BOTW Interview: Bondax

We chat to the DJ/producer duo about working, travelling, the ultimate love song, their fave lyrics and breakdowns, food… a bit of everything, really.

You were originally touted as Starslinger prodigies. How do you know him?
Originally he was a bit of a hero, a producer we really loved and one who inspired us to make music. So I (George) emailed in hope one night earlier this year – it was just a really simple promo – and within about half an hour or so he’d replied saying how much he loved the track. From there we got talking, he invited us to DJ out in Slovenia with him and from then we’ve been good mates. He’s a really lovely guy and probably one of our best mates in music.

What are the benefits of playing/producing as a duo as opposed to doing it solo?
More ideas. As long as your ideas don’t clash it’s obvious the kind of scope two brains give over one. It’s a lot more fun travelling together too.

What are the flaws of working together?
We haven’t really found any yet, but I’m sure we’ll have different opinions on a track at some point down the line. I see us doing solo projects in the distant future.

What do you think of bigger commercial DJs who make a lot of money but whose music isn’t as well crafted as that of smaller scale producers?
G: I think they’re good at what they do or they wouldn’t be there, even if what they do isn’t necessarily all music related. It sounds silly but there’s almost no connection between some of the bigger DJs and the underground ones – the philosophies, aims, and general attitudes are different, the music is made for different reasons.

A:  Yes, There are always going to be the DJs at the top that capitalize on trends.

How have you seen the UK underground change within the past couple of years?
To be honest, the past couple of years haven’t changed that much for the kind of UK stuff we’re into; just a lot of the more melodic dancier stuff has pushed through into the public eye as electronic music has started to become more prominent generally across radio, the internet etc.

I think there is definitely a new wave of people making happier music, though; it seems less dark than it did a couple years ago.

You’ve said you associate your music with love, so… what do you consider to be the best love song(s) of all time?
Loving You - Minnie Riperton

If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys

Untitled – D’angelo

Can’t Get Enough of Your Love – Barry White

You’ve done a fair bit of touring already. Any things you’ve learnt on your travels? Or just unique experiences generally?
We just try to enjoy ourselves as best as possible when we’re travelling. We try to stay in new places for a few days, or if we’re at a festival we’ll try and stay for the whole thing if we can – it makes you appreciate the whole event more. On the flip side we’ve learnt Burger King is too expensive for what you get and we know Virgin trains more intimately than our own houses!

Do you have any favourite breakdowns/lyrics/moments in songs?
G: Yeah loads haha. This question is sick, but hard to answer ‘cause I could write several dissertations about this.

In ‘James – Sit Down’, the lyrics state “If I hadn’t seen such riches I could live with being poor;” regardless of what you think of the song these lyrics are so relevant in life generally, whether it be regarding money or love or anything. They have to be some of my favourite lyrics in any song.

A: I love ‘Oxygen’ by Willy Mason – it talks about children who take Ritalin and I think that is one of my favourite moments in a song too, just because it’s such a simple melody and rhythm but the lyrics take it to another level. One of my favourite breakdowns in recent times is in a new Maribou State song called ‘Scarlett Groove’, and Saint Savior sings the highest soaring note just as the song enters a breakdown in the middle. It’s just amazing, a really beautiful song.

[We couldn't find 'Scarlett Groove' on its own online, but here's a cool Soundcloud mixtape where it's featured at the end - Ed]

What music and new artists have you been into over the past month?
We listen to mainly old music at home but some new producers we’re feeling are Sweater Beats, Kahwe, TCTS and Snakehips.

We were at Farr festival a couple weeks ago and had a great time dancing to ‘Want You In My Soul’ by the Lovebirds – it’s been the song of our summer really. I also love the debut albums by Jessie Ware and Lianne La Havas – really beautiful voices.

What are you most looking forward to this year?
Seeing the world.

What would your death row meal be? Starter, main, pudding?
G: Tapas, Steak Chips, Sticky Toffee Pudding.

A: Starter would probably be calamari from Wagamamas, because that’s ridiculously good, and I don’t even like seafood that much! Then probably Christmas dinner, loads of turkey and pigs in blankets and stuffing and gravy, and then nothing for pudding because I’d be too full.

-Bronya Francis