#12 V.C. / Co La

v.c. / co la

V.C.

A deft capacity for producing music that combines the sexual and robotic, V.C.’s uncluttered electro flex is closest to some originators of the skweee sound namely Pavan and Mesak. Fully formed and powerful like Heinrich Mueller remodels, sometimes sparing and cinematic, with a keen understanding of how to work a R&B bassline. Helsinki resident V.C. is no imitator. As a solo artist and 1/4 of the supergroup Yöt, he has created his own style that’s executed with economy, taking on dub and elements of non-European music tropes along the way.

Although he has releases on nearly every skweee label going (Flogsta Danshall/Harmönia/Mässy/Dødpop/Disques Mazout), as Sonic Router affirmed in a recent interview, his productions are ‘a testament to the versatility within the genre.’ This productive year for V.C. has included releases on Lo Fi Funk, Mässy and a forthcoming LP from Yöt. His recording sessions, mixed in a remote studio during the Finnish snowstorms of 2011, were finally released on the Brighton based label Donky Pitch - commanding their first foray into Scandinavian electro funk. Creating one of the most powerful EPs this year.

This episode features an interview with the producer and some unreleased tracks from the new Yöt LP and V.C.’s The Good Sweat EP.

Co La

Emerging this year with a series of sample based tapes that don’t fall into the bracket of mixtape, or 90s c+p, Co La has created a series of tapes and records that correspond with what he describes as “a new logic”. Privileging the Plunderphonic tradition; setting him apart from most contemporary electronic music producers.

The tapes and records create something that nods to Jamaican Rocksteady and 50′s American Pop re-purposing it into fresh, smart, electronic music. With smart arrangements and shifting sample moments, the differing moods have an immediacy, a fast-track immersing quality that allude to something recognisable yet transient. Other tracks are composed more rhythmically, their concise funk and repetition taking something from the musical tradition of the city he is based: Baltimore.

His latest record, Daydream Repeater, is described by NNA Tapes as “an attitude adjustment in the era of austerity,” its motivations somewhat engaging with the discourse and language of the moment. The Co La live shows explore this subversion more explictly; this subversion of a luxury lifestyle ideal.

Matthew Papich (the dude behind Co La) talks about his music and performances, as well as the changes and constants in Baltimore, Buñuel, drinking champagne and squashing peaches.

Posted at 22:34, 28th November 2011