21.03.2007 Kate Simko: It's A Beautiful Microsmorning +++ Skrufff ARCHIVE MAR 07 +++ |
 The sophisticated yet hotly tipped DJ and producer Kate Simko started her musical odyssey studying classical music at university in her home town of Chicago though a love of electronic music and desire to see the world saw her relocating to Santiago as an exchange student in 2001. Teaming up with local prodigy Andrés Bucci (brother of minimal don Pier) to form electronic duo Detalles, she managed to live music and culture without boundaries, a KKlife-changing experience crystallised by the September 11th attacks on New York. “Being in Chile changed my perspective on politics, the United States, myself asan individual and my goals for my life. I was in there on September 11, 2001 and I didn't return to the States until the following spring.” “I don't think I will ever understand how it felt to be in the States when 911 happened, honestly, I'm very glad I wasn't there,” she explains. “By being in Chile I was able to gain a counter-perspective on the situation; I took many classes in college in political science and let's just say I wasn't shocked or feeling patriotism for my country on that day,” she admits. “September 11 has its own horrid history in Chile – it’s the day dictator Pinochet came into power,” she continues, “So when 911 happened I was in a place where I didn't feel like a bad person for feeling unpatriotic. I don't want anyone innocent to die though – no matter what country they are from,” she adds. That she ended up in Chile was as much about luck as her own determination to set herself outside her US comfort zone. “I was studying Music Technology (at Northwestern University outside of Chicago) and I found out that I needed to stay in school an extra year in order to graduate. I spoke a little Spanish and wanted a drastic change in my life at that time, so I decided to choose a place in Latin America instead of Spain, which I imagined would be more Western and similar to the U.S. After looking into my options, I realized that only Argentina and Chile had the technology and music programs I was looking for at that time and I also knew Atom Heart was living in Chile and had some records by Dandy Jack and Ric y Martin (aka Ricardo Villalobos) so I guessed there must be some electronic music scene there as well.” “Which is ironic,” she laughs, “because they didn't even live there. In fact at that point there was no known ‘Chilean techno mafia’ at all. I chose Chile hoping to learn Spanish, work on music and meet some like-minded people.” Arriving in town and seeking a used keyboard she was put in touch with Pier Bucci who in turn passed her CD to Andre, facilitating the initial spark.“ The Bucci brothers are friends with all of the Chilean electronic musicians,” she laughs. “So I think I've met almost everyone over time.” Skrufff (Kat @ PlanetKat): Which details are paramount for you? Kate Simko: “For me, the nuances of the melodic parts are the most important to me. I spent so many years playing high-end grand pianos with excellent timbres and sound. So, when I use synthesizers it always involves a lot of editing and programming - listening to a phrase over and over again - trying to make the attack and length of each note sound like how I would play it on a real, weighted piano.” Skrufff: Santiago is usually considered as more conservative as Buenos Aires, how did you perceive life there? Kate Simko: “Yes, I think it is more conservative. Chileans often say that they are timid and complain that Santiago is boring. I think Santiago is beautiful and that Chileans are very funny and open people. But Buenos Aires is so dynamic and the people so vivacious that Santiago does seem conservative by comparison. (However, having said that many places in the U.S. and Europe would seem conservative in comparison as well).” Skrufff: There are a lot of really talented musicians there . . . Kate Simko: “Yes, but a lot of them leave Chile. Atom Heart is a very prolific and talented producer; he is German but living in Chile. There are a few other talented Chilean electronic artists living in Santiago (Andrés Bucci, Vicente San Fuentes, Miguel Tutera, etc.) but most have moved to Europe.” Skrufff: Can you speak Spanish very well now? Kate Simko: “Yes, I think so. But my accent is quite bad now.” Skrufff: How did you get to work with Andrés? Kate Simko: “Andrés invited me to combine my gear, a keyboard and laptop, with his in his studio. I was working off headphones at the time, so it was really nice to work on speakers again and be in