Renancer : Brain & Novaglitch reconnect for a new chapter

Friends since school. Collaborators since the mid 2010s. Lifelong kindred spirits. Bogota boys Brain and Novaglitch have reconnected in recent years and a remarkable album has just dropped as a result.

Released on Brain’s label ID Bogota Music and their first stand alone collaborative release since their Time EP in 2020, as with so many great creations in this universe it arrived by surprise – they never set out to write a whole album and they certainly never expected to come together in such a special way. Sonically it’s powered by a sleek, future-focused dynamic. Minimal in structure, heavily emotional in nature and prone to a wee 140 subversion, Renancer is the sound of a new chapter for the Colombian duo.

The clue is in the title; Renancer means regrowth or to be reborn and there’s definitely a sense of renewed energy between them. Both artists have experience major life changes since their last collaborations and their sound is all that much richer and captivating as a result. Featuring dual language bars from killer Manny MC Vispera, it highlights their roots, heritage and perspective of international drum & bass music culture from Colombia.

We found out more…

How long have you known each other? How did you make a connection?

Brain: We’ve known each other for around 15 years, dating back to our school days. Although we had mutual friends, our real connection began when we randomly met at a drum & bass event. At that time, the genre was still very small in Bogotá, so finding someone who shared the same passion for this music felt special. From there, we started sharing music, ideas, and experiences, building a friendship that eventually evolved into an artistic collaboration.

How do you complement each other as artists?

Novaglitch: We complement each other very well because we each bring different strengths to the creative process. Brain has a great talent for bass design and mastering; he always manages to give productions power, clarity, and a professional finish. He also has an excellent ear for the technical details that make a mix work properly across different systems.

On my side, I tend to focus more on creating atmospheres, sound movement, and bass design from a more creative and experimental perspective. I enjoy working on textures and elements that add depth and personality to each track.

Brain: What makes our collaboration special is the way we naturally combine the technical and creative aspects of music production. Each of us brings a different perspective, which allows us to build a more complete and balanced sound.

You have quite a few collaborations going back to the track Reason on Citate Forms and the Dream EP on Melting Pot, both in 2017. Can you share some memories of that period?

Brain: One of the most significant aspects of that period was that we actually lived together for a while, which allowed us to constantly share music, ideas, and creative processes. That experience strengthened both our friendship and our artistic vision.

During the production of Reason and later the Dream EP, our creative relationship developed very naturally. We learned to trust each other’s judgement, complement our strengths, and build a workflow that, even after all these years, remains fundamental to our collaborations.

Do you have a personal favourite from those older collaborations? If so tell me why that stands out to you as a special track.

Novaglitch: One of the most significant aspects of that period was that we actually lived together for a while, which allowed us to constantly share music, ideas, and creative processes. That experience strengthened both our friendship and our artistic vision.

Life has clearly taken you in different directions for the last few years as you haven’t collaborated for some time. Tell me about the journeys and challenges you’ve experienced and overcome in recent years.

Novaglitch: Over the past few years, our lives have taken different paths. In my case, becoming a father has been the most significant change. It has meant taking on new responsibilities and learning how to balance family, work, and music. It has certainly been a challenge, but also an experience that has helped me grow both personally and creatively.

This also meant that, for a period of time, I couldn’t maintain the same release schedule I had before. Even so, I never stopped making music and continued releasing tracks on different labels, although in a more selective way that better fit my personal responsibilities.

Brain: Even though we weren’t collaborating as frequently for a while, we never lost touch or our respect for each other’s work. I believe all the experiences we’ve had over the years have given us a new perspective, and that is reflected in the music we create today.

You’ve now reconnected and the title of the album tells us everything we need to know about how much life has changed, and potentially how much your mindset and perspectives have changed. Renacer – reborn / regrowth. This is a whole new chapter so please both tell me how much of a rebirth this is and why you feel that way.

Brain: Renacer represents a new chapter for both of us, both personally and musically. Over the past few years, we’ve gone through experiences that changed our priorities, our outlook on life, and the way we approach music.

Rather than trying to return to the past, this project reflects who we are today. We still carry the essence that has always connected us, but with a more mature vision, new influences, and a different perspective on the creative process. That’s why we feel Renacer is the perfect title: it’s not about starting over, but about evolving and building something new from everything we’ve experienced.

How did these collaborations take place? Was it in real time in the same studio or via stems independently? Tell me how they came about.

Novaglitch: This EP had been in the works for several years, but due to different circumstances in life it was put on hold, and we also lost several project sessions along the way. It was last year that we decided to seriously revisit it and make it a priority.

A large part of the production took place while Brain was living in the UK. We worked by exchanging projects, stems, and ideas; sometimes one of us would send a fairly advanced session and the other would develop it further, while at other times we worked together through video calls.

Finally, when Brain returned to Colombia a few months ago, we focused on finishing the EP, bringing in new ideas, and shaping the final concept. It was also during this stage that the incredibly talented artist Vispera joined the project, contributing to one of the tracks.

In addition, the EP was conceived as a story. From Renacer, which gives the project its name, through to the final track, each title represents a stage of transformation and growth that unfolds throughout the musical journey.

Did you expect these sessions to result in a whole album?

Brain: Honestly, no. At first, our intention was simply to finish some unfinished ideas and put together an EP. However, as the process moved forward, new ideas kept emerging and we realised that we still had a lot more to contribute to the project.

