Bad Bubble: “Music is the universal health care of the world. It fixes you. It gives you something to identify with. It helps broken hearts. It helps deal with pain”
Bad Bubble is a Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist and producer whose work I have been fortunate enough to cover for a while now. As prolific as they come, staying on top of his sonic output sometimes feels like chasing a moving train. But, there's always a reward waiting for you.
Last month, BB delivered Frustrate. A bruising and relentless single pulled from his upcoming triple album, I was reminded once again why I find his work so compelling.
Deciding it was time to get to know the musician better, I was thrilled when BB said he'd have a little chat with us. Taking us through his ginormous discography, how he goes about turning an idea into a complete song, and why music means so much to him, please welcome our friend Bad Bubble!
Bad Bubble! Welcome! It's great to finally get a chance to chat!
Now, I've followed your sonic career for a while, but for those unfortunate souls who have yet to discover your sound, what would you say they’re missing out on? How would you describe your music?
To say they’re missing out on a lot is to put it lightly! In 3 1/2 years, I’ve released roughly 350 individual tracks. But it’s nothing to be overwhelmed by…start at Future 9 and go!!!
I just hope to find everyone’s ears doing well…
I'm completely hooked on your brand new single, Frustrate. It's just such a dark and intriguing offering.
You've mentioned that you've written many tunes, but "none come close to the relentlessness of Frustrate."
Please tell us more :)
It’s relentless…in every sense of the word. Three minutes and thirty-three seconds of GO!
I wanted to make a song that does not let up from start to finish. I think I did okay…
As alluded to in the previous question, I think it’s fair to say you’re a rather prolific musician. Does the entire “song-making process” come very naturally to you?
It does…it’s also the only thing that comes naturally…my life is actually a car wreck…I fail and have failed and will most likely continue to fail in all other areas.
Music and songwriting are where I make sense of everything. I put it into perspective. I rationalize and try to see why things happen the way they do. I’m trying hard every day to make peace with different things and poke the bear in others. It’s the one thing that makes sense…and I’m grateful.
Who would you put down as some of your biggest musical influences, and who would you ultimately credit for helping shape and form your overall sound?
My mother…she was the greatest pianist and singer I’ve ever heard. I credit her teaching (or lack thereof) with what I do. She practiced tough love. I never once sat down with her and she formally taught me anything…she would simply say, “Good, now sound it out.” Meaning, find the note you want on your own, using your own ear…so I did. And continue to do so.
We’re always intrigued by the different approaches that bands and artists turn to in their creative process or processes.
Can you tell our readers a bit about yours? How do you take an idea and turn it into a complete song?
I find it. Or it finds me. I place my fingers on the piano and I start digging around. Usually within a minute or two, I’m on my way. It takes me roughly 3-4 hours to write and record a song. Sometimes more, sometimes less…but that’s about the size of it. I lay the piano or synth first…then bass. Then drums…then a pad or a lead. Then anything else it may need.
Vocals are last, and also my favorite part of it all. Mix - Master - Repeat. I keep it simple and I keep it contained. I don’t fix things that aren’t broken. And I realize perfection is a myth. It’s also the enemy of progress.
What do you love most about being a musician? And on the flip side, what are some of the biggest challenges that you’ve faced so far?
I love having something I have zero conflict about whether or not I should pursue it. I am 100% convinced I am where I belong. Grinding in the underground. Proving myself. Helping others. Supporting the very best independent artists in the world that I have the pleasure of knowing. Those are the best things.
The biggest challenges are the same as everyone else’s. Trying desperately to be heard in a world with a 2-second attention span. That is by far the biggest challenge.
What, to you, is music’s role in society?
Music is the universal health care of the world. It fixes you. It gives you something to identify with. It helps broken hearts. It helps deal with pain. It offers an invisible hand to pull you up.
Unfortunately, it’s been misused by gatekeepers. It’s been sold to the highest bidder with the lowest conscience. Now, more so than any time in history, artists need to step up and try to repair the damage that has been done by those on top.
People will tune out, make no mistake. And they would be justified in doing so. Now more than ever, we have to do what we can to give them something, anything authentic…tell them they are not alone…in a time where everyone is connected and alone.
Bad Bubble, it's been an absolute pleasure chatting with you!
Before we say farewell, what comes next for you musically and, I guess, in a broader sense, what do you hope your musical future has in store?
I don’t know. I think I’ve come to a place where I need to look behind me, rather than ahead. I think I’ll find the peace I need.
Thank you very very much.
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