Nicholas Kopp – Interview – Thanks for Asking!

Nicholas Kopp – Interview – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

RRX: With the exception of singing, everyone has an instrument, an inanimate object that has the distinction of being a lifelong friend. Smooth or temperamental, these objects have a character. So pick someone to answer, can you tell us something special about what you play, your technique, your instrument?

NK: I use an AKAI MPC that houses a great deal of samples from my large collection of percussion instruments. In using them, it ensures the electronic music I create with it is unique to myself and the listener. I have loaded these samples into another similar unit as well as a modular synthesizer rig. Processing my own instruments with these devices is an incredibly rewarding way to discover new and interesting sounds, something that is crucial to my individual approach as a musician.

RRX: Artists, musicians, we immortalize. We set it in stone. Is there anyone who has passed that you feel you have immortalized in your work? If so, can you tell us a little about them?”

NK: Both of my parents. I’ve been able to understand my lived experience with them and how it has shaped my work since their passing. The totality of ancestral memory informs my work more profoundly as I build a deeper awareness of it.

RRX: With services like Spotify, streaming revenue can be pretty dismal. Without spilling secrets, do you have a promotional mindset or philosophy?

NK: Do something no one else is doing. Experimentation breeds individuality. Every mistake is an opportunity to do something new. Above all, play it like you mean it. I’m someone who’s lived that philosophy in every performance.  I tell my students all of these things as often as possible.

RRX: In the musical world, there are many supporting players. Recording engineers, sound techs, cover art designers. Who are three people that support the craft that you would like to shine a spotlight on?

NK: Christopher Brown, Shane Sanchez, and Sarah Darby, also known as Madeline. Chris was the first person to encourage me to perform my solo work live-telling me whenever I was ready, “the platform is here”. Following that, I have performed at many Super Dark Collective events, and cannot thank the 3 of them and everyone else involved that makes those shows happen-giving myself and other unique artists a chance to express themselves and share their work with a wider audience.

RRX: What do you think is the most poorly understood thing about music, or the music you play?

NK: Electronic music is not always repetitive. I take a very improvisational approach to performing my solo sets, incorporating generative music processes to ensure a unique experience is created for each audience as well as myself.

RRX: What would you like fans to know before they come to see you play? (No basic stuff; get specific.)

NK: I want people to know that I create new visuals and musical accompaniment very thoughtfully for each space I perform in, and take that process very seriously.

RRX: What instrument would you add to the band if you could? Is there anything you are trying to do musically that would be helped with one or more additional players?

NK: I want to clone myself to play drums over the electronic pieces I compose.

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