Christmas is coming closer which means we’re getting closer to the most exciting lists, like best videos and best tracks, but there’s another important list that shan’t be forgotten. Listening to music is one thing, but understanding an artist’s idea behind it is something completely different. Understanding why an album has a certain title, what that one line in the rap means, that is what makes music interesting and fun too. One of the easiest and simplest ways to find out the answers to most of the questions is by reading interviews. To help you understand some of the artists you listen to, I have compiled a list of the best and most fun interviews of 2012.
Some of the things I found out through interviews and are findable in the list below are for example why Gaslamp Killer’s album is called ‘Breakthrough’, how Solange got inspired for the stunning video for Losing You, what The xx thinks about people singing along at concerts or where How To Dress Well gets his inspiration from. This might all sound serious, but luckily there are some fun interviews too. Like the ones by Nardwuar, who is known for his crazy interviews, or the one with Thundercat and Action Bronson.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LIST
After interviews with Ta-Ku and Dream Koala, ‘200 Words with’ returns with an interview with Änimal, a young and very skilled producer duo that’s starting to make big waves in its and my hometown Amsterdam, but also seems to be highly successful abroad. Their music is a mix of lingering and very percussive beats, deep basslines and beautiful melodies and harmonies and should make any Mount Kimbie or Cloud Boat lover’s heart beat faster. So far the very successful duo has released one EP, one track for 22tracks’ 22beats compilation and a remix of Bon Iver’s Hinnom TX. Though their discography doesn’t count many tracks, it is filled with nothing but quality and I can’t wait to see what else they have got in store. To find out, I decided to interview them and luckily they were happy to answer my questions, using, surprisingly, 200 words.
So, Änimal consists of two young boys that both like music. How did you meet-up and how does your creative process go about, both in the studio and on stage?
“Together we have played in multiple bands since our teens, which made us meet. When our last band didn’t really come of ground and when the other band member left the band, we decided to ‘replace’ him with the sounds of our computer, thinking that we might end up asking a drummer later on. We never asked a drummer in the end and we make all the drums and bleeps ourselves nowadays. Fokke is the bass-player and Martin plays the keys and most tracks arise out of small melodies or chord progressions on piano which we then record into our computer. The fact that the starting points for most of our songs are melodies or chord progressions also shows clearly in the end product: melody and harmony are the key elements. Our musicianship also shows on stage: we’re always busy, never having a dull moment.
Right now we’re working on our improved live set, which will include graphics by a great team of illustrators, stylists and directors and thus the new live set will be a combination of our music and visuals that fit with it. Besides working on our live set we’re also working on a new EP, which will hopefully be out in early 2013.”
So, the point is clear: be sure to keep an eye on these two young lads, because with an EP coming out and what looks to be an incredible live set I’m pretty sure their success will only be growingl in 2013. Don’t forget to check out the duo out on Facebook and Twitter as well and grab their EP on their label Vresh’s BandCamp.
For the second installment of 200 Words with I decided to interview Dream Koala, a young and very talented producer from Paris, France. The fact alone that he is a young producer of electronic music doesn’t make him special, as there are dozens. What makes Dream Koala special though is the fact that he makes something different than most young blokes. While everyone is working on their new trap and dance beats, he is making some beautiful lush, almost ambient, and hypnotizing tracks. Because of the fact he truly is one of a kind I decided to interview him, and Dream Koala answered in 200 words.
You were making great music before, but somehow We Can’t Be Friends really got your name out there. How did that happen, what did it bring you so far and what are your future plans?
“It was after I dropped the xxyyxx remix. I got scared that people would like the remix, but would not enjoy my own sound. That was the main reason why I recorded We Can’t Be Friends and released it on the same day as the remix. In the end, my fear turned into cheer: people even played and shared my own track more often than the remix. I presume that people shared it so enthusiastically because everyone knows the feeling behind We Can’t Be Friends: it is about the way you feel when you love someone, but not in the same way as that person loves you, which makes it impossible to be friends.
Since that track has been released, a lot of things started to change. I did my very first show one month ago and I am now playing on a regular basis. Playing music, doing shows and meeting people has been my dream from the start and I will keep doing everything in my power for it to come true. Right now I’m working on a new EP with unreleased tracks. I’m not sure when it will be finished, but I can’t wait to share it with all the people that like my music.”
That’s it. 200 words with Dream Koala, one of the kindest, most honest, thankful and most of all talented producers in the field right now. Be sure to check him out on SoundCloud, Facebook and Twitter as well, and if you, like me, can’t get enough of We Can’t Be Friends, grab the download here.
This is the very first 200 Words interview, how exciting. For this special occasion I interviewed Ta-Ku, one of the most refreshing characters in the contemporary beatmaker scene. Ta-Ku seems to be producing continuously, as he’s releasing new EPs and tracks almost daily. A few weeks back he released his RE ϟ TWERK EP and yesterday he presented an EP, titled ‘Cutting with Textures’, which is an ode to Chet Faker, whose EP he cut up completely for his own EP. The hard-working Perth based producer was kind enough to answer my questions in, surprisingly, precisely 200 Words.
One day you started making music and now you’re releasing EP after EP, can you tell me about how things happened and how you have grown during your career?
“To be completely honest, I started making music when my parents split up in my teen years. Music for me has always been somewhat of an escape. It really relaxes me and helps me appreciate the good things in life. Over the years I’ve really used a lot of different energy into my music in my spare time. Whether positive or negative energy. As the years passed I’ve been compelled to try different methods. To experiment in different ways. To network and collaborate with all types of people and artists. It’s been great. I’ve noticed myself evolve and have always been excited to share almost all my music online.
I’ve been blessed to have many wonderful opportunities come my way via music and really overwhelmed by those who listen and support my music too. Although my background is more of a Dilla-esque vibe, many would be surprised to know that I’m such a huge fan off all types of music including electronic, bass, 2step, dance, pop, soul and R&B. Right now for example, I’m really enjoying experimenting with bass music. There are many exciting projects coming up which, if you follow my Facebook, I will keep you updated about.”
There you have it, 200 words by and with Perth-based genius Ta-Ku, who you should really be checking out if you haven’t already. Be sure to follow the man on Facebook, Twitter and SoundCloud to be the first to hear his new projects.
