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After three successful inaugural releases of 2022, Dutch-Canadian electronic music producer apaull, released the White LeBaron EP, his first release of 2023. It is executive produced by Abe Duque and is on the furnace room record label.
A convertible symbolizes freedom and luxury. Built on the economical, utilitarian structure of the Chrysler K-car, the LeBaron was cold steel transformed into nascent, entry-level luxury. An enduring ephemera, if that's possible, to mask the real pain that lies just below the surface.
We have had the pleasure of interviewing apaull and this has been the result.
Can you tell us a little about your experience? Where are you from and how did you get into music?
I was born in Amsterdam and emigrated to Canada, with my parents at a young age. My father was a professional musician. My whole family was into music, in one way or another. I played the piano and drums as a child and into my early twenties. I set music aside as I built a career as an environmental scientist. I got back into music in late 2018, after finishing a PhD, in my mid-fifties, and selling my consulting business. I have long been fascinated by electronic dance music and its creation has now become my primary endeavour.
How is your sound evolving? What artists and genres do you enjoy mixing right now?
As I become more technically proficient, I have greater control over the sounds that I create. Rather than just playing around with sounds to see what works I now have a clearer vision of the sounds I would like to create and make them. I listen to all electronic dance music genres. I am a child of the 1980s so draw a lot of inspiration from the electronic music of that era. I want to create what I consider to be meaningful music like some of my key influences including the Orb, Depeche Mode, Massive Attack and Skinny Puppy.
How do you feel that your music influences or impacts its listeners?
That’s a great question. I don’t have a full answer for that and it will come over time. I strive to produce music that can serve two functions. First off, I want listeners to be able to chill and/or dance to my music. Secondly, and only if they feel like it, I want listeners to listen more closely to my music for the mostly hidden messages I am trying to convey.
What projects are you working on right now? What can you tell us about your last job?
I am putting the final touches on an EP called Depths that is set for release in mid-May, just before the Movement Festival, in Detroit. It includes two original tracks and features four remixes by industry veteran John Selway. I am also in the process of putting together an as yet unnamed album. I am hoping to release that just before the Amsterdam Dance Event, in October. The White LeBaron EP is my current release. The LeBaron is a car from the 80s and 90s. I used to walk by one on my daily ocean walk, in Florida. The track is itself is about loss and despair, in need of relief. The EP features two very danceable remixes from veteran LA techno producer Developer.
Has that sound changed a lot in recent years? What is your musical criteria in your last job? My goals are to produce high quality music that receive some sort of critical acclaim and that are ultimately played by club DJs and home listeners. While streams, followers etc. are important, if I create a good product they will continue to build. My musical criteria for the White LeBaron track was to incorporate this car I saw everyday along with some lyrics that I had written into a song the Orb might want to listen to. While notionally a techno track I let it become what it needed to become. It doesn’t try to be anything other than the story I am trying to tell.
We all know that the digital revolution has affected sales, but do you think it has affected creativity?
The digital revolution is a double-edged sword, for sure. While it ironically makes sales more difficult, it gives everyone an entry point to create, produce and release music. It hasn’t impacted my creativity one bit. As noted above, my key goal is to produce high quality music. I have assembled a team of industry veterans including Abe Duque, Superstition Entertainment Network and Pull Proxy to help me with production, distribution and promotion. I also draw extensively on my experiences developing and ultimately selling my environmental consulting business to guide me. Music is just another business and business principles apply.
Pre Order link: https://FurnaceRoomRecords.lnk.to/WhiteLeBaron
