Brazilian minimal duo Ung & Bastos
Reported by Kiko
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Submitted 11-10-06 20:11
Breno Ungierowicz and Renato Pires Bastos became friends in a very peculiar way. Picture the scene: they went clubbing to Rio de Janeiro’s Bunker in 2000. There, found out they were pulling the same girl at the night, so started an argument. After solving the embarrassing situation, Breno stayed with Alessandra and — believe it or not — they still stayed friends. More than that, from that night Breno and Renato had become musical partners, without even knowing.
The results of this close friendship came a couple of years later, when they founded Pertence — a label, studio and design company — and created the minimal live act Ung & Bastos. Getting inspiration from Christ The Redeemer and Copacabana Beach to produce their own tunes, Ung & Bastos are currently on tour in Europe. They played at the Never Enough room at The Gallery (Turnmills) two weeks ago and are back to London this weekend, after performing in Germany and Holland, to play in the Fridge’s Ice Box for Never Enough Maria’s 41st birthday at Insekt.
In order to find out more about their lives, I caught up with Renato while they were in Berlin. I did try to speak with the other half, but Renato himself spoke on Breno’s behalf — apparently Breno wasn’t available. Perhaps they might be the same person...
Hello. To start off, when did you first get in touch with electronic music?
It was when Club Bunker, in Rio de Janeiro, was at its peak, so we used to listen to djs Ricardo NS and, mainly, the master Maurício Lopes (Iron Nipples).
Who inspired you? Christ, The Redeemer, by any chance?
Definitely Christ The Redeemer is an eternal inspiration for all of us cariocas (from Rio de Janeiro), but the above mentioned Maurício Lopes and Schild were responsible for our diversified growth, musically speaking.
Do you remember the first time you played in a nightclub?
I first played in a contest at Club Bunker in 1994, finishing as one of the runner-ups. Breno debuted and soon got a residency at Dama de Ferro nightclub, where takes place Rio’s most famous after-hours.
How would you define your music style?
Spending five years playing anything from electro to techno, nowadays we are focused on minimal influences, either on the production side or on our dj sets.
Where did you guys meet each other?
We met up in 2000 at Bunker, after a misunderstanding. We were pulling the same girl at the night. Everything sorted afterwards, I got a new girlfriend, whereas Breno stayed with her for ages.
What is Ung & Bastos: a live PA or a back-to-back set?
Ung & Bastos are two blokes who decided to use their surnames to name their productions and present their live acts in nightclubs.
Are the decks the only thing you guys share? Just joking...
No, we’ve got a studio, a label and we have a family friendship, major than any society.
How can you stand each other? Isn’t it too much companionship?
Who said we stand each other all the time? We often have arguments, but from them born the light for our work.
Tell me the best qualities and the worst flaws in each one.
Breno has a gift and the creativity of a musician that he’s been for the last ten years, though he’s disperse and disorganised — that is compensated by my main systematic characteristic, which sometimes saturates everything due to its intensity.
When did you found Pertence Records? What’s the concept behind it?
In 2001, when we began our friendship, we decided to found a label to release our productions. Therefore, it’s our music on our label.
What does each one do at Pertence Records?
Pertence Records is just one item of the Pertence trilogy, which is also divided in Pertence Design and Pertence Studio. We run everything with some people helping us on duties as well, such as Cláudio (designer), Schild (studio) and Napsugar (label). In addition, there are two people in charge of our bookings in Europe: Maria, of Never Enough (United Kingdom gigs) and Morango (Amsterdam and Lisbon).
When did you start your European tour and where are the next destinations? I’ve seen your tour dates and you guys look bit busy at the moment…
We’ve managed to get a nice tour around Europe. We’re playing 12 gigs in 22 days! Check it out:
13/10 — Insekt @ The Fridge - London, UK
14/10 — Astrix & Friends 002 @ The Coronet - London, UK
15/10 — TBC
19/10 — Horn Dog @ Sumo - Brighton, UK
21/10 — Lisbon, Portugal
Is this your first time playing in London? If not, where have you performed before?
Breno debuted in Europe at the end of September, playing at Turnmills. I’ve been in Europe before. I played at Audio club in Brighton and did some squat parties as well.
Apparently you’ve dabbed in production. How many releases so far and when are the next ones due?
We’ve got three releases out on Pertence Records and the last one was also released in Europe and Asia. You can find ‘I Need Some — Pert 002’ in shops like Juno, Decks or for digital downloads see Beatport or other dj download websites. This tune has had support from Mark Moore, Citizen Kain, Gui Boratto, Digitaria and Paul Nazca, to name just a few. Beyond that, we’re sorting a remix out for a German label, and the next Pertence is coming out in January 2007.
What would you be doing if not being a dj? Don’t tell me you’d be lifeguards at Copacabana beach…
Lol! Breno could be a designer as he’s got some reputation doing it, and I’m a sound engineer in the studio, I’ve got experience in Pro Tools. We’re tough we both would be vagabonds for sure if not djs and producers!
What are your top 5 tunes at the moment?
Jacob Richter — ‘Wurfrakete’
Dj Agent Orange — ‘Seems Like My Fault’
Kevin Gorman — ‘Black and White’ (Alex Under Remix)
Ung and Bastos — ‘I Need Some’ (Iron Nipples Remix)
Gabriel Ananda — ‘Miracel Whop’
Where was your most unforgettable set?
At Leopoldina train station, in Rio de Janeiro downtown. It was a party organised by Fosfobox nightclub, promoting Ung & Bastos minimal set with funk’s down’n’dirty diva Tati Quebra Barraco and Mr. Catra.
Insekt
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On:
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Friday 13th October 2006
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At:
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The Fridge [map]
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From:
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22:00 - 06:00
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Cost:
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£10 Early Bird / £12 Pre-Standard / £15 Standard / MOTD
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Website:
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www.insekt.co.uk
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Ticket Info:
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Tickets avaliable from Ticketweb
www.ticketweb.co.uk / 08700 600 100
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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The very best in Hard House, from early warm up to hard as nails. Join Insekt for the first party at the world renowned Fridge! Witness Defective Audio's Abelton Live PA for the first time ever! We also recreate the magic of Paul Glazby back
to back with Justin Bourne, and if that wasn't enough we've got the legendary Karim too. With residents Marc Johnson and James Nardi, future production hero's Richard Toomz and Steve Maynard and early techno beats from
Type1, this is party not to be missed!
With the IceBox being run in association with NeverEnough on Maria's 41st Birthday!
Let the music do the talking...
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Flyer:
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Other Features By Kiko:
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Italian-Brazilian trancer DJ Fabio Stein finally hits the limelight
Logic preview: Mike Redina spills the beans about the NRGFLOW crew
Brazilian technohead DJ Murphy brings his tricks and scratches to Rave
Whizz-kid Vitor Lima returns to London for Rave
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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