Pinch

Pinch is the dubstep artist Rob Ellis from the United Kingdom. He is associated with dub, dubstep, grime, post-dubstep and UK garage, and his work draws on both dub and techno. His approach often combines the bass weight and dynamics of dub with techno atmospheres and tension, and he uses the idea of “dub techno” as a framework for exploring those connections.

Career

He is regarded as a pioneer of dubstep and plays an important part in the development of the sound in the UK. In 2004, after moving to Bristol, he starts Subloaded, a dubstep and grime night that becomes the first dedicated event of its kind outside London’s FWD>>. The night has a lasting influence on Bristol’s bass music scene.

Pinch performs both techno-oriented sets and heavier selections rooted in dub, dubstep and dancehall. His DJ work takes him to more than 40 countries, including the USA, Canada, Japan, China, Australasia, South East Asia, Russia and Mexico. He also records mixes for BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Kiss FM, Resident Advisor, FACT and Red Bull, and works on various projects with Red Bull.

Tectonic and solo releases

He founds the label Tectonic in 2005, which becomes the main outlet for much of his work. The label releases music by artists including Loefah, Skream, Scientist, 2562, Photek, Digital Mystikz, Distance, Flying Lotus, Joker, Addison Groove and Peverelist, while also supporting new club-focused producers. Pinch’s own releases on Tectonic include the album Underwater Dancehall and tracks such as “Midnight Oil,” “Blow Out The Candle” and “The Boxer.”

His music also appears on labels including Planet Mu, Soul Jazz, Punch Drunk, Deep Medi, Swamp 81, Ninja Tune, Warp, Wichita, Wax and On-U Sound.

Collaborations

Collaboration is a major part of his work. With other producers he records tracks such as “Qawwali,” “Punisher,” “Croydon House” and “Swish.” He works with Mumdance on “Turbo Mitzi,” “Strobe Light” and “Big Slug,” the last of which features Riko Dan. In 2011, he records an album with Shackleton for Honest Jon’s. He also makes two albums with Adrian Sherwood, Late Night Endless in 2015 and Man Vs Sofa in 2017, and the pair tour internationally as Pinch & Sherwood playing live dub sets.

Radio and media

His 2012 session for the Fabriclive series is a significant point in his career. Across his DJ and production work, Pinch remains closely connected to club music, dub and bass culture.