For Budakid, AKA Kevin Huizing, making music is like the act of breathing. He simply could not live without it, or imagine his life if music was inaccessible. The Dutch producer is overflowing with boundless creativity, channelled into his craft, which he lovingly refers to as a hobby – to class it as work would remove the pleasure.
This enjoyment factor, uncorrupted by commercial pressures, permeates into his productions, imbuing them with pure emotion. With releases signed to labels such as Watergate, Permanent Vacation, Diynamic, Exploited, Disco Halal, Lost & Found and Anjunadeep, Budakid has established a reputation for deep and moving compositions that invigorate the dance floor. Recently, he took this passion and created his own platform, Flores, and moved from Berlin to the Alps to hone his creativity.
We caught up with the artist to discuss the imprint, his plans, his transition from the city to the mountainside, and more!
WWD: Hi Kevin! Cheers for taking time out of your schedule to have this talk to us. Where are you right now and what have you been up to this week?
No worries at all, it’s always a pleasure to speak with you. I’ve just returned from a small tour of Asia; I played in Singapore and Shanghai- two cities that totally flabbergasted me. Yesterday, I arrived back home in the Alps, a place that allows me to be very creative.
WWD: We have strong connections to Montreal here at When We Dip. Can you tell us a bit about your gig at StereoBar and the next one in Montreal?
Stereobar was something magic and special. I was quite excited to play my first show in this legendary club. Usually, I don’t play all-nighters, but this time I did because I knew it was going to be something unique. From start to finish, it was totally amazing, and something that I will never forget. The sound quality and the intensity of the crowd totally got me hooked. I can’t wait to return to this amazing spot in Montreal.
WWD: This wasn’t your first time in Canada. What do you like about the country?
True, I’ve been to Canada several times over the last couple of years. Somehow, I feel electronic music is quite settled and appreciated in Canada. I always have amazing crowds and every gig I played in Canada has been absolutely wicked. Another venue I love to play is YouPlusOne in Vancouver. This crowd is unique, full of energy and good vibes.
WWD: We loved your inaugural release on your new label Flores, ‘Lovin’ Sun.’ What’s the ethos behind the label and how did you choose the name
Thanks a lot! After twenty years in the music industry, I feellike it’s time to open my own chapter. Flores is a home for myself and platform for my friends and artists that I love. It’s something I always wanted to do.
The name Flores is something personal to me with my hybrid nationality – Indonesian and Dutch with a pinch of Portuguese. Flores is one of the main Indonesian islands and also an island in the Portuguese Azores, Flores is thePortuguese (and Spanish) word for flowers, something the Netherlands is famous for.
Flowers are special, there’s a high emotional attachment. You give them to someone you love. You give them for someone you’ve lost. You buy them for you home when you want to make life a little more beautiful. Every flower carries a personal story. So does every piece of music. For me at least.
WWD: Nordfold’s ‘Goldfold’ EP is out next on Flores, what made you pick him to be the first artist (other than yourself) on the label?
Simon (a.k.a. Nordfold) is a close friend, I’ve known him for a third of my life. We bounce over ideas, music and thoughts about life, which always motivates and inspires me. I love his musical storytelling and sound design. I’m so happy to have him on board with this amazing 2-tracker.
WWD: We hear that you have swapped city life for the mountains. How’s that going and has it changed your creative process?
Yes, I moved my creative space from Berlin to the Alps, one of the best decisions I’ve made in the last couple of years. I like city life, but it drains my energy. After touring, I felt like I couldn’t fully recharge my batteries because of the city’s impulses and distractions.
Here, in the Alps, it’s a totally different story. I reflect upon my creative processes. A city can shape you, however, when you’re in the middle of nowhere, creativity comes from within. There’s no influence from the outside, no other music that could subconsciously inspire me. I have to trust my own artistic feeling and let it follow its own path.
WWD: What music helped shape your tastes when you were growing up? Do you come from a musical family?
I come from quite a creative and musical family. Music was a focus at every family gathering. As it was with my friends andat university. I’ve developed a broad taste in music from Jazz to Classical, Psychedelic rock to Electronic music. For me,there’s no specific genre that I like, it’s more the story and musical expression that speaks to me.
WWD: Have you seen any set this year from another artist that has blown your socks off?
Yes. Map.Ache really got me into another realm with his live show. It absolutely stunning.
WWD: What do you do for fun? Other than music?
Sometimes I go for a hike, climb or run. And I’m also a big fan of cooking which has a similar process as writing music for me.
WWD: What else can we expect from Budakid and Flores for the rest of 2024 and beyond?
We’ve some absolutely stunning tunes coming up on Flores this year, from friends and artists I really admire. I don’t have a master plan for the label, it’s a platform for me, my friends and artists I love. I want to let it grow organically.
WWD: It’s been lovely chatting, thanks Kevin!
Thanks! It’s been really nice catching up.
Interview by Theo Suess