Brainfunk is a twenty-six-year-old Spokane based DJ who I’ve been pretty excited about recently. He’s made a mark with his aptitude for mixing, and a unique taste for glitch-hop and experimental bass. Over the years he has cultivated a well-balanced and gratifying style that ranges from chill and relaxed to heavy and gripping.
Recently, I’ve been talking to Brainfunk over twitter about his life in the music scene. Here’s a little bit of what I’ve learned about him and his experience as a DJ.
Before he was known as Brainfunk, Derrick Locken spent his younger life in a small town outside of Astoria, Oregon, named Westport. During his teenage years, he moved to and from Spokane several times.
Derrick grew up listening to a variety of hip-hop, classic rock, metal, and reggae. He was only eleven when he started using Fruity Loops to make hip-hop instrumentals and then began rapping over beats that he’d made. Eventually, he moved on to using the program Reason to produce his music, before eventually settling on Ableton. Although he is known now primarily for his electronic music, it wasn’t until he turned eighteen that he really fell in love with the electronic scene.
In 2010, Derrick settled in Spokane. It was just before the move that he came across a dubstep mix from a U.K. artist that caught his attention. Quite abruptly, he became interested in electronic music and curious about everything surrounding it.
“I would have to say it was an old Plastician mix that first got me hooked. Plasticians Rinse: 06. I heard that mix and it just really resonated with me. I began getting drawn to dubstep, but more specifically, sounds that were coming out of the UK dubstep scene. More melodic and forward-thinking bass music. I began to love artists such as Caspa, Rusko, Bassnectar, Ill Gates, Plastician, Joker, Mt. Eden, Pretty Lights, and Flux Pavilion, to name a few. I started going to electronic music events around the Northwest and more specifically, Spokane. I really enjoyed the energy at those shows. Everyone was very positive and accepting, and it felt like a community.
I began to practice mixing every day. I worked to expand my knowledge of music within the electronic realm, making it a goal to become a very versatile performer. Quickly, I found myself interested in glitch-hop, drum and bass, experimental, trap, and almost everything in between.”
As his fanbase built, Derrick decided to adopt his new moniker; Brainfunk. From there, he began playing every show that would book him, starting with opening slots and smaller events. Outside of work, Derrick would spend all his free time as a DJ. Through years of patience and networking, his hard work began to pay off.
“Slowly, I started working with bigger artists and had the opportunity to play at festivals all around the Northwest. But more so, I’ve had the privilege of sharing the stage with many producers who have had a big influence in my life. This has been very special to me. It’s the sort of thing that not everyone gets to experience.”
What Is Brainfunk Up To?
Most recently, Brainfunk has been more and more inspired by the half-time drum and bass, and West Coast bass style of music that has developed just in the last few years. Artists that have been grabbing his attention lately include Ivy Lab, G Jones, Shades (Eprom/Alix Perez), Vorso, Mike ILL, Subduktion, Zeke Beats, and Bleep Bloop.
Brainfunk is working towards releasing new music in the near future. His single, “Fortune,” will be out soon, followed by his EP, titled “WITHIN.” He is also actively contributing to the ILL Gates Online class, dubbed ‘The Class of 808,’ which teaches new and aspiring producers how to create their own music.
Brainfunk is making big waves with his musical talent all around the Northwest. Be sure to keep an eye out for him and his work in the near future. You can catch Brainfunk at his next event, “Tvc’s Most Excellent New Year Adventure!,” on December 30th at The Pin in Spokane.
Brainfunk Lives!
Featured photo: V.A. Davis photography
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