BUKU @ The 410

From the track record of Robert Balotsky's work as Buku, it’s clear that the Pittsburgh native and graduate of Music Technology is a well-equipped architect of twisted, layered soundscapes. With a menacing grasp on sound design and music theory, Buku combines deceptively simple and emotive melodies, laden with resounding low-end and intricate drum patterns. With a love of drums rooted early in his childhood, his work reflects his passion for percussion laced with elements only a trained ear could produce.

Establishing himself as an industry favorite since his 2013 debut, Buku has amassed streaming figures in the tens of millions while being championed by a variety of noteworthy curators, including Pete Tong, Diplo, Anna Lunoe & Zane Lowe to audiences worldwide through BBC Radio 1, Beats 1 Radio, and Spotify editorial playlists. In addition to strong support from dance music heavyweights, Buku has seen releases on Thrive, Spinnin’ Records, OWSLA’s NEST HQ, UKF’s Pilot Records, as well as features on Atlantic Records, Mad Decent, Fool’s Gold, Main Course, and more. His new label home, Liquid Stranger’s powerhouse bass label WAKAAN, has hosted the producer’s most recent releases (2020’s ‘What You See’ EP and 2021’s ‘Scorched Earth’ EP) notably characterized by their elements of mutated sound design, breakneck transitions, and heavy hitting patchwork synths. Rounding out what has already been an impressive release catalog across dance music’s most prominent labels, Buku has received placements across major media platforms and video game developers such as: ESPN, GoPro, EA Sports’ Madden series, Ubisoft and Capcom.

Not only a talented studio rat, Buku brings the same energy & clinical precision of his productions to his live sets - paired with his boundless touring schedule, the producer has won over crowds worldwide from sold out headlining shows to massive festival sets at Electric Forest, Lost Lands, Suwannee Hulaween,Camp Bisco, Shambhala, Imagine, and Sunset Music Festival. In 2019, marked Buku’s first nationwide headline ‘Crusin’ USA Tour’ hitting 35 cities across the US. As a result of his workhorse mentality & penchant for meticulously crafted sound design, Buku has justifiably set the pace for producers rewriting the definition of modern dance music.

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