This summer, LA funk/soul/hip-hop project Breakestra will be playing a number of dates in the UK and Europe in support of their recent album ‘Dusk Till Dawn’. The album is the follow-up to 2005’s ‘Hit the Floor’ and features a collaboration with former Jurassic 5 rapper Chali 2na, who will be joining them on tour. The dates will include a number of festival appearances, including July’s Garden Festival in Croatia. During the weeks leading up to the tour, founding member Miles Tackett, who fronts the project alongside vocalist Mix Master Wolf, spoke to Room Thirteen about the shows and the album.
R13: Please could you describe Breakestra’s music for those who are not familiar with it?
MT: It's a hybrid of raw funky soul jazz psych rock hip-hop!
R13: You’re due to be performing at Garden Festival in Croatia next month. Are you looking forward to it?
MT: Yes. Never been and heard it's beautiful out there and that the festival is a cool affair.
R13: What can people expect from your set?
MT: A non-stop barrage of live funky sounds. Along with special guests Afrodyete the goddess of funky soul and Chali 2na the power house MC!
R13: Is playing live an important part of Breakestra’s music?
MT: Yes and, though the records are recorded in a way that keeps the raw feel, it's always going to be a more immediate experience live, as with any other performer worth their salt .
R13: Last year, you released the album ‘Dusk Till Dawn’. What has the response to the album been like?
MT: More receptive than I expected across the board, considering how far it stretched out from the last joint ‘Hit the Floor’. The addition of fuzz funk sounds and definitely Afrodyete’s track were noted by folks.
R13: Have the new songs been getting a good reaction at the live shows?
MT: Yes, especially ‘Come On Over’ featuring Afrodyete.
R13: You’ve recently been working with ex-Jurassic 5 rapper Chali 2na. What is he like to work with?
MT: Cool, quick and easy!
R13: What has it been like to perform with him live?
MT: Always hypes the energy up.
R13: How did that collaboration come about in the first place?
MT: He was top on my list when I was building the ‘Family Rap’ track [from ‘Hit the Floor’].
R13: Were Breakestra big fans of Chali 2na’s music previously?
MT: There's always crossroads with Breakestra’s friends. Some folks know us in the hip-hop context; some strictly in the funky soul jazz vein.
R13: What other artists have been big influences to you?
MT: The four pillars of funk: James brown and the JBs, the Meters, Kool and the Gang, and Sly and the Family Stone. Also, the hip-hop founding fathers’ DJing style that influenced all the late 80s/90s beatmakers and cut-up DJs.
R13: Who have you been listening to recently?
MT: Lots of old funky soul sounds that I DJ with, mostly. But I also dig the [Danish soul duo] ‘Quadron’ album a lot.
R13: Later this month, you are coming over to the UK to play some gigs and festivals. Have you played over here before?
MT: For many years. The UK friends have got love for what we do and always show it.
R13: What are you looking forward to most about playing in the UK?
MT: Curious what the festivals will be like. Looking forward to Glasto and Shambala fo’ sho!
Garden Festival 2010 takes place 2-11 July in Croatia. To check out the website go to:
Garden Festival 2010