French electronic producer Thylacine recently joined forces with German producer Fekjá to release the remix of “Polar,” a track from Thylacine’s much-admired album, 9 Pieces.
Talking about the remix process, Fejká says, “I deconstructed the original first and kept the most interesting parts for me: the vocals and a synth melody which appears later in the track. Looping the groovy synth melody gave me a hypnotic feeling, the longer I listened to it the more ideas started to sparkle.”
Thylacine exploded on the music scene with the release of his 2015 debut album, Transsiberian. Since then, he has enthralled listeners with his compositions, combining music and images in a unique manner, allowing others to journey through a splendid sonic universe.
At the end of June, Thylacine will perform two shows in the U.S. On June 27th, he will perform at the Lodge Room Los Angeles, California; and on June 29th, he will appear at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, New York.
XS Noize spoke with Thylacine to discover more about the inspiration for “Polar,” how he got started in music, and the evolution of his inimitable sound.
What inspired “Polar?”
I composed ‘Polar’ during a trip on a boat from Tromsø to the Lofoten islands in winter. It was Polar night all along, so I didn’t see the sun for two weeks, and the atmosphere was extremely calm and soft. I’ve managed to record some humpbacks communicating underwater that you can hear in the track, and there is also me walking in the frozen snow at the beginning of the track. The voice is from Pernille Anker, a Norwegian pop singer from the 20th century.
“Polar” is from your acclaimed album, 9 Pieces. Walk us through your mindset as you recorded the album.
‘9 Pieces’ is a collection of different music pieces composed in very different environments. They are all ‘single adventures’ compared to my previous albums, where all the tracks have been made at the same time and same journey, and they all tell a different exploration of my music process.
How did you come to connect with German producer Fekjá?
We played together at the Watergate Club in Berlin!
How did you get started in music?
I started music at 7 years old with classical music and the saxophone at little village’s music schools. I played in a little orchestra, then pop bands, and I discovered electronic music and the possibility of composing on my own when I was 20 years old in art school.
Did your sound evolve naturally, or did you deliberately push it in a certain direction?
I’ve always experimented in very different directions without any special plans, and I guess I’ve learned and kept certain ideas from those experimentations. I think it’s more of a natural process rather than a determined one. When I wanted to push it in a specific direction, it mostly didn’t go well.
Are there any special recording techniques you use in the studio?
My technique is to travel! I’ve realized that I’m a lot more productive in new environments. And I like to blend organic and synthesized sounds.
What is your definition of tone? And has your tone changed over time?
I think it has a bigger psychological aspect than what most people think. Context is extremely important in the way we feel something. I think I’m more aware of that now, and I hope I can control it better.
What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, or other media?
The cinema was probably my main motivation to start composing my own music. And nowadays, I think architecture is also very important. But I’m not really inspired by writing; to be honest, I prefer visuals.
What can you share about your writing process?
I’m not really in control during the creative process, and I like that, I’m just following wherever the track is taking me. So, I’m not really good at giving advice. But usually, I get fully immersed in a track for a few days, and then I try to forget about it and only go back to finish it weeks or months later if I can. I also like to hear my music on every different kind of device possible, from the studio to different headphones and shitty speakers.
Which artists, in your opinion, are killing it right now?
I think FKJ has very good career development. He was touring with an amazing band setup recently. And I guess Fred Again is also really killing it right now. Very talented guy.
What can your fans look forward to over the next six months? Music videos? Live gigs?
Lots of concerts, sometimes on my own, sometimes with a pianist, and some with a full symphonic orchestra. I’m also gonna release some tracks and videos recorded with the symphonic orchestra.
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