Julio Bashmore: between poppy and underground

Julio Bashmore’s name has become very well known in Britain’s nightlife, as well as much further afield too. He has left his mark on the new generation of house music that is everywhere nowadays, and has become the hero of young clubbing crowds.

Julio Bashmore’s records were first picked up in the underground scene, though leading labels like Dirtybird and Ten Thousand Yen supported him. A few years later, in 2011, everything exploded with the EP Everyone Needs a Theme Tune. “Battle for Middle You” became an enormous hit. And there were still bigger hits to come. “Au Seve” proves that he can stretch his music even further without compromising his street credibility, an important asset in the music business. His mix of old-school Chicago house, soulful voice samples, and woolly beats appear to have the same effect as a cool beer on a hot summer night.

When the single “Duccy” went back down into the old underground haunts, lively debate broke out on the internet. In one of his rare interviews, Bashmore himself declared that the public will have to learn to live with his split personality that explores both the limits of poppy grooves and his underground roots. His long-awaited album, that will be released soon, will be a fine exercise in style. The single “Peppermint”, featuring Jessie Ware, for whom he has made songs before, demonstrated how sexy his crossover style can be.

Libertine Supersport: Julio Bashmore • 11/4, 22.30, €8/13, Bloody Louis, Louizalaan 32 avenue Louise, Brussel/Bruxelles, www.libertinesupersport.be