LKW
FOR URBNET MAGAZINE - October 2002 Why
the move to Paris from Argentina and how has that affected
your production?
The
move, the move, the move… Hrmm... it's difficult, for
a lot of good reasons… The economic situation was really
bad in 1987-86. I mean there was no stability, and my family
was looking for a brighter future…
At
the same time, we (my family) were bored with Argentinean
politics and economical methods… But also the Argentinean
way of life was not corresponding a lot with our visions
at that time.
We
drove around South America, USA, and then one day we stopped
in Paris…
The move has affected my production in everything. Maybe
if I never left Argentina I would have never been a producer,
but a simply ugly rock band drummer.
My
first instrument were drums and percussions in general.
Before producing house, I was playing with several funk
and rock bands in Paris from 92 to 93-94… One day a
friend show me how to mix, and offer me my first vinyl and
techno CD's. It was in 1994 ( thanks Gabriel )…
What
styles of Argentinean & Parisian music do you use to
craft you deep funky tech-house?
Argentinean
music does not really affect my music. I'm not a bad boy
taking tango samples just to make money (you know who I'm
talking about). It's more the power of Argentinean people
and their crazy energy that affects me…
On
Kuala Lumpur EP, I put vocals from my favourite Argentinean
comic named "Jorge Corona". People, places, souvenirs
from my life in Argentina affect me… But not really
traditional music, like tango or cumbia…
My
track's titles are affected to… Remember: "Gol
de Boca"… Boca it's my favourite football/soccer
team in Argentina.
French
and especially Parisian sound is much more important for
me now… Because I have learned how to build my music…
It gives me new ideas and concepts…
Now
I final have my own personal way of crafting my music. Big
dance floor boosting effects, uplifting breaks and hip-hop
vocals are some of my personal touches… It's a mix
of what I am… An Argentinean guy with all his Latin
energy lost in Europe!
I'm
very affected by French music the culture but I'm not representative
at all. I can't be considered a French or Argentinean artist…
Here in Paris I'm a mutant.
I'm
the only one to produce a lot of music for North American
labels here in Paris. I have my style and the other DJ's
are in familiar other genres like: deep and tech but it's
not like how I envision my tracks to be composed.
I
think there's no audience in Paris for my music. People
prefer classy and chilled house with jazz elements, and
I prefer big kicks with hip-hop vocals and electro synths.
There's
no DJ's like me in Paris, that's why I'm very discreet here.
I don't play every week and I'm not in Parisian mainstream.
I don't really have a crew or my place in this scene, it's
just because I'm different.
Maybe
because of my Argentinean nature, I like the big sound;
I love when people scream and shout! French DJ's love discretion
and authenticity, I'm not really into that, for me my dance
floor should be like an Argentinean football stadium…
Total chaos!
With
the success of all your signed tracks did that initiate
the birth of the KW label?
Not
at all. Firstly you need to know that my true patriotism
comes first for Argentina.
In
1996, I was already thinking that my homeland artists were
in a trap… Because of the distance and no underground
record companies there to promote these artists on an international
level.
Also,
I listen to more than 20 projects from different artists,
and if it's sounds big and has characteristics of quality
but its also defined by the feeling, the ideas and also
because these artists are friendly people.
Really
these artists are special. There's a great energy…
And at the same time they will put a kind of fresh kick
into the international electronic scene…
That's
why I'm working on this label, but be reassured I will continue
to produce on several labels for future releases.
Which artists or remixers do you have in mind for future
releases on both imprints of KW & KW2?
Artists
like… Ciudad Feliz (Stickman, 2020 vision, Silvernetwork),
Peligroso Bikini, Diego Ro-k (Ministry of Sound), Carlos
Shaw, Dr Trincado, Canu, Capri, and many more…
For
the remix part… My idea is simple… Argentinean
anonymous artists remixed by big names like: David Duriez,
Llorca, Alex Kidd, Stickmen, Roo, Mattlok, Les Diamantaires,
Etienne de Crécy and Motorbass, Alex Gopher, Demon
and DJ Corleone @ 20000st, Paranoid Jack, Bobby Peru, Jay
tripwire, the entire Housemuziq collective and many, many
more friends!
You
know, connect my European and North American friends with
these fresh new artists… It will be great…
Internationally
what dance floors been hearing your music?
Currently
my music is being played by a lot of great international
DJ's, like Justin Robertson (UK), DJ Dan (USA), Tsuyoshi
(Japan), Seb Fontaine (UK), and other big names that's why
I can say that some floors have been hit but there's lots
more to do to get my music out there for people to hear
and play.
For
myself I'm currently spinning in France but also the UK,
Asia and lately in Malaysia, but I'd also like to visit
more and more the USA and hopefuly Canada to spread my music
for the masses.
Peace,
Lucas Konk West.
Questions
by Marc Lacasse for Jackhouse mag - Urbnet Group - http://www.urbnet.com
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