Pinch

Based in Bristol after a childhood split between Scotland and Newport, Wales, Rob Ellis—known as Pinch—produced work that was central to the rise of British dubstep in the mid-2000s. A DJ, producer and founder of the Tectonic label, as well as co‑founder of the Subloaded nights, Pinch initially adopted a dark, physical aesthetic built on deep bass, slow rhythms and a strong dub influence, while incorporating elements from reggae, dancehall and other musical traditions. Tracks such as "Qawwali" marked this period by putting dubstep’s structure into dialogue with extra‑Western references. Pinch released Underwater Dancehall in 2007 and broadened his scope with Pinch & Shackleton in 2011. Over the years his work shifted toward a wider spectrum of UK bass and hybrid electronic music, notably through collaborations with Mumdance and Adrian Sherwood, with whom he released Late Night Endless in 2015 and Man Vs Sofa in 2017. In 2020 Pinch continued this trajectory with Reality Tunnels, adopting a more expansive approach where dub, slow techno, bass music and experimental textures intersect.