#closeup with Kimekai

Kimekai is electronic project by Marko Vuković.
21 year old producer from Croatia.

-Who are you?
I am Marko Vuković, 21-year old music producer from Croatia.

- Why did you choose this pseudonym?
There is no special reason. I chose it because it sounds good to me, and it hadn't been taken by anyone. 

-When I do music I feel in control of my environment.

-Why do you make music and what does it mean for you?

Well, I do music mostly because it's the only thing that can liberate me completely in sense of honesty and desires.

- Talking about your future releases "Coral Dreams". What do you say with this title? What’s the story behind it?

The story behind the title is the story of a dream I had multiple times. I dreamt about diving in a sea and there were millions of all this weird- colored and shaped things that reminded me of a corals, so it gave me some inspiration for my songs.

- How would you define your sound?

I usually don't like questions regarding my sound and stuff, mostly because I don't ever think about the way I sound. I think that there is no unique way of sounding. Every person can expirience it different. I guess it's mix of analog synths, dreamy vocals and organic percussions combined together to serve the moment.

-What genres and artists influenced your music the most?
Genre that defined me the most as a musician is post punk. Later I started to explore all kinds of electronic sub genres and stuff, but I still do the songs the same way I did them while I played post punk. If we speak in terms of artists I would say: Joy Division/New Order, Gang of Four, James Blake, Toro y Moi, Shlomo, Soosh, Cloudfactory, Foals, Atlas Sound, Kraftwerk, Why Stakla, Holandija,... all kind of different artists and bands, but they all influenced me in some way.

-You come from Croatia. What do you think about the music coming from your country and how how do you see yourself in relation to Europe?

Most of music that comes out of my country is pure shit. We have some good artists, but most of it is really really bad. I think I could find my spot in Europe, I'm a nice guy. People like nice guys in europe, don't they? :)

-What's your favourite artist and song?
Currently "Kyson - Missing Things"

-Who do you think are the most relevant musicians nowadays and who are you listening to the most?

James Blake for sure, that guy is genious. Tame Impala is also pretty big. Recently I listened a lot "The Water's Way" by Kyson, yesterday I found out about this guy from Italy called Stèv, he is pretty good! 

-How much does the live element matter in your music?

I think live act is pretty important, I suck at it, but I'm working on it and hopefully improving!

-If you could pick an artist or a band to play with on a stage, who would you choose?

From the present - James Blake. From the past - Joy Division.

-What do you think about the music industry nowadays?

The pop music industry is at its worst ever. But this online music industry, d.i.y./indie industry is awesome. In the same time you have tone of garbage to dig through, but once you dug it up, you'll find a whole world of great music, all kind of genres and styles that people do in their bedrooms, not for the money but out of love.

-What is the message that you'd like to express to the people who listen to your music?

Well, I don't really know. Music is all I want to give to them. If they can find something else in it, great, but I have no real message, just honest music.

-What is your favourite book and movie?

I don't read books, but I watch a lot of movies. My favorite one is "2001: a space oddysey". All time classic by Stanley Kubrick. 

-How and where do you see yourself in ten years from now?

I see myself in some Mad Max scenario, chasing some guys in a V8 Ford Falcon, or something like that, haha. Just joking. Maybe some flat, surrounded with this great musical equipment, doing nothing at all with it, just playing around with my girlfriend, maybe some kids. I don't know, It's a long way to go.  

-Pc or Mac?

Haven't had a mac before, so I guess PC

-Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Beatles

#CLOSEUP with SLOW MAGIC

He defines himself as a "indefinite imaginary friend who likes to play music". But who is Slow Magic? Unfortunately we can not answer to that, we can only say that the man beyond the mask (of unidentified nationality) has a way of doing good and calm totally different from when he's on stage: full of energy and charge. Controversial character of the new indie music scene, with his rarefied and tribal sounds has managed to charm thousands of people all around the world. We  met and interviewed him exclusively for IWM before his gig at Circolo Degli Artisti in Rome, to talk of his last album and more.

-So, how's the European tour going so far?

It's been pretty good, it's about two weeks that i've been travelling so i'm a little tired, but not two tired (laughs, author's note)

-It's your first time here in Italy?

No it's not my first time, i've been here already a couple. It's my second time in Rome and i really enjoy being here.

-Let's talk about “Slow Magic” project, you once said that it's like “an unknown imaginary friend that likes to play music”. What did you mean with that?

