Morpheus Music Interviews

MORPHEUS MUSIC INTERVIEW - PLANET BOELEX 10.10.08 - on release of Little World.


Q: How did you begin making music as Planet Boelex?	I've been always interested in the technology behind the electronic instruments and tools for creating music, as I've never really played any traditional instrument. There was a period of some years, when I didn't feel like doing music at all and that remained as the silent period. Then, around five years ago, I started looking at the current computer-based sequencers again and meanwhile they had evolved quite dramatically. It all seemed much more interesting again and I was inspired to try out, whether the good times associated with the 90's "tracker days" could return. They did indeed, and in January 2005 I had the first Planet Boelex EP released on the Monotonik netlabel.	Q: What made you choose to create music in the style you now work with?	I've had the principle of making music that I'd like to listen to myself, music I'd wish to have on my own collection. While it might seem a bit old-fashioned to some people, melodies and the harmonies surrounding them are the essence of a good tune to me. Even if I tend to pack a lot of rhythmic elements into my music, it's never been about the kick drum or roaring bass, I want the melodies to be heart of the track. And as those who've been following my music have noticed, I've been really quite loyal to the principle! To the extent of people getting bored of it always sounding the same, some don't seem to mind though. I wouldn't want to change my style to something based on people's suggestions, that would probably lead to uninspired result, and the listener can hear that. I'm not very good at taking anyone's advice regarding my music anyway.


Q: For the latest EP - Little World you work with Lisa's Antenna - how did this collaboration come about?	For a long time, I've been looking for vocals to add into my music. Again, I know it's not for everyone, but I'm really fond of vocal electronica. Whether it be spoken or sung, male or female, human voice is the element which add depth and warmth, something I often find myself missing from today's electronic music. And as I've been making the similar styled music for few years now, I wanted to take a step forward into something new. The result is the EP made together with Lisa, with vocals on every piece. I came across her MySpace somewhere last year and I was instantly attracted by the beautiful voice. We exchanged some mails and a bit later on, came up with the idea of trying to make a track together. The collaboration worked out pretty nicely and we finished "Blinded of you". At that time, I was trying to collect material and ideas for my debut full length album, but working on your own all the time can be tiresome, as I had already spent few months on making the "Suunta" release earlier that year. So I thought maybe now it's the right moment to take a fresh approach to making music, and suggested if we'd make a full EP release together.	Q: How did you and Lisa's Antenna actually record the EP?	As we don't live in the same country, it was a "remote collaboration" from start to finish. We have very different backgrounds, both musically and in other aspects, too. I come from purely electronic music background and Lisa is more on the traditional singer/songwriter side. This gave us a good starting point for creating a blend of musical styles that neither of us had done earlier. We have our personal focus on different things and that completed the music's little details in a way I couldn't have on my own, as Lisa notices things in my work I've never really paid attention to (and vice versa). I have learnt much during the work, as working with vocals is quite new to me anyway, plus the EP contains songs which are written by Lisa, so there's also a new kind of approach for me to finish a piece based on someone else's song. The collaboration itself was done in rather basic method, sending musical sketches and ideas via internet, commenting them back, then (maybe) later discard the ideas and start again with a new sketch. Lisa wrote all the lyrics and the vocals were usually recorded on pretty late on the progress, all the backgrounds were already finished by the time we had the last vocal recording mixed in.

Q: The album is very dreamy and blissful - was that the plan from the start?	Absolutely. As I personally don't like the darker tones in music, I'd wish to create music that would be visual, creating images in listener's mind. I've wanted to make you feel relaxed, but still include enough detail to keep the you interested. And with this release, as there's Lisa's soft and emotional voice, I was aiming for the slightly melancholic feel on the melodies. We even had the autumn time on mind to put out the release, as it fits the mood nicely. All in all, the collaboration worked very well and what's most important, the result sound like we intended, so we are both pleased with it and we'll possibly work together in the future as well.	Q: What gear do you use most in your recordings?	I'd like to point out I use purely software in the creation. But I won't be presenting any particular tools in public. I'm a believer in the simple philosophy of using the methods that suit you the best and not to care too much about what everyone else thinks about it. If you think your personal way of crafting the music is primitive, but it gives you the room to turn your ideas into actual pieces, why bother about it. I understand that for someone beginning to make music, it's helpful to observe what other musicians are playing. And I'll happily discuss and exchange info on my own setup in private, feel free to contact me regarding it.


