The Prima Lux spotlight shines on Austin-based Australian producer Barbuto this week. The Transmit Recordings man supplies a heavy hitting sixty for your ears and handles some quickfire Q&A action. It’s all below!
Tell us a bit about your latest EP, La Puerta. Did you begin production with the idea for a driving, powerful triple-release? Or did that aesthetic come together on its own?
A bit of both. This was a fun EP because my writing had started to speed up around this time so I’ve been having a ton of fun with production. Here in Austin the kids love driving in-your-face techno, so I always want to make stuff that I can play here at home. For sure, the sound design and picking out the drums came with lots of clicking and experimenting, but the driving rolling undertones as an idea were there from the beginning.
You spend a lot of your time surrounded by nature, choosing to reside in very large RV. In what ways do you think your lifestyle and environment impacts your creative process?
My creative process and life outlook is entirely impacted by this way of living. I went from being a sales person in Los Angeles, to a full time DJ living in a forest in Texas over the course of about 5 years and have never looked back. Being surrounded by nature is very inspiring and really helps the creative process. It’s also very healthy and affordable allowing me to invest all my resources into my career.
Other than music, what’s something that is really important to you?
I am an alternative information addict. From news to food, health and medicine (and dare I say politics). I listen to alot of talk radio about these topics (Coast to Coast AM is my favorite show) and try to stay ahead of the curve of what is real information these days and what is good for you, so that I stay happy and positive. This music industry is extremely competitive so you have to be up-beat and pumped all the time.
You just released a track titled, “Scales of Honduras” on Transmit Recordings’ BPM compilation album. What’s your relationship with BPM Festival? Do you have any fond memories from attending?
I played an amazing party at BPM in 2016 with the Octopus recordings gang. I have been watching it this year from home on Be-AT TV, so I am there in spirit and happy my music is there. It’s such a great event and I will be there in 2018!
Since it’s a brand new year, what are some things we can look forward to from Barbuto in 2017? Is there anything you’re personally excited for?
I am so excited for 2017 with so many exciting things on the books. I’m headed to Boise, Idaho next week to play with my good friend Deuce Parks who Mr. Hawtin has been eyeing lately. I am teaching a production / DJ masterclass the following week at an Austin middle school that I am beyond excited for. I have my best work coming out on one of my favorite labels, as well as having remixed 4 of my hero’s. I have gigs in Costa Rica, Guatemala and some huge gigs here in Austin with Christian Smith, ALX, Boris and Dubfire coming up. So yes! I’m excited and I can’t sleep at night.
Lastly, we’re very happy to have you as our guest DJ for the Prima Lux feature this week. Do you have any words about the mix you’ve created for us?
I called Evan the manager of Kingdom this morning and asked him if he could sneak me into the club tonight (it’s Tuesday) to make this mix, because I wanted to really go for it and have fun, so yeah I’m actually really happy with it. I had the club all to myself and had a blast! (I snuck a cocktail from the bar in too, don’t tell!) so I hope you guys dig it!
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