B Traits of Style

When B Traits isn’t taking the world by storm, she’s at home in Vancouver, B.C. working, recording and now producing. Known mostly for Drum and Bass in the beginning of her career, the first official holder of the first Digital Sound Girl title for the UK based Digital Soundboy Recording group has expanded her musical portfolio to include break beats, electro, fidget house, dub step, funk and hip-hop. With several accomplishments under her belt including guest appearances on BBC Radio 1 and the Ministry of Sound, B Traits is well on her journey of what promises to be a whirlwind of a career.

CF: What are you doing most of the time?

B Traits: I travel all the time. My job is truly amazing.

CF: Favorite place that you’ve been to so far?

BT: Russia, a couple years ago. I got to play one of the most incredible gigs I’ve ever played. St Petersburg was incredible, everything was really different. Last year I went to Thailand. It was total culture shock but totally incredible. I also went to the Philippines; it was really good, really beautiful there.

CF: Where do you get your style?

BT: I used to dance and I love hip-hop music. I guess I was definitely influenced by b-boying.

BT: Most DJ’s claim they aren’t into style or anything related to fashion but you rock Hellz Bellz and you seem to be a Kid Robot fan?

I like to be comfortably stylish. Hellz Bellz is a label I really like. I just did the mix, Belle of the Brawl for them. Such an awesome collaboration.

Yes, I have a thing for designer toys; I guess you could say that it’s fashion. I have a big collection, there are artists that are actually making bigger toys for designer toys such as Treeson, Vinyl Tree or the people behind Teddy Troops are doing really big things at the moment. Usually I pick them up from Voltage, which is Vancouver’s best store for designer toys, galleries, art shows and custom toyshops.

CF: What are you listening to right now?

BT: Jack Beats just did a mix for the clothing line Mishka from New York. Their mixes are always tight. Rusko did one not too long ago and Klever as well. Right now my favorite song on my iPod is the Sidney Samson, Riverside Breakage remix. Toddla T’s Boom DJ From The Steel City, Track 68 by 12 Planet. I could go on for a while! (Laughs.)

CF: What is your style piece de resistance?

BT: I have a huge love affair with kicks. I wish I didn’t! Kicks are one of those things, everywhere I go I always have to ask ‘Can you take me to the best shoe store?’ I’m really into Nikes, Jordan’s and Air Max’s. I used to collect a lot of dunks. I got the Vans Watermelon Low Lace and Air Jordan’s, raspberry pink with black lace, they are totally girly but one of a kind. They are so fly! I also got the fluorescent pink Air Max Air B W Slickest. I have a pair of Reebok Freestyles, they are the Married To The Mob Collette Edition, I should keep them in a box but they are too cool!

For more on B Traits: http://www.myspace.com/djbtraits

Download The Hellz Bellz Bell of the Brawl Mixtape

Catch B Traits in Calgary, AB with Virtual Boy, December 19, 2009 at The Garage (Eau Claire Market)

Kimberley Jev