#suren unka

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Hey Mom by Reb Fountain, live at The Mercury Theatre

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"030" by Suren Unka http://ift.tt/2pGBMzb

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Levi Patel and Suren Unka Interview

Electronic and classical music are bought effortlessly together in 5/8, the new EP released by Auckland-based musicians Levi Patel and Suren Unka. The two producers have collaborated with artistic flair, producing a record that they describe as cinematic, minimal house music. 5/8 feels like a multi-dimensional soundscape where Suren’s refined electronic vibe meets the ambient instrumentals of Levi in perfect harmony. Craccum managed to sit the lovely two guys down for a quick chat about their work and upcoming EP release party.

Did you have any main influences or inspirations when making 5/8? LP + SU: Music that inspired this project is stuff we both listen to like Jon Hopkins, Bonobo and Kiasmos. In particular, Kiasmos was a big one as one of the members is an electronic musician and the other does strings and stuff so it’s similar to our dynamic.

Because you both have different styles and previously worked in different genres, was it ever challenging to work together? LP + SU: It was extremely easy. Coming from making solo music before where you’re on your own, then working together means if one of us gets stuck we can just pass it off to the other person and ask for help. We both have similar taste in arrangement, writing and the sound design side so if one of us has an idea then the other is on board.

Has making music together changed your appreciation of other music and styles? LP: It has for me. I’ve heard and liked a lot of things in Suren’s music before and his process was kind of like a black box to me. He came up with an idea, and then went on his computer or synth and out came this great sound. Now I’ve seen more behind the scenes and see how he approaches things differently. SU: Same with me. Piano and strings are having a big influence on what I’m making at the moment. LP: He’s helped me not to be such a crazy perfectionist. I’ll get ninety-nine percent the way there and then I’m like “it’s not done” and Suren is like “I’m cutting it off” [laughs].

What do you guys find most rewarding about making music? SU: Most of the satisfaction comes from making something new, but also the feeling of making music. Its really rewarding when what you’re feeling comes out in the music you’re making and is preserved in a song.   LP: What I find is really satisfying is when you create something that has a feeling which is enhanced when you record and listen to it. Once the work is recorded you can put a little bit more into the music and get a better expression. It’s also very exciting at the very start of writing something and it expresses what you want it to.  There’s reward in the other parts as well, like refining and mixing it well.

Any advice to anyone who wants to get into making music? LP + SU: There’s no fast easy way, just start doing it and keep making as much as you can. It also helps not to over think things. Don’t worry about what you think people want to hear, make what you want to listen to. When you start out it’ll be hard to get the sound you want, but if you keep working at it you’ll get closer and closer to what you want to listen to.

5/8 is out now on all digital platforms. To see the talented duo in their element, head along to their EP release party on 20th August at LOT23. Tickets available through UnderTheRadar or search Levi Patel and Suren Unka on Facebook for more information.

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UK RELEASES

Girl Band - Holding Hands With Jamie’ (Rough Trade Records) The Maccabees - Marks To Prove It (Fiction Records) Gengahr - A Dream Outside (Transgressive Records) Kaiser Chiefs - Education Education...

Here’s a list of the UK releases for Cassette Store Day 2015! Included is our very own Suren Unka’s “El Chupacabra.” Grab a copy now from the webstore before they’re all gone! Click here

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Suren Unka - Golden Town ft. Gala

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In the four plus years that I've run JOVM, i've increasingly received a number of emails from folks located in some rather far-flung locales -- and I think it suggests that my own mission of covering and presenting a variety of artists from all across the world makes sense. 

I recently heard from the Auckland, New Zealand-based electronic artist Suren Unka. who released his debut effort, El Chupacabra back in April. His latest single, "Golden Town" was originally written for a live set at the Rhythm and Vines Festival (New Zealand), and after the composition's completion. Unka recruited an artist by the name of Gaia to write and sing lyrics over beats.

The song pairs cascading layers of 80s synths, hot flashes of cymbals with soulful vocals that express as the songwriter herself has publicly mentioned "a fear of the unknown." Just underneath the hazily shimmering and futuristic synths is a sense of anxious dread mixed with wonder that's palpable. 

The official video for the song, produced by Waveform was partially influenced by the short stories of J.G. Ballard, which often include colorful organisms and mega-structures -- strange environments are just part of the norm to the characters that Ballard wrote. Along with Candlelit Pictures, they developed a video treatment that focused on a sleek minimalist look in a very sci-fi world. Illustrator Adam Tan created the creatures that suddenly come to life, giving the the video a bit of wonder to balance out the anxious dread.

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My new music video. Thank you so much Markus Hofko