Yin And Yang

Chicago's Flosstradamus - Josh "Y2K" Young and Curt "Autobot" Cameruci - have done much to recharge trap music for the EDM generation. In the process they've reignited their careers. Now, amazingly, the Underground Anthem DJs are returning to Australia for a club, not festival, tour. "It's obviously a more intimate experience for the fans, but it's also more fun for us," says Young. "We like playing little rooms and turning these little clubs into basement house parties." He envisages "really loud music and lots of strobes." 

Flosstradamus emerged from Chicago's party scene in 2005. Young's (older!) sister Melisa, better known as Kid Sister of Pro Nails fame, MCed (he coined her handle). Ironically, as post-mash-up DJs, Flosstradamus introduced Chicago's juke to global audiences. Their first single, 2008's Big Bills, featured Chairlift's ethereal Caroline Polachek, of all people – and surfaced on Mountain Dew's label. (Young's dream collaborator? DJ King Louie.) They'd drop their debut EP, Jubilation, in 2011 on A-Trak's Fool's Gold.

The duo are largely responsible for the reinvention of the Southern hip hop style trap, today rivalling dubstep for popularity in the US. They actually trapified Lana Del Rey's Video Games with their Lana's Theme bootleg. Flosstradamus have defended what some dismiss as "a fad". "We've worked with a lot of the [original] trap guys in Atlanta and so far everyone we've come in contact with has been really supportive and excited about what we're doing. I'm not surprised at how big it's gotten, but I am surprised at how fast it got there." Rising US superstar DJ Porter Robinson has expressed frustration that DJ/producers are jumping on the bandwagon. Young isn't fussin'. "We don't care. The Internet puts everything everywhere and anyone can, and will, attempt whatever sound is hot. This has been going on for decades, probably centuries, dating back to classical musicians. But the fact remains: good music will prevail."

Flosstradamus are remixing hot names. They amped up Usher's Climax with Diplo, Usher one of urban's biggest EDM converts. "We haven't met him, but Dip said he was feeling the remix." Flosstradamus recently co-produced Flexin & Finessin (featuring Three 6 Mafia's Juicy J) on the TrapGold mixtape from expat Aussie rapstress Iggy Azalea, who's signed to TI's Grand Hustle (the G himself as long been a trap soulja, airing 2003's Trap Muzik). "She's dope. We got on that project through our dudes FKi and sent in some joints for her album. We're definitely looking forward to doing more work with her." Flosstradamus produced Kid Sister's early tracks and she guested on their Luuk Out Gurl. She's now reportedly cutting the follow-up to 2009's "club rap" LP Ultraviolet, which saw her team with members of the Swedish House Mafia. Flosstradamus weren't onboard last time – what about this? "My sister always sends me tracks for feedback, so I'll be involved from that standpoint, but we're not contributing any production to her new record. It's a completely different sound – very different from what we do – but it's going to be amazing!"

Flosstradamus have themselves had a succession of EPs on Fool's Gold, Mad Decent and the Web, but no album has ever materialised. Young considers one unlikely for this year. "We probably won't release an album, but we have a bunch of new tracks and collaboration EPs in the works for 2013." Last year a free Flosstradamus EP brought down Twitter. They copped "a couple of angry emails, but nothing too serious," Young maintains. "We were just stoked at the response and honestly couldn't believe how fast it got shut down. At the peak it was getting over 100 downloads a second."

The duo have been active for eight years and, Young admits, the balance between them has changed. "As far as production is concerned, we've definitely switched roles since the beginning. Curt did most of the originals and remixes from 2006 'til 2010, and I've done most of everything from 2011 'til now. But our working dynamic is the same – yin and yang. If I'm making the tracks, he's mixing them down and making artwork. I wanted to control our own light show from on stage – he figured out how to do it using the mixer." As for dance music in 2013? "Ha, I only know what we're going to do – and that's keep making newer, weirder songs, and keep trying to push the boundaries of this shit."

Flosstradamus will be playing the following dates:

Friday 15 February - Vault 8, Can't Say, Melbourne VIC
Saturday 16 February - Shape Bar, Perth WA
Sunday 17 February - Sunday Safari, Byron Bay NSW
Thursday 21 February - Electric Circus, Adelaide SA
Friday 22 February - Oh Hello! Brisbane QLD
Saturday 23 February - Chinese Laundry, Sydney NSW