Artist Interviews

Q&A: Kelpe

By | Published on Tuesday 24 November 2009

Kelpe

Kelpe is the musical alter ego of Loughborough-born Kel McKeown. Kel first started making music at just fourteen, and eventually came to the attention of DC Recordings in 2003, who released his first EP ‘The People Are Trying To Sleep’ and then the critically acclaimed album ‘Sea Inside Body’. Kelpe’s influences are diverse, ranging from classic Warp artists, to the spectral folk of John Renbourn and the minimalism of Steve Reich – all of which is reflected in his own sound. With his latest album, ‘Cambio Wechsel’, out now on DC Recordings, we caught up with Kelpe to ask our Same Six Questions.

Q1 How did you start out making music?
The first music I made was when I was about fourteen years old, on an old Amiga and a sampler I had bought for that purpose. It was basically rave music with samples from here and there. I probably didn’t do that much for quite a while from the age of sixteen until about nineteen, when I borrowed a friend’s four-track whilst at university, and also had to do some computer-based music for coursework.

Q2 What inspired your latest album?

I wanted to make an album full of heavy drums and Moog bass, at hip hop tempo, so it is inspired by listening to music like that, and wanting to participate.

Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?

I start with a looping sound (be it sampled, or something played and recorded at home or in the studio). Then I put a beat to it. Then I get excited and dance around the room listening to it. Then I hate it and don’t touch it for a while. Then I come back to it, add more stuff to it, then arrange it. Then once its arranged, I normally play through the track a few times recording automation on the effects knobs. Then lots of EQing and compression, then it’s done.

Q4 Which artists influence your work?
Prefuse 73, Dabrye, Dimlite, Mike Slott, Hudson Mohawke, Dorian Concept, Fulgeance, Boards Of Canada, Matmos and Can.

Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?

I probably wouldn’t talk if they were trying to listen to the music.

Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest single, and for the future?
I hope it goes to number one, and I hope to headline Glastonbury next year.

MORE>> www.kelpe.co.uk



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