languages languagesicone
site loader
site loader
April 5, 2022 Q&A with dynamic experimental musician Frank Cogliano

Q&A with dynamic experimental musician Frank Cogliano

Image credit: Frank Cogliano

Brooklyn based musician Frank Cogliano recently shared his delightfully eclectic and experimental album Computers of the World. Comprised of 17 vibrant tracks, each song has its own unique flair to them. Incorporating downtempo notes, electronica, and ambient sound effects of busy streets and spaces, one can easily lose themselves in this vibrant sound fusion. Previously forming part of R&B band  Sugarbad as their guitarist, the producer wanted to explore his abstract music production further, and the result is breathtaking.  We asked music producer Frank Cogliano a few questions about his artistry below.

‘Brainscape’ features on XPERIMENT_GROUND.fm

What are some of your earliest memories of music?

My parents always had music playing when I was growing up; the Beatles, Stones, Beach Boys, Nirvana.

Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?

Usually, I hear ideas and sing them into my iPhone. But also, particularly for Computers of the World, each track started with a sample and I built the track around that

Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?

Studio work, because I have complete control over the end product.

What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?

Whenever anybody responds positively to any of my music it is a good thing. It happens sometimes.

If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?

I post short videos with music I like every day on my Twitter, so probably along those lines.

Name five artists and their albums who would appear on your radio show

Uku Kuut – Vision of Estonia

Googoosh – Mano Tou

Antonio Carlos Jobim – Valse

Popol Vuh – Aguirre I

Teisutis Makacinas – I diena einam

What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?

I would like to make good music. Success is making good music.

One last thought to leave your fans with?

Take a deep breath.

Follow Frank Cogliano:

IMDB / Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok / YouTube / Soundcloud / Bandcamp / Merch / Spotify / Apple Music

February 16, 2022 Interview with classical composer Sven Helbig

Interview with classical composer Sven Helbig

Image credit: Sven Helbig

Sharing his new album Skills, German composer Sven Helbig gave us a taste of what to expect with the release of the album track ‘Metamorphosis’ ahead of the official release. Drenched in passionate violin arrangements, this classical track carries a tense but intriguing atmosphere nonetheless. The musician shares that this album was inspired by people around him, exercising their abilities to create new and wonderful things. Also featured on the album, is the noteworthy track ‘Flow’, which takes a more adventurous route with its blend of electronica, string instruments, and ambient embellishments. Today we present an exclusive Q&A with the composer below.

Describe your sound for us. What do you want people to feel when they hear your music?

My sound consists of classical instruments in synthesis with subtle electronics. For the new album, I used French horns and tuba beside a string quartet. I can’t say what people should feel. I am transmitting energy and I hope it finds some receivers.

Which 3 artists have influenced you the most growing up?

John Tavener for his deep spiritual composing, the drummer Questlove for the incredible joy he pours into my body with a simple 2 and 4 in their right places, and Stevie Wonder for everything.

How did you discover your particular sound?

I always loved the musical waves that an orchestra or classical instruments, in general, can produce. This is very different from any other sound source, and I wanted to work with this type of musical energy.

Tell us about one of the first struggles you faced (as a group or a solo artist) and how you overcame it?

It took me a long time to see sense in making my own music, after growing up with the masters and their complex perfection. Do we need more music? That doesn’t matter! Am I good enough? That doesn’t matter either. It sounds simple but finding those two answers was incredibly hard for me.

What are the most important pieces of equipment to you?

For creation: My brain, my intuition, a pencil, and paper. 

On stage: I couldn’t live with a laptop.

Music for the individual or the masses – which do you want to create?

I can’t answer this. It is a typical western-world-21st-century-question. There is a difference between whether by “for the masses” you mean the audience of Johann Sebastian Bach, or that of McDonald’s. Bach’s music was created for the masses and still is accessible for everybody. I wouldn’t make music that is only limited to a few individuals.

Do you have a favourite memory of your career so far?

