Budspells
If you follow reggae music and its related hybrids in Aotearoa and Australia with any degree of interest, chances are you have probably heard of Budspells from Bondi Beach, Sydney
A strong alliance formed in 2005 with Salmonella Dub and the Dub Conspiracy Music Group which has allowed them to tour extensively and play support at numerous well attended events, quickly building a strong and loyal fan base across both countries with their infectious Ragga, Hip-Hop and Reggae jungle grooves
What you may not know is that even though Budspells seem like a reasonably new group, core members MC Kye and Ants (producer) both have extensive individual musical histories each stretching back well beyond a decade, and yes... they are both originally from New Zealand
MC Kye hails from Te Awamutu but relocated to Australia fifteen years ago and has spent most of the time sionce operating out of Bondi Beach, singing with various reggae bands and Australian Hip-Hop groups. During that time he achieved a reasonable degree of success performing as part of Wicked Beat Sound System.
Ants is the studio guy and natural musician. He is also a master of Pro-Tools and possesses a huge amount of knowledge in regards to the recording and mixing of music. Ants cut his studio teeth in the UK and spent a substantial period of time living in Wellington working with the likes of Mu (Fat Freddy's Drop) and The Dental Records. He was also a member of Wellington super group 'Bong Master'
In 2006 Budspells released their EP 'Inna Sences' on Dub Conspiracy and achieved some notoriety on the New Zealand B.Net through two critical songs, 'Ruckus' (A Grime Influenced Excursion) featuring P.Diggsss from Shapeshifter and underground Hip-Hop banger 'Feel Styles' featuring Australian Hip-Hop MC Hyjack. Recently MC Kye also featured on the Shapeshifter track 'Heat of the Moment' which can be found on their 'Soulstice' LP.
Budspells have released their debut album 'Nomdik Souls', a dreamy smoked out excursion through all things bass heavy. 'Nomdik Souls' is once again released through the Dub Conspiracy. Vitamin & RhythmMethod imprint under 'Ruffage Tunes', Budspells' own record label and music production company.
Reviews
Two-piece genre-hybrids Budspells drew the pack to the front before bringing them to a simmer over a low frequency of bubbling dub.
Lead Singer Kye Impressed with a versatile, smooth style that left mouths open, feet jumping and hearts beating. A couple of tight drum'n'bass tracks to finish the set saw the crowd at boiling point wIth an empty stage.
- 3d review from Shapeshifter Tour O8
Solid production, superbly soulful vocals and fiery horns make this digi-dub-soul-hop mix contagious.
- Paris Pomper Sydney Metro Aug O8
Top 10 album number 1 single on SBS radio show Alchemy O8