Kimyan Law: when you consider it, the name, the phrase could mean many things. It could be a description, perhaps of a state of mind, or of a state of existence in some place you’ve never been. Certainly his music aids these shifting plausibilities. Time to catch up with the enigmatic Congolese/Austrian producer as he readies his new & much-anticipated single ‘Run Ames’/’Eclairage’, ahead of his Coeur Calme album which drops next month.
Your work is very atmospheric and film-like, do you watch a lot of films and get inspiration from them… or is the inspiration just organic, and has no reference?
As a child I used to watch many many films, all different types of genres, and lots were great but I soon realised that they would have been nothing without an entire, fitting soundtrack as well as the film sound design itself. It gives the whole piece of art a soul, a character.
One aim of mine is to create soundtracks for films, to give them soul. As far as other inspiration goes, every little thing on this planet can be used for making music. That’s what you’ll recognise, listening to my tunes.
I love ‘Eclairage’, can you tell us about the tune?
I appreciate that, thanks. ‘Eclairage’ – which means ‘lighting system’ in French – evolved during my time as a cook. It was cold outside, I had to get up very early and it was still dark in the morning. The only bright thing was the lighting system all over the Viennese skyline. That inspired me to write this tune.
I was also into your remix of ‘Half The Sky’ for BMT… it also has more of the cinematic feel.
I broke the whole track down, and reconstructed it, keeping the flavour of the original in mind. Half the sky is simply beautiful and ambient, so that was a huge inspiration itself.
This is a tricky question: can it be difficult working out what instruments you would love to use in your tunes? I mean with your mind the choice must be limitless, and they would all work!
It depends on what you associate with an instrument. Some work better with strong velocity; others do it with smooth tipping.
You can try out different things and if they complete the tune, it’s magic.
Can you tell me what it was like to collab with Manos, and what inspired his lyrics? His delivery really caught me.
Working with Robert was great. He perfectly filled up the tune with the one thing it needed – his voice. Not too whispery, not too strong. Slick, but not too cold. I’m honored to have created a portrait with him.
What music are you working on right now?
Right now, there are a lot of different projects going on. Some downtempo, some drum and bass, also more abstract types of music. You’ll see.
What musicians do you admire, and why?
I have a lot of respect and admiration for many musicians out there, but some I find outstanding. I would say for example: Amon Tobin, Culprate, Stray, Squarepusher, James Blake, Nils Frahm, Björk, Aphex Twin, Thriftworks, Burial, Unkle, and loads more! Too many names to mention. Each of them has an own musical note, a ‘fragrance’ if you like. Each of them has a certain gift for the mission of creating this incredibly huge art form.
What’s a tune, any tune, in your head right now?
In this moment, ‘Quand C’est’ by Stromae. I like its desperate mourning and craving for a final end. And its lyricsm.
httpv://youtu.be/2ux5zHXzbmw