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Basement Freaks bring funky breakbeat to Whistler

The duo hits the GLC on Sept. 18 and hints at a special guest
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Freaky sounds Basement Freaks make their Whistler debut at The GLC on Sept. 18. Photo submitted

Basement Freaks' music was first introduced to Canadian crowds by Kelowna DJ and producer Stickybuds who played one of the funky breakbeat duo's tracks at the Shambhala Festival years ago.

"That's how the first connection was made," George Fotiadis, one half of the pair, says over email from Banff during a tour stop. "Our common love for funk and our passion for producing took care of the rest."

Fotiadis recently contributed guitars to Stickybuds' new funk, breaks and bass sample pack debut for Future Loops (A snippet is up on Soundcloud now). "We recorded the guitar in my studio in Hamburg (Germany) when Tyler (Martens a.k.a. Stickybuds) came during his last European tour and we were both really stoked with results," Fotiadis says.

Basement Freaks have been on the road focusing on performing rather than recording recently. While they hit up festivals in the U.K., Croatia and Cyprus this summer, they're now heading to Western Canada to play cities large and small.

"Basement Freaks seems to have a pretty solid following in bigger cities like Vancouver and Edmonton, but in smaller cities like Kelowna and Nelson, the scene is really well developed and there are a lot of people appreciating what I do, so I'm really stoked to play pretty much anywhere in Western Canada," Fotiadis says.

The DJ/producer has been at the forefront of the scene for the last decade, putting out a constant stream of singles, albums and remixes. While he might be busy on the road, he says he has a whole host of music projects in the pipe. "To be honest, I'm always thinking about music and being on the road can be really inspiring," he says. "I always try to keep busy between shows."

Upcoming releases include the Smokey Bandits Debut Remixed series via Bombastic Jam with his Greek pal Quasamodo. "It's a little different from the Basement Freaks sound, more chilled with some really interesting productions and collaborations," he says. "And my debut EP for The Spank! is due to be released on Oct. 14 on Bombastic. It explores the futuristic side of dance music."

As for Basement Freaks, "our next single is due to be released on Jalapeno in November alongside a new video clip for the track 'Funk in the Trunk' featuring Charlie Funk, a.k.a. Afrika Islaam."

For now, though, he has his sights set on his Whistler debut, where Basement Freaks will be playing at the GLC on Sept. 18.

"(Whistler) can expect a funky show — the funkiest show!" he says. "And if you know Basement Freaks then you know I'm not trying to be arrogant, but funk is simply what I do. And if you don't know me, well that alone is a good reason to come out and find out. There might be a special guest with me on stage, so just try to get your ass there."