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Interviews
Reflections / Contortions : An Interview with Max Cooper
A brief interview with one of the greatest new talents to emerge on the electronic music scene in the last few years, Max Cooper along with a 1 hour live set (featuring tracks from his upcoming Metaphysical EP).
-Can you tell us about your background and your venture into electronic music?
I have been really into electronic music ever since I first heard it as a child, and then actively involved since I started Djing in about 1998. My production venture was more recent, initially starting because I wanted to get more DJ gigs, and now being the focus of what I’m in to.
-How long have you been making music ?
5/6 years I think.
-How would you describe your own sound? How has your sound evolved since you started producing?
I suppose it’s emotive electronic music a lot of the time, but not always. Detailed. I don’t like to put genre names on it, because people around the world have drastically different understandings of what any given genre name means.
-What is your production setup?
Ableton Live, NI Komplete, Piano and Strings sampled instruments, sony Viao laptop, midi keyboard, m-audio soundcard, Genelec 8040 moniters, Akai APC40 and iPad midi control – pretty basic stuff really, the only thing I’ve bothered investing in properly is my monitors. I’d love to have some nice hardware synths but they’re expensive and I’m still developing other areas first, like acoustics and software.
-What are the differences (both production & output) between your own tracks and your remixes ?
The main difference in production would be the initial musical experimentation stage, which is much more drawn out for my originals, with remixes already having this partially defined most of the time. As for the output, I suppose my remixes often have more sampled elements, drumloops, real life samples, whereas my originals are largely synthetic and probably more electronic sounding on the whole. One other thing would be I often go more electronica on my originals, while remix jobs are usually after something more dancefloor.
-Are there any plans for performances in the U.S.?
I played in El Paso recently, and I think I’m in Canada soon, but I’m not sure about my next US date, hopefully soon.
-How do you think the electronic music scene will evolve in the next 10 years?
It’s been fragmenting in to smaller and smaller units recently, with all sorts of new scenes picking up support around the world. I suppose that fragmentation process will continue, as will the explosion of new music out there as more and more people start producing. So more music, more styles, and more variation perhaps.
-What’s on Max Coopers’s I-pod?
Max Richter, Stars of the Lid, Jon Hopkins, Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm, EOD, Vaethx, Autechre, Tim Hecker, Apparat, Gareth Clarke, Deaf Center.
-What genre of music would you have produced if you lived 40 years ago?
So the 70s, synthpop!
-What does the future hold for Max Cooper?
I’m just finally getting round to focusing on my album now, where I’m going to drop a lot the constraints that go with producing records for dancefloor use. I’ll maintain the same feeling and approach, but I’m looking forward really letting go and seeing what happens.
Max Cooper Live – Reflections/Contortions 1-Hour Live Set (Right Click to Download)
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Dominik Eulberg – Sansula (Max Cooper’s Lost In Sound Remix) (Right Click to Download)
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Good Natured – Animal (Max Cooper Remix ) (Right Click to Download)
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Au Revoir Simone – Take Me As I Am ( Max Cooper Remix ) (Right Click to Download)
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A Raver’s Diary : An Interview with Dusty Kid
It has been a bit more than year since Résistance has started sharing the love. To celebrate our first birthday, here is a brief interview with a master of melody, beat and depth, Dusty Kid.
Can you tell us about your musical background and your venture into electronic music?
Classical, psychedelic, progressive rock and American folk… These are the genres I listened to when i was growing up. My family was and still is addicted to music.
How would you describe your own sound? Do you see your music as being progressive? How has your sound evolved since your solo debut as Dusty Kid in 2005?
Many people always tell me that my music is instantly recognizable. I don’t know if I should consider it as a compliment or not, what i hope is that my productions sound different compared to the big amount of shit placed in the market right now!
What is your production setup? As an analog fan, how do you feel about music software’s increasing dominance in electronic music production?
I think both software and hardware have their own merit. While an analog synth is capable to give you certain atmospheres and vibes, music production software will let you make music basically everywhere you bring your laptop. However it is also worth noting the fact that electronic music right now doesn’t sound as good as 10 years and more ago. Most of the recent releases are too clean and bodiless, which is not good at all. I like that big and fat sound of the 80’s and 90’s, and not everybody is able to reach it nowadays.
Not many people have the balls to produce a 17-minute song such as “America”. What were your influences in creating such a deep and emotional piece?
All my memories of the road trips I had with my family when I was young, Thelma and Louise movie, Ennio Morricone’s soundtracks, and certainly all those incredible shivers i feel every time i think about a sunset or about Monument Valley.
You have had your U.S. debut at Electric Zoo in NY. Are there any plans for more performances in the U.S.?
Sure, in 2011 my new album will come out and I’ll be there to perform it live!
What’s on Paolo Lodde’s Ipod?
I have a 160gb Ipod, so almost all my records have been ripped and stored there. You can find almost every genre on my Ipod, from Miles Davis to Lady Gaga, from Coldplay to Led Zeppelin, from Tangerine Dream to Bach.
These days I enjoy these songs while under the shower
White Lies – To Lose My Life
This Mortal Coil – Song To The Siren
Andy Williams – Moon River
Matthew Dear – Gem
Owl City – Fireflies
What does the future hold for Dusty Kid? Are there plans for another LP in the near future?
Hopefully the new album will be released this summer or around September; It’s growing up very well. It has some dreamy tracks and some acid techno bleeps, mostly with an old school touch.