SUBSTANCE - MOTION EP [ARTKL078]
The Evolution of Sound and Self
The Message Behind the Motion
- Sarah Styles
With a decade of experience in the underground bass scene, Substance has built a reputation for crafting deep, immersive soundscapes that strike a balance between atmospheric intensity and raw emotional spirit. As he prepares to release his upcoming project, Motion - EP, on ARTIKAL this February 7th, 2025, he reflects on the journey that has shaped both his artistry and mindset.
In this interview, Substance opens up about his creative process, the lessons he’s learned from the industry, and the importance of staying true to his vision. From hitchhiking across the British-Columbia to playing some of the most renowned festivals in the scene, his story is one of persistence, evolution, and a deep-rooted passion for sound. With Motion - EP, he continues to push his craft forward, blending his signature low-end weight with new textures and influences.
Here’s what he had to say about the road that led him here and what’s next…
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Substance’s music is more than sound—it’s a reflection of his evolution, a mirror to the shifts within himself. Over the past year, self-reflection has shaped his creative process, teaching him to trust both instinct and imperfection. Letting go has become part of the flow, and that freedom seeps into every track he crafts.
That surrender to the unknown isn’t new to him. In 2010, he and his friends hitchhiked across B.C, living under open skies, moving with the wind. The experience stripped life down to its essentials—teaching him resilience, patience, and an appreciation for the unexpected. Now, in an industry that thrives on constant noise, he finds peace in the quiet. He’s learned to step back from the pressure of visibility, understanding that real connection isn’t built on numbers but on the moments that exist between them.
This philosophy bleeds into his sound. Emotion is present, but never overbearing. He believes sadness often births the most powerful music, yet rather than letting it dominate, he threads it subtly into the rhythm—layering introspection beneath club-driven energy. It’s a delicate balance, one that demands honesty. There’s no room for artifice in his work. People will always project their own narratives onto an artist, but he refuses to play into expectation. His music exists on its own terms.
That understanding didn’t come overnight. His roots in music began not behind a DAW, but as a promoter—watching the industry from the outside before stepping fully into its world. Organizing events gave him a rare perspective, one that emphasized the importance of pacing, of knowing when to push forward and when to pull back. Social media, once an exhausting obligation, has become something different—a tool for real connection rather than performance. His Gunfingaz Thursday Twitch streams are proof of that, a space not just for his own expression, but for a growing community that thrives on mutual creativity.
And the community has always been at the heart of this. Music has introduced him to people across the world, forging bonds stronger than industry politics. But it’s also revealed the underbelly—where ambition can curdle into ego, and authenticity is sometimes sacrificed for visibility. He’s seen it, sidestepped it, and stayed true to what matters. His circle remains tight, filled with those who move with intention rather than clout.
He draws inspiration from artists like Youngsta, Commodo, and Truth, but his deepest motivation comes from those closest to him—the friends who push their craft to new heights, reminding him to do the same. That hunger first sparked in 2010, watching Mat the Alien drop dubstep at Hidden Music Fest. It was more than a set; it was a shift in perspective, a realization that music could be more than just something he loved—it could be something he created.
Looking back, he sees his evolution clearly. Many of his early tracks are lost to time, but that doesn’t bother him. He doesn’t cling to the past; he learns from it. Sometimes, he’ll revisit an old project, reshaping it through the lens of who he is now. Before music, he once considered a career in film, and that influence still lingers—manifesting in the cinematic depth woven into his productions.
Mental health has played a defining role in his journey. There have been battles—doubt, anxiety, the weight of expectation—but music has always been a space for healing. He’s learned to lean on the people who matter, to remind himself that emotions are transient, that lows never last forever. Every challenge has only reaffirmed his belief that patience is key—that trust in the process is more valuable than chasing instant validation.
Legacy isn’t something he fixates on, but he hopes his work will outlive him, resonating long after he’s gone. Collaborations have played a major role in shaping his sound, especially with Youngsta and Wraz—relationships built on mutual respect rather than forced industry plays. One of his biggest milestones was Shambhala, stepping in as a last-minute replacement in 2022, then returning in 2024 to the legendary Village Stage. Those moments were reminders—not of arrival, but of the path ahead.
A turning point came with Smoking Blunts, a collaboration that led to signing with Sentry Records. The doubt is still there sometimes, but it no longer controls him. He’s reached a point where he doesn’t feel the need to prove anything—just to create. The hardest part has been balancing financial security with artistic integrity, but every struggle has only made him more resolute.
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But at the end of the day, what matters most is impact. The people who listen, who feel something, who find solace or energy or understanding in what he creates—that’s the real reward. His advice to new artists is simple: be yourself, don’t chase trends, and trust your own timing.
Looking ahead, he’s ready to push beyond dubstep, to explore new textures, new sounds, new spaces. Maybe one day, he’ll build something even bigger—his own festival, a new creative movement. But whatever the future holds, one thing remains the same—his commitment to the art, to the process, to the music that speaks without words but still says everything.
