Canadian DJ and producer Defunk releases his brand new 14-track body of work The Voyage, his 1st in almost a decade and 5th in overall, and it is a true journey through the genre-bending soundscapes that have established him as a pioneer of bass-influenced music throughout his long career.
It is also a deeply personal body of work for him, which serves as a testament to his journey both as an artist and as a man as he navigated both the global pandemic and becoming a father. From the opening notes of “The Departure,” Defunk makes it clear that the voyage the listener is about to embark on is not for the faint of heart, as the piano melodies and ethereal vocals fuse into the deep basslines and serrating synths of “Blast Off.” Each track melts into the next with liquid sophistication as Defunk expertly steers through the groovy tech-house beats of “Coming In Hot” to the headbanging, drum and bass-oriented synths of “Waves” and the hip-hop vocal bass of “All Your Love.” Wrapping up with the sparkling notes and futuresque drops of “Sunrise,” the album displays Defunk’s impressive versatility in a sprawling range of bass-focused gems and it’s clear that there’s heart and soul in every track. The album’s drop also launches Defunk’s “The Voyage Tour” across North America, which began in September and spans across Detroit, Vancouver, Minneapolis, Portland, Kelowna, Las Vegas, and more till November.
“I can finally release my first full-length album in almost 10 years. I’ve never worked so hard on such a large project, with so much of my heart poured into every song. The Voyage is a very personal 14-song concept album that tells the story of my evolution, both personal and musically, through the pandemic and into my new role as a parent. The voyage will be released on Westwood Recordings, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.” – Defunk
Canadian-born Logan Anderson, known as Defunk, has made a distinct name for himself in the electronic music scene with his dirty, funky, bass music. Defunk’s unique fusion of funk, hip-hop, electro, and heavy bass music allows him to be a true connoisseur of genre-blending. His innovative style has paved the path for fans of all genres to venture into the bass music scene and a niche that has left him virtually untouched. He constantly pushes the boundaries of what bass music can be with live performances that captivate audiences all over. The versatility Defunk delivers in his sets, and live performances has caught the attention of Pretty Lights, GRiZ, Gramatik, LSDream, and others across the bass music scene. He’s played at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, Insomniac’s Electric Forest Festival, Canada’s Shambhala Festival, and toured internationally for 10 years. Equipped with constantly changing sets and a rapidly expanding discography, Defunk constructs each performance to the brim with allure and absolute magic.
Tracklist:
- The Departure (Intro)
- Blast Off
- Whiplash feat. LIINKS
- Falls Apart feat. RUSUR
- Coming In Hot
- Another Planet (Interlude)
- Losing It feat. Lilly Fangz & Willdabeast
- Defunk x Taylr Renee – Waves
- Defunk x ero808 – Sacrifice
- All Your Love
- Coming Back Down
- Stay
- The Return
- Sunrise
For more information about Defunk, go to:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the diverse world of music, personal tastes often limit our choices. Drum and bass, known for its intense beats, might not appeal to everyone. But sometimes, a special album breaks these barriers, captivating even the most hesitant listeners.
Listening to The Voyage sparked a newfound appreciation for a particular genre of music. Music has a unique way of resonating with people and can often inspire a deep emotional response. If you have any specific questions about the song, the genre, or if you want recommendations for similar music, feel free to ask! Eager to learn more about Logan, I reached out for a short meet & greet. Turn The Voyage, turn it up to 11, and enjoy this conversation… It is my pleasure to introduce you to Defunk.
Where did the name come from? It’s memorable!
The name “The Voyage” perfectly sums up the overall theme of the album, which is a long journey. It is both about an inward and a physical journey through the cosmos.
Tell me more about The Voyage, your first studio album in almost a decade.
The Voyage was my way of expressing the massive changes I went through during the pandemic. I had incredible things lined up and then suddenly it all came to a halt. I went through hell during lockdowns and almost gave it all up, but instead I found inspiration to take that time to finally put together a full album. It was also my way of really shedding the sounds I felt pigeonholed into for the first half of my career, and really staking a new musical direction in the ground.
What took you so long? And how has your sound changed over the years?
For the past 5 or 6 years, I was focusing on singles and small EPs because I was trying to ride the streaming algorithms which have called for quantity of releases to be successful. It was easier to pump out more music by not having to focus on large multi-month campaigns. But it felt like it was time to break that mold. My sound from 2012 to 2017 was heavily influenced by funk and blues within the bass genre, but ever since I have been pulling back into the heavier bass music that originally got me into the scene in the first place. My sound feels to be very balanced now, focused on bass music with little accents of groove and funk at times.
