EX.725 AUX88

"If someone from Detroit wins, it's another win for Detroit." The duo discuss their longtime roots in the Motor City and how their work has evolved after more than 30 years in the game. To commemorate August 8th, we're featuring an interview with the Detroit duo AUX88. Tommy Hamilton—AKA TOMTOM—and William “BJ” Smith—AKA POSATRONIX—are pioneers celebrating 35 years in the music industry, known for their work combining elements of ghetto tech, Kraftwerk-indebted techno and Miami bass. Their sound has remained consistent throughout the decades, and their influence on club music extends far and deep. In this Exchange, RA editor Nyshka Chandran interviews the duo live from Detroit earlier this year, where they discuss their trajectory in the scene. They started out playing at local businesses, they recall—flower shops, coffee shops, cabarets and strip clubs—sometimes to no more than three people. They also unpack their creative setup and why their music has and always will be indebted to futurism and sci-fi. The duo turn their attention to the present. AUX 88 just released an EP called ALPHA WAVES and are starting a new label that will help champion local artists. In their words: "If someone from Detroit wins, it's another win for Detroit." Listen to the episode in full.