Making a fast-paced break into the spotlight of NYC’s sound system culture and musical underground, the texas-raised and New York-based DJ Edica+ has already made an ample name for herself. Stretching from Reggae and Cumbia to contemporary bass music and beyond, her effusive influences and pronounced mixing fundamentals have made her a potent force behind the decks, showcasing ecstatic and expansive DJing in pure form. In tandem with her burgeoning career as a prime selector, she’s also the host of the Dub & Effection radio show and an onboarded member of the legendary Dub-Stuy record label and sound system crew, rounding her out as a multi-disciplined and locally enmeshed artist.

Tomorrow evening, The Rust and our long-time co-conspirator Sermon are slated to host Commodo, Ellis Delta, EasyJack, and Edica+ at The Meadows in Brooklyn, and in anticipation of the rambunctious evening ahead, we felt it necessary to get ahold of Edica+ for a brief primer on her influences, background, her experiences as a show-host, and her time with Dub-Stuy records.

The Rust: Between EDICA+, Dub-Stuy, Dub and Effection, you have your work cut out for you. How do you divvy up your bandwidth of attention between responsibilities?

Edica+: The nice thing about it is that these projects tend to overlap in one way or the other. For instance, Dub & Effection is now supported by Dub-Stuy, as well as other upcoming EDICA+ projects. It’s great that my ideas are encouraged and welcomed by the label because our visions are so similar.

The Rust: While you've made a veritable mark in Brooklyn, NY, you're originally from Texas; what kind of influence does that bring to table, musically? 

Edica+: Being from South Texas, I was exposed to a lot of Latin music growing up, which has overlapping qualities with my natural Caribbean roots. Selena is from my hometown of Corpus Christi as well as a major Cumbia artist, El Dusty, who encouraged me to DJ. So when I first started, I played a lot of Latin parties influenced by Bass, Dub, Reggae, Moombahton, Cumbia, etc.

The Rust: In the context of your sets, where does your preparation start? You've earned a reputation as a selector with a wide berth; how do you narrow it down for each evening?

Edica+: Digging for music and pairing sounds together in my head is just as natural to me as brushing my teeth, so I’m always in prep mode. My musical tastes all share the common thread of Dub traits as the foundation, so my sets are versatile yet still complimentary as I take audiences on a journey through different BPMs and genres.

The Rust: What's home for you, musically? What are the cuts and influences that brought you and your EDICA+ project to where it is now? 

Edica+: I’m 100% Guyanese, so I grew up listening to Caribbean and Hindi sounds from my heritage, along with Smooth Jazz my parents loved. Now looking I see why Bass-heavy music resonates with me, as my dad always bumped it from his sound system. I love repping all my roots, which is why I even incorporate East Indian sounds in my sets. 

I also have a project in the works called “Grown & Dubby” which is my outlet for the same type of Jazz I was exposed to as a kid. So I’d say my parents are largely responsible for my tastes with everything coming full circle now.

The Rust: You're the founder and host for the "Dub and Effection" radio show. What was the genesis for your part in the program? Are you operating according to a specific vision, or have you narrowed your focus over time?

Edica+: I first created Dub & Effection as an outlet to play the songs I love that all exhibited Dub characteristics. This includes anything with echo/reverb, sound effects, instrumental/remixes, and sub-genres of dubstep/grime/hip hop/electronica to name a few. It’s also my way of educating others on the power that Dub has had on today’s music, an effort to champion the sound engineers and innovators like Lee Scratch Perry & King Tubby who really were magicians on the mixing board. It’s amazing how their experimental techniques set the tone for much of the music we love today.

Due to time constraints this year I’ve primarily been focused on the radio show hosted on Dublab. But in the near future, we’ll be launching some new projects under the brand.

The Rust: Dub-Stuy has a venerable reputation as a veteran record label and sound system crew of the Northeastern circuit; how did you get linked upon with them in the first place?

Edica+: I’ve always frequented Dub-Stuy events under the radar for the sole purpose of just being a fly on the wall and enjoying the sessions. It was because of Dub & Effection where the founder discovered me and really liked my musical taste and the passion I have, for not only preserving the culture, but supporting the future of it as well. From there, I joined the musical crew, and eventually began helping with the business side of things as well. 

The Rust: How do you view Dub-Stuy in the context of NYC's musical social culture? 

Edica+:  I have so much respect for Dub-Stuy, as they were one the first crews promoting proper sound system culture stateside. Over the years, they’ve influenced many other crews in the US and have made a significant mark on the NYC DIY club culture. It’s been awesome being on the team and really inspiring to see how the movement continues to grow and carry on to the next generations.  

The Rust: What's on the plate for the rest of the year? Where do you want to take EDICA+ as you continue to navigate your slice of the music industry?

Edica+: This year's focus has primarily been touring. We’ve already hit US & Europe, and next up have Asia then Mexico in the Fall.  

I’m also stoked about expanding the Dub & Effection brand across the country and building meaningful connections with like-minded people through special collaborations we have in the works.

Lastly, I’m looking forward to honing in on my own original music and taking my live performances to the next level. For me, it’s really all about what truly matters in art, which is creating for self-expression, sharing it with the world when possible, and having a blast doing it.

Even with such a plate of creative endeavors and responsibilities in front of her, Edica+ has a clear vision for the future of her project and the wider proliferation of sound system music and it’s ephemeral cousins, placing her right in the spotlight of our interests. If you’re as keen on hearing her in booth as we are, make sure you grab a ticket to our show tomorrow evening, and be sure to stay connected to Edica+’s social profile.

FOLLOW Edica+: Soundcloud / Mixcloud / Facebook / Webpage