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Charlotte, NC quartet Bubonik Funk keep things lively with their blend of funk and rock. For them it is all about the groove and they have certainly found it. They definitely know how to keep things rollin’ and with the recent release of their fresh new track “Carolina Phase,” the future is only getting brighter.
GroundSounds recently caught up with the band to talk about their latest music, new projects and more, check out the exclusive interview below.
For those just discovering Bubonik Funk can you tell us about forming the band, how you guys met and started making music?
We all met formally in middle school in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dylan and Daniel went to elementary school together while Stefan and Nick went to elementary school together as well. It wasn’t until our sophomore year at Charlotte Catholic High School that we all got together and decided to make music. Up until then we were just involved in a series of goofy garage bands. Stefan had a brief jazz duet with the performer B Geiger but realized that funk and soul was his true passion. Our mutual love of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and soon enough, George Clinton, set us on our musical way.
– Whole Band
What inspired the band name Bubonik Funk?
The influence of rats on the world. – Stefan
They spread their funk, we want to spread a more enjoyable funk though. – Nick
Can you tell us about the writing and creative process involved with your latest track “Carolina Phase?”
I was really interested in the idea of people out in California who lost everything in the wildfires. It’s the idea that you could lose everything and be in a sad place with nothing, and transcend tragedy and reinvent yourself. It’s a powerful testimony to the human spirit, and the song is an ode to that.
-Dylan
What do you guys enjoy most about Charlotte? What is one thing every visitor should see or do?
Everyone should experience turn 4 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Freedom Park, a Hornets games… they’re all lovely things. Price’s Chicken Coop. Elmwood Cemetery uptown is a nice oasis of tranquility inside the I-77 loop. – Daniel
Chicken King off Parkwood, it’s awesome. – Stefan
The Unknown Brewery is always doing wacky stuff and have great beers. – Nick
What is it about the funky, guitar-driven, soulful sound that attracts you guys to it?
It’s all about the groove. A certain funk lord said it best, it has the power to move and remove.
– Whole band
What bands/musicians are you guys currently listening to?
Kendrick Lamar, Oddisee, Hiatus Kaiyote, and Little Dragon. – Dylan
The Comas, MGMT, Zapp and Roger, and The Stone Roses – Nick
D’Angelo, Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway, and Duke Ellington – Daniel
Darondo, Don Kennedy, Anthony Hamilton, and Oumou Sangare – Stefan
We’re all over the board.
What has it been like working on your latest record Oddfish, Vol. 1, can you tell us about bringing this project to fruition?
Many hours in the studio coupled with playing as many shows as possible to fund the songs. A lot of people forget the fact that most bands sacrifice time with their family and friends to make sure they can keep inspiring their fans and sustain a living. But being in a professional studio has really helped us bring out a creative side that we could never explore in our earlier recordings so it has all been worth it. As far as writing the songs, some of them were old jams that we felt inspired to work on. Others got written while on tour in a Brooklyn apartments or on stage during random sound checks.
– Nick
What do you guys enjoy most about performing live? What goes through your mind when you’re on stage?
When the crowd is feeling the groove and everyone sways to the same beat, it’s a magical feeling that you can’t describe. You’re all one giant orgasm for a night.
When I’m playing drums I just try to go into auto-pilot, you know? Lock into the groove and make sure everyone feels it. If I’m not feeling it I take myself back to when we were 16, in the basement falling in love with music. Otherwise I’m thinking about food… or future gourds. – Daniel
I just try to lock in with Daniel and remember to relax. If I feel I’m getting too ahead of the beat I just remember that I play bass and no one pays attention to me anyway. – Nick
Not very much goes through my mind on stage. – Stefan
As a singer, I’m trying to convince everybody that I’m telling the truth. – Dylan
What’s next for Bubonik Funk, what can fans look forward to?
We are in the process of recording a couple new tunes that we will release as singles. Those will be accompanied with music videos and some live content. We just want to give people more access to us than we have in the past. It may have been Marilyn Monroe who said, “Yo bro, you gotta do work and be doing stuff…like a lot” We try to live by that.
