by lys ziada
photo by dylan reyes
Do you love erratic, unorthodox music that inspires you to be your most unique self? Well, allow me to introduce you to BRUX. BRUX is a self-described surrealist who creates club pop music for anyone who resonates with it. Learn more about BRUX in the interview below!
Hello BRUX! Thanks for interviewing with Unclear today! Do you mind giving our readers a background of you and your work?
BRUX: “Thank you! I’m a producer, writer, vocalist, DJ and synth nerd living in Brooklyn, NY but originally from Sydney, Australia. The BRUX project is surrealist club-pop and began in 2018 with my first release on Dim Mak Records. I’ve been producing for a decade and have recently worked with Cobrah, Joe Goddard, Flight Facilities, and Kimbra.”
You are a self-described surrealist, what does that description mean to you and how it pertains to your music?
BRUX: “To me it means exploring ideas beyond the norm of what is predictable or conventional. I strive for individuality in my melodies, lyrics, beats and branding, and this is the only way I can feel like my output is authentic.”
You recently revealed your identity to your audience, has there been a shift in the way the industry has treated you since?
BRUX: “Industry not so much, but I’ve noticed both positive and negative shifts in my followers — unfortunately uncomfortable comments on my looks but on the flip side it’s allowed for more engagement with fans on my social media platforms. Putting a face to the project has been a big step forward for me, and a decision I needed to arrive at in my own time.”
How do you handle all the creative work that goes into your projects on your own?
BRUX: ”At times with difficulty! I do enjoy though having full creative control over all aspects… it’s really empowering and makes the whole process more enjoyable and authentic to my vision. It’s stressful too though, I wear a lot of different hats these days balancing a lot of different roles outside of just being the artist.”
What was the creative process like when curating the BADBOI EP?
BRUX: ”It was such an interesting process for me in many ways! Firstly, the songs were created back in 2020 during a time where I felt I had to scream louder into the ether to be noticed — I made them quickly and impulsively. It’s why these tracks sound urgent and direct. I used a fair amount of analog hardware too which gave it sonically a lot of edge — the Moog DFAM percussion synth brought so much heat. Zooming out, this EP was the first time I’ve ever fully funded the entire project AND released it independently. Everything from the cover art, press shots, PR, launching the website to the mixing, mastering, remixes, DJ servicing and distribution costs were covered — and this was possible only because of a sell out NFT collection on sound.xyz.”
Do you have a particular audience in mind when creating your music, and do you ever get surprised by who it eventually resonates with?
BRUX: ”To be honest, I’m never thinking of the audience when I’m creating — I’d be too swayed to create a particular style or sound. First and foremost, I’m making music for myself — music that I would love to hear in a club or blast in my headphones.”
What artist do you dream of playing alongside and why?
BRUX: “Jamie xx — he is one of the best producers and artists in the game, with such originality and great taste. Every time I’ve seen him play it’s been heavily inspiring.”
When did you first discover your love of club pop?
BRUX: ”I think back in 2016 when I began to birth the project — I love pop music in its own right and club music too. But the fusion of the two really inspired me — I was listening closely to artists like Marie Davidson, Robyn, Caribou, The Knife, and Yelle.”
How important was it to you, to speak up about women's reproductive rights at your Red Rocks show?
BRUX: “Obviously very important — I saw an opportunity to reach a large group of engaged people and seized the moment… I was also the only female on the lineup at that show too. These are basic human rights and shouldn’t be controlled. We’re living in a modern, progressive era where archaic traditions are still somehow present.”
Lastly, where do you see yourself, at the height of your career?
BRUX: “I see myself touring the globe, collaborating with my favorite artists and idols and feeling content, living authentically.”