Lorin Ashton, known as Bassnectar, is a prominent American DJ and electronic music producer. His decades-long career is marked by innovative sound design and high-energy live shows. Incorporating elements of dubstep, drum and bass, and other electronic subgenres, his music is known for heavy bass and complex layering. He has played a significant role in popularizing bass-heavy dance music in the US.
1923: Creation of "1923 aka Heaven" Visuals
Max Hattler created the visuals "1923 aka Heaven" in 1923.
February 16, 1978: Birth of Lorin Ashton
Lorin Gabriel Ashton, known as Bassnectar, was born on February 16, 1978.
1995: Introduction to Electronic Music and DJing
In 1995, 17-year-old Lorin Ashton attended his first rave, sparking his interest in electronic music. He started attending shows regularly, promoting events, and learning to DJ. He was also a member of the death metal band Pale Existence at age 16.
2001: Early Shambhala Appearance
Around 2001-2002, Ashton performed at the Shambhala music festival, predating his consistent appearances as Bassnectar.
2002: First Laptop Performance and Stage Name Formalization
Ashton performed using a laptop and controller at the Health and Harmony Festival in Santa Rosa, California, in 2002. This period also marked the development of his stage name, Bassnectar.
2003: Shambhala Debut as Bassnectar and Album Release
In 2003, Ashton formally performed at Shambhala as Bassnectar, starting an 11-year streak. He also released his second album, "Motions of Mutation", which gained local support.
2004: Release of "Diverse Systems of Throb"
Ashton released his third album, "Diverse Systems of Throb", in 2004, further solidifying his presence in the Bay Area electronic music scene.
2005: Signing with Madison House
In 2005, Bassnectar signed with Madison House, a booking agency known for working with jam bands, expanding his reach to wider audiences. He also continued to release new music, including the albums "Mesmerizing the Ultra", "Underground Communication", and "Cozza Frenzy", along with the EP "Timestretch".
2008: Bassnectar Performance at Shambhala Music Festival
In 2008, Bassnectar performed at the Shambhala Music Festival, where fellow dubstep artist Skream witnessed the performance.
2010: Bassnectar's Adoption of Controllerism and Custom MIDI Controllers
Around 2010, Bassnectar adopted "controllerism" for his live mixing, utilizing M-Audio Trigger Finger controllers and later commissioning custom controllers from 60 Works. This innovative approach allowed for dynamic manipulation of tracks and visuals during performances.
2010: First "BassCenter" Event
The first "BassCenter" curated event was held in 2010 at the 1stBANK Center in Broomfield, Colorado.
2011: Start of New Year's Eve Parties
Bassnectar began hosting New Year's Eve parties in 2011, continuing through 2019.
2011: Commercial Breakthrough with "Divergent Spectrum"
Bassnectar's album "Divergent Spectrum" became his first to chart on Billboard, reaching #2 on the Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart and staying for 35 weeks.
2011: Collaboration with Max Hattler
Bassnectar's team began using visuals by Max Hattler, including "1923 aka Heaven" and "Sync", in live performances in 2011.
2011: High Ticket Sales and Extensive Touring
In 2011, Bassnectar achieved high ticket sales exceeding 200,000, playing over 150 shows across the United States.
April 10, 2012: Release of "Vava Voom" and Peak Touring Era
Bassnectar's seventh studio album, "Vava Voom", was released on April 10, 2012, reaching #2 on the Billboard charts. This marked the peak of his touring, with over 200,000 ticket sales in both 2011 and 2012 and more than 150 shows annually.
2012: Bassnectar's Use of High-Powered Sound Systems
By 2012, Bassnectar's live shows began featuring powerful sound systems with hundreds of thousands of watts, growing larger over time.
2012: Expansion of Production Crew for Live Performances
By 2012, Bassnectar's production crew had expanded to dozens of people managing computers and technology for each performance.
2013: Visuals Commissioned by Bassnectar Team
In 2013, the Bassnectar team contacted visual artist Hattler to commission new visuals for their tour.
