BODDIKA
Boddika is a DJ and producer based in London … as states seemingly every amateur DJ and producer in their Soundcloud bio. However, most of Soundcloud can’t boast a list of accomplishments a fraction of that of the ultra in-demand Alex Green.
Both as formerly one half of Instra:mental and in his solo guise, this dedicated and respected figure’s style has thrived. Revelling in a coalescence of contemporary garage, house and bass sounds, but well-versed in tough electro, D’n’B and breakbeat, and with a production-heavy focus, the praise heaped upon his output is representative of an accomplished veteran of several scenes. His sound has stamped a distinctive UK imprint onto heavy-hitting Detroit styles, borrowing textures from the early electro scene. Doubtless indebted to his past, Boddika has refreshed modern dance music like few others.
As well as being the driving force behind his own Nonplus Records label, and having a shared interest in the Sunklo imprint alongside Joy Orbison, Boddika has also found a strong affiliation in Loefah’s Swamp 81. There he found the perfect outlet for his collaboration with the aforementioned Joy O: see last January’s frankly massive Swims, an intimidating meetings of its already hefty requisite parts. Deep, driving beats coupled with acid tweaks, cow bells, dead-eyed bassline and warped vocals, Swims proved a nigh on flawless club track. It was rapidly followed by the stunning percussive progression of last year’s Froth/Mercy release on Sunklo, and in July Faint, with Pearson Sound also thrown into the impressive mix.
As the Boddika/Joy Orbison fusion began to explode, they took some time to focus on solo projects. As Joy O’s ceilingless rise maintains momentum, Boddika has continued his own mission to never sit still and continue crafting unique productions, with recent material displaying a merging of squelchy synth lines and repetitive sample-based techno. Appearances in the Boiler Room and on Benji B’s Radio One show exemplified this tireless evolution in sound.
With recents sets from Berlin to Brooklyn, Belfast to Bordeaux, and a similarly international schedule ahead, Boddika now looks forward some of the most talked about festivals of the season including Croatia’s Dimensions and Outlook. Another summer of sleepless nights awaits.
We caught up with him before keeping things literally underground at the We Fear Silence fourth birthday bash last Saturday at Cable. We talked roots, leaving the past where it is, and the tantalising prospect of ongoing collaborations with Joy O and Loefah.
Your production repertoire possesses an eclectic range of electronic sounds from drum and bass to German experimental house to acid funk. What are the root influences behind your sound, both past and present?
I couldn’t really put my finger on my ‘root influences’. I like a wide range of music and when I’m in the studio I try to have fun and experiment with my equipment as much as possible. I very much like music that’s unclean and has a nice dusty/foggy sound to it. I find that kind of sound very hypnotic and satisfying. I’m a fan of all of Basic Channel, Deep Chord and STL’s output. Production sound, like the actual sound of a recording is important to me – I can tell whether I like a track within a very short space of time of listening to it.
Your collaboration with Joy Orbison turned out some of the most sought-after tracks of 2012 in the UK club scene. Mercy embodies the characteristic raw, gritty electro cuts that you two have refined. How has your work with him influenced your expression as an independent artist?
Well, since we started the Sunklo project, I think our collabs have helped me look forward with my own music. We purposely tried to make the Sunklo tracks sound different and I’ve really enjoyed doing that with Pete (O’Grady, Joy Orbison). So when I sit and start to write some of my own music, I’m approaching it slightly differently than I did before.
Since the debut of Boddika in 2010, your prolific releases under your own Nonplus label and Swamp81 and their distinctive visceral charge have brought about the revival of the tough electro genre in the UK dance scene. These days, what production techniques and equipment are you experimenting with most? How do they differ from before you worked as an independent artist?
The more time you spend alone in the studio, the more you get to fine-tune what you’re doing. I’ve recently brought various new vintage poly/mono synths and new dynamics as well. Writing music and studio production is still my hobby and I absolutely love getting new equipment, it keeps things interesting and fun for me. To be honest, I don’t think I’ll ever tire of what I do, it’s a real labour of love.
You’ve got a busy schedule of shows with destinations like New York, Denmark, Sweden and Austria lined up back-to-back. Will you find the time to produce new material?
I do get limited time in the studio these days, and it really does bother me. The studio is where I like to be, it’s the one place I’d rather be than anywhere else. But I do get time in there and I do get work done when I’m in there. Music is my full time job, so inbetween travelling around the world doing shows, you will find me in the studio working away on new material and loving every minute of it. There’s lots more music to come from me, as well as me and Joy Orbison.
Can we expect any new experimental productions for Darkestral Recordings or a branching off into another project in 2013?
Quite possibly … I’d like to do more experimental music under my alias Grey Goo, that will happen at one point in the future. Maybe even a Grey Goo album.
And what about Instra:mental? Since you and Damon diverged into your solo projects, Boddika has really taken off and established its own strong direction. Is Instra:Mental finished for good?
Yes, Instra:mental is dead and buried. We live separate lives these days, we chose different paths.
You also have a solid line-up of festivals for the summer including Dimensions and Outlook. Is there any festival you’re especially looking forward to playing at? What was the most memorable festival you played at?
I always look forward to Outlook and Dimensions, I treat it as a holiday as well. My favourite festival I’ve played at is hard to say really, so sorry about that.
You play We Fear Silence’s fourth birthday at Cable on Saturday, a night which made its name for genre-bending line-ups. What material will you be going for there?
I’ll be playing whatever I feel like playing but I can promise it will be energetic – I like to bring energy to a club when I play.
There’s a heavy level of techno in the latest Nonplus compilation album samplers. Is this a possible influence for future solo output?
There is a strong techno presence, but there is also house, electro and autonomic on there too. I don’t like to stand still with my music, I won’t be becoming a straight up techno producer. I literally roll with whatever vibe I’m feeling at the time I’m in the studio.
Are there any artists that have caught your attention for future collaborations, either for Nonplus Records or for other labels?
I’m still lining up new releases for Nonplus, I’d like to do an EP and I’ve approached a couple of other artists who seem very keen to work with the label. I can’t say who they are yet until I have the finished product from them. As far as other collabs go, I’ll continue working with Joy Orbison and I’m going to write a couple of tracks with Loefah.
– – – – – – – – – –
Catch Boddika at Outlook (August 29th-September 2nd) and Dimensions (September 5th-9th).
Words: Jennifer Vidler + Emma Piercy
CONNECT TO CRACK
