Bruxas

Bruxas is a collaborative project between Dutch multi-instrumentalist Jacco Gardner and percussionist/producer Nic Mauskovic. The duo represents a specific niche within the Amsterdam electronic scene that prioritizes analog hardware and global rhythmic influences, particularly those from Brazil and West Africa.

Gardner, previously known for his baroque-pop and neo-psychedelia work, brings a sophisticated harmonic sensibility and a love for vintage synth textures (specifically the Farfisa and various monophonic oscillators). Mauskovic provides the rhythmic backbone, drawing from his experience in The Mauskovic Dance Band to infuse the tracks with cumbia, afrobeat, and disco elements. Their sound is characterized by a 'liquid' texture, heavy use of tape delay, and a rejection of digital cleanliness. Critically, they are lauded for their ability to evoke a very specific '70s cinematic atmosphere without falling into mere pastiche. They occupy a cultural space between the world-music digging community and the psychedelic indie scene, appealing to fans of Khruangbin and the Dekmantel-adjacent electronic underground.