Balkan Bump Blends Culture & Style With Debut Self-Titled EP, Feat. Talib Kweli via Lowtemp
Late last year Lowtemp turned heads with a massive release entitled “Aymo” featuring label-head Gramatik, rap legend Talib Kweli and dope newcomer Balkan Bump. The newest project from trumpet player, producer and ethnomusicologist Will Magid, Balkan Bump launched to an unsuspecting audience in late 2017. In Gramatik, Balkan Bump has a kindred spirit and musical brother. Both share deep Balkan roots and on his debut track, “Aymo” Balkan Bump certainly holds his own alongside his superstar collaborators.
Gramatik has championed the new project; debuting Balkan Bump’s first live performance at Gramatik’s highly anticipated NYE show at Terminal 5; and his set to take Balkan Bump’s live show on the road for the Spring 2018 Re:Coil tour. To top it all off, Balkan Bump’s self-titled debut EP is out now via Gramatik’s Lowtemp label imprint.
Musically, Balkan Bump stands apart from the pack of up-and-coming producers because of his refreshingly unique and exotic sonic style. His fusion of live instrumentation, world influences and lush electronic production makes him an artist to keep an eye on in 2018. Balkan Bump’s debut EP is a deftly produced project that blends unique musical elements to create one cohesive offering. Magid combines Balkan brass, heavy electronic production and hip-hop/trap influences to craft his own fascinating sound.
This thrilling blend of Balkan brass and electronic production results in a scintillating live performance. Balkan Bump joined Gramatik to unveil his horn-infused live show and blew crowds away on New Year’s Eve. In December 2017, Magid released the first single from the upcoming EP, “Irfan.” The infectious hit was a perfect introduction into the world of Balkan Bump.
Tracks- “Judaeo Slang” and “Wonderland” round out this phenomenal debut effort. Will Magid has an incredible ability to submerge himself into a different culture and come up with an interesting and fresh take on the old traditions- and these two remaining singles are no exception. Fusing brass instruments with heavy bass and 808, “Judaeo Slang” exemplifies the traditional sound of south-eastern Europe while adapting it to a more current setting with Magid’s cohesive addition of hip-hop instrumental elements. Closing out the project, “Wonderland” again serves up the same multi-cultural sonic construction, this time blending a more glitch-oriented electronic feel with bold trumpet and piano instrumentation that lend “Wonderland” it’s overarching classic meets contemporary theme.
Up next for Balkan Bump, fans can catch him through April on the road with Gramatik for the final leg of the RE:COIL Tour.
RE:COIL TOUR DATES
4/12: Philadelphia, PA; The Fillmore
4/13: Richmond, VA; The National
4/14: Asheville, NC; Orange Peel
4/15: Charleston, SC; Music Farm
4/18: Columbia, SC; Music Farm
4/19: Wilmington, NC; Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre
4/20: Washington, DC; Echostage
4/21: Boston, MA; House of Blues
4/22: Portland, ME; State Theatre
4/24: Syracuse, NY; The Westcott Theater
4/26: Toronto, ON; Danforth Music Hall
