We catch up with Blu:sh, the new side quest (main quest?) of the renowned Benoit B - French producer, DJ and label owner of Banlieue Records - esteemed for their left-field electronica productions that tinge on the verge of Balearic trance. Now back with a new name, and a new sound.
First and foremost thank you so much for taking the time to put this mix together, can you tell us a little bit about the energy behind this mix, is there anything you would prescribe doing while listening?
Thank you so much for having me, I’m glad to join this mix series. Also in love with the artworks! I think it fits for a flirty and sexy time with your crush, to sweat at the gym or to stroll alone in nature.
So when did Benoit B end and Blu:sh begin?
With Benoit B, I experimented with genres like house, ambient, breakbeat, library music as a dj/producer and to go with slow bpm, sometimes abstract, weird or deconstructed... and most of the time it ended as home-listening music.
While Blu:sh (started in 2022 with a first EP on Roza Terenzi’s label Step Ball Chain) I’ve this club music focus to make us dance basically, with a sexy and sassy approach in the sound. And I find it challenging to make good club tracks but I like it. I try hybridations, to mix glimpses from the past with contemporary sounds and to keep the whole thing exciting and entertaining over 5 minutes.
After a whopping 9 years and 17 releases on your esteemed label Banlieue Records, you decided to throw in the towel earlier this year. What were some of the highs and lows of running a record label and what are some of your proudest releases on it to date?
Running a label appears to me as a real commitment. I feel that it’s not only about dropping new music. It requires a lot of passion, time and mostly a long term vision, a direction. The competition is also hard today so you have to be different, unique and solid. It’s exciting but challenging. I felt the need after 9 years to stop it. The label wasn’t very active the last years and I also didn’t like this in-between situation. I’d most probably do it differently today, which is also normal since I’ve grown.
If I’ve to pick only 3 releases it would be:
So tell us about your OTHER side project Terra Utopia under which you’ve had two releases on Emotional Response. What does Terra Utopia sound like for you and where do you want it to go?
Terra Utopia began as a one-shot project, recorded a few years ago. It’s to me a dedication to ethereal and floaty pads, sound design, liquid D’n’B, 90’s downtempo and ambient music. The first EP also called ‘Terra Utopia’ was released in 2021 through the London-based label Emotional Response.
Then last year, I found myself in the mood to make new music in that vibe and I gathered 8 tracks (on vinyl) + 2 tracks (digital bonus on Bandcamp). And it’ll be out on December 10th on digital and early 2025 on vinyl on Emotional Response again, including a featuring with dvdv.
Last and not least, what’s next for Blu:sh?
I’m really excited about my second EP coming out on Kalahari Oyster Cult. It’s great to work with Colin (Rey Colino) for his on point feedbacks. It will be out on November 15th including 5 tracks + 1 digital bonus. I also recently finished a remix for Boy’s Short, it’s out on Jennifer Cardini’s label Correspondant. And I’m currently working on some new Blu:sh music (work in progress!).
Mid-November, I will be touring in Asia and Australia until the end of the year. I’ll announce it on my Ig soon. The tour includes shows in Seoul, Taipei, Tokyo, Nagoya, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth! Very much looking forward to it!
Asia/Australia tour dates:
15.11 - Nayapi (Seoul)
23.11 - Rabbithole (Taipei)
29.11 - Normal (Nagoya)
30.11 - Output (Tokyo)
07.12 - Gateway Festival (Melbourne)
14.12 - Extract the Motion (Sydney)
20.12 - Paper Cuts (Melbourne)
21.12 - ONO x Co-Op (Perth)