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^L_ creates music that works in all settings and transcends genres. His openness to a wide range of sound is what has both made him a widely loved favourite, but also someone who operates in his own parallel musical world. We had a chance to talk to him, so enjoy your reading and check out his latest releases.
Can you tell us a little about your experience? Where are you from / how did you get into music?
I'm Brazilian and I live in the capital, Brasília. I started playing in guitar bands, influenced by My Bloody Valentine, Jesus and Mary Chain and Sonic Youth. As a teenager I started to have contact with important electronic music artists like Aphex Twin, Autechre, LFO and classics like Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Front 242, Einstürzende Neubauten and more... still in the early 00's I started using softwares for production, recording demos and everything was happening naturally. And since 2014 I use the name ^L_ to release my works.
PS: the name ^L_ is a reference to Linux commands
How is your sound evolving? What artists and genres do you enjoy mixing right now?
I always try to avoid artistic self-indulgence or some other form of self-indulgence. I'm constantly looking for new sounds. I like to challenge myself constantly, as I admit that I get bored easily. So I always try to add something that keeps me motivated. When this motivation is gone, I don't see more sense in continuing. I'm fascinated by contrasts - from more extreme and heavy sounds like , hardcore techno, industrial music, noise artists like Merzbow and even ambient music giants like Brian Eno and minimalists like PhilIp Glass and Steve Reich. For me this is one of the most exciting and fun moments when writing and producing. We live in an age full of references, we must take advantage of that.
How do you feel that your music influences or impacts your listeners?
honestly, I never stopped to think about it. But I would like people to feel graced and identify with the themes. I would like my music to influence, inspire. I know I'm not the only person in the world who is anguished, melancholy and aggressive... so it would be amazing if my work touched these people and comforted them...
What projects are you working on right now? What can you tell us about your last job?
This year, at this moment, I release two works: SAMO(c) EP (the title is referring to Basquiat) . And my latest work is called "THE SKULL" … was released by Antime Records, label from Berlin. It's my most aggressive record, where I work with different sounds - breakbeat, techno, electro and even gabber. The artwork is my painting and by buying the EP at page of Antime on Bandcamp, you get a full size fineart copy of the 50x80 painting
Where are you and what have you been doing now?
I'm in Brazil, in the capital Brasília... right now drinking coffe and reading some news.
News here in Brazil is terrible... it is impossible to remain optimistic with the current situation in the country.
these are strange times...
Has that sound changed a lot in recent years? What is your musical criteria?
has changed a lot. Sometimes I don't even recognize my older works. I think this is great because it shows that I have always been looking for new sounds and concepts.
I don't like to have established criteria... I prefer to follow the flow when composing, I like to follow an instinctive way. But of course, always trying to keep tabs on the elements I'm exploring. I have to make the most of my self-criticism… I am my biggest critic, I listen to my songs to exhaustion when I'm recording. I always try to maintain coherence and cohesion between the elements. I design them in my mind and based on that I put them into practice.
Do you feel safe now to play a more experimental sound?
oh yes, definitely. Even because I don't know if I could do it differently.
We all know that the digital revolution has affected sales, but has it affected creativity?
Yes definitely. But I see it as a positive change. Today, with the revolution created by social networks, streaming platforms, etc... all information (music, cinema, arts, news, etc.) has become more accessible and easier to assimilate, which means that it arrives quickly, but it can also go too fast, it's a cycle, you know? the good thing about it is that it forces us to stay constantly informed and constantly evolving. You need to walk at the same pace as all these changes, otherwise the possibility of becoming old and wanton is great. Honestly, I'm afraid of growing old creatively speaking and in the face of these changes.
Can you tell us what your present and future projects are?
right now I'm finishing my next record, which will be released by Antime Records, which also releases my recent record "THE SKULL".
I'm also organizing my first exhibition with my paintings... but no date yet. Because Right now I'm totally focused on finishing the new tracks. But yes, the exhibition is a project that must happen.
