Ceeplus Bad Knives Interview: SXSW 2010

By day, Eric C. Castillo works marketing and media for his company, Reprogram Music. By night, he is known around Houston and nightclubs nationwide as Ceeplus Bad Knives: a DJ and producer with a soft spot for African funk and synths. When he's not rocking the world of music lovers everywhere, he's at home taking care of his family where his son is the one rocking his world. With over 10 years experience in music, Ceeplus is no stranger to SXSW and plans to make 2010 as memorable as years past. So he says to make sure to bring "a camera to keep the memories real."

How did Ceeplus Bad Knives form? You've been working in music for over 10 years--what's changed for you/what have you learned over the years?

It formed at birth. I have learned a lot--more so of the music industry side of things because that's my day job, the do's and do not's and common mistakes. As for producing, I am still learning as I go along and hoping to learn more every day.

How did you come up with your DJ name?

Ceeplus Bad Knives is the name I am currently using now to DJ and produce under. I have some other projects under different names in the works. It formed because it needed to happen for me personally. I needed to break away from what I was doing and the name I was using at the time. That was quite some time ago. It started out as Ceeplus & the House of Brown Ale--the house of brown ale was my studio. I later changed it to House of Bad Knives, then later just to the three words I am using now. Knives are usually bad, eh?

Describe your sound in your own words.

I DJ and produce music influenced by a lot of different genres of music: disco/Italo, industrial dance, retro, new wave, no wave, punk, golden age hip-hop, Kraut rock, prog, psychedelic rock, classic and garage. You can hear a lot of these styles in my DJ set as well in my original production. It's all very synth heavy.

What are your musical influences?

Pretty much all types of music like those I just listed, but even more. I am sucker for African funk, rare groove, '60s soul and world left-field grooves. I love indie rock and singer-songwriter stuff. I am super open to all sounds and grooves.

What's your biggest vice?

Booze and cigs and records and shoes.

Have you played SXSW before? What's in your festival survival kit?

Yes. Plenty of water, electrolyte-type drinks, sugar free Red Bull, booze, pacing yourself. Oh, and a camera to keep the memories real.

Does working behind the scenes in music with Reprogram bring you any unique perspectives when it comes to promoting your own music?

I am not quite sure. Yes, I think. I am really focusing on getting my music out worldwide, whereas with the company we are leaning more towards marketing and media. I definitely am going to use someone else to publish me though. I don't like promoting myself.

Anything special planned for SXSW? Any special plans for after SXSW?

Tons of stuff! After SXSW I thought about going to WMC [The Winter Music Conference in Florida], but I opted to stay at home and work in the studio. I have to finish up a lot of stuff as well as spend time with my family and son, Milo. I will be gone for a week without seeing him. He's two years old and rocks my world.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Expensive records and late night listening parties in the studio.

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while touring?

I got all my gear stolen by a cabbie at CMJ 2007 in NYC right after I played a really cool showcase by Kork agency: laptop, records, headphones all swiped! It sucked pretty bad. Then the very next day, I found out my dad died and that me and my wife's dog died. Let's just say that year at CMJ I drank my tears away.


Bethany Smith is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.