Curious and driven by the creation of electronically manipulated atmospheres, Dee Bufato has been immersed in the universe of musical production since 2011. His track “Nona” has been released by the Romanian label Tzinah, and his EP “Avenue du Parc” by the label Not For Us. This last EP was heightened by commanding remixes from Ney Faustini, Renee Mussi, Blagoj Rambabov and the duo Dubshape.
Fascinated by the art of mixing two discs, Dee Bufato also expresses his passion for electronic music in his sets. Possessing a precise style and dynamics, Bufato combines micro house contours and techno lines, offering the dance floor a curious and captivating composition.
He has played alongside Sammy Dee, Renato Cohen, Kenzo Tominaga, Heartthrob and Function, in clubs like Clash [SP, Brazil], D-Edge [SP, Brazil], Lab [SP, Brazil]. Recently, Dee played at Club Velvet in Montreal, Canada and also in the contemporary and modern art gallery Darling Foundry of the same city. He is a resident dj of the group WAN [Without a Name].
Tzinah Records: To start with, please, recommend us something to listen to while we go through this interview. It can be anything.
Dee Bufato: Listen to Feldman – Rothko Chapel. It will set the right mood for the beginning of the podcast.
Tzinah Records: Could you remember when and where have you felt it for the first time that you were to become a music artist?
Dee Bufato: When I was like seven, in my family’s neighborhood, I watched a hip hop dj contest running there. Seeing what those guys were doing and people’s reaction simply blew my mind.
Tzinah Records: Why did you choose to create and play this particular type of music? Are there any artists that touched you deeply while developing your own style?
Dee Bufato: This is the kind of music that gives energy to my soul and mind. On my DJ sets I use to play music that moves more than my body… I’m always trying to drop something special . One of these artists is Fumiya Tanaka.
Tzinah Records: Please, briefly, describe for us, the current state of the underground music scene in the place you come from. Is it any good?
Dee Bufato: Well… underground scene here is small. Electronic Music is not something the masses are looking for in Brazil. It seems to be a geographic issue, but actually it’s not, we are far from Europe but we have amazing artists in South America.
Some movements are rising here and I hope people understand the importance of booking good artists, good venues and a good soundsystem. For me all of these are important aspects to build a good underground scene.
Tzinah Records: Without giving out too much about your secret weapons, please tell us how does the magic work in your production routine. Software? Analog? What does your DJ set-up imply?
Dee Bufato: I basically use Ableton live and some plugins I like, and for the basses I use Jomox Mbase, and I got a TASCAM portable recorder which allows me to record special ambiences and handmade sounds.
A pair of turntables, CDJs and a good mixer for my DJ sets.
Tzinah Records: What are the aspects of your daily life that are influencing the shape and sound of the music that you currently make?
Dee Bufato: Eventualities are teaching me more and more. I’m also learning how to be more calm and patient. It’s bringing a new “air” to my upcoming music.
Tzinah Records: Which underground house DJ or producer would you love to take out for a summer picnic? With which artist (from any music genre) would you spend 24 hours stuck in an elevator?
Dee Bufato: I would love to reune some Djs for a picnic. I could imagine Nastia eating apples and taking pictures, Sven Vath with his peculiar dances arround, Ricardo gesticulating a lot while speaking, and Fumiya Tanaka with that “serious” Japanese face… epic. Hahah 24 hours stuck in an elevator… It seems I’d better meditate.
Tzinah Records: Have you already played in your most-dreamed about venue? Which one is that?
Dee Bufato: I could list a lot of venues I would like to play in hahah. But just to mention some: Fabric, CDV and the recently closed Arma 17 in Russia.
Tzinah Records: What motivates you to be an active part of the underground movement?
Dee Bufato: People. For me underground means culture, and culture evolves people. I want to make people feel different… Kind of thing I cannot live in mainstream scene… They are all worring about their images, money and looks like all the “magic” is left by side.
Tzinah Records: What’s your favorite type of breakfast?
Dee Bufato: Those on beautiful sunny mornings.
Tzinah Records: What do you do when the music is not playing?
Dee Bufato: Well, I’m also a graphic designer and, somehow, I try to be connected to art. I also like to spend time with friends, to visit them and discuss about ideas, plans, life…
Tzinah Records: What’s the story behind your Tzinah Family Podcast? How did you record it and are there released or unreleased tracks?
Dee Bufato: Well. I tried not to plan the set. Just turned the equipment on and pick some vinyls and some unreleased tracks I received from Brazilian producers. I It was recorded with a pair of turntables, an Allen & Heath Xone 42 and one CDJ for the unreleased tracks and digital material.
Tzinah Records: Are there any of your plans/upcoming projects that you would like to share with us? Where can we see you play next?
Dee Bufato: Oh, yes. I’m working on some projects with Yaroslav Lenzyak, this guy is a very good artist, and I’m also creating music with Bmind. So this year more colaborations. I’m also planning to go to Europe, this year you might catch me playing in Paris, Berlin, London and who knows Romania…
Tzinah Records: Supposing you come back reading this interview in 10 years from now; could you try saying something to your future-self?
Dee Bufato: I hope you still have that same kind of love.