5 Minutes With: dEbruit

The second edition of The Lost Party has got one of the most exciting lineups we’ve seen this year so far. Among the many acts we’re looking forward to witnessing at the picturesque venue at Saltar Lake, in Maharashtra is Brussels based synth magician - débruit.

Xavier Thomas’ alias is a portmanteau of debris and ‘bruit’ – the French word for noise. And while débruit’s music is always a heady collision of sounds and styles he’s collected from all over the world, it is never unsystematically cacophonic. It’s of little wonder then that dEbruit is often referred to as ‘The Afrobeat Surrealist’ in articles and interviews that try and describe his sound. Much like your Dalis, Tanguys and Magrittes, débruit’s exploration of surrealism and clean chaos in sound expresses a pristine technique that has even prompted L.A. beat scene originator Kutmah to enquire “ how’d you get your shit so clean and loud”?

débruit incorporates everything from Afrobeat (one of his biggest influences) middle-eastern instrumentation and funk with his wonky, freewheeling synth lines, French b-boy electro and hip-hop. A giddy, kaleidoscopic amalgamation that studies the outer boundaries of what music should and could be.

We’ve heard he’s as exciting (and intriguing) live as he his with his production. He’s released 4 albums to date, the most recent being 2015’s excellent ‘Outside The Line’, which Thomas described as a space "where ancient West Africa cohabits with 80s New York".

débruit’s performance at The Lost Party will mark his debut in India. We briefly interrupted him in the studio with a couple of quick questions before he flies in:

How’s it going?
I’m fine, thank you. I’m in between two busy periods catching my breath

Where are you right now?
I’m at home, in Brussels

What’s the worst thing currently occupying your fridge?
A too small piece of Parmesan

What colour and sound first come to mind when you think of India?
Ochre and harmonium

The last good gig you saw?
A band called Phoenician Drive

Song you currently have on repeat?
Pedros Santos songs

Describe the music scene in Brussels in one line.
Vibrant, passionate, knowledgeable, driven, genuine and too humble

What do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t making music?
I wanted to be an architect when I was younger

What’s your spirit animal?
The flying squirrel

Describe your music in three words…
Time space influenced

The weirdest incident that’s happened at a gig…
An old Turkish man grabbing the mic and trying to rap (he thought he was)

If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Take care of your back

What would the title of your biography be?
Dare more

If you could have one superpower it would be?
Tele transportation both in space and time

What would be the soundtrack to your life?
The wave’s sound from everywhere on the Atlantic shores

**The Lost Party will take place from 26-28 February at Saltar Lake in Maharashtra. Tickets available here.**

Image credit: Steyt Pena
Words: Diya Gupta