Berlin-based producer and piano virtuoso Yoofee is about to unleash his Heavenly Poison EP into the world via the gates of Ballroom Radio Records. We have the honourable pleasure to give you a first listen and asked the young heavy hitter a couple of questions.
Yoofee is 21-year-old pianist & producer from Berlin, Germany who currently studies jazz at the conservatory by day and creates broken beat, drum & bass and dark dub beats in his bedroom by night. Last year I bumped into his Instagram account and saw his immense talent right away in a couple of videos. I wasn't the only one to notice that, his videos got reposted by many of my friends and colleagues as well. Amongst them were Amsterdam-based power couple Kid Sublime and his beloved wife Ness. They run their Ballroom Radio Records label and quickly made the move to sign Yoofee for an EP. "By artists, for artists" is not just a catchphrase they use, but is really what they're all about. At BRR their focus is on connecting artists, push collaborations between them and create a platform where they can express their creative freedom to the fullest. Fast forward to today and we're about to discover the outcome of the labels second vinyl output. The Heavenly Poison EP is going to be released tomorrow so it's more than time that we got to know Yoofee a little better and give you a first listen below!
Hi Yoofee, congrats with your incredible new Heavenly Poison EP. We're happy to see it found a home with the Amsterdam-based Ballroom Radio Records label and can't wait to get you over here to perform this live! Let's take it back to the beginning. How did your adventure in music start? How old were you and what was the first instrument you touched?
Basically my parents record collection. Artists like Roy Ayers, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett and playing my moms piano. I was 4 years old when I first played the piano.
You also produce all your own stuff. When did you start with producing?
When I was 15 years young (I am 21 now) I starting making music on my MacBook.
Who were some of your first inspirations?
Kaidi Tatham, Dego, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Skeptical (drum & bass), Commodo (dubstep) .
Lately we see you collaborating a lot. If you could collab with anyone, who would that be?
Kaidi, Kaytranada and the singers Summer Walker and Allysha Joy.
You are based in Berlin. How is the current scene over there?
WEIRD, the scene is weird. The sub genres are progressing and people are going more to sub culture events but the bruk and house scene could be much bigger.
What changed in the past 10 years?
It’s not just techno anymore, more new clubs are opening and old ones are shutting down.
Is there anyone we should keep an eye on?
Käthe Johanning, Dounia, Meron, D.Y.A. Agajon, Wanubale, Ome, Zuza, Dalee.
Your new EP is a clear venture into West-Londons' broken beat sound. When did you hear the first bruk tune and is there any specific track that made you want to create it yourself?
Sivey - 'Nobody Else', I wish I made that tune.
What's the last track you heard that really blew your mind?
'Session 32' by Summer Walker and '993' by Blawan.
Any last words you'd like to share?
I hope there are gonna be more broken beat parties to give it the attention it deserves.
Thank you, Yoofee!
We're excited to share a first listen of the track 'Bruk12'.
The Heavenly Poison EP will be out on August 30th via Ballroom Radio Records.
Pre-order now through the Rush Hour website.
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