DUTCH DJ and producer Budakid aka Kevin Huizing’s music continues to captivate dance floors the world over, with support for his cinematic tracks from the likes of Sasha, Pete Tong, Black Coffee, Kölsch and many more.
His collaboration Sweet Ease and Hybrid Society with Berlin’s Watergate club resident DJ Matthias Meyer last year was a sign of great things to come and Budakid now lands back on Watergate Records – this time in collaboration with Nordfold on the United EP. Also look out for his forthcoming track Coffee Cup on Permanent Vacation coming on 5 August. For more information on Budakid head to his facebook page.
We caught up with Budakid this week to mark the release and he talked us through a selection of music including United from the new EP.
Budakid & Nordfold – United
‘United’ – one of my newest songs – not only carries a friendship, but also the need and power to Unite again with everyone around the world. A track that transfers for me certain serenity and peace but still has a euphoric feel of freedom. Hearing this piece is like reading back some sentences from my diary, it brings back last year and memories. I remember we were starting to write this track, a moment where Amsterdam had sort of a lockdown and we couldn’t go outside after a certain time.
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Acid Arab – Soulan (Laolu Remix)
I still remember the first time hearing this song last year. It gave me such a thrill at home that I instantly got into a festival mood. The way Laolu sampled some guitar licks from Acid Araba’s original tune combined with the new drum arrangement is just on point for me. Definitely one of my mood lifters of last year.
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Mind Against – Prophet
Mind Against keeps surprising me, especially with this tune ‘Prophet’. A track drenched with groove, catching harmonies with an unpredictable climax that made it one of my favourite tunes last year. I have been following this strong Italian duo for a while, but since their ‘Bloom’ EP on Afterlife, I’m a big fan.
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Squarepusher – Midi Sans Frontieres (Avec Batterie)
I have always been a big fan of Squarepusher. But while doing some digital “crate digging” – searching the web for new music – I discovered Avec Batterie’s remix of Squarepusher’s ‘Midi Sans Frontieres’. The original is already strong on its own. A minimalistic cut with sort of an AB song structure. Avec Batterie kept the original melodies in place and did add some extra drums on the fundament to give the track more drive and energy. But in the end, what really makes me put this track in this top list, is the processing of these drums. Maybe I’m just a sucker for wicked drums, but this drum bending is attracting me a lot.
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Budakid & El Zárate – Pizza Pizza
When the pandemic really became a thing, I picked up an old hobby of mine again, cooking. Pizza was one of the focus points at that time. This track also has a special place in my diary. This track was baked on a dark night in the lonely forest of Germany’s Brandenburg. We had a dark moon and could see the night sky as clear as in any milky way movie. After making some pizza for ourselves, and for the community who was living there, we jammed around in my friend (El Zárate) his studio, located in an old windmill lost in the forest. While finishing the track at my studio in Berlin we also decided to make some pizza ourselves which directly brought us to the title of the track ‘Pizza Pizza’.
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Avnu (UK) – Proud You’re Mine
I’m always keeping an eye out on Maceo Plex’s record label Ellum. But a track with a disco touch really surprised me in a positive way. This track gives me an instant feeling of having a permanent vacation. The track on itself is arranged well and keeps interesting even if it has a loopy sample approach. The quirky vocal effects and the main synth line that enters after the drop makes the sun shine for me.
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DJ Koze – Drone me up, Flashy feat. Sophia Kennedy (&ME Remix)
It was hard to pick which track of &ME is my actual favourite one, because everything he releases is on fire lately. Minimalistic, uplifting melodies and some catchy piano chords on top characterises his style for me. &ME is not an unknown face on Pampa Recordings. But when I discovered that he remixed powerhouse DJ Koze, I didn’t even have to listen to the track and bought it blindly. This remix is strongly driven by a hypnotic synth that brings the power to the track. Where DJ Koze’s original cut is more of an introverted and dreamy piece, &ME did an amazing job on taking it to the dance floor.
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Who Made Who – Silence & Secrets (Frank Wiedemann Version)
Who Made Who brings such a new wind into the industry that I personally really like. A combination of calibrated songs with a twist of static electronic dance music. Melancholic, exciting, and eclectic with strong catchy hooks and beautiful harmonies. Last time I saw them was at Cityfox (Avant Gardner) in New York, where we both played our live shows. This track especially is one of my favourites which is a remix of Frank Wiedemann (known from the duo Âme). A track that really grabs my attention and spaces me out.
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Max Cooper – Lovesong
When I listen to Max Cooper, I’m always getting fascinated by his craftsmanship. Beautiful melodies and amazing sound design. Drowned into different realms, woken up by modern sound glitches and interesting audio movements. This track got me hooked the last couple of years. ‘Lovesong’ is for me a perfect balance between atmospheric melodies and Intelligent Dance Music. For me this is state-of-the-art. A track that I can put on repeat for years.
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Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Rà-àkõ-st (Lindstrøm cover)
What happens if you blend two of your favourite musicians together? This! An amazing interpretation by Unknown Mortal Orchestra of Lindstrøm’s ‘Rà-àkõ-st’. Lindstrøm’s ‘Smalhans’ LP is one of my favourite dance albums of all time. I find it a magnificent piece of intellectual dance music. Lindstrøm’s music stands mostly out for me in its arrangement and melodic phrases. Unknown Mortal Orchestra is a psychedelic rock band known for his innovative and authentic studio approach, produced with loads of depth and character. This cover he did for Lindstrøm blew my mind, not only because they’re both fantastic producers – also because they make a rare crossover within the music industry.
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