity. “I don’t think I could make or play any other genre – it’s in my soul and in my bones!” She’s taken that passion, bottled it up, and used it to fuel her journey as a DJ and producer who has a deep understanding of the two genres’ roots and why they flourished in the UK.
Drum and bass and jungle is more than a genre of music; it’s a culture, community, and lifestyle. The genre has a rich history and has been deeply rooted in UK culture since the early 1990’s. The UK’s multicultural environment and the influence of reggae / sound system culture has played a key role in shaping DnB into what it is today. Today, there are a range of sub-genres; from liquid to neuro-funk, dancefloor, and jump-up – there’s a style that resonates with every listener’s taste.
Natty Lou
The cultural impact of drum and bass in the UK was fostered in part by the genre’s dynamic sounds but also by the venues that helped usher it to the forefront. Natty Lou mentioned Project Manchester, Fabric London, Ministry of Sound, and Motion Bristol, four venues that have ranked highly in the DJ Mag Top 100 Clubs list, as influential spaces for DnB to flourish. Additionally, promoters like RUN, Warning, Bedlam, Pure Science, and labels including Hospital Records, Viper, RAM, Metalheadz, and Playaz have carried the torch with regular events, label nights, and more.
Everyone has played a part keeping the music alive – the producers, DJs, MCs, promoters, venues, labels, vocalists, and drum and bass / jungle music lovers.
Natty Lou
When asked about the drum and bass community, Natty Lou expressed it feels “like a tight-knit family” that has united people from diverse backgrounds. “There’s a huge sense of freedom, inclusivity, and forward-thinking in the community now (which speaks volumes for progression),” she shared. “However, challenges still do remain.”
On the positive side of the spectrum, Natty Lou mentioned collectives like Unorthodox, the UK’s first LGBTQ+ drum and bass movement, and Dynamics, which celebrates female and non-binary artists. “A lot has been done to provide equal opportunities for LGBTQ+ and female artists in the DnB scene, such as introducing inclusivity riders, providing diverse lineups, safe spaces, and making events accessible for all,” she shared. “I think it’s important to keep building a strong, like-minded community to help grow and shape the scene for future generations to enjoy, no matter your background.”
That doesn’t mean there aren’t some battles that have continued to be fought in the UK. Clubbing culture has been under fire in the country for years, and the situation has only gotten more dire in the wake of the pandemic. “Many of our clubs in the UK are closing, which is incredibly hard to see,” Natty Lou said. “UK live music is becoming destabilised, leading to the collapse of our grassroots system, and ticket prices for events are rising.”
There is a fear for the future of clubbing as people can’t afford to go out due to the rising cost of living or they are choosing to live a healthier lifestyle. Sobriety is on the rise and with that, habits of people change. ‘Save Our Scene’ is just one example of an organisation which has partnered with ‘Music Venue Trust’ to address these challenges and support UK venues, artists and promoters. Established in 2020, ‘SOS’ is now an events and media organisation dedicated to preserving the live music sector. I’m hoping things will improve with the help and support from the community.
Natty Lou
While the present has been quite the roller coaster ride for drum and bass, there was a sense of optimism from Natty Lou regarding its future. She pointed out that the genre has seen a 94% increase in listenership since 2021, and accolades have begun to roll in. This included Chase & Status taking home a Brit Award, while their track “BACKBONE” with Stormzy, Kenya Grace’s “Strangers,” and Nia Archives‘ Sunrise Bang Ur Head Against Tha Wall all reached top spots in recent years. Add in other charting artists like Luude and crossovers that have brought acts like Hedex and Tiesto together, and the appeal for DnB is growing by the day.
Drum and bass artists are now mainstage headliners at major festivals and events such as EDC and Ultra – which reflects how well the genre is doing in the United States. Drum and bass is certainly going in the right direction. I can’t wait to see where it will be in five to ten years!
Natty Lou
“I’ve seen a lot of changes since I started my drum and bass journey in 2008,” Natty Lou told EDM Identity. “The music has changed over the years, simply because technology has vastly improved, and music software to enhance production has become easier to access.” The music has changed, and so has the female representation.
“For so long, the scene was dominated by male producers and DJs,” she said. “You would see the likes of DJ Rap, Storm, and Kemistry (RIP) leading the way for females in the scene. However, as the industry has evolved, so has the role of women in it. It’s nice to see more events choosing female headliners, such as Flava D, Harriet Jaxxon, Koven, Lens, and Kyrist.”
As she jogged her memory of the past, she recounted Shy FX’s “Shake Ur Body” and Rudimental’s “Feel The Love” charting in 2002 and 2012, respectively, while Roni Size’s album New Forms took home the Mercury Music Prize in 1997. “On reflection, things have always been heading in the right direction,” Natty Lou said. “What I would say, however, is that drum and bass has become much more commercialised in recent years than ever before.”
She pointed out how the genre’s sounds have made their way into everything from ads on TV to football games and even found in malls. “In my opinion, this is great for our scene because it reaches wider audiences and gains mainstream appeal. However, some people in the community think that the ‘underground spirit’ of the genre is getting lost,” she said.
[Drum and bass] has always been fluid and can co-exist in multiple spaces – both mainstream and underground – allowing for diverse expressions of its potential. The challenge, I think, is to ensure commercialisation doesn’t overshadow the aspects of DnB that made it so compelling in the first place: its experimental nature, deep connection to club culture, and its sense of rebellious spirit. In my opinion, it’s important that the history of the genre doesn’t get lost, so it’s our responsibility to teach the next generation of ravers.
Natty Lou
While Natty Lou is sure to continue educating the masses on the power of drum and bass and its community, she mentioned some other acts helping make that future brighter as the conversation came to a close. New Zealand producer RoVa was the first, and according to her, his tune “Eyes On Me” “always goes off in the rave.” Dutch producer CaitC, who has released on Ridmic and Viper Recordings, as well as Welsh producer Bennie, who has released tunes on Born On The Road and Elevate, were also name-dropped. As for some vocalists, Natty Lou gushed over Mila Falls, Brodie, Grace Barton, and Abi Flynn, the latter of whom recently worked with Knock2 and RL Grime on “come aliv3.”
That wasn’t all that Natty Lou had for us, as she dropped off a wicked mix filled to the brim with drum and bass goodness for you to bask in. Give it a spin, and make sure to follow her on social media to stay informed on her upcoming releases and shows.
