31 Dec 2024
B2KDA - Batucada Sound Machine Newsletter Interview
22 Oct 2007 // An interview by Shade
B.S.M (Batucada Sound Machine) are a 13-piece supergroup based out of Auckland - with members from Dunedin and Wellington as well. Their unique mix of brazilian beats with hip-hop, afrobeat and funk have taken them through all major NZ Festivals and also on tours in the UK and Australia. Their debut studio album 'Rhythm and Rhyme' is out now through Border Music and has been generating rave reviews. Produced by Neil Sparkes (UK - Transglobal Underground and Temple of Sound) and mixed at the legendary Avatar Studios in NY, the album has truly captured the essence of BSM's acclaimed sound.
Check them live this summer Jambalaya Festival Jan 4-6 in Rotorua.
What is your greatest achievement?
In a live sense, our greatest achievement I think was pulling off our tour to the UK - where we played 20 shows in 23 days. We got to perform at the amazing Edinburgh Fringe Festival and also the WOMAD Rivermead Festival
However, in a broader sense, this album is our biggest achievement. From the outset and enlisting Neil Sparkes as producer, to the mix in NY, to the final pressings being rolled out, I think this is a milestone for us that we can all be really proud of. We can sit back and compare this recording against some of our influences internationally and think - 'man this is some good shit'...
What do you think could be done to make NZ music even better?
NZ Music is going through a definite high point at the moment. There is a lot of public and media support for local bands and also government support as well - all of which helps to push the level of playing, recording, songwriting etc up to another level.
I don't think there are any recipes for improving the success of local bands. If anything, I think as soon as bands get out overseas they come back to earth a bit and realise the sheer amount of good music that is out there...
I think its about perserverance - in the music and business side of things.
Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?
Hopefully we'll be onto our 3rd album by then!
One of the reasons we chose to work with Neil and also our Engineer Lawrence Manchester in NY was that they had the potential to help open doors for us in the UK and US. We hope that over the next few years we can start to gain more exposure in these areas.
What is the best thing about making music?
BSM is a big family. We enjoy hanging out and the live gigs are always fun. Imagine 13 band members plus tech crew on the road for 2 weeks - carnage? you got it.
10,000 people at WOMAD UK was a blast (check the video for Tremblin' to get an idea) - so I think the buzz after making an entire football field of people jump in time - is pretty wicked!
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Stick with your music. You can go through periods where you just want to throw it all in - but then the buzz you get after a big gig makes it all worthwhile. Persevere.
James Hughes (Jamorito)
B.S.M.
B.S.M (Batucada Sound Machine) are a 13-piece supergroup based out of Auckland - with members from Dunedin and Wellington as well. Their unique mix of brazilian beats with hip-hop, afrobeat and funk have taken them through all major NZ Festivals and also on tours in the UK and Australia. Their debut studio album 'Rhythm and Rhyme' is out now through Border Music and has been generating rave reviews. Produced by Neil Sparkes (UK - Transglobal Underground and Temple of Sound) and mixed at the legendary Avatar Studios in NY, the album has truly captured the essence of BSM's acclaimed sound. Check them live this summer Jambalaya Festival Jan 4-6 in Rotorua.
What is your greatest achievement?
In a live sense, our greatest achievement I think was pulling off our tour to the UK - where we played 20 shows in 23 days. We got to perform at the amazing Edinburgh Fringe Festival and also the WOMAD Rivermead Festival
However, in a broader sense, this album is our biggest achievement. From the outset and enlisting Neil Sparkes as producer, to the mix in NY, to the final pressings being rolled out, I think this is a milestone for us that we can all be really proud of. We can sit back and compare this recording against some of our influences internationally and think - 'man this is some good shit'...
What do you think could be done to make NZ music even better?
NZ Music is going through a definite high point at the moment. There is a lot of public and media support for local bands and also government support as well - all of which helps to push the level of playing, recording, songwriting etc up to another level.
I don't think there are any recipes for improving the success of local bands. If anything, I think as soon as bands get out overseas they come back to earth a bit and realise the sheer amount of good music that is out there...
I think its about perserverance - in the music and business side of things.
Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?
Hopefully we'll be onto our 3rd album by then!
One of the reasons we chose to work with Neil and also our Engineer Lawrence Manchester in NY was that they had the potential to help open doors for us in the UK and US. We hope that over the next few years we can start to gain more exposure in these areas.
What is the best thing about making music?
BSM is a big family. We enjoy hanging out and the live gigs are always fun. Imagine 13 band members plus tech crew on the road for 2 weeks - carnage? you got it.
10,000 people at WOMAD UK was a blast (check the video for Tremblin' to get an idea) - so I think the buzz after making an entire football field of people jump in time - is pretty wicked!
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Stick with your music. You can go through periods where you just want to throw it all in - but then the buzz you get after a big gig makes it all worthwhile. Persevere.
James Hughes (Jamorito)
B.S.M.
About B2KDA
They've been around the globe 3 times since their last album and all that touring has informed their newest work, Rising.
If you've seen them live you'll know what kind of party they bring. They can now add in the sound from the clubs of Berlin, Seoul, London, Singapore and Amsterdam that have been a massive part of their musical journey.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for B2KDA
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