Well when i started the project i just wanted it to be something separated by an identity so that it could be something that is just music or art on its own. I really liked the idea of an imaginary friend who was just not really existing anywhere, and that could be anyone making that stuff that we all can share i guess.

-There's all of this mistery wrapped around your figure, nobody knows who you are. If you had to describe yourself, the guy behind the mask, how would you do it?

I don't know, it's kind of hard to describe someone that's imaginary i guess (laughs again, author's note). I don't want the project to be impersonal, i personally i want to make music and art that share what i think is beautiful in the world. I guess that's the personal part of it, like things from my life.

-So do you transmit something of yourself in your music?

Yeah definitely, i think a lot of anyone's personal life, who they are and stuff comes out in their art if they're doing something right. But i think it's more important for me to people to listen what i'm making and try to figure out who i am through that or meet someday and find out what i look like (smiles, author's note).

-Talking about your Mask, we're all trying to figure out.. What sort of animal is it?

Yeah basically it's like an imaginary animal too, so many people try to guess they often say that looks like a wolf, a fox, even a zebra. It all started out when i was designing it with a friend of mine and it wanted that to look like a colourful animal different from any other, and it came out like this.

-So you were involved in the painting?

Not in the actual painting, that was made by a friend of mine, an excellent painter (Jonas McCluggage, you can find him here: http://25mph.deviantart.com) who made the original mask's design.

-Your last album is called “Triangle”. Why did you choose this title?

I decided that looking at the atwork of the album (three kids on a beach) and i wanted the title to be not exactly a word, so i came up with “Triangle”. No meaning really more than that.

-I was wondering if there was a symbolic relation between this title and the names of two tracks: “Circle” and “Moon”.

Yeah it's kind of the same idea, i wanted to push the bounderies of what you're or not allowed to do. I also realized that togheter could appear as a full moon so i put them next to each other in the album.

-Is there something tribal, almost mystical, in your music?

I'm interested in so many music coming from other cultures, some percussion things and i really enjoy studying different kinds of sound like chinese and indian percussion and things that i find out on records.

-The last track of the album is called “Music”, what does music mean to you?

I think it's one of the most important things in my life, it's what allows me to share who i am with other people, so that i can give them something important and if it changes someone, inspires someone or simply can make their night better that's the best thing i can do.

-Do you have any favourite musicians and bands?

Yeah well recently i've been to Iceland, there's so much amazing music coming from there. I also really like the band Kings Of Convenience, they do some very good stuff.

-Beatles or Rolling Stones?

I'd say the Beatles.

photo by Claudia Delicato

HASTA

http://pastahasta.tumblr.com/

-Who are you?

I am Thomas Wesenlund, A 16 year old hipster student out of Porsgrunn, Norway. I write music, play the guitar and I love to take photographs. 

- Why did you choose this pseudonym?

I have always loved role playing games, so when I found out that in one of the games I played back in the day (don't remember which one) the ancient Rome spears were called Hastas. I just fell in love with the name and I knew I had to use this as my pseudonym. 

- You are very young. When did you start to play this music?

Well for me music has always been a part of my life of some sort. I started playing the guitar when I was about 8 years old and started producing electronic music when I was around 13 years old. I only recently started making Chillwave/Trap, or whatever you wanna call it.

- How would you define your sound?

I am not trying to produce one genre only. Like I wanna explore and experiment with my sound a bit more before I go to ''that'' sound, the one you stick with. But if I had to, I'd say ''Future Bass'' with elements from ''Alternative'' and ''Indie''.

-You've got quite an eclectic personality for your age.
your music goes through lots of genres.
In the song “ First Time” you put yourself into an hip hop context. What do you think about this?

I think it's great to blend genres and mix things around. Like I said, I am not trying to produce like one genre only. I make what I feel like making. It could be Indie music one day and Garage/Deep House the other. It's hard to tell what I am going to make next.

https://www.facebook.com/thisishasta

-Talking about your passions like photography. There's a relation with your music?

Yeah, I defiantly love taking photographs. Influenced by minimalism, and the ''Black/White'' theme going on right now is part of the whole atmosphere. I love combining art and music. Makes for a great experience, which I am all about.

-What genres and artists influenced your music the most?