a space outside of my bedroom. Andrés’ brother Pier, known for his productions on labels like Crosstown Rebels, BPitch Control, Cadenza and Lo-Fi Stereo, also did a remix… Skrufff: When and how Detalles was born? Kate Simko: “I guess as soon as Andrés and I started recording music together which was after Pier introduced us.” Skrufff: And how did you continue after you moved back to the States? Kate Simko: “When I moved to L.A. I didn't work on music much at all. I had a full-time job that consumed most of my time and energy. I started working on music again regularly when I returned to Chicago in July 2003.” Skrufff: How did you physically make this new album, did you return to Chile? Kate Simko: “Yes, I returned to Santiago in January and February of 2004 to record a second Detalles record. The first one came out on Traum in 2003 and I felt enthusiastic about the project and wanted to make more Detalles music with Andrés. He seemed into the idea as well so I saved up money and took a 2-month trip to Chile.” Skrufff: When you play and produce together, who does what? Kate Simko: “When producing, I compose the bass lines, melodies and harmonies and we both work on the textures and percussion parts. When we play live we split the live parts onto two computers in Ableton and a couple of times I have played keyboards as well. The first record was basically the collection of first songs we recorded together in the summer of 2002 (January and February in Chile). The second record was recorded in January and February of 2004.” Skrufff: How did you find Kupei as an outlet? Kate Simko: “I played a show in Detroit with Andreas Tilliander and a few people on Traum in fall of 2005. Rafael who runs Kupei was there and loved my set. I gave him a demo CD and he took two tracks off of it as my first 12" on the label.” Skrufff: You, a professionally trained pianist, are a ‘real’ musician, one of these fragile types that almost seem too precious for the electronic music scene… Kate Simko: “Sometimes I feel too fragile as well. I hope I can make it through to a point that I'm protected by my reputation. Still, although I'm fragile in some ways I have learned to be tough, not to get too excited before something is reality and deal with existing in a male-dominated scene.” Skrufff: Your music is very ethereal and contains a lot of elements that stem from your classical training. It seems you are very comfortable with bridging both worlds, How do you fit into both scenes? Kate Simko: “Besides the Philip Glass remix, I have not worked in the classical music world since leaving university. However, I do feel comfortable incorporating my classical roots and training into what I'm doing in the dance music scene. I've had to adapt the more linear characteristics of classical music to fit with the more cyclical form of club music, but I feel like I've found a balance.” Skrufff: A lot of classically trained artists dismiss club music as too quadratic (square)… How do you perceive music that is designed and played to dance to in comparison to classical music? Kate Simko: “I see dance music- or club music- as more circle-based music, like African music. I love hip-hop, soul and all music that is based on feel and soul as well as grandiose classical music. I just see them as different, I don't dismiss either as inferior.” Skrufff: You are also one of the few women who use analogue electronic music gear and play live… do you think about this ever? Kate Simko: “Yes, once in a while.. I like to meet and play with other women. But, I want to make music that's inspiring and good on it's own, whether it was made my a man or woman.” Skrufff: Do you feel women have a different approach to making music, or do you never think about stuff like this… Kate Simko: “I don't know if my approach is different because I'm a woman. I've noticed that I am more of a perfectionist than most people I know who make music but that's the only thing I noticed.” Skrufff: Is the piano your favourite instrument? Kate Simko: “Yes. It is a visual instrument with a really large range. I also love the sound of the cello and double bass; but they can't play chords and have smaller ranges.” Skrufff: Do you enjoy the geeky aspect of making electronic music? Kate Simko: “Yes, I'd say I'm a nerd in general. Skrufff: What do you dream about? Kate Simko: “Being in a reality that is the opposite of what I know.” Microsmorning is out shortly on Kupei Musika. Kat @ Planetkat.com (for Skrufff.com) KLinks: www.kupei.com www.katesimko.com |
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