Q: You make your music freely available for anyone who wants to download it - why this approach?	This is a topic I'm often asked about. For me it has been the natural choice since I began releasing music under the Planet Boelex name. The music will find the way to the listeners, the artist will get exposure, feedback and maybe some live gig offers at the same time. I'd wish to emphasize the importance of sending feedback to the artists who put out music for free, it's all they are asking for. There's nothing better than receiving a message from someone, who has been touched by your music, you know you have done something right then. Everyone knows how the record sales on electronic music are these days. Music enthusiasts and record collectors will keep purchasing it, but vast amount of people get their copies from dodgy sources, where the sound quality could be anything. At least to me, it seems more rational to give away the music for free, when I know the listener will get the release in good audio quality, along with proper information and cover artwork. However, there's room for improvement in people's knowledge and attitude regarding netlabels. For some people, netlabels seem like something only hobbyists participate and the "pro's" seem to mostly ignore them. Why this is the case, I don't know really, as there are loads of incredible releases on netlabels every month, just waiting to be discovered. Luckily the situation seem to improve, slowly.	Q: Could you be tempted into releasing a CD under any conditions?	Depends. A charity CD project is something I could do. One has to think about our environment and its state. If exactly the same music can be distributed via the internet in very effective manner, then why there is a need for all the physical manufacturing and logistics required to get the disc to the stores? It should still be all about the music right? Especially if it's only used to read it with the computer, in order to make the mp3's for the mobile player and the physical disc is then archived on the bookshelf. I'm aware that only a small fraction of netlabels currently publish their releases in lossless audio quality (FLAC for example), but if a release is available in such format, then CD's superior sound to mp3 is no strong point either. If the listeners wish to support the artist in terms of money, the best they could do is to donate directly to the artist.

Q: Where do you see your project going in the future?	Difficult to say. I've had this habit of planning only one release in advance, I'll begin the work on it, focus on just one thing at a time, try not to think too much about what happens when it's completed. So far I haven't been making up too ambitious plans for the future. I will probably seek more collaboration works as it will keep things interesting. I'd also like to participate in a soundtrack project of some kind.	Q: Your own music aside what do you think is the most beautiful electronic music being made today?	If I had to name one artist, that would be Vangelis. I've been listening to his works since I was a kid and you can hear the influence in my own music, it's not a secret! Maybe not really that electronic music, but I actually listen to lot of acoustic music also. There hasn't been a new Vangelis album for a while now, but the amount of wonderfully memorable classics in the back catalogue still make it like an obvious choice for me.

Lisa's Antenna has been kind enough also to answer a few questions on the album for us.
Q: From your perspective how did you first encounter Planet Boelex?	He sent me a message when he politely introduced himself and wondered if we could do a collaboration. I think I said yes even before I had heard his music strangely enough. I was on a very slow internet connection at the time so it took a while before I could hear any of his music.	Q: What made you decide that collaborating on Little World would be a good idea?	We had done a song together called "Blinded of you" and it had been very rewarding. Musically it was interesting and the collaboration had worked so smooth and simple. After that I asked if we could do some more music together. At first he said no, he had other plans, and then, to my delight, he changed his mind! :) Planet Boelex is very honest and straight forward and although we initially might not always agree with each other we seem to end up where we both are happy and pleased. And also, even though our backgrounds are very different, it's not the easiest thing in the world to find someone like Planet Boelex, who is easy to collaborate with and who keeps the focus on the music... even though we occasionally talk about the weather! ;)

Q: How do you feel that Ossi's music works as a structure for vocals?	His music does not follow the ordinary pop song ingredients! I haven't really put his music into words yet. I'd say his songs have been a challenge for me all of them. But fun and never predictable. I haven't turned a single one of his pieces down. The melodies come quite intuitively as I play his music while I'm working with something else or driving my car. And so do the lyrics. I try to let his music talk to me for a while and let them sink into my subconsciousness.	Q: What did you want to bring to the project?	Magic, dreams and contemplation. I guess the most beautiful of what I have inside at the moment, what ever that is.

Q: Would you work together again in future if the chance arose?	If he'd ask me now I'd say yes at once. But I have promised myself to do some other things for a while so I hope he'll wait a few months! And anyway, he has other plans...

Thanks to Ossi AKA Planet Boelex and Lisa's Antenna for allowing us that interview.