When I was a kid I always listened to Metallica, Iron Maiden. and those kinds of bands. While getting older the whole EDM factor kind of grew on me, and then came my ''Drum & Bass' era. I really just love the tension of drum & bass music! To make this summery short. Pink Floyd is my everything, there wouldn't have been Hasta without Pink Floyd. Im pretty much influenced by them in every possible way. I listen to everything from Classical to Death Metal. The music I make will always change. To be honest, that's how I like it. Imagine making the same shit all day, everyday. pretty boring.

-You come from Norway. What do you think about the music coming from the north of the Europe and how do you see yourself in relation to them?

The music scene here in Norway is not the biggest one, I can tell you that. It's pretty hard to evolve here unless you know people (Luckily we have options like SoundCloud, Youtube etc to share music on). Of-course we do have some amazing producers like Trippy Turtle, Röyksopp, Cashmere Cat, AutoLaser, Slick Shoota etc.  

-What's your favourite artist and song?

Well... This is hard... Pink Floyd - Any Colour You Like :-) This is a tune I could listen to all day! The tune holds so much emotions. I get goosebumps every time.

-Who do you think are the most relevant musicians nowadays and who are you listening to the most?

Need more dubstep producers (not really)...Haha! Well... I think that the Brits are doing a fine job with their music and all! thumbs up to Rudimental, AlunaGeorge & Disclosure to name a few. I have been listening to a lot of Disclosure, as well as Panama and London Grammar! And I always listen to Pink Floyd and Jamiroquai before going to bed. Cashmere Cat and the Pelican Fly crew they are all real great producers! 

-If you could pick an artist or a band to play with on a stage, who would you choose?

That's a though one, I'd have to say something in between Disclosure and The xx. And I would really like to play with Cashmere Cat or Canblaster on stage! they are such brilliant producers!

-What do you think about the music industry nowadays?

I think it's crap. And I think that musicians don't earn the respect they deserve! At the end of the day ''Money'' kills ''Passion''. Sad... : (

-What is the message that you'd like to express to the people who listen to your music?

I have no sentence to describe my gratitude for all the support you guys have been giving me. I almost start to cry every time I think about it. And I could never have done what I do now without your guys help. Thank you so much, every single one of you! Much, much love!

-Pc or Mac?

Mac!! :D

-What about your future plans?

Do the things I do best! enjoy life, produce music, and probably play some gigs here and there! :-) 

-Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Rolling Stones for sure! :-)

#italiansdoitbetter: LOVESPOON

Imagine Neil Young, the Velvet Underground, the Oasis, Iggy Pop & the Stooges, the Beatles and Elliot Smith merge into a single album. Difficult, but Lovespoon have gone very close. Their is a classic sound, but at the same time full of electronic and psychedelic influences almost unexpected: will allow incursions of other genre and style but without wanting to sound alternative at all costs. The Lovespoon were born in Ravenna in 2009, producing their first EP ("Naked For You") and immediately attracting attention from the public and press. The band opens indeed gigs for artists such as Fran Healy (Travis), Telekinesis and Wave Pictures. In 2011 they entered the studio to record their first self-titled album "Lovespoon" which is followed today by "Carious Soul". A fresh album, clean songs built on melodies never dull and always engaging. Catchy guitar riffs and patterns, but above all their great ability to convey a good mood and love for music.

http://www.lovespoonband.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCD_8UaK9uA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TW_9n9Kv1o

EZRA FURMAN

We're proud to announce our  interview with Ezra Furman talking of his brand new solo album "The Day Of The Dog" that  sees Furman progressing from the dark chamber-pop and gorgeous balladry of his solo debut and emerging  as a stylish, technicolor, pulse-quickening rock provocateur conjuring an intriguing selection of iconic vintage styles. This album will blow you minds, it’s all about the rock ‘n’ roll with some punk panache thrown in. 

So let's talk about “Day Of The Dog” , your second solo effort after “The Year Of No Returning”, how much do you feel changed as a man and a musician from that time to now?

I’m a changed man, certainly, but the newer record is pretty much a manifestation of the same concerns as the last one was. I see it as a sequel. But this time it’s higher energy. The biggest difference is that I have a real rock’n’roll band with me again, called The Boy-Friends. And I’ve become more confident, confident enough to deliver a record that is a real punch in the mouth (if you listen properly).

-There are a lot of themes in this album, but I'd like to focus on one in particular: religion. Are you a believer?

That’s a very Christian question. I’m not a Christian, if that’s what you mean. I am a Jew and I’m into God and Jewish practice. I think about a oneness that encompasses the totality of the universe very often, and how to do the right thing in the face of that oneness. And it comes out in the songs.

