‘Age… is a matter of feeling, not of years’. In this case the music of young Nico Mpunga, or Kimyan Law to most, eclipses any attachment of years and age. Displaying the technical abilities of a veteran with his debut album Coeur Calme in 2014, Kimyan Law is continuing to stretch his abilities further and beyond with a new self-titled EP on Blu Mar Ten Music.
The new EP is another fine example of one’s harnessing of inspiration, mood and setting; either from the beauty of a landscape or the simple taste of a warm beverage. Kept under the guiding eye of Blu Mar Ten, KL is keeping the D&B scene and its future an exciting prospect. Creating narratives through his production has become typical of the Austrian/Congolese beat-maker; with the emphasis on the listeners mood and consciousness. In light of his new adventures on BMTM, it seemed appropriate to chat to the auditory author on his latest release.
Hello Kimyan Law! How has everything been lately?
Hey, everything’s great and constantly evolving.
The Kimyan Law EP has just dropped on BMTM, it’s a simply wonderful release – tell me how it came together?
The EP was put together in order to follow on from the concept of the Coeur Calme LP. I enjoyed making it.
The EP represents three very different designs, but maintains your organic, atmospheric sound – is this something you wanted to show people with the release?
Yes, definitely. I wanted to show people, that you can merge different genres or schemes with the same core of sound and I think the EP also adds a bit more diversity.
Lavish sits on the half-step/ hip-hop end of your sonic spectrum, what’s your favourite beat pattern to work with in production?
Hmm, that changes quite rapidly. The ones I really like are a mixture between half-step and laid back/swing drum & bass.
Your soundscapes tell a narrative, is this an important element in your production?
Yes, without a question; portraits always give you little stories, hints and more impressions. I try doing the same, only in an auditory way. That way the same tune always sounds a bit different, also depending on the mood of the listener.
Chai especially, those eastern infusions are stunning; fitting for any blockbuster soundtrack. What were the inspirations behind the song?
I was quite inspired by the ambience and strength of ancient Asian instruments, foods and tea. tea is one of the most soothing and diverse beverages I know, there I named it ‘Chai’.
I agree with you on that one. Coeur Calme for me, was one of the best debut and best albums of last year, the EP is a continuation of your abilities – what have you learnt since Coeur Calme’s release?
I’m starting to see that people seem to like my sound’s contrast. Like calm but tearing, joyful but melancholic, naïve but brooding. I think I’ve learnt to define emotions a bit more specifically.
I saw a picture on Blu Mar Ten’s Instagram you produced the album on just ear buds – which is simply baffling. Have you upgraded your equipment or do you prefer production through buds?
Haha, I’m planning on getting a bunch of equipment, but for now ear buds seem to be sufficient. I don’t think equipment is the most important thing – your number one tool are your ears.
What software are you working on? And on that tip – what’s your favourite piece of equipment?
I’m using Logic Pro X. I must say, even if it sounds odd, my favourite piece of equipment are my hands. I used them to record loads of percussions, clicks, drums, melodies and so on. For example in ‘Solange’ you can hear my hands clapping and clicking the main groove. This way I can always create new rhythms naturally.
Talk me through the process of writing a song, from the inspiration, to its inception and finally production…
It’s kind of hard for me to verbalise the whole process. First thing is I record/pick and choose. Then I put something together and see if I find it melodious. After that comes the big part I can’t quite explain, in which I just make music instead of overthinking too much. When this phase ends, I start mixing and everything else.
Your collab work is really interesting too…Mm Oo and Robert Manos to name a couple. Any more collaborations in the works?
Yes, there are going to be a couple in the future, haha.
Your sound is a breath of fresh air in the D&B scene. What are your aims for the future?
One of my aims would be to show people that drum & bass can be really diverse and merge with nearly everything else; another one is, I want people to be occupied with music.
I’d say you’re achieving these so far. What is summer 2015 looking like, any festival bookings in the diary?
One gig in the UK, other ones in my hometown – so far.
Difficult question; if you could work with any musician who would it be and why?
I hate difficult questions like that, haha. Hmm, an orchestra perhaps. Simply because it’s incredible what you can do out of having nearly a hundred instruments on hand.
Perhaps one day. Besides your own, what other music is coming out of the headphones and why?
It’s either very calm and ambient music, or very harsh and intense, but of course it depends on state of mood and consciousness. Sometimes I buy one single tune from an album I never heard and cannot recall, because this one tune is so mesmerizing. So I’m constantly looking for music I have not heard before, music that totally stuns me.
Any final words?
Human beings can’t bear silence. It would mean that they would have to bear themselves.
The Kimyan Law EP is out now. Get it on Vinyl // Digital
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