The Voyage is out now on Westwood Recordings. Tell me more about that label and your experience working with them.
Westwood have always been very supportive of my music and have done great things for the Canadian music scene. They’ve helped cultivate events and lineups on festivals to get the music out there and have a great discography over the years.
Any plans for a tour this fall/winter now that The Voyage has been released? I’d love to see you live!
I’m hitting up various clubs and festivals this fall, including various shows in the Midwest, West Canada, and around the U.S.
Who designed the album artwork? And how many designs did you see before you decided to use this one?
That was me. I’m a designer/illustrator in my off time, and I’ve created all my own artwork dating back to the beginning. Funny enough this album cover was the one time I reached out to an artist I was excited about to have them work on it for me. It ended up not feeling right, as I had a very specific idea and vision in my head, so I ended up taking a try at it and ended up with the artwork you see for the album cover and single covers.
What headphones are around your neck?
V-Moda headphones. I love the low end and warm balance on them so much.
Tell me more about your Shambhala Mix 2023. Where was that? And the stage looks sick!
Shambhala is a great festival tucked away in the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. You’re pretty isolated in the forest in the middle of a beautiful mountain valley, and it really helps with the overall experience and magic of the music. I performed at the Pagoda Stage, it was an incredible experience.
You are managed by Pivotal Agency. They handle your bookings, too. Tell me more about that operation and how they help you along the way.
I’ve been with Pivotal Agency for many years now and we’ve really formed a strong bond and relationship. They handle everything from bookings, to flights, to merch orders, and agreements/contracts. Basically, it helps me focus on music and touring/performing. They ask the hard questions and go find new opportunities for me while I can spend more time in the studio.
What are you listening to when not working on your next banger? And who has inspired you over the years?
I love listening to melodic house and drum and bass if I’m in the mood for more electronic music. Otherwise, I get back to my roots and listen to metal, grunge, and punk music.
There are 14 tracks on The Voyage. Why 14, why in that order, and is it possible to pick a favorite?
The first half of the album is very heavy, dark, and chaotic in nature, which follows the story of the traveler blasting off, becoming lost and finding his way. The second half is more melodic and uplifting, which corresponds to the part of the story where the traveler finds his way home and reconnects with his loved ones. My personal favorite is “All Your Love.” I’m very proud of how many different styles I was able to successfully merge with that one, and it also put me outside of my comfort zone working with a modern hip hop artist that has so much melody and emotion in his voice.
You feature a lot of names on The Voyage including Taylr Renee, ERO808, Liinks and more. What is that process like and how do you get these artists involved in your production?
Most of the artists I worked with were for the first time. It was amazing working with new artists, each bringing their own unique style and way of working. I found a few online by hearing other collaborations they had done and reached out, and some found me and send over some vocal work. Each one was super professional and nailed it. I usually give the features tons of creative freedom, which helps add some genuine love and care to their words (or instrument) and it helps the song overall.
You were recently in Louisville… I see you had a hot chicken sandwich. Well, how was it? And how hot was it?!
So damn good! I didn’t go for the craziest heat level, but I went for hot, and I honestly could have gone up a few levels. It was a great flavor though, which to me is a huge component of a hot sauce besides just the heat.
What is your songwriting process like? Do you sit down with a yellow pad or do ideas just come to you in your sleep?
Quite often I hear something in a song that really inspires me, and then I’ll sit down and try to come up with ideas based on what I just heard. I then will often try to merge other ideas and sounds in until I get a proper mash up of various inspirations, then start building off that until I have something that sounds proper. Lots of experimenting with sounds and melodies, lots of things that don’t quite work.
We’ve talked about a lot today. What else can you tell me about Defunk and The Voyage?
Just so stoked to finally have this album out. It meant a lot to me and I’m super proud of this one. I feel like I’ve now made the statement about who I am as an artist and now I can really have fun and create with this sound.
What’s next for Defunk? Christmas will be here before you know it!
Working on putting together a remix EP for The Voyage! Getting back into my fitness plan once the tour calms down, cutting a bit of weight then trying to bulk this winter season. Plus finishing up some new music I’ve started!
Thanks for doing this, man. I enjoyed the album, and it was nice meeting you. In all of the interviews I always give the artist the last word. Go.
Stay warm this winter and stay awesome!
