2010
BassMusicCulture
From stardom in the early 90’s as one of Texas ’ most sought after jungle/drum ‘n bass DJs— Badbwoy BMC has maintained a steady presence inHouston
With musical influences rooted in reggae, hip hop, down tempo and resume that includes ties to Tha Purrin Lion Sound Flex Crew (comprised of Houston’s most respected oldschool junglists), publishing one of North America's only drum’n bass magazines to date (Tha Pride 1997-2001), founding Texas Dub (Houston’s only crew of dubstep producers; 2007) and co-founding Eye-Ten Recordings (Currently on 5th vinyl release; 2009). His other side projects include teaming up with Rebel Crew members Joe B. and Suma to form Heavy Heights (“Truth & Rights” LP CD/Digital; Starlight; 2007), and a collaborative 5 track compilation with Texas Dub crew member Bukkah called F8 (“F8” EP; Dirty Circuit; 2010). He has also done remixes for local vocalists Karina Nistal (“Nothing For Me”), Shina Rae (“Touch”) and indie band Posr (“Clairvoyant”).
In addition to producing original drum’n bass and dubstep tracks and remixes for a multitude of artists and acts he is consistently booked to headline massive raves, club shows and special events in and around Texas
Recently, BMC signed with the south’s most famous independent hip hop label: SwishaHouse (http://www.swishahouse.bi). Already recognized worldwide for bringing Houston
BMC Swishahouse BIO - November 2010
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http://soundcloud.com/bukkhaspace
Booking contact: bukkhaspace@gmail.com
I was first introduced to Bukkha in mid 2009 when I was invited to play a set at “Big Tingz” - a Thursday night weekly at Avant Garden hosted by Badbwoy BMC, Joe B. & Suma (Texas Dub). After my opening set, he and BMC threw down some window rattling wood floor vibrating heavy hitters-- many of which I later found out were either collaborated with or originally produced by Bukkah. Recently, he gave me the opportunity to update me on what he’s been up to as of late with a little Q&A. If you don’t know him you can consider this your introduction. Here’s what he had to say:
What's your story? How did you get involved with music?
I was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, but after my parents split up I lived in Honduras, Virginia, Florida (Miami and Naples), and West Texas (Pecos). My first love was West coast gangsta rap. I started listening to Dre and Cube in ’93. A few years later I got into metal, then punk metal. I didn’t get into electronic music until 2002 or 2003. I’ve been playing guitar and bass since ’96. I took lesson for about a year. My teachers taught me how to play by ear, so I learned the basics and pretty much taught my self everything after that. Now that I mostly use a midi keyboard I’ve been teaching myself piano scales and chords, which is a lot easier than guitar because everything on a piano/keyboard is laid out for you.
I am a producer 1st. I really got into producing electronic music in 2005, mostly ambient/downtempo and instrumental tracks. I started producing dubstep tunes in the summer of 2007, but I didn’t know I was making that genre of music until September or October of that year. I didn’t start dj’ing until the summer of ’08 and CDJ’s were the best route for me at the time that I decided to get into dj’ing. I’d still like to learn how to spin vinyl. The only band that I was a part of worth mentioning, because it's still around, is Kid Midi. Originally it was comprised of two members, Blake Ortego and myself, then after I decided to dedicate my time to dubstep. He carried on and got two or three other people involved but Blake is the heart and soul of that group you gotta check him out: www.myspace.com/kidmidimusic
I didn’t officially find out about dubstep until late 2007, when a band mate and close friend of mine played the famous DubWars show for me. The music made sense to me right away. When I first got into production, I wanted to make more instrumental style music like Mogwai and Saxon Shore. Then I got more into synthesis and listening to more experimental music like Autechere and Pole. That’s when I did a 180 and decided that I wanted to do electronic music. As for dj’ing, I taught myself how to dj b/c I wanted to play my own tunes and really didn’t think that anyone else would want to. There were only three or four other dubstep DJ’s in Louisiana and they all had their favorites.
When did you decide to team up with Texas Dub?
I met BMC through Myspace in 2008. I sent him the track midnight sweats and he sent me one of his (I think I still have it). The first track that we did was Long Horn Collision (Dread Foxx was also involved). We started two or three other tracks, one of those tracks (dream music) is coming out on Dirty Circuit. When I found out I was moving to Pearland I told him. we had already been working on music before I moved so, it made sense for me to ask him if I could be a part of Texas Dub. Personally, I feel that as a group/crew, these guys are the most prolific and crank out the best tunes in Texas.
Some might argue they are currently putting out the best tunes stateside. What are you using to create these filthy ass tracks?
I was using Reason exclusively, but then I wanted to branch out and started using Live and Logic more.
What’s your most prized studio possession?
It’s a fight between my Mac and my monitors.
Understandable, can’t live without either really. Tell me about your current and upcoming releases?
