First popping onto the scene is a debut single “I’m Back” in 2018 on Dim Mak Records as an anonymous talent, BRUX has certainly made her presence felt throughout 2022 with a steady flow of new music in addition to revealing her true self to the world.
Following a conversation with Nina Las Vegas which led to her to come to the realization that she doesn’t need to hide when it comes to showcasing her talents, she revealed her identity with her Take EP on Zeds Dead‘s Deadbeats back in April.
She has a do-it-yourself approach to all aspects of her artist project which sees the Australian talent styling her own shoots, creating her own merch, making her own artwork, and everything in between. BRUX can simply do it all!
Recently dropping her gritty collaboration “Badboi” with Pat Lok which gave the electronic dance music community a taste of what’s to come off her forthcoming EP, we took the time to get to know BRUX a little be better.
“’Badboi’ is a lively club track that was made with my good friend and collaborator Pat Lok (Kitsunè, Fools Gold). This track was inspired by early Ed Banger releases and features a cutup vocal & analog synths riding over massive distorted drums. It’s mixed by Grammy Award winning legend Ariel Borujow who has roots in Hip Hop & Rap working closely with P Diddy & Notorious B.I.G.” BRUX explains,
DJ Life Mag: Who or what introduced you to the world of dance music?
BRUX: I was exposed to dance music when I was 6 years old, my older brother Anthony (known professionally as HooknSling) began to produce dance music & DJ. I would sit next to him and watch him while he worked – it was mesmerising to me & I knew then I wanted to do the same.
DJ Life Mag: What made you fall in love with dance music as a whole?
BRUX: I think the physical and emotional effect it had on me while listening to it – The Chemical Brothers especially had a big impact on me for my love of dance music. I’m originally a dancer so I’m naturally drawn to rhythms. Hip Hop music also gives me the same effect physically.
DJ Life Mag: What made you want to follow a path in music?
BRUX: The fact that it has always felt so natural to express myself through this medium gave me the confidence to pursue it. I’ve never questioned it & it’s always felt right.
DJ Life Mag: Which DJs do you admire and why?
BRUX: Pearson Sound, Anna Lunoe, Boys Noize, Nina Las Vegas & Doss just to name a few. The common thread between all of these artists is that their sets are always authentic to their taste, eclectic & damn difficult to Shazam ha! Respect.
DJ Life Mag: DJing or production – which came first?
BRUX: Production. I started producing when I was 16 whereas DJ’ing came about much later when I was about 22 / 23.
DJ Life Mag: What does your studio setup look like these days?
BRUX: It’s compact & crammed with as much hardware (synths / drum machines) as I can physically fit in there. I have a home studio setup which consists of a Moog One, Microbrute, Drumbrute, Deckards Dream, Moog Lil Phatty, Op-1, Moog DFAM, Pocket Piano, various mics & too many cables…
DJ Life Mag: What’s your creative process in the studio?
BRUX: I will almost always start with a beat using my Moog DFAM, that’s how I made my club EP.
DJ Life Mag: When you have a tough week or hit a wall creatively, how do you get yourself back on track?
BRUX: I chase inspiration in other forms – watching films, listening to other genres as a palette cleanser (ambient, folk, indie), start reading a new book, socialise with friends & tell stories, go see a show…luckily there’s always something to do in NYC so plenty of inspiration here.
DJ Life Mag: You popped onto the scene as a mysterious and androgynous artist, but that all changed earlier this year. Why did you feel the timing was right to unveil your true self to the world?
BRUX: It was in 2020 when the pandemic started that I shifted gears and revealed my identity as female. I think I just felt frustrated with the restrictions of Covid and changed my perspective on how I wanted to be perceived. A conversation I had with my friend Nina Las Vegas helped me lean into this decision of wanting to be seen for who I am and not feel like I had to change my shape/form just so I could be noticed. It was so empowering.
DJ Life Mag: For any producer/DJs out there who may find themselves in the same situation as you, hesitant to reveal their identity, what words of wisdom do you have for them?
BRUX: Do what feels right for you at the time, there is no “right” or “wrong” approach – you’re allowed to grow and morph over time as an artist…don’t worry 🙂
DJ Life Mag: Tell us how your new collaboration “BADBOI” with Pat Lok come together?
BRUX: I started working on music with Pat in 2020 after I remixed his track “freefall” ft. Thandi Phoenix. We began to have regular zoom sessions and write together from scratch – a few months in, we made BADBOI over zoom and it all happened so quickly. The Moog DFAM kicked it off!
DJ Life Mag: What does BRUX have in store for the remainder of 2022 and beyond?
BRUX: My club ep BADBOI drops in August & I’m planning some US club shows around this. Then in October I head to Australia to play The Grass is Greener Festival (Tydolla$ign, Aluna, PNAU) and after then it’ll be time to drop some more new music! Beyond this year I have some really exciting collaborations on the release radar…one is a single that I co-wrote and produced with Kimbra for her upcoming album called “Replay”.
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