Adam Deitch and Borahm Lee, together known as Break Science, are one of USA’s finest exports. Break Science’s music is a mesh of styles that pushes the boundaries of live electronic music. This is the future – where technique meets technology in a hybrid that only the brainchild behind this, Adam Deitch could imagine.
Armed with Deitch’s rumbling breakbeat style on the drums and Lee’s seasoned trip-hop/dub aesthetic on keyboards and laptop, their instrumental styles are perfectly interwoven within their soulful, banging, and extremely danceable tracks.
The Pretty Lights Music Signee’s released a stunning 10 track LP named ‘Grid Of Souls’ on BrkSci Records, displaying their rich and diverse production skills and we sat down with the duo know more about the new album, their stunning live sets, Dal and some more.
Sagar – How did the idea of Break Science come about?
Adam – It was a need that Borahm and i had to move music forward. We wanted to incorporate live instruments with synths and modern production to enhance the listeners spirit and make them move on the dance floor. We were living in NYC and doing such a variety of funk, afrobeat, hip hop, pop, jazz, electronic and other styles. This led us to Break Science being the common denominator with all these genres that we were deeply involved in.
Sagar – What was the defining moment in you guys getting into electronic music and making electronic music?
Adam – We’ve both been producing electronic music for years. Going to the occasional underground raves around NYC area. It inspired us to be a part of this burgeoning scene. I got into Electronic music because my Dad was an Electronic Music freak. He had a duo called MIDI TEK and they would fill my basement up (when i was 10 years old in 1986) with all the newest synthesizers and samplers, all run through this computer. They worked together for years and used the music to present clinics to elementary schools on the future of music production. (WAY too heavy for little kids in the late 80s lol)
Sagar – We have noticed different styles being used immaculately in ‘Grid of Souls’. How fluent was the creative process while working on the album?
Adam – It was an extremely fluid process. Either Borahm or i would present an idea to eachother and the other would finish it. We both have distinct styles, Borahm coming from a jazz/reggae/afrobeat/future R&B and hip hop thing to my lo fi style style of hip hop meets future bass style. We compliment eachothers initial ideas and finish the songs as a duo in a room while discussing current NBA games.
Sagar – Working with the Pretty Lights band is crazy. Tell us more about the experience of working with the Pretty Lights band?
Borahm – Unlike most large touring acts with set parts and similar set lists nightly, The band members of PLL have complete creative freedom. This is liberating, especially on such a big stage
Adam – Derek brought me on in 2010 when it was just a duo. I suggested Borahm would be ideal for his band idea. I also suggested Eric Bloom from Lettuce for the horn section. Im very proud of the Analog Future band result, which was groundbreaking live, instrumental electronic funky improvisational music. It aligned with Borahm and I’s philosophies. Derek and his team taught us MANY invaluable lessons about music and the industry.
Sagar – Having championed the art of doing spectacular live sets, how do you guys go about preparing for live sets?
Borahm – We approach it case-by-case city by city, set by set instances. We always like to include new things that we are working on and quite often playing them live helps us finish them.
Adam – Its a process that begins before we leave for a show or tour. We suggest songs that we’d like to play live and reconfigure them in certain ways that keep the crowd on its toes. We also are trying new ways to communicate with each other on stage so we can really switch up on a dime or improvise a new section during a song.
Sagar – How has your production style evolved since ‘Seven Bridges’?
Adam – Technology changes along with our ability to hear and process music and sound. We are constantly improving as producers and listen to everything. We have evolved and this album will show that.
Sagar – You guys have a lot of side projects. How do go about managing Break Science and your side projects?
Adam – We have other projects that inspire us in different ways. We bring these experiences back to BRKSCI and create music that is fresh, exciting and that encapsulates what we’ve learned.
Sagar – Artists that you guys are digging at the moment?
B: we’ve been listening to producers like: Birocratic, Georgia Ann Muldrow, teklun, swum, and electric mantis
Adam – 5 artists would be Andersen Paak, Flying Lotus, Birocratic, Big Wild and Flamingosis . All songs!
Sagar – We’ve witnessed Pretty Lights dazzle the place when he played in India. Can we expect Break Science to hit the Indian shores anytime in the future?
Borahm – We certainly hope so as it is one our dreams to play our music all over the world, especially such a musically rich place as India, who’s music has definitely inspired us.
Adam – We NEED to go! Our buddies Menert and Derek had such great experiences! We have GREAT respect for Indian music, from classical tabla and sitar, to Bollywood to Bhangra! I’ve worked a bit with singer Jaspir Jassi who is VERY talented. We made a bunch of hip hop beats with traditional Indian samples that he sang on. Hopefully he would join us. We’d love to mix in some musicians/singers from India to collaborate for our performance or recordings. If you have some recommendations, please let us know! This interview is making me hungry! Its Dal time!