Yes. The most touching moments have been the after-shows with my choir project. When a choir of St. Petersburg or Minsk or Cuba is singing folk songs for you, in a pub after the concert, that is incredibly moving.

If you could work with, or perform alongside any artist living or passed, who would it be?

I would very much like to collaborate with Ryuji Sakamoto. His work was with me for so long and it would be a dream to write something with him.

What kind of message are you trying to send with your music?

My music is made to make it easier to stand up again. I want to share energy for this. Every one of my projects is written in search of leaving a foggy time and finding a new way out.

What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?

I am looking forward to performing my new album Skills live. Especially being invited by the London Contemporary Orchestra to perform with them at Southbank Centre makes me very excited.

Skills track ‘Flow’ features on the Spotify playlist XPERIMENT_GROUND.fm

Follow Sven Helbig:

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Soundcloud

August 26, 2021 Alternative R&B act Laya Laya share picturesque music video ‘Asteroid’

Alternative R&B act Laya Laya share picturesque music video ‘Asteroid’

Laya Laya is a collaboration between two 2nd-gen British Indians – songwriter Freya Zai and producer Super Joshi. Having worked together for a few years now conjuring up their own unique blend of pop, r&b and otherworldliness the London duo have released 4 singles with recognition from the likes of Clash and BBC Radio. Now returning with the astronomical track ‘Asteroid’ , the new single showcases Laya Laya’s ability to transport their listeners with their ethereal and captivating sounds. 

Freya Zai on how the track was created:

“I liked the sound of the word ‘Asteroid’ and the idea of an asteroid hurtling around space. To me, it was similar to yearning for someone who is hard to pin down and always on the move, physically and emotionally. Although this scenario would be heart-wrenching in reality I kept the lyrics and vocals light, a little tongue in cheek, with a youthfulness about it.”   

Accompanied by an interstellar music video to match the celestial vibe of the track, ‘Asteroid’ was written title-first, inspired by Laya Laya’s space influenced sounds of their previous tracks ‘Gravity’ and ‘I Can Feel You’. The duos previous tracks have not just caught the attention of press and radio but have also earned them tens of thousands of streams on Spotify.

Not following trends by any means, the most important thing to Laya Laya is to just have fun with making music and staying true to themselves. With varied influences from artists such as Frank Ocean, Lion Babe, George Michael and FKA Twigs and genres ranging from 90s garage to dance, it’s no wonder Laya Laya are pushing boundaries with their genre-bending sound. 

Follow Laya Laya:

Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Soundcloud / Spotify

November 12, 2020 Forward-thinking IDM producer Bastian Benjamin shares atmospheric song ‘Threshold’

Forward-thinking IDM producer Bastian Benjamin shares atmospheric song ‘Threshold’

Music producer Bastian Benjamin leaves his listeners speechless once again with the highly experimental yet delicate offering ‘Threshold’. The single is one of four of his latest offerings to feature on his highly anticipated album release Two Truths on the 4th of December.

Pre-save ‘Threshold’

Bastian Benjamin gives his fans insight on the new single’s meaning:  “The moment when the end is in sight, and you can already touch the light. Is the moment where one final sprint is going to occur. And you will have to do it all yourself.

Carrying an uplifting note, ‘Threshold’ possesses similar energy to its predecessor ‘Confrontation’. Muze FM commented on ‘Confrontation’ recently, “‘Confrontation’ hooks the listener into a world of possibility and wonder, with Benjamin‘s mystical and enchanting notes that ease the mind for its duration.”

‘Threshold’ inspires the listener to take that leap, or fall before the victory. Exuding with bold & rich electronics, Benjamin finds a divine balance of experimental harmony and an uplifting melody.

Two Truths Album Tracklisting

1. Edge

2. Creep

3. 2D

4. Unsure

5. Exploration

6. Confrontation

7. Empty

8. Concrete

9. I Have Feelings Too

10. Mantra

11. Threshold

12. Migration

Follow Bastian Benjamin:

WebsiteFacebookTwitterSoundcloudYoutubeInstagramSpotify