BOOKA SHADE
DEFYING THE LABELS
It's the mid 1960's Memphis, Tennessee and Stax records is emerging due to a string of successful singles by artists including Otis Redding and Sam & Dave. Behind the scenes is a man tasked with writing and producing many of those hits, but, it wasn't until Isaac Hayes decided to step up as a solo artist that he became the legend he was destined to be. The history of the music business has shown in rare cases that the brain behind the hits also has the image, energy, and swagger to eclipse the stars they helped to create.
It's the early 2000's in Germany and musician/producers Walter Merzinger and Arno Kammermeier have been working for years in a synth pop band but have decided it's time for a reinvention. Booka Shade is born, an electronic dance production team, and with friends DJ T and members of M.A.N.D.Y. they launch the record label Get Physical to push their own music. After a series of successful records it is suggested that the producers come out as front men and take it a step further. In 2006 Booka Shade release "Body Language" and the tune becomes massive, and in some regards, the biggest song of the year ultimately making them the stars of their own label. Since then, people have tried to box their creations in with labels that they don't feel are accurate. They have been described as Minimal,Progressive, Tech, Electro, the list goes on & on. The long and short of it is that they make great music and have coupled it with a unique live show that's made them standouts in the overall Dance/Electronic genre.
3 years later, the boys have released 3 full albums and are working on a 4th while juggling a hectic tour schedule of clubs and festivals. While in Miami for the Winter Music Conference, MC Shawn Lucas got to sit down with them backstage at Ultra Music Festival before they took the main stage. Check it out...
press play then click on the HQ button to watch in HIGH QUALITY
Videographer: Alexis Fedoroff, Video Editing: The Big Ragu, Interviewer: MC Shawn Lucas
SPECIAL THANKS TO: MSO PR, the people at Ultra Music Festival
LINKS TO BOOKA SHADE:
SPECIAL BONUS DOWNLOAD:We don't usually like promoting other web-zines but we do like giving away free stuff. Check out this Booka Shade mix featured on Reisdent Advisor on April 13, 2009.
RESIDENT ADVISOR podcast #150