Jackson Free Press

Before Bruce Bijesse ("Brucey B") and Robert Gray ("Cpt. HyperDrive") began garnering fans nationwide as the electronic duo BomBassic, they were performing as hip-hop act IRD at open-mic nights at The Cop Shop, a record store on Long Island, N.Y., where Bijesse and Gray grew up. BomBassic's show at Offbeat in Jackson Wednesday, July 8, will be the first time the duo has performed at a record store since those early days.

"It will be really nostalgic, and we're really looking forward to it," Gray says.

Gray and Bijesse first became friends while attending the same schools in Stony Brook, N.Y. In 2008, Bijesse moved to Asheville, N.C. He attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where he received a bachelor's degree in music technology in 2011. During that time, Gray, who was born in Bogota, Colombia, also began producing music and studying audio engineering at Long Island's Recording Engineers Institute. The two sent mixtapes and original music to one another, and Bijesse introduced Gray to electronic music such as hip-hop- groove combo Pretty Lights. Shortly afterward, the two formed BomBassic. Then, in 2012, Gray decided to move south, and the most obvious choice was Asheville.

As a midpoint of the Southeast, Jackson made perfect sense as a stop on BomBassic's summer "mini tour," which also includes Atlanta, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, La., Birmingham, Ala., and Asheville. Unlike many electronic artists, BomBassic creates much of its sound live, with Bijesse on keyboards and Gray mixing beats on a custom rack, which allows for more interaction with audiences.

"We want to set a forward-thinking but fun sound that's not too heavy—a deep experience that has all these emotions coming through it," Bijesse says. "We like to tell a story and make it able to dance to. With a live performance, we add a soul characteristic. It's not a pre-made performance; there is a live element to it. It's an experience that both fans and artists enjoy."

Bijesse also says that his and Gray's friendship plays a huge part in their music career.

"In the past (nearly) six years now, we have spent almost all of our time together, not only making music but also hanging out, going on trips," he says.

"A lot of artists that collaborate do not have this type of connection at all. Our music stands out because we're best friends, and we both work (at) our friendship and our musical relationship."

Bijesse says that the crowd that comes out to see BomBassic at Offbeat can expect an "authentic experience," combining their passions for musicianship and genres such as classical, funk, house, hip-hop and jazz.

"We love to perform music. We love to show the music we work really hard on," he says. "We're as present as we can be. We're an honest, high-energy, soulful experience."

BomBassic performs 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at Offbeat (151 Wesley Ave., 601-376-9404). Admission is $5, and only ages 18 and up can attend. For more information, visit bombassic.com or find the event on Facebook.