The latest EP out on pointblank Music is by Kaypirinha, a student at pointblank now based in London, recently living in Panama. The EP, called Balboa Blitz, is a clash of latin styles and bass-led builds ups, evoking hot summer nights in the closeness of Panama City distilled through a fresh, modern lens. We caught up with Kay ahead of the release to tell us what went into the record and where his cross-continental musical style came from. For more info on our full range of courses in London like the one Kay is studying, head here.
Balboa Blitz is out now and available for purchase on iTunes and Beatport, and can be streamed on all major platforms including Spotify.
Firstly – can you give me us a little background? How did you get into music in the first place?
Through my grandmother, who was a music teacher. I got into playing the accordion at age 6 and later taught myself guitar and sang in the school choir. At 16 I started playing in an indie band with school friends, we actually recorded an album together in 1999. In the late 90s I discovered electronic music through The Prodigy and Kraftwerk and around the beginning of the 2000s I started producing tracks. Then I had kids and other duties that steered me away from music for a while. I quit my job a few years ago and picked up where I left off, and now I’ve finally finished some of the ideas floating around in my head.
What sort of music are you into? What goes off in clubs and parties in Panama?
I have been listening to electronic music for the last 20 years, from more experimental stuff to house, electro-clash, minimal to latin. In 2011 I came across Stabber and Hudson Mohawke and really got into bass music. Later on, I discovered moombahton and given that I lived in Venezuela and Argentina in my teens, and listened to all kind of Latin American music for a long time, this really turned me on.
Parties in Latin America are wild! No one can sit still, everyone always dancing and drinking. Latin American people are the biggest party animals in my opinion, always joyful and ready to drop everything for a good party.
There’s a lot of interesting rhythms going on with these tracks – you’ve referenced Cumbia in some of their tags, what other styles have made it into the melting pot?
Maybe some trap, moombahton – which contains elements of reggaeton and house – and future-bass. I like everything that has build-ups and Latin rhythms.
Bass music, or just bass in general, leads a lot of these tracks – has that always been what does it for you musically?
I grew up with a lot of German and American hip hop of the nineties, combined with the Latin influences of Cumbia, Reggaeton, Salsa and Merengue. They have always inspired me more than straight house rhythms. I am trying to explore that here.
Is this your first EP out with a label?
Yup, first EP. I’m excited!
How and when did you make the tracks, and what’s the idea behind the EP as a whole?
A good friend of mine and I locked ourselves up in my apartment in Panama City for two months. The environment inspired us a lot. It was humid, hot and dark, with crazy thunderstorms and crows flying around our building. We were trying to take in the diversity of our environment, tried to work with a lot of sounds we captured with a field recorder or in our apartment, which I believe gives the songs a fresh sound.
You’re studying at pointblank Music School right now… What are you studying?
I’m taking a few music production modules and loving it so far.
How’s it been, and what do you think is the biggest thing you’ve got out of it so far?
It’s great to be in an environment where everyone is passionate about music. The tutors are really great, I am learning a lot with them. It feels like an environment where a lot can grow.
Great, Thanks so much for speaking with us Kay.
Balboa Blitz is out now and available for purchase on iTunes and Beatport, and can be streamed on all major platforms including Spotify. Check out the rest of the releases on pointblank Music’s YouTube channel, and study with us to build your skills and have a chance of releasing with us. Check out production courses in London here, or if you live elsewhere, take a look at the online courses we offer. For more info head to our contact page and get in touch!
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