Partica Artist Group is a true pillar of the underground. From their start as curators to becoming a label and full-blown artist collective, their platform has been a constant pushing forward-thinking bass and trap. Founded by Gurf and Runnit, their Trap2 movement has been taking over. Multiple stacked compilations, event takeovers, singles, and a genuine connection to their community has led to Partica’s beloved status. Long overdue, the team comes through with an absolutely stacked guest mix and interview. Mixed by Gurf & Runnit, it showcases a wealth of Partica artists and includes unreleased music from Gurf, Runnit, scullion, Eyezic, Buzz Junior x Raucous, and more! The interview features a ton of gems including their keys to success, what they look for in releases, how running the collective has impacted them as artists, and much more. Dive in below.
What should fans expect from the mix?
Gurf: A bunch of unreleased songs from our team and our favorite artists, some recent releases that we’ve been digging, and a great depiction of our tastes as A&Rs.
What’s on the horizon for the rest of the year and into 2022 for Partica?
Gurf: Got a few more musical things planned for the year but aside from that, definitely some more producer resources (sample packs, preset packs, etc). And we also hope to be starting our own IRL event series soon. Just looking for the perfect venue! More details on this to come asap :)
There’s no use in us putting a ton of resources into projects that other organizations are already doing a better job of executing. We’re here to provide something different! – Gurf
What do you view as your keys to success in terms of growth and impact within the scene?
Gurf: For me, I think striving to do what other labels aren’t doing has been huge for us in the past. It’s simply better for the scene to provide new types of content that aren’t already being produced. There’s no use in us putting a ton of resources into projects that other organizations are already doing a better job of executing. We’re here to provide something different!
Runnit: I believe you make an impact in the scene by actually thinking of others and making human connections. It is WAY too easy to worry about your sound, track numbers and who you think you’re competing with. Focus on collaborating, ask others to help you work on your weaknesses, freely offer your strengths to help others grow.
What do you look for in releases?
Gurf: Other than the typical things a&r’s look for (memorability, good mixdowns, uniqueness), we really value danceability and bounce in bass music. So if it doesn’t make us bob our heads, we probably won’t sign it. We value groove over loudness/hardness 100%. Risky sound design choices and syncopated rhythms also win us over.
How has your platform evolved since its inception?
Gurf: When we started, we weren’t even technically a record label. We were playlist curators focused on the underground. Then we eventually turned into a record label, and then eventually became an artist collective after that. We believe that this isn’t the final phase for Partica either.
Why did you get into making art in the first place? Being in touch with this is what will keep you creating. – Gurf
What’s the biggest lesson you have learned over the past few years?
Gurf: Success has no cut-and-dry definition, and means something different to everybody. If you feel lost as an artist, you need to take a look at your “why” and figure out what drives you as an artist. Why did you get into making art in the first place? Being in touch with this is what will keep you creating.
What trends in music excite you the most at the moment?
Runnit: Honestly for me it’s hearing a resurgence of moombahton & bounce rhythms, complex halftime stuff in general by people who were either directly or indirectly influenced by neurohop. The other thing that’s been exciting to hear is a resurgence of that glitchy complex house stuff like what Wolfgang Gartner used to make. It’s always exciting to hear when a genre gets way too complicated and implodes on itself too; which I expect to happen to the 140bpm range again soon.
How difficult is it to manage Partica against your own artist projects? How do you balance the two?
Gurf: It’s definitely difficult – you have to make sacrifices. I think that’s something all producer-turned-label-heads should know. Don’t get into this game unless you’re willing to give your all (and then some) for somebody else, even when you have your own music project to work on.
the biggest growth though really doesn’t come from ‘running’ the collective; it’s from being ACTIVE in the community we’ve created, asking other artists to teach me how they made a sound, asking for advice, trading secrets, and treating other artists like the ‘online friends’ they are to me. – Runnit
Has running the collective made you a better artist in any way?
Runnit: 100% yes. There’s all the ways you’d think it would help, like making a repost chain and getting chances to work with artists who inspire you, but the main way I think it’s helped me is to understand what is worth spending time on for my own releases. A lot of people spend time publicly hyping up an upcoming track but then once it’s out they are nowhere to be found and spend little to no time promoting their art. You are better off putting in most of your efforts after the track drops hands down. I think overall the biggest growth though really doesn’t come from ‘running’ the collective; it’s from being ACTIVE in the community we’ve created, asking other artists to teach me how they made a sound, asking for advice, trading secrets, and treating other artists like the ‘online friends’ they are to me.
Gurf: It helps because you get to surround yourself with amazing people that care about the art in the same ways that you do, and are working together to push a particular sound. But If you’re not confident in yourself being surrounded with such insane talent can also work against you. On bad days you can get caught up comparing yourself to your peers and feel like you can’t keep up. I’ve learned to look at the bigger picture and realize that we all have our own talents and are privileged to work together in the first place.
What do you like to do when you need a break from music?
Runnit: We play plenty of video games in our Discord on off nights (come join us!). But when I’m not doing that I think the most decompressing thing I do is go on hikes and get as far away from technology as possible. Another helpful thing is getting back in touch with humanity via social events, charity, or some other type of in-person connection; watch how well that feeds your inspiration. Besides doing full-on song creation it’s also important to find time to ‘have fun’ in your DAW to make it less of a cold headspace. By that I mean make your own foley samples or record instrument loops, or make a genre you’re not comfortable with!
Any final words you’d like to share?
Runnit: In the past 6 months we’ve added more members to our team and we are incredibly thankful to be working with all of them! It’s been so motivating growing the team and seeing what we’re now capable of bringing to each event and each release we sign. And on that note, send us some dancy sassy stuff for 2022 we’re ready when you are :)
Gurf: Everything Runnit said! And I’d also like to thank our whole team for helping us make more things happen and be consistent as a collective. Shoutout to jistix, golden lotus, ql1x, Tate, Arlene, Jerm, The Gentle Giant, Tek Savvy, GoldScrolls and all our listeners and supporters!
Tracklist:
tearsofmine – One Time
tearsofmine – One Time (Raucous Remix)
ell!psis feat. TYGKO – montrose
.noxe – Autumn (Unreleased)
Runnit – ID
M.E. Swank x Scullion – Hysteria
LYNY – Zombie
PARTICA – Frankenstein (23-artist Mega Collab)
episcool x golden child x lasse – yucca valley
Floot x Gehena x Snxxz3 – The Squeal (feat. Spitaflair)
ethanplus – Pop That! (Galazy Remix)
Runnit x cm. – Chromegat
Gurf – ID
Gurf – ID
Scullion – No Games
Scullion – No Games (Rausch Remix) (Unreleased)
Buzz Junior x Raucous – ID
eater x blurrd vzn – sound wave
quix – up time (scullion flip) (Unreleased)
church x raftyr – work
rSUN – ID
Runnit – Danger
BAGG – ID
Runnit x Eyezic – ID
PLAIN – All The Time
ql1x – yo yo
camoufly – xnteup
Saint Miller – Shit
Baby Keem – Family Ties (Runnit Bmore Club Edit)
Raucous – ID
Runnit – ID
Scullion x Runnit – ID
Buzz Junior x Snxxz3 – trynawhip
vxrt – ID
