D:RC: "Drum & Bass Holds A Unique Spot In The Broader Dance Music Landscape"

With Jungle Bells just days away, D:RC swung by to share some insight on his deep roots within the drum and bass realm, his thoughts on the state of the scene, and more.

Drum and bass might be hotter than hot today, but there’s a deep-rooted history of the genre in North America that helped shape it and kept its vibrant, energetic soundscapes pumping for decades. Among the artists who found a passion for the genre in those early days is Darcy Reenis, aka D:RC, who has remained at the forefront of bringing drum and bass to the masses. He found a home in the drum and bass community in the ’90s and hasn’t looked back since, championing the genre’s dynamic style, fostering fresh talent, and becoming a resident artist at Jungle Bells along the way.

Turn back the clock to the ’90s, and you’ll find D:RC beginning his journey within the DnB space. That’s where he made some of his best friends in the world, all of whom had come together after discovering their own love for the music. The community has grown over time, but what’s held true is the passion from everyone he encounters. “It’s all people who tend to be very passionate and highly educated about music, making for a very tight-knit community,” he shared. “Everyone I know who’s involved at any level of the scene is a DnB music fan first and foremost.”

Drum and bass holds a unique spot in the broader dance music landscape, as it has always existed in parallel to other genres because of its separation by its high BPM. When you couple that with the breakbeat structure of the music, it can be a little daunting for a newcomer to connect with, but once you do, it tends to pull you in for life!
D:RC

Drum and bass has swung in popularity over the years, and D:RC has been along for the ride, giving him a realistic take on its journey so far. “I think there’s always been strong pockets of support for the music in the US, going back to the late 90s /early 2000s in the pre-EDM festival era,” he said. “For a long while, it was such an insular movement that it failed to really connect with younger bass music fans who came into dance music through dubstep and related genres.”

That all began to change in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic fueled livestreaming and led to big-name artists gaining popularity on platforms like Twitch and social media channels. “It took life to slow down a little for people to notice and ‘discover’ a ‘new’ genre that’s been right there all along,” he said. “That energy really translated to the clubs and events once quarantine restrictions eased. It was very noticeable that the number of new faces who found their way into the scene had increased.”

I feel like there’s always been this idea that America has lagged behind other places in the world as far as DnB goes, and of course, there’s truth to that, but it’s not the full story in my opinion. In my mind, the main issue in America is not a lack of talented producers, DJs, or labels; it’s geography. It’s such a vast country that there isn’t really a concentrated hub for US DnB; more of a collection of smaller scenes, operating independently from each other.
D:RC

In that post-pandemic world, drum and bass has seemingly never been hotter, and, to D:RC, the answer to its future lies in the digital realm. The vastness of the US and the lack of a concentrated hub is slowly becoming a thing of the past, as he noted that Discord and other online platforms are connecting the genre’s main players. “There’s an untold number of up-and-coming producers making very high-quality music and lots of homegrown label upstarts looking to connect with talent. Same thing with promoters in smaller scenes reaching out to counterparts in other cities,” D:RC said. “I think closer collaboration is the key to ensuring the vitality of the scene going forward.”

D:RC called the scene in the mid-90s “hyperlocal,” and also stated that music and artist discovery were significantly different back then compared to today. DJs used to go to record shops weekly and congregate face-to-face while buying vinyl, but this has subsided with technological changes. “There was something about that direct interaction that fostered closer ties throughout the scene since it all felt more personal,” he shared.

Now that much of the scene is dominated by the digital realm, be it music platforms, algorithms, or social media channels, it has become a bit of a different beast. While D:RC doesn’t feel it’s “worse,” it’s definitely different and has impacted the overall community. “It empowers the individual to have maybe a shot at succeeding on their own as an artist or DJ, but I think it does a little bit to the detriment of the community-based effort it once was,” he said. “What I try to do is keep some of that balance alive and make it easier for anyone interested in the music to be part of our scene.”

There are multiple ways that D:RC has helped drive the community forward, namely through his residency with Jungle Bells and through the event series he runs, TORCH. The former is slated to kick off another monumental edition later this week, bringing fans of the genre from around the world to Atlanta for two nights of pure, unadulterated DnB energy.

The chance to see some of the biggest names in the global DNB scene in a relatively intimate setting is what I believe makes [Jungle Bells] stand apart from many other gatherings. It tends to bring out fans and industry players alike and offers a rare chance for everyone to spend IRL time together over a weekend in December and immerse ourselves in every aspect of this culture we all love.
D:RC

You can also catch D:RC every other month in Atlanta at TORCH, a local event series celebrating 15 years in 2026. He, alongside his associate, Subconscious, have been at the helm of the series over the past three years after Wicky passed the torch off to them. Since taking the reins, the two have made significant headway in shining a brighter light on drum and bass, especially by filming and editing every DJ set for YouTube publication. Some of the artists who have gotten their start at TORCH have also gone on to perform at Jungle Bells and other out-of-state events centered on the genre.

As scene veterans, we’re aware how tough it can be for a less established DJ to make inroads in the notoriously close-knit and somewhat “elite” DNB scene. Our goal is to lower that barrier of entry and give both up-and-coming and established names a chance to play on a real stage in front of a crowd. Our partnership with Masquerade allows us to keep the event completely free, encouraging people who might just now be finding out about the music to show up and participate.
D:RC

As D:RC continues to be a torchbearer of drum and bass’ future, he’s also evolved his tastes when cratedigging. He mentioned that he’s been gravitating more toward tech funk and minimal tech lately, but touches on “all kinds of sounds” throughout his sets. Crystal Clear, Iamdoomed, Minor Forms, Amoss, Leks, Minor Forms, Quadrant & Iris, Zero T, Break, S.P.Y, Doktor, Monty, and Visages were just a handful of the artists he rattled off that he’s been listening to lately—and if you catch him at Jungle Bells this weekend, you might hear some of their tunes yourself!

Listen to this exclusive guest mix from D:RC on SoundCloud, and grab those last-minute tickets to Jungle Bells this weekend if you’re looking for a proper dose of drum and bass!