What was originally intended to be an EP naturally grew into an LP. We simply kept writing music, developing the concept, and adding new tracks until we felt we had created something far more complete than we had initially imagined

There’s a very consistent sound and vibe running throughout the album. It feels like it was written in the same series of sessions and holds well as a body of work. Was that a natural outcome of how you worked on this project? Or was it something you worked hard to make sure listeners could feel?

Novaglitch: I think it was a combination of both. On one hand, it happened naturally because much of the album was developed during the same period and with a shared vision between the two of us. Even though some ideas had existed for several years, when we revisited the project we focused on giving them a coherent identity.

On the other hand, we were also conscious of making sure that each track contributed something meaningful to the overall body of work. We wanted the album to feel like a journey, where every track had its own personality while still being part of a bigger story. We’re really happy to hear that this feeling comes across when listening to it.

I love the track Existencia. Vispera is an awesome MC! I love the fact she’s rapping in both English and Spanish. Tell me everything about this track, I know it’s a special one for you both, too, as the first dubstep collaboration you’ve done.

Brain: Existencia is probably my favourite track on the album. Although the entire project is very special to us, each track has its own personality: some are more focused on atmosphere and the journey, while others are designed more for the dancefloor.

With Existencia, we wanted to explore a sound that leaned more towards dubstep while still maintaining our identity.

Novaglitch: Vispera’s contribution was essential in bringing the track to life. Her performance in both English and Spanish brought a very unique energy and became a fundamental part of what the song is.

I think it’s one of the tracks that best represents the creative freedom we had during the making of Renacer, and that’s why it holds such a special place within the album.

With Vispera’s dual language in mind, and the fact that the title and all the track titles are also in Spanish, that must be a nice feeling – to represent more of your own identity and roots into the track through language. Was that the intention?

Brain: Yes, to a large extent it was intentional. Although we work within genres that were born and developed primarily in the UK, it has always been important for us to maintain our Colombian identity within the music we create.

That’s why the album titles are in Spanish, and it’s also why we loved the idea of Existencia combining both Spanish and English. Vispera brought a different perspective and a great performance, while we were able to incorporate our language and our roots in a very natural way.

More than making a statement, we wanted the project to reflect who we really are. Renacer is a very personal album, so expressing it in our own language and through our own identity was something that came about organically.

How has your experience been as artists from an underrepresented country in a largely European sound?

Novaglitch: It has been an interesting experience. When we started, the Drum & Bass scene in Colombia was very small, and the opportunities were far more limited than in countries where the genre has a stronger historical presence.

However, we also believe that this helped us develop our own identity. Being outside the centre of the scene taught us how to build our own path, connect with people from different parts of the world, and prove that music can transcend geographical boundaries.

Today, we’re proud to see Latin American artists gaining more and more recognition within the international scene. If our music has contributed, even in a small way, to showcasing the talent that exists in this part of the world, then we feel all the effort has been worthwhile.

I’d love to reach Bogota one day. In the meantime tell me everything that you love and feel is special about Colombian drum & bass and underground dance music culture.

Novaglitch: One of the most special things about the Colombian scene is the passion of the people who build it. When we started, Drum & Bass was a very small genre in Bogotá, and almost everyone knew each other in one way or another. That created a strong sense of community and collaboration.

Despite being far from the main centres of the global scene, there has always been a strong desire to discover new music and support different ideas. Colombia’s underground culture is defined by its resilience and creativity; many projects come to life thanks to the effort and dedication of people who genuinely love this music.

Brain: We also believe that the country’s cultural diversity brings a unique energy. While we’re influenced by sounds from all over the world, there is still a distinctly Colombian way of experiencing music, parties, and the connection between artists and audiences. That closeness and sense of community are, for us, some of the most valuable aspects of the scene.

On the flip side, please tell me about the challenges you face as artists because of this…

Brain: One of the biggest challenges has been building a career within a niche genre in a country where resources are often more limited. For many artists in Colombia, equipment, software, instruments, and technology that may be relatively accessible elsewhere represent a much greater investment due to currency differences and local income levels.

There is also the challenge of being geographically distant from the main hubs of the international scene, which can make it harder to build connections and access certain opportunities.

At the same time, these challenges have forced us to be creative, persistent, and make the most of the resources available to us. I believe this has helped shape a very passionate and committed underground music community.

YES! How do you both grow next? Please tell me what’s next from both of you together and as solo artists?

Brain: This marks the beginning of a new chapter for us. After reconnecting creatively, we’re focused on building a stronger identity as a duo through more music, live performances, and collaborations that blend our individual strengths. This album is just the first step in a long-term vision, and we’re excited to keep evolving our sound together.

Alongside Renacer, I’m continuing to release solo music, grow my label ID Bogotá Music, and expand BASSCRAFT, my educational platform for producers. My focus is on pushing my sound forward while helping strengthen the drum & bass community in Latin America.

Novaglitch: I’m continuing to develop my solo project with new releases and collaborations that explore the deeper and more experimental side of drum & bass. My goal is to keep refining my sound while reaching new audiences through both music and live performances.

Ultimately, Renacer is a reminder that this partnership still has a lot more to say. There’s plenty more music to come—from both of us individually and together.