Interview: Five Minutes with OBu

Music producer Maxime Buffel, popularly known as OBu, released his latest single ‘Coastal Blur’ via Uppermost’s company Uppwind Records. The trained percussionist performs with Medium Douce (percussionist group), who have released an official remix for Uppermost’s ‘Night Walk’. Trax Magazine, Son Of marketing has supported the remix and it has featured on well-received Youtube channels, including Madorasindahouse and Get The Sound.  Growing up, Maxime started his musical training with the piano and drums, before deciding on classical percussion. Today, the musician combines his earlier music training into his electronic compositions. 

We find out the finer details about OBu in our exclusive interview below. 

Set the tone for us. Why the arts?

I think that art chose me!

Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?

It’s more the sounds, and then I develop my ideas.

Does your material feature any collaborations?

Only on two tracks – With Clarisse Mây and Marie-Christine.

What’s on your current playlist?

‘Pain Relief’ – Huerta

‘Ravi’ – Caribou

‘Neighbourhood’ – WhoMadeWho

‘Maíz’ – Murcouf

‘Orissa’ – Wayward

Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.

Always feeling great when I hear them react to my music! Really beautiful.

What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?

I’m working with effects, layering instruments, and shaping sounds with EQ.

Take us through a day in the recording studio.

Morning coffee, then two hours of working.

After lunch, I go for a walk to get some fresh air.

In the afternoon, working on sound design, and mixing the tracks I’m working on until dinner.

Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?

I realized that I wanted to be a musician when I was nine or ten years, teachers asked us what we wanted to do later, and I think it was naturally this answer. I live my passion…

What do you keep close by while you’re playing a set?

My water-filled gourd of course!

Any emerging artists on your radar?

Midub. 

What gets your creative juices flowing?

Listening to all kinds of music, reading books, hiking, riding…

Take us through your collection of gear, tech or software that accompanies your creative expression.

I’m using :

Ableton Live 10

Apc 40 mk2

MicroKorg

Moog Sub37

Any side projects you’re working on?

Medium Douce – an electronic percussive band.

Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?

More music I hope!

Famous last words?

Stay positive!

Follow OBu:

Facebook – Twitter – Soundcloud – Instagram – Spotify