The rhythmic guitar, pulsing beat and Caribbean style synth plinks of “Can I Have Your Attention” set the tone for Mathias Modica aka Munk‘s third full length, the Bird and the Beat, out now on Modica’s own Gomma records. The German producer’s lastest work captures sunny sounds from around the world with the help of several lush female vocalists. It also showcases Modica’s diverse musical palette as lead singles, “La Musica,” “Violent Love” and “Keep My Secret” prepare eager fans for unheard material like the endearing “Kitchen Call” or the sexy “Rue De Rome.” Munk’s latest release feels full, no filler or skippable tracks. It’s the type of record you want to take with you on the scenic route with the windows down while some p.y.t rides shotgun.
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Joseph: How old were you when you decided to get serious about making music?
Mathias: My dad is a composer of classica and contemporary music, so music was all around always. I started to play piano at 5. Drums at 7. Other intruments later.
I think it was quite clear as a child already that I was gonna spend my life with music. :)
The songs on Bird and the Beat are all really catchy and fun. How do you go about preparing and writing a new song?
On this album at the begnning i wanted to do a completely different thing. All very intrumental and played live. An esoteric kind of music. I recorded 3 songs with various female singers, which went very well and I was fortunate enough to meet a few more who were interested, so I skipped all the more obscure tracks and started to work on this concept. I play basslines, chords and melodies at the piano, then I go to the studio, make a beat and replay the music I did at the piano on this beat with different instruments and create the backing track. Afterwards I let the singers have a listen and they choose the songs they want to sing on, then we lay down the vocals together. Most of time I have the melody and they bring the words. All the esoteric intrumental tracks will be out on the next album which will be totally different.
Are you playing all these instruments in the recordings or do you have a group of friends that get together and jam?
Most instruments I play my self, then I sample them. Cut it. Rework it etc. Only on 3 tunes were there are other people that played. A guitar or drums (“Kitchen Call” and “Dort”)
Favorite synth to work with?
For a long time it was 70s vintage synths… Moogs etc… but I have to admit, right now I love the cheapness of an Korg M1 from the early 90s, especially now where everybody uses the imitated Moog sounds from the web. I like the original cheap sounds from the real synths. :)
What was it about your trip to Los Angeles that inspired the song Down in LA?
Haha… I’ve never been to LA. [ :o ] We were in the studio with one of the vocalists and somehow we were dreaming and talking about LA lifestyle as we imagined it to be; cliché’s and stuff. So we came up with this song. :)
Were you blown away when you first heard the Shazam’s mix of that song?
Of course. It’s a nice version isn’t it?
Favorite American City?
Dallas? No, Denver. Joking. Must be New York in the 70s and 80s. I guess right now its a bit… mhhh… sleepy? Compared to the dirty innovative times of the older days? At least if it coms to music.
When you’re traveling what do you miss about home?
Nothing. I left my home town Munich 3 years ago and since then I lived in 4 different cities: Rome, Paris, Berlin. now Marseille. I dont have my own appartment since then. I stay with my girlfriend here in South France or with friends in other towns. I love this vagabond lifestyle a lot and miss nothing.
There are plenty of gorgeous female vocalists on Bird and the Beat. Do you have a favorite?
Must be my girlfriend :) Amandine, singing on Rue de rome, a tribute to Marseille and South France.
Where’d you find all them fly honeys for the Keep My Secret video shoot?
Hahaha… All friends from Munich Germany where we did the video.
In terms of djing, who showed you the ropes or did you teach yourself?
Me and my buddy Nonas the Telonius, who runs gomma records with me, started to go out fifteen years ago in Germany and we hated what we saw; Formulaic made german techno, wannabe hip hop djs, boring house djs mixing well but choosing bad tracks etc, so we always watched them and said, “We wanna do it different.” So we developed our quite eclectic disco vs rock vs house inspired style. Now i hear djs play this way all around europe but in 2000 when we started it was absoutley forbidden to play like this. We had to teach ourselves. :)
With all the accounting, organization, preparation and responsibility involved, starting a record label seems pretty daunting. Did Gomma records come together easily?
It came naturally. The classic way. First djs, then organizing parties, then one record led to two and so on. By now we have 4 people at the office in Germany with a nice little underground structure but effective distribution. So of course there is some work but it grows naturally.
What was the first record Gomma ever pressed and do you remember the feeling of picking it up?
My first one was under the name of LEROY HANGHOFER. I tried to offer this track to other labels but nobody wanted it so we started the label. The 500 copies were sold only in London and Tokyo. Afterwards there was a little hype with U.K. magazines and that was the reason to go on.
What’s a traditional German dish I should try when I make my way over there?
Bavarian white sausages. Great! With sweet mustard and a white beer.
Where do you do most of your music listening?
In my girlfriends bed in marseille, watching the sea…
Last song you listened to?
Ten minutes ago, the new Classixx single. Really, no kidding.
Who does the artwork for munk releases?
Me with my buddy PAZE from Munich.
Can you describe your first meeting with James Murphy that lead to “Kick out the Chairs?”
He called us up in 2003 through a common friend because he wanted to create a network of like minded people. He invited us to dj in NYC 3 times and he came to our parties in Germany. We also orgnaized the first gigs of the Rapture in Germany at that time. It was fun. He had some good times in Munich. He loves good food as we do and as I am half Sicilian I know all the good restraurants with excellent Italian food. He liked that.
What’s your relationship with Etienne de Crecy and Jan Driver who mixed the album?
Etienne asked me for a Munk remix last year. The remix was quite succesful and so we stayed in contact. It was natural to ask him to rework my sound as he is famous for the french fat beat. Jan Driver is a friend from berlin. He understands my music well so this made sense to. He also mixes the music of my friend Siriusmo who is part of the family so it all makes sense.
Best place to pick up a nice fedora like yours?
At the old port in Marseille, a real bargain!
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Munk Hits & Remix Tape by Gomma
Munk – The Bird and the Beat $11.99 at beatport
Munk – The Bird and the Beat $7.99 at amazonmp3
