Bodysync Get NUTTY on New Full Length Album
Photo Credit: Anton Krueger
As we enter summer festival season, Bodysync came through with their newest album NUTTY to soundtrack the way and get the good times rolling. Released on Friday, their sophomore effort is rooted in 90’s rave music but embraces all shades of dance music, alongside indie, and pop punk influences. The group, consisting of Canadian producer Ryan Hemsworth and California-based DJ Giraffage, first caught our attention back in 2022 with their debut album Radioactive, specifically with their tropical-getaway track “Suenos Bravos” featuring Daniela Andrade that was eventually remixed by on-the-rise Montreal DJ, TDJ. Bodysync led the charge on this album cycle with “Rock It” - a heater they’ve been playing out on tour, and always gets a big reaction on the dancefloor. It comes with a Pee-wee Herman-esque music video that brings the album artwork to life, directed by Mortis Studio, who do all creative direction for Bodysync, and have previously worked with the likes of Tame Impala, Flying Lotus, Earl Sweatshirt, Brain Dead, and more.
We interviewed Ryan Hemsworth and Giraffage to learn more about the ways they lean into absurdity on NUTTY, teaming up with Daniela Andrade again on lead single “Bailar (I Want to Dance)”, and how their song “How To Be A Cowboy” might be the next Calgary, AB anthem.
REVERIE: What's the origin story behind Bodysync / how did Ryan and Charlie start making music together?
Bodysync: We’ve been friends since like 2011, one thing led to another and we started sending each other projects back and forth. From there we had sessions in LA with Tinashe, Devin Morrison, a bunch of singers which ended up on our Radio Active album.
REVERIE: The album is titled NUTTY and "Babies" is a nutty track. It feels like you lean into absurdity and never take things too seriously - is this something you intentionally like to explore with your music and on tracks like "Babies"?
Bodysync: We’re big fans of the absurd. NUTTY was like the ethos of working on this album. “Babies” started with that main vocal sample and then we searched ‘baby’ on our hard drives and used any audio file that was relevant to the theme. It was like putting together a puzzle.
REVERIE: The "interlude" on the album is one of our favourites. What came first - the idea for the song or the voice memos? How did this song come about?
Bodysync: The world that we’re building is collaborative with Bodysync, so it made sense to source audio from our fans. We first gathered around 50 or so voicemails and then ended up sampling bits and pieces throughout the entirety of the album.
REVERIE: Ryan - what has your experience been like making music in Canada? How does this experience compare to Charlie being based in California? Or more importantly: do your roots or environment influence the ways you collaborate or the type of music you make?
Ryan Hemsworth: I guess the obvious answer is winter. Any time I can visit California, it clicks why so much happier music can come from there. Also just feels more productive in a real way. When I’m home stuck in snow and it’s -20 degrees out, I just get stuck working in isolation and it can be a battle to make happy music.
REVERIE: We are officially adopting "How to be a Cowboy" as Calgary, AB's anthem since we are considered the cowboy capital of Canada (we may be making this up because of the Stampede Festival, but let's roll with it). Do you have any fond memories of the city or plan to take a visit?
Ryan Hemsworth: haha that’s a dream come true if our track actually manifests some good cowboy vibes. I’m trying to throw some lassos as soon as possible.
REVERIE: Are there any specific tools/instruments/gear that you can't live without that influenced the sounds on NUTTY?
Bodysync: Roland TR-8S and Korg M1 is pretty much the entirety of the Bodysync sound pallette.
REVERIE: We are chronic worriers - so we could really relate to the liberating sounds on the song "What Us Worry". Any words of advice for those who are looking to put themselves out there more whether that be in life or with their artistry but find worrying holds them back?
Bodysync: I honestly still use the “picture everyone in their underwear” method. See yourself as someone else. No one notices your shit like you think they do!!
REVERIE: You have a track called "I Can't Stop", which is how we feel when we listen to your album. Is there anything you couldn't stop listening to during the making of the album or any specific artists that inspired you?
Bodysync: We’re all over the place - anything from old Hooj Choons releases to Saint Etienne to that hardcore band Speed.
REVERIE: Anything else you'd like to add that we haven't covered?
Bodysync: Thanks for the questions, hope we can get to Calgary some time soon!