Full Spectrum: The d’n’b collective that aims to diversify the genre and champion inclusivity

Beginning in lockdown, Full Spectrum is the drum and bass collective from two friends, Ffi and Kate.

Based between Easton and Old Market, they were recognising a need for change within the d’n’b genre, particuarly after the pandemic when clubbing returned.

“It was really prevalent in the media about how diversity and inclusivity in the scene isn’t where it should be,” Ffi tells Bristol24/7. “And it was kind of that really bleak feeling of, what if events come back and it’s still the same?”

Born from this bleak feeling was Full Spectrum.

“We exclusively promote queer black and female artists,” Kate tells us. “We’ve been asked a few times like, Oh, why don’t you promote white cis men? It’s not that we hate white men.

“Instead, we can see a gap in the industry that isn’t often talked about and if we have even the smallest impacts in propelling a few DJs to navigate it then we’re going to prioritize that.”

The collective first started as a mix series, this gave grassroots artist the opportunity to compile their own mix which the collective would then promote and share.

From this, the duo have started open decks nights at To The Moon on Old Market.

“We pitch as kind of a pre drink night,” Ffi tells us. “It’s a space for people to come together to meet the people who they’re going to be raving with later.”

From there, the collective started nights at The Exchange and The Plough which allowed those who DJ’ed at the open decks night to perform to a bigger crowd.

“We definitely are trying to move people from one setting to the next up and push them farther,” Kate explains.

“There were so many people there where it was not necessarily their kind of thing but they came and they really enjoyed it.” Photo: Guilia Spadafora

“I think that is one of the things that’s really hard with larger scale events, I understand promoters often want to  put on the bigger gigs to ensure they make money but that can be so discouraging for people that don’t even really know where they lie in the scene yet but want to give it a go.”

This is where Full Spectrum comes in. As well as diversifying the genre, they aim to bridge the gap for those who are eager to play but are still figuring out their sound, offering a clear progression route for local artists.

Ffi and Kate also aim to keep inclusivity running throughout everything they do, including where to hold their drum and bass nights.

“We’re trying to support women, black artists, queer artists and we want to do it in spaces where they are actively welcoming, rather than doing it in places that don’t have those kinds of very clear values,” Ffi tells us.

Like all new business, there were losses for the collective at the beginning however they make it clear that this is not a money-making scheme.

“I think the most important thing about Full Spectrum is that it’s a passion project,” Ffi explains. “And I think that’s why we end up attracting so many up and comers is because they can recognize that; it’s a passion project with the industry sprinkled in.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgMSB6bqD7D/?hl=en

Are there any artists they want to shout about? “Keptek!”, they both exclaim. “The fact she isn’t getting booked on every lineup is a crime.”

The duo are staying tight-lipped on what they have coming up in 2023 but the words festivals and gigs were floated around. However, for long term goals, Ffi and Kate have some bigger plans.

“One thing that we have spoke about, which would be very much in the future, is a label. I think for us, being able to have the means to help someone from the beginning of their career would be the dream.”

Keep up to date with the collective via their Instagram and stream their mini mixes on Soundcloud now.

Main photo: @samcorphotos

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