-What are your favourite bands, musicians and song? And what about books or movies?

 I like the Pixies and Neutral Milk Hotel. I like Howlin’ Wolf and I like Cat Power. My favorite song is “Little Star” by the Elegants. As for books, I recommend Saul Bellow. I hate movies.

-How do you see yourself in ten years from now?

I’ll be whatever you want me to be, baby.

-I think there's a substantial difference between the two albums, i felt a different mood coming out from your music; do you agree?

Yeah, it’s true. The last one was sadder, this one’s wilder. This was the first record that I ever made where I just thought about what kind of music I wished there was more of in the world and then made that music. Something to really rock’n’roll, and with a lot of ideas and elevated feelings crammed in.

-What about your “song-writing process”, it's just you with a pen and a guitar? Did you ever come across the so-called writer's block?

It is very difficult to write songs. It makes me sick to do it. I write a lot of bad songs and nothing feels worse than that. But I don’t show people the bad ones. The good ones trickle through at last. I am alone when I write them, because no one should see me in that debased state.

-What do you think about the music industry nowadays? 

They don’t like me, so I don’t like them. Though I’m not opposed to some kind of reconciliation being reached. I like the fans; they make me happy; it is to them that I owe my life. They are my area of focus.

-How much does the live element matter in your music? Your songs and your way of singing are full of emotion and struggle, do you think that these things emerge even more when you're on the stage?

Sometimes, yes, the emotions are more visible when the songs are performed onstage. Sometimes the emotions get smaller, though, and the pure joy of playing music becomes the focus. A lot of weird things can happen to a song performed in public. They behave differently every time. They’re odd little buggers, my songs, and they don’t much care to listen to what I tell them to do.

-Who do you think are the most relevant musicians nowadays and who are you listening to the most?

Krill, from Boston. Paul Baribeau. Tristen from Nashville. Bill Callahan. FIDLAR. Those are the ones I like (love). As for relevance, I don’t know much about that. Kanye West, I guess.

-How would you describe your own music? And why do you make it, what does music mean to you?

I listen to and make music because it changes my life. It changes the way I see things, if only for a few moments. It can make, for example, a mundane drive into a voyage of discovery, and that elevation of the mundane is what we all need in order to really be what we really are: mundane material organized into an elevated, an extraordinary, a holy being. Music and other art are one way to be made aware of the grandeur of being, the high stakes, the power and the glory that we all hold. To feel alive while we are alive, and to begin to wrap our heads around what that means.

I see my music as separate from music that doesn't enunciate, that doesn't grab me or shake me, music that calmly lets me be and does its own thing. That kind of music can be great but it is not what I do. Sam Cooke said, “You must make your audience feel what you feel. You have to stir up [their] emotions and literally lift them from their chairs.” I believe in going to a person and personally moving them yourself. It is work, and it is social work by nature. I am not inward. I am outward. I am antisocial not in the sense of a hermit, but in the sense of a public nudist or midnight screamer. I want to bother people. I want to be a pest.

And I also want to be beautiful, to make something beautiful.

Ezra once again has re-invented himself , this time as an angry young man ready to throw himself on the pyre in search of the redemption that will follow. 

MICHAEL A GRAMMAR announce new track "The Day I Come Alive"

MICHAEL A GRAMMAR announce new track "The Day I Come Alive": from their forthcoming E.P Random Vision out 27th January 2014 on Melodic

Initially formed as a duo of childhood pals, Frankie Mockett (Guitar, Vocals), and Joel Sayers (Guitar, Vocals), the band has expanded on this EP to incorporate Daniel Ondieki (Bass) and John Davies (Drums) and is set to shake its listeners to their very cores and truly establish Michael A Grammar as a fierce, fully-fledged axe-wielding unit. British guitar music is set for a rebirth and it's clear that wherever Michael A Grammar lay their licks, they never feel more at home.

http://melodic.co.uk/randomvision

https://www.facebook.com/michaelagrammarband

https://twitter.com/magrammar

JE' COULEUR

Face to face with a young mexican producer.

- Who are you?

My name is Amauri, I’m a 21 year old electronic musician from México, I release my music as Je’ Couleur.

- Why did you choose this pseudonym?

It just came to me a couple of years ago, I was a bit hooked to french at the time, I loved the way it sounded and at the same time it was so accurate to what I wanted, since I was looking for something related to color. Despite its nonsensical meaning, I think It goes along just great with my sounds. 

