Artists To Watch 2012: Volta Bureau

Artists To Watch 2012: Volta Bureau

16 January, 2012 | 3.07AM

• Written by: Beatportal
• Filed under: Music News: artists to watch 2012, nurvous, volta bureau

Credit their official-sounding name with their home in Washington, D.C., but there’s nothing buttoned-up about Volta Bureau, a trio of disco-besotted dreamers intent on taking house music still deeper in 2012.

The Bureau’s members already have earned ample accolades as individuals: Bernard Farley has recorded as Outputmessage for Ghostly, Melodic and his own Output Noise Records. Miguel Lacsamana is also known as Micah Vellian, with indie-dance credits on Plant Music and Swedish Columbia. And Will Eastman, also a Plant Music regular, is the co-owner of D.C.’s U Street Music Hall, one of the city’s top nightspots

The trio got its start last summer with the nu-disco tearjerker ”Hope”; the follow-up, ”Alley Cat” (Nurvous), confirmed their mastery of piano-led anthems, going to #20 on the Beatport Top 100.

Read on to find out what’s next for Volta Bureau, and check out an exclusive mix that they made for Beatportal featuring all the tracks in their latest Beatport top 10.

Volta Bureau – Hope [Volta Bureau]

What kind of music do you make, and how long have you been doing it for?

Will: Cosmic and hypnotic house, disco and techno. Been producing since 2007, first release was in ‘09. I’m a pup.

Miguel: The music that we make stems from both our individual and collective experiences. I’ve been playing and writing music all my life, but got into producing and recording around 2003.

Bernard: Jonathan Fischer over at Washington City Paper described us as being “academic,” “nostalgic,” and “fuzzed-out”.  I think that describes us pretty well actually. 

What’s your proudest musical achievement so far?

Bernard: Sometimes it’s easy to forget how special it is that the music we make can affect people’s lives. That they might associate a moment or a time or a feeling in their life with something that we made. It seems like a small thing, but it still gets me every time someone tells us that.

Will: We have been really pleased with all the amazing feedback we’ve received for “Alley Cat” and want to send a huge thanks to all the fans, artists and writers who supported us in 2011. We’re working in the studio literally as we write this and are looking forward to things this year.

Volta Bureau – Alley Cat [Nurvous]

What projects—singles, LPs, remixes, residencies, tours, etc.—do you have coming up for 2012? Beyond that, what do you hope to have accomplished by this time next year?

Miguel: We have a few remixes in the works for our friend Richard Richard and another one for Lee M Kelsall‘s single coming out on Louie Fresco and Jay Blakk‘s new imprint, Mexa Records. Beyond that, we plan on writing more tunes, more DJ gigs and we are also developing a live show. 

Any predictions (positive or negative) for electronic dance music in 2012?

Will: Same prediction I made in 2011: I think dance music is gonna get sexier in 2012.

Bernard: I agree. Bangers are out… love-making tracks are in. The tempos are getting slower and the sounds are becoming more organic.

Finally, could you tip us off to an up-and-coming artist or label that you think people should know about?

Will: Richard Richard from Milwaukee is making great, quirky early-house influenced tracks. David Hearbreak‘s soulful touch to moombahton; “Moombahsoul,” has huge potential. Also Walker & Royce, and I’m excited to hear releases on Louie Fresco’s new Mexa imprint and Nurvous Records.

Beatport January 2012 Chart mix by Volta Bureau

01 Waifs And Strays - Be Patient (Futureboogie) 

02 H2 - No Rules In Music (Nurvous)

03 Scuba - Adrenalin (Hotflush) 

04 Mark E - Call Me (Dixon Edit) (Merc)

05 Jimpster - Infinity Dub (Freerange) 

06 Eli Escobar - Desire feat. Nomi Ruiz (DJ Sneak Gangster Mix) (Plant) 

07 Maceo Plex - Stay High Baby (Original Mix) (Ellum) 

08 Julio Bashmore - Ensnare (Futureboogie) 

09 Bearight, Lookleft - Miss You (Original Mix) (Pets) 

10 Pillowtalk - Soft (Original Mix) (Life and Death)

This mix is compiled off our January 2012 chart for Beatport. 
Check out the chart here.

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