Features / Mandidextrous
Mandidextrous on music, representation and their creative process
Mandidextrous is a name many Bristol ravers will know.
With beginnings in the 2000s rave scene, this year they launched Speedbass Recordings, a new label pioneering the speedbass sound.
The speedbass genre was created by Mandidextrous’ desire to reinvent themselves by merging bassline, bass music and drum n bass into a heavy-hitting 4×4 format.
View this post on Instagram
Offstage, known as M, they told Bristol24/7 that Speedbass evolved from burnout surrounding their old jungle and techno sounds.
M explained that speed bass encapsulates garage, house, and bassline, and mixes it to a drum and bass tempo. This means it can be mixed multigenre, creating sets they enjoy playing and experimenting with.
M said: “I’m a trans, non-binary artist here in Bristol. Similarly to any other minority group, it’s important to have visibility. We are seeing a societal slide to the right, with politicians who are scared of people who don’t fit into their boxes. It goes for dance music too; there’s very little representation for trans artists.”
They have toured globally for over 15 years. M reflected: “I’ve met a few gay artists in the scenes I’m in, but never any trans people. I’ve met one or two trans people in the European drum and bass scene, and spent years in the techno scene without finding any other trans artists. From what I’ve seen, there’s very little representation of trans people in dance music.”
When asked for advice for other trans and queer artists wanting to enter the dance music industry, M said that access to music production and DJing has become easier, adding that it doesn’t take much to produce music or be a DJ.
“But you have to fight for it hard,” said M. “People in the scene expect things to be easier than they are. You have to work really hard. You can’t just claim space; you have to put in the work. That will make you a better artist and give you longevity.”
Speaking about the Bristol music scene, M said that it is currently thriving. According to M, there is a lot of innovation, creativity and collaboration among dance music artists. They have also begun contributing to the city’s queer scene by hosting events.
In terms of creative process, M is led by the dancefloor. When they write and create music, it is because they want to play new music at their shows.
They said: “Every time I play, I read the room and the energy. I’m always playing my own music. If there are points in my set I want to speed up or slow down, and they aren’t there, I go away and make them. I think about the energy on the dance floor and how I can create that.”
View this post on Instagram
Looking ahead, M is currently working on a new ten-track album: “I’m about to release a drum n bass album with my good friend Matt Scratch.
“In 2026, I’m launching my first official Mandidextrous Speedbass album, which I’m going to be touring all over Europe.”
M has also released a track, Ravers Anonymous, alongside the drum programming of Samurai Breaks and vocals from Leanne Louise.
Recorded in M’s Bristol studio, the track blends to capture the essence of the underground scene.
Not just a respected figure in dance music for pushing boundaries, M is also loved for their voice in advocating for the rights of the trans, non-binary and queer communities.
They are using their platform to voice meaningful dialogue and empower the next generation of boundary-pushing artists and ravers alike.
Mandidextrous is performing a headline show at Electric Bristol on March 21. For tickets, visit Headfirst. For their tour dates, music releases and more, follow their Instagram @mandidextrous_23; and to listen to Speedbass Recording’s music, visit speedbassrecordings.bandcamp.com.
Main photo: Mandidextrous
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
