Lemonada | Glitch Hop | Dublin, Ireland
“To whoever is reading this, doing an interview is weird.”
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Download Lemonada – Kelly Green
FRLGN: To start us off, can you tell us a little but about yourself? What is your name? How old are you and where are you from?
Lemonada: I’m Morgan. I’m 21 and I’m from and live in Dublin.
FRLGN: When did you first start making music, and what artists/producers inspired you to first start making music?
Lemonada: I first started making jams with my friends when we were 16 but only really started stuff on a laptop about a year-and-a-bit ago. Aphex Twin got me interested I guess.
FRLGN: People are constantly busting genres today. How would you describe your style?
Lemonada: Probably glitch-hop/electronic/short attention span. I don’t really plan on doing just that like. I want to sound more badass and stuff too. Its all fun.
FRLGN: In beat music, there’s a certain level of abstractness that producers try to achieve. They don’t always want to give away the entire piece. Do you try to convey your message through literal means or with abstractness?
Lemonada: I don’t really know what I’m trying to achieve with each track. It’s more of a “create a vibe” or an attempt to pull off something sonically interesting. I like to sample because you’re constantly messing around with various contexts that the records might hold. So in that way I’ll try to manipulate the context and flip it around or contradict something in the mix. Like sampling some top of the pops tape, anticipating some number 1 we would all know, but then dropping some drone in for a minute or something… so meaning isn’t really literal.
FRLGN: In your track ‘Anything’ you have these gnarly stabs throughout but then you totally change it up going into a different time signature using jazz piano samples. Do you like to surprise the listener like that a lot?
Lemonada: I sort of just do that for fun and to keep myself interested. I listen to a lot of Dem Hunger and Madlib and that sort of thing so I guess I like to rip from that sort of vibe, fosho.
FRLGN: In today’s music business, there are so many production tools out there for novice and professionals alike. Tell us what your set up is like. What are some of your favorite pieces of gear to use?
Lemonada: I have a bunch of records from the charity shop that I regularly pillage. Some cassettes from when my dad made mix tapes way back, which are fun as heck. A Yamaha pss-795. Lots of shakers. That’s it really.
FRLGN: What DAW do you use?
Lemonada: Logic 9 for now. Going to try out Ableton soon.
FRLGN: Any analog gear?
Lemonada: Nope. I’m fucking broke.
FRLGN: When you start a new project, do you usually have an idea in mind? Or do you just try something and see how it sounds and go from there?
Lemonada: I used to just wander around in fruity loops until something came to me but that’s when I lost interest in making laptop stuff. I think it works best for me to just go about my day until I get an idea and work towards pulling off that goal. It’s much more fun that way because its all a challenge and it’s a nice excuse to daydream.
FRLGN: How do you sample? Vinyl? CDs? Tapes?
Lemonada: Ye, vinyl and like 4 tapes in my bedroom.
FRLGN: What are your favorite types of music to sample from?
Lemonada: I have a Jim Reeves record, which I love to listen to and steal shit from. Self-help recordings? 80’s pop music. Anything that has a nice tone and suits whatever idea…
FRLGN: You manage to stay pretty grimy and edgy but also funky. What is on your mind when you try to achieve those goals simultaneously?
Lemonada: George Clinton.
FRLGN: Let me just say, I also really love the sound of your drums. They’re very punchy and the level seems just right. Tell us a little about how you program you drums.
Lemonada: Thanks. I find/record something I like. Just move em around with the curser until I like it… It’s pretty shit of me I know.
FRLGN: I took a listen to your track ‘beerZzZ.” Haha, nicely titled. It has a very smooth sound characterized by the lovely piano samples. Has your style change and evolved since you made that track?
Lemonada: Couldn’t say. I think the tracks are all pretty inconsistent in one way but I try to connect them to each other with this overall vibe. When a few are posted separately on the internet I don’t think they make as much sense as when they’re on the beat-tape all joined together.
FRLGN: Have you had any EP or album releases yet? If so where can listeners find your releases?
Lemonada: Ye, that’s the one I mentioned, KELLY GREEN . Its up on bandcamp to download for freebies. EPs and shit sounds so heavy and important. I kinda love the easy-going idea of just a collection of ideas that a beat tape might have for now.
FRLGN: Do you have any releases lined up in the near future?
Lemonada: Kelly Green 2? I dunno. Its all fun.
FRLGN: Any upcoming plans for remixes?
Lemonada: No, never done one. Might give it a try all the same.
FRLGN: Can you tell us about electronic music in Dublin and in all of Ireland?
Lemonada: I don’t actually know a whole lot about it. Mike Slott’s from here. Krystal Klear also. All City is in town and they put out some of the best shit around. Cloud Castle Lake are from Dublin, they’re recording an LP which I can’t wait for. My mate Gareth Smyth has some tight jams. He’ll probably have stuff up on the Internet soon. Look out for him I’d say..
FRLGN: Do you think people are starting to open up a little bit more to different styles of electronic music?
Lemonada: I think people have always been open to quite a lot when it comes to electronic music. It’s really just an excuse to do whatever vibe or style you want, it’s cool.
FRLGN: Which producers and artists do you aspire to be like?
Lemonada: Everyday and change my mind. Timberland. Aphex Twin. Hudson Mohawke is ace. Flying Lotus is a pretty obvious one, he’s really done so much for electronic music.
FRLGN: I see you also stay pretty active on your art blog http://www.jamesmakeart.blogspot.com. Besides music what other types of art do you enjoy doing?
Lemonada: Oh that’s not mine I should change the description a tad. Its James Kirwan’s stuff. He’s an artist from Wexford, he found my stuff and we decided he should design the Kelly Green tape artwork. His stuff is fucking rad, I love it.
FRLGN: Does visual art play a role in influencing your beats?
Lemonada: Sounds interesting but not really, no. Do movies count? I have photographs in front of me in my bedroom. I like to look at them and there’s a big ole window beside me. Wouldn’t mind experimenting with that sorta carry on though…
FRLGN: If you had the opportunity to collaborate with any artist, whom would you choose?
Lemonada: Justin Timberlake foshoooow.
FRLGN: Do you have any predictions about the direction electronic music will go in the next few years?
Lemonada: Tiny little kids making tracks. It’s going to be crazy.. oh and the sax is coming back.
FRLGN: What are some values you stay true to in life and when making music?
Lemonada: Drink coffee. It makes you better at stuff.
FRLGN: For all of the listeners out there, where is the best place to find your music?
Lemonada: Ye…
http://lemonada.bandcamp.com/album/kelly-green-vol-1
http://www.soundcloud.com/lemonadajams
FRLGN: If you have any gigs coming up please let us know when.
Lemonada: Nope.
FRLGN: Finally, if you have anything else to share with your fans, feel free to say anything you want!
Lemonada: To whoever is reading this, doing an interview is weird.
#stayfree
