When I first met Logan and Zou of B.C. Kingdom last November, it was truly love at first sight. I was coy to introduce myself as if not already a fan, as if their debut single "Return to Me" had not been playing through my mind constantly since my very first listen. We became immediate friends, and I could not help but feel that knowing B.C. in the early stages of their career let me in on a well-kept secret.
But not for long. Soon their music would hit iTunes and BBC radio, be promoted in DJ sets by Solange Knowles, Nguzunguzu, and M.I.A., and it wouldn't be long before their infectious, visceral energy would extend worldwide. Fast forward to many months later, where to my delight, I was asked to be a part of a music video for their track "The Melody", which debuts today exclusively here on the OC Blog. Read on for an interview with these two very special fellows and download their mixtape full of the favorite songs at the moment.
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Molly Gottschalk: Tell me about B.C. Kingdom. Where does the name come from?
B.C.: Our name is B.C. and B.C. Kingdom is an alias we have welcomed from supporters that represents everything we promote in our world. It's a clash of music, fashion, and art culture. "B.C. Kingdom" is to B.C. what "Spice World" was to the Spice Girls.
MG: How did the two of you begin making music together?
B.C.: We grew up in the same 'hood––Inglewood, CA––so were exposed to the same upbringing and went to the same schools and all that. A few years later, we ran into each other and started collaborating musically. After a few live performances together, we decided to form B.C. Then we were presented with the opportunity to work with Scion A/V and do "Return to Me", our first release back in 2010. The rest is history.
MG: How would you describe your sound?
B.C.: Our sound is a mix of house, R&B, tropical bass, dancehall/reggae and hip-hop. A lot of our inspiration is pulled from Africa, India, the Middle East, and the UK. Since we grew up in the 90s, we experienced a great time in music, and that's reflective in our sound. We have way too many influential artists to name.
MG: Your visual aesthetic seems to be a very strong element of B.C.
B.C.: All traditional African, Middle Eastern, and Indian styles are staples in our look. Also, modern London and Parisian style is a big influence––being LA natives, we're drawn to that natural street element.
MG: Can you tell us about recording your first album at M.I.A.'s home studio?
B.C.: It was an experience we would've never imagined. We recorded it last summer with Sugu, her brother, at her LA home studio. To work in that atmosphere was so surreal because M.I.A. is a huge inspiration to us. We love her style, her music, and what she stands for. So recording it there and knowing she also used that studio was dope. Plus, knowing that Asma of Nguzunguzu was spinning a couple of the first demos on her last festival dates blew us away. That made us work even harder on the remainder of the songs left to record for the EP. Those summer nights were unforgettable.
MG: Tell me about your new video tha
But not for long. Soon their music would hit iTunes and BBC radio, be promoted in DJ sets by Solange Knowles, Nguzunguzu, and M.I.A., and it wouldn't be long before their infectious, visceral energy would extend worldwide. Fast forward to many months later, where to my delight, I was asked to be a part of a music video for their track "The Melody", which debuts today exclusively here on the OC Blog. Read on for an interview with these two very special fellows and download their mixtape full of the favorite songs at the moment.
_________________________________________________
Molly Gottschalk: Tell me about B.C. Kingdom. Where does the name come from?
B.C.: Our name is B.C. and B.C. Kingdom is an alias we have welcomed from supporters that represents everything we promote in our world. It's a clash of music, fashion, and art culture. "B.C. Kingdom" is to B.C. what "Spice World" was to the Spice Girls.
MG: How did the two of you begin making music together?
B.C.: We grew up in the same 'hood––Inglewood, CA––so were exposed to the same upbringing and went to the same schools and all that. A few years later, we ran into each other and started collaborating musically. After a few live performances together, we decided to form B.C. Then we were presented with the opportunity to work with Scion A/V and do "Return to Me", our first release back in 2010. The rest is history.
MG: How would you describe your sound?
B.C.: Our sound is a mix of house, R&B, tropical bass, dancehall/reggae and hip-hop. A lot of our inspiration is pulled from Africa, India, the Middle East, and the UK. Since we grew up in the 90s, we experienced a great time in music, and that's reflective in our sound. We have way too many influential artists to name.
MG: Your visual aesthetic seems to be a very strong element of B.C.
B.C.: All traditional African, Middle Eastern, and Indian styles are staples in our look. Also, modern London and Parisian style is a big influence––being LA natives, we're drawn to that natural street element.
MG: Can you tell us about recording your first album at M.I.A.'s home studio?
B.C.: It was an experience we would've never imagined. We recorded it last summer with Sugu, her brother, at her LA home studio. To work in that atmosphere was so surreal because M.I.A. is a huge inspiration to us. We love her style, her music, and what she stands for. So recording it there and knowing she also used that studio was dope. Plus, knowing that Asma of Nguzunguzu was spinning a couple of the first demos on her last festival dates blew us away. That made us work even harder on the remainder of the songs left to record for the EP. Those summer nights were unforgettable.
MG: Tell me about your new video tha