B.RICH EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

In preparation of B.Rich's event BASS IS KING next Tuesday (17th) at Milky Way, an event put together by So Dope and DrinkMusik, we've caught up with him to do an exclusive email interview!


DM (Drink Musik): You're from Pittsburgh, but got your start in Boston. How did you pick Boston as opposed to other East Coast metropolises?

BR (B.Rich): Well, I was in Boston for school and I decided to stay for work as well. Always was intrigued by the city and I was right in the fact that I ended up loving it. Definitely a home away from home.


DM: What would you say are the advantages/disadvantages to a smaller urban scene like Boston compared to cities like NYC, LA or Philly?

BR: Well an obvious disadvantage to Boston in comparison to a place like New York... night life isn't really embraced by the city I don't think. If the T ran longer, or if clubs could stay open longer it'd be easier for kids to hit up multiple spots in one night and really everyone would win.


DM: What do you do besides composing and DJing? Did you study (anything music related)?

BR: Well, music was a hobby turned job (a jobby?) so it definitely is almost all that I do. I often put in 12-15 hour work days and wake up and do it again. But I do enjoy cooking and reading. Sometimes I just have to get away from it.

I did music when I was in Boston, at the New England Institute of Art.


DM: What does your live setup look like?

BR: Simple.. it's my mac book pro which I link into Serato. Easy!


DM: What does your current DAW consist of and what would you add to make it your dream DAW? Why do you prefer ______ (current sequencer) over others?

BR: I've been using Cubase SX on a PC for a minute. It's a quad-core/4gb RAM system that doesn't touch the internet so it's rock solid. Honestly I have no complaints and it does everything I need for now, so I don't plan on making any drastic changes. The occasional VSTi addition is obvious. I've been toying with Logic while I'm on the road so that I can start laying down more concrete ideas to take back to the studio.



DM: What are your favorite resources for digging up new music?

BR: My favorite is when all I have to do is open my email inbox... but other than that I frequent Boomkat, Juno Download, Beatport, etc.


DM: Some of your newer stuff seems to be a cross between dubstep and electro house, with the wobbly bass and/or half-time feel of dubstep mashed with the general tempo and energy of electro. This style almost seems to be a new movement born mostly in the Northeast US! What's your take on this?

BR: Well, I love all sorts of dance music so it was only natural to start blending them. It serves well for transitional periods in my live sets where I'll go from slower house music to the more amped up bassline/dubstep infused stuff. It seems to cater to a larger crowd, which is a bonus. I try and write things that I think everyone can kind of feel.


DM: We know you've taken up an interest in UK Funky. What makes this genre so interesting to you? Do you think it is a movement that really has some weight, or is it more of a temporary phase?

BR: It's just been a fresh of breath air for me [nice one Barrett!]. A lot of music was getting boring, same tricks being used. I'm a big fan of r&b, hip hop and a lot of uk funky has that same kind of vibe. Fits well with grime & dubstep and just has a more mature sound, It clearly has weight, it's (been) huge over there right now. Whether or not the whole U.S. will really get it, I don't know.


DM: What artists inspired you to start producing and performing electronic music? What artists currently inspire you?

BR: Well when I was a kid it was Moby that inspired me. Over the past 10 years or so I have been largely inspired by my friends AC Slater & Udachi. The ideas have always bounced and flowed off of all of us.. no matter what kind of music we were doing.


DM: What are a couple of unforgettable touring moments you've had so far?

BR: Club owner in ATL telling me to stop playing dubstep... even though everyone was vibin hard. A stuffed elmo flying at me in Pittsburgh and it hitting the turntable stop button. Studio time with Armanni Reign & Sporty-O in ATL. Slamming a Smirnoff Ice outside the club on a street corner in Orlando with Pauly Crush 'just because'.



DM: How do you see the future of electronic dance music in the US, as compared to say the UK or Germany?

BR: It is growing strong for sure. It'll just keep snowballin, ya know? Hopefully we can continue to push a more U.S. sound and contribute in that way.. as the U.S. has almost always followed the UK. But ya know.. its all good. Not a competition or anything.



DM: DRINKMUSIK is a blog based in Boston as well as Berlin. Any plans for taking over Europe?

BR: Yes, we are working on a UK/EU tour for late Jan/Feb. Probably will be for 3 weeks. Gonna be a good one! Will definitely be in Berlin.


DM: What are you currently working on? Any upcoming releases?

BR: Just before I left for tour I was working on an Ultra remix for Tommie Sunshine. I gotta finish that midway through the tour real quick. Just finished a handful of remixes for various labels.. some on the funky/house tip and some dubstep. My Party Like Us Remix EP drops this month which is gonna be huuuge. Remixes from Heavyfeet, Squires of Gothos, AC Slater, J. Rabbit and AutoErotique. I've been doing the songwriting thing while on tour now so I can have some material to work on when I get back.


DM: What do you associate with the word "DRINKMUSIK"?

Sounds a lot like an average night for me.


Thanks very much to Barrett for the interview. We are definitely looking forward to this event, it's going to be packed and insanely fun!!



Here's some promo tracks to snipe:

B.Rich - It'll Be Alright [feat local talent Domonique!]

download

La Roux - Tigerlily [B.Rich remix]

download


Mr J Medeiros - Holding On [feat Tara Ellis] [B.Rich remix]

download


And here's 2 of B.Rich's most recent promo mixes, no doubt we'll hear a lot of these tracks at BASS IS KING! Highly recommended:

B.Rich - Novemeber Promo Mix Pt 1 (Tracklist)

download

B.Rich - Novemeber Promo Mix Pt 2 (Tracklist)

download


Lastly, don't forget to pick up a copy of B.Rich's new release on Party Like Us Records later this month, and his recent Make Me Dance EP from July!