Bass music artist Mport, headlines this year’s Rooster ArtFest Bass Stage. We talk with the up and coming artists about all things, music, art, and turtles.

At just 31 years old, Denver-based producer Mport has been carving out a lane in the bass music world with a sound that’s as heavy as it is dynamic. Known for weaving gritty low-end with intricate sound design and an ear for storytelling, he’s quickly become a name to watch in the underground scene. His releases have found their way into sets from some of bass music’s biggest tastemakers, while his own live performances showcase both technical precision and raw energy. This month, he steps into one of his biggest moments yet, headlining the Bass Stage at Rooster ArtFest, where he’ll bring his high-octane sound to a hometown crowd already buzzing for what’s to come.

Ahead of his set, we caught up with Mport to talk about his creative process, the local scene, and what fans can expect when he takes the stage.

You’ve become a defining name in Denver’s bass scene. What’s it like to represent that community on the Rooster ArtFest stage this year?

I’ve been a fan of the Rooster Magazine ever since I can remember. Growing up in Colorado, it was always the fun, free magazine I found in all the local businesses. I’m honored to be a part of it all. It’s also surreal to be considered someone who holds a defining name within the bass scene. I’ve been at it for a little over ten years and am always trying to stay true to myself, create the sounds I love and inspire others to carve out their own creative path. I hope to represent that at this year’s ArtFest and show people a good time, whether they are into bass music or not. 

Your style pulls from so many genres but always has that unmistakable Mport edge. How do you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard it?

I love making any and all styles. I feel like overall, the flow is something I’m always making sure is on point in my tracks. I love when elements interact and breathe in and out of each other in interesting ways. Creating a super solid groove for the back bone of a track is always top of mind in my writing process as well. I feel like certain songs of mine have a distinct and fun “bounce,” like in Wumbology, Jiggler, and Puppet Pals, all share that in common. I’ve only noticed this while DJing them back to back. I like to add signature things, like adding a little switch up somewhere in each song adding a tag like: “Deepa” or “I like” from the “I like turtles” meme. I love sampling/remixing things you wouldn’t think of. It could be The Beatles or it could be a massage gun vibrating on a squeaky toy. 

You’ve earned support from artists like TVBOO, Dirt Monkey, Subtronics, and Sully. How have those shoutouts influenced your career path?

Artist/peer support is such a huge piece of the puzzle while trying to get your music heard. When artists I have looked up to for years to start to support my music that THEY inspired, it’s insanely surreal. Dirt Monkey was one of the first bigger artists to play my music in his sets, back in like 2017 with my tune “Belly Dancer.” He also signed some of my favorite music to his label, 19k, including the single “Proximity” and my first EP, “Electric EP.” His style and diverse production palette has always been a big source of inspiration, so when we became more friends it was really a confidence booster and inspired me to keep doing the style I loved. Wonky, fun, groovy bass music.      

TVBOO really has been a huge part in helping me get my name out there. We met a couple years back when he moved to Denver. We hit it off pretty quick, making our first collab, “Cha Cha Step,” within like two weeks of meeting. Last year, he invited me to open on his nationwide bus tour, “Daisy Dukes & Cowboyboots.” We played in over 50 cities over the course of 11 weeks, with multiple weeks having up to 6 shows straight. This experience was incredible, and I’m so grateful to have gone on that journey. I learned so much while playing all these cities for the first time and getting thousands of new ears on my music. TVBOO has also played a big part in playing my music out in his sets, introducing his fun, open-minded fans to the music. 

Every artist who has let me make an official remix for them and/or had me on their shows has helped push the project to new audiences. It always blows my mind, as all these artists are ones I’ve looked up to for so long. Remixing my favorite LSDream song, Spaceship, was definitely a huge highlight in that regard.