Hedex: “Budapest has been flying the drum ‘n’ bass flag for a long time — the scene runs deep”

You have been touring since you were still a teenager, how has visiting disparate underground scenes all over Europe/the world helped shape you as an artist?

You go to so many different places, and you’re all going for the same thing of drum ‘n’ bass. Everyone’s got their different styles and the trends in different places, so with touring up and down for so many years, you pick up flavours in different places that give you new views on life or how you do things.

Do you think there is something about drum ‘n’ bass as a genre that allows it to transcend borders/scenes and bring people together? It feels like if people are into drum ‘n’ bass, they’re diehard about it.

There loads of different reasons as to why it could be the case. I think drum ‘n’ bass is one of the few genres, especially socially, that can really induce FOMO. You look at the parties online and the tunes are going off. That definitely helps in terms of spreading it everywhere. I think drum ‘n’ bass is one of those genres where you know that when you’re there, you’re having a good party. That’s something you don’t always get with every type of music. It’s the energy you know! Stuff that you can’t accurately experience unless you’re in the rave at the time.

Drum ‘n’ bass is also something you can listen to at home, listen to at 8:AM, listen to at midday — there’s a different style of drum ‘n’ bass for every moment. Drum ‘n’ bass is a special genre, you just don’t get that with every type of music.

The Burn Energy Tour won’t be your first time in Budapest right? What is your connection to the city?

I’ve played Budapest a couple of times. I’ve played for the Bladerunnaz crew, I’ve played for the NapiJumpup crew as well, there’s a lot of people in Budapest who have been flying the drum ‘n’ bass flag for a long time. It covers the jump-up side, the older side, and booking me and a lot of other peers. The scene in Budapest is quite deep and the people there are really cool so I always look forward to coming back. They’re drum ‘n’ bass family. That’s one great thing about drum ‘n’ bass. It don’t matter where you go, there’s great people.

I’ve also been there on holiday. I’ve been to Széchenyi baths, had a nice day there! There’s amazing people and I’ve always been shown a lot of love when I go there.

What has been one of your favourite memories playing in Budapest? Maybe your first time playing there?

I remember once I played on a boat, A38, for Bladerunnaz. It’s an old warship.

Were you playing war dubs?

It’s everything it says on the tin! I was playing really angry drum ‘n’ bass on a warship, it was a good vibe.

How would you describe crowds in Budapest? Are they super engaged? Do they like to dance? What’s the energy like?

Whenever I’ve ever been there it’s always been slamming off. The local crews run great parties. Drum ‘n’ bass in Budapest has got a long-running heritage of supporting the scene. They’re big, big fans out there.

Are you excited to be returning to Budapest? What can fans expect from your Burn Energy Tour show?

I can’t wait to get back to Budapest. It’s been a good couple of years now. I’m also looking forward to getting back and soaking up the culture of the city, seeing it all, and just playing to the Budapest fans.

Budapest is the first stop on the Burn Energy Tour 2024, but with additional stops set to be announced in Poland, Italy and Spain, stay tuned to Burn Energy and Mixmag’s Instagram pages.