Blackburner talks about their upcoming shows, their latest album and successes, and insight in the ever-growing genre of Dubstep.

While I was unable to attend Blackburner’s live performance at Portland, Oregon’s Alhambra Theatre, the evening unfolded and fate would have its way and I was able to later meet up with the renegade dubstep duo and talk about upcoming shows, their latest album and the ever-evolving EDM genre. Being a neophyte in this particular musical realm, What better way to learn from other than the pioneers themselves.

Since Blackburner’s debut album, Feel the Burn, the group has experienced huge online and chart topping successes with rankings in the #1 spot on ReverbNation’s best dubstep act in Los Angeles and holding their position on the iTunes Top 200 Album Dance Chart for the last two years with thousands of downloads. With this success and incredible genre transforming style, The single Freak You has been heard on a national Verizon FIOS Quantum ad campaign and on America’s Got Talent.

Blackburner-Portland_Or-Interview-20140709-WilliamRiddle-002Featured on MTV’s hit show The Challenge and The Challenge: Rivals II, the Duo’s latest album From Dusk to Dub with an incredible array of guests including Lil Wayne and Royce 5’9”, Kurupt, Jadakiss, Pusha T and more, Blackburner is definitely a name that will be staying at the top of the charts!

First things first, the music. With a background in hardcore and metal, Blackburner’s founding member, Skyla Talon, brings a dark side to the genre, combining seriously aggressive bass and beats typical of dubstep and glitch with melodic hooks of metal, electronic, and industrial creating a daringly unique sound which Blackburner is noted for.

Veiled in secrecy, the duo of Skyla Talon and DRATs was only interviewed with their trademark masks and glowing eyes, and while perusing a Portland Mercury news paper, we started our interview.

NRR: Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to meet with me for an interview.
Skyla Talon: Sure, were glad to be able to.
NRR: The highly anticipated 5th album, From Dusk to DUB, is out and you guys are hitting the road. Where is Blackburner off to next?
Skyla Talon: We will be playing Seattle at El Corazon.
NRR: Is this your first time In Portland?
Skyla Talon: We performed at the Roseland Theatre’s Peter’s Room with the Mystic Monsters last year. This is the first time we performed at the Alhambra.
NRR: How long have you been in the ever-evolving genre of Electronic Dance Music?
Skyla Talon: Blackburner started originally in 2010. We were producing our own style of music, EDM with an edge. With the momentum we were gaining, we took it to the next level and it was time to start Blackburner.
NRR: This is one question I have to ask each musician I interview; what are some bands the duo is currently listening to these days?
DRATs/Skyla Talon: I just picked up Die Antwoord’s latest Donker Mag and been digging it. The Backyard Babies is another band. While on the road we listen to a lot of music and these two are currently in rotation.
NRR: Being a Metal fan, the addition of a guitar in my opinion is brilliant! Which one of the duo plays guitar?
DRATs/Skyla Talon: (At the same time) We do!! Hahaha!
DRATs: Both of us take our turns on the deck and on the guitar.
NRR: With your ever gaining popularity, in 2012 you toured with industrial music legends Ministry. What do you for see in the future of the industrial genre and for Blackburner?
Skyla Talon: The genre is definitely evolving. We are in our own space, not necessarily in one category but combining EDM categories with a rock, metal and an industrial edge creating our individual sound. With more hip hop artists getting on board, we had a lot of support from Lil Wayne and Royce da 5’9” with Hotel Bitches on the album From Dusk to DUB. Styles P, Kurupt, Jadakiss and Pusha T are a few artists we are currently working with, and the support from their fan base has been well received.
NRR: Thank you for your time and I hope to cover a live show in the very near future.
DRATs/Skyla Talon: Thank you.

On the road with their latest album From Dusk to DUB, Blackburner will be traveling the states, including Seattle, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago and more. I hope they come to Detroit. It’s also in my opinion Blackburner would be a welcomed edition to an always amazing music and costume attraction at a well known Halloween event in the ‘D’.

Tour Dates
07/28 – The Marlin Room, New York, NY.
07/31 – The Cave, Bakersfield, CA.
08/03 – Smith’s Old Bar, Atlanta, GA.

Blackburner’s latest Album release From Dusk to Dub Track Listing:
1. Hotel Bitches feat. Lil Wayne & Royce da 5’9”
2. Butterfly Ghost
3. Good Day In Hell
4. All Night Rave feat. Yellowman
5. Storm Booster
6. The Devil’s Balls
7. Let’s Party feat. J. Worthy
8. Dream About feat. Styles P & BMC
9. Hi-Fi Bass
10. I Like Fire
11. Mega Ton
12. Young Gotti feat. Kurupt
13. Xtremist feat. Jadakiss
14. Yellow Brick Road feat. Pusha T
15. Take That Trip
16. Dubstep Drops & Laughs

Blackburner albums are available for immediate download from Amazon:


From Dusk To Dub CD


Drop Bass Not Bombs


Feel the Burn

Blackburner
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About The Author

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Born and raised in South Detroit, Michigan, William Riddle has been documenting national and local musicians across the United States through the lens. With a passion for the arts, he has produced contributions in support of musicians, artists and local art galleries across the country. William is currently residing in the Pacific North West bringing his audience the best captured moments in music.