2013: Introduction of "Ultimate Nerd Server" Plug-in
During the "Immersive Music Tour" in the fall of 2013, Bassnectar introduced the "Ultimate Nerd Server" (U.N.S.) plug-in, enhancing synchronization between audio and video elements in live performances.
2013: Reduced Touring for Album Production
Bassnectar reduced touring in late 2013 and early 2014 to focus on producing his eighth studio album.
June 24, 2014: Release of "Noise vs. Beauty"
"Noise vs. Beauty", Bassnectar's eighth studio album, was released on June 24, 2014, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
2015: Shift to Festival Circuit
In 2015, Bassnectar primarily focused on playing festivals, including Bonnaroo, Camp Bisco, Electric Daisy Carnival, Electric Forest Festival, Lollapalooza, and Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival.
July 2016: Hattler Files Copyright Infringement Lawsuit
In July 2016, Hattler filed a lawsuit against Bassnectar for copyright infringement over the unauthorized use of his visuals.
2016: Unauthorized Use of Hattler's Visuals
In 2016, Hattler discovered that Bassnectar had been using his visuals for six years without permission or compensation, leading to a dispute and subsequent legal action.
2016: Ashton Endorses Bernie Sanders for President
In 2016, Lorin Ashton publicly endorsed Bernie Sanders during his presidential campaign.
2016: Ashton's Skin Cancer Diagnosis and Successful Surgery
In 2016, Lorin Ashton was diagnosed with skin cancer under his left eye and underwent successful surgery to remove it.
2016: Noise Complaints at Dick's Sporting Goods Park Performance
In 2016, a Bassnectar performance at Dick's Sporting Goods Park generated noise complaints from neighbors, despite adhering to permitted loudness levels.
June 2017: Lawsuit Settled and Dismissed
In June 2017, the copyright infringement lawsuit between Hattler and Bassnectar was settled and dismissed, with Hattler's visuals no longer in use.
2019: New Year's Eve Show at Palladium Times Square
Bassnectar performed a two-night New Year's Eve show at the Palladium Times Square in 2019.
2019: Ashton's Anti-Trump Stance and Offer of Free Show
In 2019, Lorin Ashton expressed his opposition to Donald Trump and offered to perform a free concert following Trump's impeachment, though the show did not occur.
March 2020: Cancellation of Curated Event Due to COVID-19
A Bassnectar curated event planned for March 2020 at the Barcelo Maya Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 3, 2020: Bassnectar Steps Back Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations
On July 3, 2020, Bassnectar (Lorin Ashton) announced his departure from music following allegations of sexual misconduct. He denied the allegations but expressed remorse for past actions that caused pain. This led to criticism from collaborators and comparisons to other accused artists in the electronic music industry.
2020: Last Okeechobee Performance Before Hiatus
Bassnectar's last public event before a hiatus due to allegations was at Okeechobee in 2020.
April 2021: Lawsuit Filed Against Bassnectar and Affiliated Entities
In April 2021, a lawsuit was filed against Lorin Ashton (Bassnectar) and associated entities by Rachel Ramsbottom and Alexis Bowling in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.
July 2021: Jane Doe #1 Withdraws from Lawsuit
In July 2021, one of the plaintiffs, identified as "Jane Doe #1," withdrew from the lawsuit against Bassnectar and affiliated entities.
January 2023: Release of "Music for Optimists" and New Website Launch
In January 2023, following a period of silence after sexual assault allegations, Bassnectar released a new mix, "Music for Optimists", and launched a new website, "UnlocktheOtherSide.com".
August 2024: Miami Event Announcement and Album Release
In August 2024, a three-day Bassnectar event in Miami was announced, and the album "No Colors" was released.
2024: Cancelled and Postponed Events
Several planned Bassnectar events in 2024, including "Boombox ATL", were cancelled or postponed due to public backlash related to ongoing allegations and health issues.