Contributing Writer
After tearing up dancefloors for more than thirty years, Bushwacka! is back with yet more heat in the form of ‘Music Is Life’, his new record with Carl Cox on Oblong Records. We sat down with Bushwacka! to discuss his origins, house legend Chuck Roberts and more.
Hi Bushwacka! Thanks for taking the time to speak with us. How’s your year been so far?
This year has been a whirlwind, I have racked up so many air miles. Covid seems like a long time ago, finally. I have been juggling my touring schedule with studio projects, my psychotherapy practice, and running Listen Up Therapy LTD with my wife. It’s been a busy 2023.
You’ve had an impressively long and varied musical career, can you tell us how you got started?
I was making up tunes on my mother’s piano from the age of 3, and my first go as a DJ was in 1983, age 11, when I was given the job of changing the tapes(cassettes) at the school disco. When I was 14, I went to an under-16s disco in the basement of a church, called the Parrot and Palm and met a school friend from my younger years, who let me have a go on his decks – the rest is history, I was hooked. I used to play the drums, and eventually sold my drum kit to buy my own decks and mixer.
You have a new track, ‘Music Is Life’ with Carl Cox and Chuck Roberts which is out on 28th July on your label Oblong Records. What can you tell us about this record?
Well, this was started a long time ago. I recorded loads of sketches – not finished tracks, just loops and sections. A few years later, I submitted some of these to Chuck, who was coming to London, and we had a jam session at a recording studio in Kings Cross, working on 3 different track ideas. A couple of years later, I sent the jam and parts to my dear friend Carl to see if he wanted to collaborate, alongside some other tracks, and he chose this one. He got to work bringing his magic and signature sound to the track and then sent me the stems. I took so long to work on this. During lockdown, I was experiencing writer’s block, I think from being at home all the time, so I only re-visited this tune a few months ago after I had moved house and built a new studio. All in all, it’s taken about 7 years from conception for this track to reach the finish line – but what a tune. Music Is Life really does bring the dance floor to life – full of dynamics, energy and vibes.
You and Carl Cox have remixed each other’s tracks previously. How did you find collaborating together on this record?
I love my time with Carl, whether we’re playing together, collaborating, or just hanging out. We’ve known each other for almost 35 years, and there is deep mutual respect between us. We have seen each other go through many changes, and are still here to tell the tales.
The track also features some infectious vocals from house legend Chuck Roberts, what can you tell us about working with him?
That man is a force of nature – He is so passionate about his work – In that short space of time we were in the studio together I experienced him as a warm, fun, dedicated artist.
Are there any other artists or vocalists you’d like to work with for future releases?
Oh yes, lots. I recently met a famous jazz musician in New York, we made plans to work on some music but I am struggling to find the time due to my schedule at the moment. I think I need to take some more time off touring to work on studio projects.
What do you find influences you musically at the moment?
There is a group called Alfa Mist I recently discovered – I am really digging their versatile sound.
Many people may be unaware that in addition to your musical output you also co-run ‘Listen Up Therapy’, a counselling and mentoring practice based in London. Does the work you do there influence your approach to making and releasing music at all, if so how?
The reality is they are actually very separate, but my experience of touring, being in and out of addiction and recovery, and understanding how important mental health is for creatives and artists who are on the road a lot, has helped greatly with the client work.
Finally, what can we expect from you in the future?
I have albums in the pipeline, and lots of collabs underway already… So expect much more music!
Bushwacka! and Carl Cox ‘Music Is Life’ feat. Chuck Roberts is out 28th July on Oblong Records.
