QUICKIE: Catching Up With Bodhi

The internet is a powerful tool. An obvious opening statement perhaps, but if you consider the exposure and accessibility available to aspiring producers in 2012 compared to say, ten years ago, then it really shouldn’t be taken for granted. But with this increase in opportunity comes an increase in competition, and getting yourself noticed these days really takes something special. So, when Cardiff duo Bodhi uploaded an unofficial remix of The XX ‘Angels’, they perhaps weren’t expecting things to kick off like they have, but with over 60,000 plays in 48hrs and a proud place at the top of the Hypem chart, the resulting buzz was inevitable.

Not unlike some of their peers, Bodhi (pronounced Bow-dee) are now claiming some very positive attention. Picked up by Ifan Dafydd and his Push & Run label, the duo have just released their first official single ‘Emanation’. It’s a mesmerising combination of drifting vocal cuts, reflective synths and warm, seductive bass – the type of sound which, at the risk of sounding critical, smacks of now. But that is of course no bad thing. If quality bass-inflected House is how we come to define 2012 then so be it, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Check out Bodhi’s remix of The XX below as well as recent release ‘Emanation’ and an interview with the guys themselves:







Synth: Your recent remix of ‘Angels’ by The XX was enormously popular, racking up over 60,000 plays and hitting the number one spot on hypem. How did you approach that remix?

Bodhi: Yeah we had some pretty crazy numbers rack up to date. The remix was put together in a day with the aim of keeping it fairly true to the original track whilst adding our own 'spin' to it.

Synth: We noticed that you’ve tagged new single ‘Emanation’ as ‘Groove Bass’ on Soundcloud. We’re not going to try and slap you with any silly genres, but how would you describe the sound of your music? Do you think we’ve got to the point now where genre labelling is unnecessary?

Bodhi: We just tagged that track with words the we thought described the sound of the EP, groove and bass. We're not trying to impose a new made up genre honestly haha. We try not to pay too much attention to genre labelling with electronic music, just use it as a light guide when tune hunting. The only two genres that count are good and bad, and that is still mostly down to personal opinion.

Synth: And with reference to your sound, what would you describe as your main influences growing up? Obviously 4x4 seems to be the basis of your sound now, but what other styles inspired you?

Bodhi: Growing up we were influenced by quite a range including Motown, Funk, Blues, 90s RnB, Old Skool Hip Hop and then later in our teens developed a love for electronic music which started off with artists such as Aphex Twin, The Streets, Squarepusher, FSOL.


Push & Run showcase ft Bodhi, this Saturday at the Berkeley Suite

Synth: You recently featured in Mixmag and there was a reference to Disclosure in there, obviously there are two of you and you use a lot of RnB vocal work in your music, do you think that was a fair reference to make?

Bodhi: Well we kind of guessed there would be some sort of comparisons made between us and Disclosure which is cool as they make quality music, but as we get more of our music out there I'm sure we will make our own name.

Synth: You’re currently touring with the Push & Run label, featuring Pedestrian and of course Ifan Dafydd, what’s the tour been like so far? Has Ifan coughed up for the multi-level tour bus with Jacuzzi trailer and helipad?

Bodhi: It has been great to meet the rest of the PAR guys and play out our first few shows. Ifan has been very hospitable with letting us use his helicopter..... adds a little more excitement to the travelling.

Synth: Finally, things are obviously just kicking off for you guys, how do you see it panning out from here? A lot of gigging and studio time scheduled we’d imagine?

Bodhi: Yep, being quite new to the circuit we just want to get out there and do as many shows as possible and meet as many other artists as we can. Then when we're not in the clubs, we are back in the studio writing…

Bodhi feature alongside Pedestrian and Ifan Dafydd for a Push & Run showcase this Saturday at The Berkeley Suite. Free before 12, £5 after.

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