One of the biggest new names in dubstep, Minnesota, aka Christian Bauhofer, is blowing up the electronic dance music (EDM) industry, with tracks being picked up by Bassnectar and PANTyRAID and previously touring with Big Gigantic. In the midst of his Shadowboxing Tour with Zion I, Bauhofer took some time to chat with the CU Independent about opening for Ghostland Observatory, his DJ name and new EP.
You killed it at Welcomefest this year opening for Ghostland Observatory. How was that show for you?
That was an awesome show, just a really good production. I know the school put it on, for students by students, and it was just a huge production, very professional. It was so cool opening for them.
Minnesota also known as Christian Bauhofer performed this year at Welcomefest. Take a look at this Q&A with CUI’s Sarah Elsea. (Courtesy of Minnesota)
You’re really starting to break into the EDM big leagues now that your track, “Push It” is getting played by Bassnectar. How did you get into dubstep in the first place?
So I went to this electronic music festival called the Symbiosis Gathering which is in Yosemite. I saw MiMOSA there in 2009, which was huge for me. After I got back I just started playing more stuff of my own.
Do you have any mentors in the field?
Initially, I did it by myself. None of my friends were really producing so I was learning it all on my own. As I started putting more music out, that’s [when] I started getting tips from other producers—MartyParty started hitting me up around then.
Your remixes span from Biggie’s “Juicy” to “California Dreamin’” by the Mamas and the Papas. What kind of musical background do you have?
When I was in high school, I was really into rock and metal. In college, I started getting a lot more into hip-hop, more dance-y stuff, indie underground hip-hop. That’s probably where all my hip-hop remixes come from.
What can a first-timer expect from a Minnesota show? How do you make your shows unique?
I put a lot of time into my DJ sets, trying to make them all good. I try to go a lot of different places in my set, going really heavy in some parts and more melodic in others. My goal is to keep people moving and dancing the whole time. If they like it, then hopefully people will keep coming out to more shows.
I have to ask—where did your stage name come from? A Google search for “Minnesota DJ” usually just comes up with some hits for Minnesota wedding singers.
Aw, man. [laughs] My name definitely does suck for Google. It’s kind of hard for people to find me, unfortunately. I was born in California but grew up in Minnesota. When I moved back out to Cali in 2008, 2009, everyone started calling me Minnesota. So the name stuck and I started using it in my shows.
What tracks or artists are you currently listening to? Anyone we should watch out for?
I’ve been listening to this guy, Seven Lions. He’s out of Santa Barbara – super melodic, very big-sounding dubstep. He’s probably my favorite producer right now. He just put out an EP on OWSLA, Skrillex’s label.
What projects are you currently working on?
I just finished an EP a few weeks ago called “Altered States,” five tracks. It should be out Nov. 19. It’ll be up for free on my website, minnesotadubstep.com.
Minnesota headlines the Boulder Theater with electro hip-hop group Zion I on Thursday, Oct. 25. Doors open at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $22 pre-sale, $25 day of show.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Sarah Elsea at Sarah.elsea@colorado.edu.
