With our minds firmly cast on the weekend ahead, it is fair to say that we are all in search of the perfect tune to get us in the mood for a few days spent on the dancefloor. Well, “Headphones” is that track. Coming to us in the form of a collab between celebrated production duo Banx & Ranx and artist Rêve, the new tune is a bouncy bop sure to plunge listeners into a party mood. And, while crafting tunes is clearly their calling, this is not the only venture that the pair have been throwing themselves into. With them having most recently entered into a partnership with Universal Music Canada which includes them co-signing the best and brightest to the label alongside their own, 31 East, their dedication to the industry becomes evident.
“When we decided to build our own label and sign Canadian artists, everything fell into place,” explains the duo when discussing their latest venture. “UMC has welcomed us with open arms. Our goal is to have the freedom to release our own music as artists and also create international bangers out of our country.”
Upon the release of “Headphones” and its accompanying music video, the pair took some time to sit down with Wonderland and talk their SoundCloud beginnings and the feelings they’re hoping to evoke in their listeners.
Head below to enjoy our interview with Banx & Ranx…
Hey Banx & Ranx! How are you both doing? How has the past year been for you?
Super good, feeling blessed right now! We’ve been really busy working on our upcoming artist project with the developing artists signed to our label 31 East – Rêve and Preston Pablo – who we’ve just released new singles with!
Can you tell us a little bit about how you decided to start making music together?
Funny fact, we met on SoundCloud back in 2013. We both had an appreciation for each other’s music and decided to join forces. A few months later, we started Banx & Ranx by remixing old reggae and dancehall tracks with electronic music. We called it ECM at the time (Electronic Caribbean Music) and that’s pretty much how it started.
Was it something you both always wanted to pursue?
When the stars align, it becomes obvious! We had common goals and aspirations and it clicked.
And you’ve just announced your new partnership with Universal Music Canada! What do you hope to achieve by working together?
When we decided to build our own label and sign Canadian artists, everything fell into place. UMC has welcomed us with open arms. Our goal is to have the freedom to release our own music as artists and also create international bangers out of our country.
When writing new music, what is most important for you during the process?
The most important part is to enjoy the process! We need to feel something, whether it’s happiness, energy, nostalgia, sadness… the music just needs to make us feel something! And then the rest is history.
And you’ve done lots of work internationally, would you say that influenced your sound at all?
Travelling is definitely one of the most important influences for our sound. From Africa to the Caribbean to Europe and America. We stay really up to date with new sounds and cultures.
Now onto your new track, “Headphones”! What was it like working with your co-signee Rêve?
Rêve is part of the family now, we connect on so many levels. It’s just really easy to be around her and write songs. We’re actually in a writing camp in Toronto right now working on her upcoming releases.
How do you want people to feel when listening to the track?
Happy! Energised! Hype!
Do you see yourselves sticking with a high-energy approach to tune-crafting? Or are there other genres you would like to explore?
We love music in general and high energy for sure but overall, we love to feel emotions so only the future will tell…
And finally, since you’ve achieved so many goals already this year, what’s the next for you?
Keep loving what we do, we love our job baby!