-Why do you make music and what does it mean for you?

I somehow see it as a need, a very strong one. It means a whole world to me, and it’s amazing how many things I’ve been able to discover along the way. And of course seeing people from different cultures empathizing with what you do is always great.

 - What’s the story behind your songs?

Every song has its own story. Almost every song is related to something I’m living or thinking a lot at the time I’m making it. Some are deeper than others, sometimes I use vocal samples from some of my favorite speeches in order to tell the story, lately I’ve been opting to add whole vocals to my songs, which were first just instrumental. Sometimes the song itself just asks for it. It’s amazing the way a song starts developing by itself at some point, it feels so natural in a way, I sometimes feel just like the medium who puts the pieces together.

- Talking about your album "Art of Time Travel".

’Art of Time Travel’ is my second full lenght album, but I kinda see it as the first proper album actually. The first one was just a random collection of my first songs. This new one had a concept from the begining. I’ve always been amazed by space and time travel related stories, books, movies and all kind of footage from both scientific and spiritual sides. The album splits in two different musical parts, which are juxtaposed so it doesn’t get too obvious. The first one is very influenced by the future/electronic jazz sound from the 90’s , the second one is more lo-fi and sample oriented, it spins around the idea of hearing/receiving signals of sound from different ages.

 - How would you define your sound?

Colorful.

-What genres and artists influenced your music the most?

Lots. If I had to pick some that capture in a way the spirit of my music they’d be ambient techno and disco, also a lot of sample based music and many artists from the early years of UR, Global Underground, R&S, or Warp kind of stuff.

http://jecouleur.bandcamp.com/

-You come from Mexico. What do you think about the music coming from your country and how do you see yourself in relation to them?

Our mainstream scene is certainly pathetic. There are plenty interesting independent projects growing over here, but the lack of musical culture won’t let them out of the box,  I’m pretty sure because, despite not being a direct part of any scene or movement, I’m constantly in contact with other musicians and labels, and we all agree.
In a way, I’m glad of not taking any part, independence is so comfy and sincere that makes you wanna stay forever. On the other hand, it’s a shame that most people isn’t able to hear all the good stuff that is going on in Mexico through traditional media like record companies or international festivals. The connection with South-America and Spain is great though, but that's not even half the world. That’s where the huge importance of the internet in the musical industry nowadays relies on.

-What's your favourite artist and song?

I’ve always changed my mind about it a lot since I remember. I think my favorite tune at this moment is "Replica" by Onehotrix Point Never. Maybe my definitive favorite is Quick Canal by Atlas Sound with Laetitia Sadier, but who knows.

-Who do you think are the most relevant musicians nowadays and who are you listening to the most?

The "Relevant", I think,  is always up to critics’ point of view. Personally, I think Bradford Cox is one of the finest these days, he’s really been doing great stuff of all kinds for the last few years. People like Daniel Lopatin, Jagwar Ma, Floating Points, Liz Harris or Jon Hopkins are also doing amazing things, absolutely worth a check.

-How much does the live element matter in your music?

Not much really. I’ve never been a fan of live acts by solo electronic musicians/producers. I like much better the idea of making an audiovisual montage or a DJ set, full of songs that are inspiring me at the moment, influences from the past and some of my own songs.

-If you could pick an artist or a band to play with on a stage, who would you choose?

Probably a female singer with a sweet voice to perform with me, I’d really love that. I may do it in the future.

-What do you think about the music industry nowadays?

It often seems to be slowly dying, but I’m pretty sure that will never happen.
I think It has its pros and cons, but I rather stay away of it for the moment and just hold my tongue, you know, you really never can tell if you’re gonna end up being a part of it.

-What is the message that you'd like to express to the people who listen to your music?

The music itself is the message. People is always able to take it as they decide. Hopefully they will take it in the most positive way. I’d be glad if they did, but if they don’t, it’s always up to them.

-What is your favourite book and movie?

Frin by Luis Maria Pescetti  //  The Legend of 1900.

-How and where do you see yourself in ten years from now?

Still making music, I hope. I don’t know where, and I don’t want to know. It could be anywhere. If the question was not ten but a hundred years from now, the answer would still be the same. Unfortunately, you never know.

-Pc or Mac?

 Both. I just can’t help loving computers.

-Beatles or Rolling Stones?

 Beatles of course.

....:::::ONEWAY::::...

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