Digital Buddha began as an experimental electronic rock duo fronted by Richard Reifenstein and David Rullo 1n 1999. Originally, the project combined Rullo’s cut up poetry with Reifenstein’s music. By early 2000 the pair had morphed into a full fledged electronic rock act with both writing and performing.
Buddha uploaded their songs on several websites when MP3’s were first coming of age and had several hits on websites that included MP3.com, Soundclick.com and AcidPlanet.com. Their first break came when NOW TV, an internet/satellite provider with over 20 million viewers across the gold selected on of their songs, “Time” to feature on their channel MP3TV.
E-Magine Records, home to David Bowie’s guitarist, Reeves Gabrels, Danzig and Operatica among others liked what they heard so much they signed the band to their Talent Pool, a development deal for internet based artists. This feat is even more amazing when you consider the fact that only 4 electronic bands were chosen nationwide as part of the Talent Pool.
Digital Buddha played throughout Pittsburgh and Cleveland earning a regional fan base. The duo graced the stage of some of Pittsburgh’s biggest clubs including Nick’s Fat City and The Club Café. Two albums were released on MP3 before the band signed a deal with the English record label Synthetic Records, where they released two more albums.
In 2001 the band signed a disastrous management deal with a local agency that misdirected the bands energy, gigs dried up, contacts and leads were ignored by the management company and by late 2001 the duo decided to cease creating music under the banner Digital Buddha. Adding members, creating a more aggressive sound and switching focus Digital Buddha morphed into the industrial outfit Evolving Mekanix.
King Crimson founder and guitarist Robert Fripp has a saying, “King Crimson exists when there’s King Crimson music to be played” so, it seems, does Digital Buddha. The duo have refocused their energy on the electronic space rock they played in the beginning and are releasing their music through Nameless Generation Records. The duo are currently working on new material and plan to begin playin out and release a CD later this year.
For interviews, questions or bookings e-mail the band at digitalbuddha2004@hotmail.com. Music can be purchased through Nameless Generation Records.