Every release so far means something different to me. I got mad love for Code of Arms because they gave me my first release. The one I did for Dubbed out which included the remix by Radikal Guru was really cool for me because it was on vinyl. The Stupid Fly ep shows what I can do. I just don’t make “bangers” I got my dubby side too. Plus, it has the Dread Foxx and BMC collaboration track, Long Horn Collision, which tears the dancefloor when dropped. EyeTen released Last Call with the BMC remix, and everyone seems to really like those tunes. The upcoming releases on Dirty, Filthy and Betamorph are just gonna be HUGE (at least I hope they are). The EP on Dirty Circuit is gonna have BMC and Bukkha (F8) tracks. The Filthy release is gonna have my tracks and some collaboration tracks with Juxta and BMC. Finally, Betamorph is releasing a remix I did for a Mark Instinct track called Sketchy Maxx. That is gonna be another big release because of all the other great remixes on it.
My favorite Bukkha track is Mephisto. Definite banger! The track is a solid seesaw power wobbler with a metal infused break, just pure sickness with the constant hum of a loose ground wire and a sinister chuckle that evokes the living dead. The process ends up knocking a bitch out the way to level up with the turbo ray gun. Shit is just so ill! Can you tell me about it?
That track was a manifestation of frustration and wanting to really push myself to take my sound to the next level. Every track I make has to 1 Up the previous. That’s kinda been my motto since I moved to Texas.
Bukkha & Juxta - Grimace (320) by bukkha
I’m also diggin’ on your most recent collaboration with Juxta’s and the end product - Grimace. For those of you who haven’t heard the track it’s a delicately compiled wobble grinder that’s glued together by a rhythmically subtle chopstick tap. A Badman calls some foot soldiers to creep on the scene and as the track progresses the law makes it known that he’s got an eye on the scene. Moving forward the law man is provoked by the well known Junglist bark a nasty backspin shreds it and all units are called into action. Tell me something about the production process that is particular to that track.
That was a really easy track to finish. Juxta also uses reason so we were just sending that track back and forth. I think it only took a day or two to finish. He came up with the melody and it just happened to really fit the track that I started.
Shit it definitely fresh, nice work! Is that yall’s first time working together?
Yes
Do you have any side projects or other collaboration in the works?
At the moment I’m working with BMC on a project called F8.
Is there an artist you currently admire? Why?
Currently I’m really enjoying Daedelus’ sound. He’s one of those artists that you can tell really enjoys making music and doesn’t take himself too seriously. He definitely brought something new to the table. My favorite track from him is a remix of an Ernest Gonzales track called “While On Saturn’s Rings.”
Daedelus – definite badass, saw him on a youtube video from last July rocking The Free Funk Festival in The Netherlands shit was fuckin nuts. Not to mention that now I can see your ambient side in his studio productions. What are your current top 5 tracks?
Instead of 5 I’m gonna list 10 … Okay 11, and instead of tracks I’m gonna name artists (no order of priority):
MalLabel peeps (A crew of phenomenal producers and dj’s)
Mogwai
Daedelus
Luke Vibert
Scientist
Strung Out
Billie Holiday
Smashing Pumpkins
Dust Brother
Give Up The Ghost
Deftones
Hmmmm... eclectic selection. What’s a track you can’t live without?
Hah! Can’t name just one.
Hahahah… None of us can. You have some upcoming shows booked in all 3 major Texas cities-- Feb. 3 @ Soundclash in Dallas, Feb. 14 @ Mad Classy in Austin & Feb.27 as F8 opening up for Bokator and Exicision. Which one are you looking forward to the most?
Any show I play I look forward to.
Indeed my friend as I’m sure they are looking forward to partying with you. Speaking of parties, tell me about a memorable party moment?
I have a memorable moment but it wasn’t at a party. Within the first couple of weeks of living in Texas, Scientist hit me up on MySpace and asked me to call him. I spoke with him for a good bit and he wanted to mix/remix my dubby tracks and even help me with distribution. If you know who Scientist is that’s a huge deal. That’s when I knew I was doing something right. I have yet to finish material for him.
AAaaahh yes… the infamous Scientist, but wait... that is a party moment! In the lab! Anything else we should keep an eye out for or that you would like to share?
I’m staying busy with making random remixes. I did one of Prodigy’s Out of Space and Green Jelly’s 3 Little Pigs. There’s more to come.
Indeed there is! Pay close attention kids and trust me when I say that Bukkah is taking brains to another dimension!
Interview - January 2010
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Ready Ok,
Ready Ok,
Rowdy Offensive,
Regularly Overshadowed,
Rude-boy Oversteps,
Rarely On-Point,
Random Odd,
Retarded Onlookers,
Rumors Overheard,
Regenerative Obstacles,
Resonant Obstructions,
Relics Of,
Recited Old,
Ridiculous Odiferous,
Regurgitated Offerings,
Respectively Omitting,
Recess' Over,
Remembering Order,
Retrospective Oblivion,
Reset Objectives,
Real Options,
Realign Orbit,
Redesign Obscurity,
Realize, Ostracize,
Redefine Obesity,
Recollect Origins,
Reliably Organize,
Rhythmically Occult,
Rarely Obvious,
Really Omnipresent,
Reflection On,
Requiem Of,
Repairable Outlooks,
Regarding Others,
Relinquishing Oppositions,
Resistance Over,
Recalcitrant Operations,
Ransom Owed,
Reasoning Ownership
Rational Obligation--
Ruckus Optional.
--Reptopty est. 9.2kx
