Often, we see artists have a breakout year, only to be drowned out in an oversaturated industry the next. It takes something special to stick around and solidify yourself over the years, especially in the fast-paced and ever-changing market that exists today in dubstep. Distinct Motive cracked that code long ago.
Phil Shore, better known as Distinct Motive, is an artist who understands the importance of staying true to your vision and growing your project organically. In doing so, he has successfully become one of the biggest names and influences in the ‘140’ corner of dubstep. This isn’t to say it all happened overnight, though.
The Distinct Motive project has been steadily pumping out sound system music since its 2013 inception. Shore has since played on massive festival stages, amassed an extremely loyal fan base, and released with labels such as Deep, Dark & Dangerous, DUPLOC, Drama Club Recordings, and Deadbeats. In short, hard work pays off, and Shore is only becoming more consistent, having gone full-time music almost two years ago.
Distinct Motive has been quite a busy man as of late. Having started the year strong with a festival set at Igloofest in Montreal, joining Of The Trees on four of his Moonglade tour stops, Level Up on three of her Sapphire Souls tour stops, Infekt on two of his Veggie Games tour stops, his own sold out double header at Meow Wolf in Denver (well deserved), and most recently, night one in Brooklyn for Zeds Dead’s Return To The Spectrum Of Intergalactic Happiness tour, followed by a headline show in PA.
That brings us over to the release radar. Distinct Motive’s first release of 2025, the DUBS EP, is finally here. As the name suggests, the Deadbeats released EP is full of highly requested dubs that have been decimating sound systems for the better part of the last year. The Canadian producer draws much of his influence from legends like Coki, Skream, Caspa, and Rusko. This is readily apparent in his signature sound and minimalistic, yet carefully crafted, approach to music production. The DUBS EP checks all of the same boxes.
Opening up the EP, we have the track “Cells”. This low-end stomper features some samples from Blade Runner 2049’s baseline test scene. It’s immediately a recognizable Distinct Motive tune thanks to that signature sound, percussion, and arrangement that he’s so well known for.
Next is the high-energy tune, “Watchin You” featuring vocals by ILLAMAN. Complete with a music video, this one is a serious weapon on any playlist. Carrying all of the same elements that make a Distinct Motive tune, a Distinct Motive tune, “Watchin You” is bound to become yet another classic in his already legendary catalog. ILLAMAN’s energy heightens the already high energy produced by Distinct Motive and makes for a great pairing.
The third track on the EP is “Watchin You – Original Mix” (no vocals). If it’s nice, play it twice! Oftentimes it’s great when artists decide to release an original mix alongside the version with vocals because you’re able to submerge yourself a bit deeper into the music itself. Both versions of “Watchin You” have been, and will continue to set off dancefloors this upcoming festival season.
“Mini” is the fourth tune on the DUBS EP. This is another Distinct Motive tune that’ll have you jumping with both gun-fingers locked and loaded. It’s an upbeat dubstep tune with the same grit as the rest of the EP and fits right in as some more heavy artillery for us to feel on proper sound systems this summer.
Closing out the EP is “No Mystery”- another low-end, sub-loving weapon, and a personal favorite. “Dubstep done right” is what comes to mind when listening to this one. Every tune by Distinct Motive feels and sounds like it was crafted for sound systems. This tune really embodies that statement.
Distinct Motive has proven to be a massive source of inspiration for today’s generation of dubstep producers and continues to work incredibly hard with no signs of slowing down in the near future. You’ll be able to catch him at a plethora of upcoming tour stops and festivals throughout this year including Big Dub Festival, The Untz, Elements, Shambhala, North Coast Festival, EDC Las Vegas, and Deadbeats vs Cyclops Recordings.
Follow Distinct Motive:
Often, we see artists have a breakout year, only to be drowned out in an oversaturated industry the next. It takes something special to stick around and solidify yourself over the years, especially in the fast-paced and ever-changing market that exists today in dubstep. Distinct Motive cracked that code long ago.
Phil Shore, better known as Distinct Motive, is an artist who understands the importance of staying true to your vision and growing your project organically. In doing so, he has successfully become one of the biggest names and influences in the ‘140’ corner of dubstep. This isn’t to say it all happened overnight, though.
The Distinct Motive project has been steadily pumping out sound system music since its 2013 inception. Shore has since played on massive festival stages, amassed an extremely loyal fan base, and released with labels such as Deep, Dark & Dangerous, DUPLOC, Drama Club Recordings, and Deadbeats. In short, hard work pays off, and Shore is only becoming more consistent, having gone full-time music almost two years ago.
Distinct Motive has been quite a busy man as of late. Having started the year strong with a festival set at Igloofest in Montreal, joining Of The Trees on four of his Moonglade tour stops, Level Up on three of her Sapphire Souls tour stops, Infekt on two of his Veggie Games tour stops, his own sold out double header at Meow Wolf in Denver (well deserved), and most recently, night one in Brooklyn for Zeds Dead’s Return To The Spectrum Of Intergalactic Happiness tour, followed by a headline show in PA.
That brings us over to the release radar. Distinct Motive’s first release of 2025, the DUBS EP, is finally here. As the name suggests, the Deadbeats released EP is full of highly requested dubs that have been decimating sound systems for the better part of the last year. The Canadian producer draws much of his influence from legends like Coki, Skream, Caspa, and Rusko. This is readily apparent in his signature sound and minimalistic, yet carefully crafted, approach to music production. The DUBS EP checks all of the same boxes.
Opening up the EP, we have the track “Cells”. This low-end stomper features some samples from Blade Runner 2049’s baseline test scene. It’s immediately a recognizable Distinct Motive tune thanks to that signature sound, percussion, and arrangement that he’s so well known for.
Next is the high-energy tune, “Watchin You” featuring vocals by ILLAMAN. Complete with a music video, this one is a serious weapon on any playlist. Carrying all of the same elements that make a Distinct Motive tune, a Distinct Motive tune, “Watchin You” is bound to become yet another classic in his already legendary catalog. ILLAMAN’s energy heightens the already high energy produced by Distinct Motive and makes for a great pairing.
The third track on the EP is “Watchin You – Original Mix” (no vocals). If it’s nice, play it twice! Oftentimes it’s great when artists decide to release an original mix alongside the version with vocals because you’re able to submerge yourself a bit deeper into the music itself. Both versions of “Watchin You” have been, and will continue to set off dancefloors this upcoming festival season.
“Mini” is the fourth tune on the DUBS EP. This is another Distinct Motive tune that’ll have you jumping with both gun-fingers locked and loaded. It’s an upbeat dubstep tune with the same grit as the rest of the EP and fits right in as some more heavy artillery for us to feel on proper sound systems this summer.
Closing out the EP is “No Mystery”- another low-end, sub-loving weapon, and a personal favorite. “Dubstep done right” is what comes to mind when listening to this one. Every tune by Distinct Motive feels and sounds like it was crafted for sound systems. This tune really embodies that statement.
Distinct Motive has proven to be a massive source of inspiration for today’s generation of dubstep producers and continues to work incredibly hard with no signs of slowing down in the near future. You’ll be able to catch him at a plethora of upcoming tour stops and festivals throughout this year including Big Dub Festival, The Untz, Elements, Shambhala, North Coast Festival, EDC Las Vegas, and Deadbeats vs Cyclops Recordings.
Follow Distinct Motive:
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