Bricks Hammers Out Nutty Breaks-Driven Jam “G Code” for IN / ROTATION

Maybe it’s all of his experience on construction sites that makes him a pro at building the heavy-duty beats, but Bricks can break down the house just as much as he knows how to build one. The Icon Collective grad has been smashing the scene with his roughed-up house growlers, with his work having a very distinct Miami bass bump to it. On his IN / ROTATION debut, however, he hops over to the opposite side of the country by bringing a much more West Coast feel into the fold.

“G Code” is crackin’ from top to bottom, and it sees Bricks following a simple yet effective blueprint to get heads repping in full effect. He hammers out a nutty, broken rhythm that rides out beneath a shifty, 303-laced lead that hits the switches around cruising pads, fat claps, and a pitched-up vocal sample with a whole lotta attitude. It sits way down low, yet it has all the right elements to get you lifted. We hit up Bricks directly to get all of the deets on this release, so dig right in after giving the stream a good run.

You’re a construction worker by trade, which is how I assume you landed on your name. When did music production come into the picture, and what has it been like juggling both worlds?
My dad started his construction company 30 years ago, and my brother and I joined over 10 years ago. As far as the production, I’ve always been into house, breaks and Miami bass. I downloaded a free version of Fruity Loops, back when they first came out with it, and made a few beats. Listening to them now, the beats sound pretty horrible, but it was the first time my interest in production was sparked.

Trying to be creative after a long day on a job site in the heat is tough. I start making songs by just messing around with Serum, Massive or Sylenth to find a cool sound to play with later. I fit in working on music whenever I can, usually during the weekend or when I have a few hours after work. I got used to this routine when I attended Icon Collective. I’d work all day, hit the showers at the gym, then go to class ‘til 10pm. I’d usually get home around 12, and do it all again the next day. I love making music, and I’ve met some great people along the way, so it makes the lack of sleep worth it.

What’s your backstory before Bricks came to be?
To be honest, I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for my lady pushing and supporting me. She is the one who gave me confidence to really get into DJing. Early on, my friend Nate helped me get some huge shows like Carnage, Snails, Getter, Brillz and Lil Jon. I used to go by the name Grizzly Adams, and then changed it to just Grzzly. I realized that if I wanted to go any further, I needed to produce my own music. After talking with Derek from Slander, I took a tour of Icon and decided to attend. While at Icon and still using the name Grzzly, I released a track with Lumberjvck called “Kodiak.” After I graduated Icon, I changed my name to Bricks and started creating my own sound.

What has been the reaction to your new single on IN / ROTATION?
It was awesome to hear they cosigned my track! I’ve been going to Insomniac’s events since the late ‘90s, so I was ecstatic to hear the label wanted to release “G Code.” They’ve been great to work with, and I’m honored to be part of the Insomniac family.

Tell us how this track came together and how it ended up on the label?
I still love listening to classic house music, and a lot of old house had that Roland 303 acid sound to it. One day, I was messing with a 303 sound I had in Massive and added a little break-style drum pattern behind it. I found a vocal phrase I liked, and from there, it just came down to making everything fit together. After I finished the track, I sent it to my management, and they loved it. To be honest, I heard Pasquale was a fan of old-school acid, so we thought it’d be cool to send it over to the label. Whether he ever heard it or not, I thought the label would appreciate the old-school feel—and fortunately for me, they did!

What tools/lessons did Icon provide that you might not have had access to otherwise?
Icon provides an environment that allows its students to be completely surrounded by other producers and instructors. There is always music being played somewhere. Whether it is in the lounge or in the studios, you can always find a place to bounce ideas off each other.

My favorite part of Icon was the mentoring sessions. You have one hour a week with a mentor, and you can literally do or talk about anything. In my final semester, my mentor Chico and I talked a lot about the industry and how to treat the social interactions with artists, agents, managers, etc. But the most valuable times were spent going over mixdown and mastering techniques. To this day, Chico and I are good friends, and he is always willing to give me honest feedback.

The school seems to be pumping out some of the buzziest names in the industry, many of whom you’re homies with. Why do you think the careers of so many Icon students have taken off the way they have?
Hard work. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s totally true. I used to see JAUZ everyday at Icon, working on his tracks, before “Feel the Volume” came out. He worked everyday at Icon, and now he’s out there killing it. Another guy I’ve seen work his ass off is Kayzo. When I went to Icon, he was one of the first people I met, and I never saw him without his headphones on. To this day, he is still one of the nicest guys in the industry. And just a couple weeks ago, I saw my boys Slander destroy kineticFIELD at EDC. It was surreal, because I’ve seem them go from the dive bars in the OC to the mainstage. So, when I say it takes hard work, it’s because I’ve seen my friends work nonstop to get where they are at today.

What advice do you have for anyone who might be considering enrolling at Icon?
There is no guarantee that you are going to play the mainstage. What I mean by that: Don’t expect to be a superstar the moment you graduate Icon. You have to put in a lot of work during your time at Icon and after graduation. Build and keep relationships with your classmates, instructors and guest speakers. Personal connections are key in this industry. Don’t be afraid of criticism.

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