Kodak to Graph approaches electronic music in a powerful, novel way that combines a diverse set of sounds with a sensibility that spans from EDM trap to ambient and trance. His debut album, Isa, embodies his versatility capturing a broad range of emotions telling an elaborate story along the way.
The LA-based talent will be stopping through 1015 Folsom in San Francisco next Thursday, April 30th, as part of his Break the Ice Tour and we’re giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky winner! With support from Big Wild and OBESØN, the show promises to not only be a night full of dancing but also one that showcases some particularly organic up ‘n coming electronic styles. We also were lucky to ask Kodak to Graph a few questions about his musical background, putting together his debut album and his live performances. Get to know K2G a bit better in our exclusive interview and enter the giveaway by inputting your email below! The winner will be contacted via email on April 28th, a week from today. You can also still purchase tickets for the show here.
TMN: Can you tell us a bit about how Kodak to Graph came to be and what your earlier explorations into music involved?
Kodak to Graph: K2G began as an outlet for me to release my sappy loop based ‘post-rock’ music back in high-school. I use to have this delay/loop pedal that would let you loop for about 6 seconds and I would make little loops of guitar, bells, random TV noises, vocals and pretty much anything else that could make noise and kick beats over them for hours. From there I started playing little house shows for my friends and that’s pretty much when I came up with the name Kodak to Graph. The name comes from an old slide projector that I used for visuals. It was called a Kodak Ektographic. I would hang a sheet in front of me, because I was too terrified to perform in front of people, and project slides of old family photographs on the sheet. Most of the first Kodak to Graph recordings were written on my girlfriend’s computer and recorded with one condenser mic. It was all real instruments, the music was kind of reminiscent of old Efterklang, Helios, Sigur Ros etc. There was very minimal electronic influences in the beginnings. The first record I released as K2G, which I don’t think exists on the internet anymore, was all very melodic chilled out ‘post rock’ / math’y oriented music. I started getting into electronic music a few years later through my older brother and that’s really when I started to be like, okay let’s see where this can go.
TMN: Your background clearly spans more than just electronic music. Who are some artists you listened to growing up that have impacted your sound?
K2G: Totally. In middle school I was a die-hard At the Drive In / Mars Volta fan. I think that was the first time I really discovered experimental/ psychedelic music and I remember being so f#@€ing excited and nutty about how alien that type of music sounded to me. I still find myself pulling inspiration from their music to this day. From there I grew into more melodic/math’y/ambient instrumental bands like Lymbyc Systym, Toe, American Football, Joan of Arc, Mice Parade, Mum, etc. I was first introduced to electronic music by my older brother through cats like DJ Shadow, Four Tet, Clutchy Hopkins, Bonobo, Caribou, etc; Which I feel that style of electronic music was the gateway into electronic music for a lot of people my age. We kind of came from that era where guys were sampling melodic folk records over old funk breaks. I still have so much love for that sound.
TMN: Isa, your debut album, has a really fascinating and textured sound. Even with the variation, though, there’s a certain almost theatrical aesthetic that really ties it together. What was the recording process like in creating something that cohesive?
K2G: I wrote the record over a span of 2 years so the recording and writing process on the record was ever changing and evolving. I’m kind of A.D.D when it comes to writing music, so I’ll start tracks by getting really really messy and just layering anything and everything on top of each other then come back to it later and pull layers back. I don’t generally consider how I’m going to make something sound cohesive when I’m writing the music. In the case of ISA, I chose 10 songs out of a bunch of 50+ or so tracks and moved them around and stitched them together until it created the story I was trying to tell.
TMN: What’s the most unexpected sound you used in the creation of Isa and on what song?
TMN: I actually had a chance to catch you opening up for ODESZA in SF at the Mezzanine a while back–fun show! What’s been your stage setup on the latest tour?
K2G: Thank you! My stage setup is a MacBook Pro as the brain. I run my entire set through Ableton live and use an Apc40 and a Korg MS20 on stage but tilt my controller and synth towards the crowd to give folks something to look at.
My Apc40 gives me the ability to tell specific elements of songs what to do throughout my set. I have various FX and clips prepared to accompany each separate layer of a track(drums, synths, vocals etc) so that I can keep myself busy throughout. I use the MS20 for bass sounds, squelchy leads, filter sounds, an wobbly alien LFO sounds.
TMN: And, even further, what would be your ideal live set up? I could totally imagine a full band for this album.
K2G: I definitely plan on expanding on the live show in the future. I’ve always considered going the band route, but it’s something that’s been done. There will be a time for it. I think it would be amazing to work with a string and horn section or full orchestra in the future, but it will have to be later down the line when I’m doing something different musically.
TMN: What’s your go to album or artist right now?
K2G: Album: LAVA DIVINER TRUESTORY BY BOTANY; Artist: MIGOS
TMN: If an extraterrestrial came down to Earth and asked you what music was, what song would you share with them?
K2G: Any Arca or Venetian Snares song. I think both are already on that wavelength.
TMN: I know you’re busy on the road at the moment, but is there anything you’ve got coming up that you’re particularly excited about?
K2G: FORM: Arosanti. A free application based Hundred Waters curated festival that is taking place in the desert of Arizona feat. Hundred Waters, MachineDrum, Jacques Greene, Tokimonsta, How to Dress Well, Myself and so many more! I had the incredible honor of playing it last year and it was one of the most inspiring and magical experiences of my life.
Special thanks to Kodak to Graph for taking the time to answer those questions. Hope to see some of you ninjas at 1015 next week!
