The bass-line or music and any sound overall is not just an audible experience, the set of sound waves that travel move tangibly throughout the body, combining together with the factors of surrounds, sound and sensation to create feeling, and often emotional response experienced. There is an intensity and depth when we hear and feel the rumbling of intense bass.
Though originally much more as sub category of manufactory and large machines (trains), Trower explains that 20th century, bass-line begins to be tapped into with a more enjoyable and musical approach. She recounts the storeys of those who have been in club scenes, feeling the bass so intensely that they can barely breath, the low frequency sounds generated are all consuming. I know from my experiences with DnB this can become the case, feeling sound throughout the body, theres something weirdly addictive about it, its a completely surreal experience.
And although she puts forward the idea of control being the influencing factor; with its there is music, pleasure and without there is pain and noise’, I think it is part of the lack of control in the situation which currently makes it such an enticing experience. There is a safety and danger in bass, tapping into the sound system controls that can be used to alter ones mood and brain waves. Excitement and apprehension are top simultaneous feelings when the music builds up to a drop.
ECA Art Journal 