What is your name?
I’m Jakob a.k.a. Kalipo.
How did you start?
Before my first release as Kalipo in 2011, I have been messing around as a band member and producer of the German electropunk band Frittenbude. The band’s success opened many doors and I started releasing music as Kalipo mainly, because some of the beats I produced didn’t really match Frittenbude anymore. I was into writing calmer and more instrumental stuff, so Kalipo was an outlet for that. It was my compensation, to be able to fully commit to such a crazy band project.
Where are you currently based?
I have been living in Berlin for eight years now.
Please tell us about your production style, we hear you produced completely analog and only uses a computer in the last step to record?
I constantly change my approach and my setup, I replug all the time, switch the DAW, nothing stays the same for long. I need change and new impressions to have new ideas. Right now for example, I am sitting in my grandma’s garden, working on a couple of new tracks.
In general, I really like working with analog instruments. I find the sound and the feel super inspiring. In many of my songs I don’t use any plug-ins, other than EQs and compressors, however it can also be the opposite and ideas could start at a computer. But I find that more difficult.
Where did the summer vibes inspiration come from? Why did you choose to go in that direction?
At the beginning of this year I was in a bit of a creative slump, I didn’t really like anything I was doing and I didn’t produce anything. One night I couldn’t sleep, so I sat in the kitchen smoking and it came to me that I had only been listening to old soul, jazz and funk. Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield and stuff like that, so I realized, that I wanted to mix these sounds’ aesthetics with my Kalipo sound.
All of the songs on the EP were then written pretty quickly in under a week. I just wanted to bid farewell to the winter depression, evoke the summer and leave old patterns behind.
Please tell us about the children’s drawings cover art of the recent album?
The drawings on the cover were made by my 6-year-old son and me. We sat down one afternoon and created the cover together. I didn’t want it to be too perfect and I just wanted to go with what feels right.
Which label is the album released on and why did you go with them?
The EP is the first release on Hold Your Ground, the new Audiolith sublabel for techno and house and everything in between. It was born out of the Stiff Little Spinners compilation on Audiolith, which we have been releasing since 2011 with other artists like Krink and Rampue, so Hold Your Ground is the logical continuation of this. I have been working with Audiolith for almost ten years and they are family to me. For me it’s an honor to be the first release on HYG, a label which I think will have many exciting releases in the future.
Please tell us about the new studio live set which features all tracks https://soundcloud.com/ zeroparty/elevation-kalipo ?
My mix for Zero features all tracks of the new EP. The podcast turned out super summery and is leaning a little less into club territory. I feel the music suits home, nature and other things you could do besides partying in the club.
Please describe your production process?
I like samplers like the Octatrack or MPC. I often lie on the sofa or go to the park or sit on the train with one of those and experiment with samples or work on initial little ideas. Later on in the studio I will revisit sketches and try to combine them with analog synths, drum machines or other instruments. At the moment I am in love with the Prophet 6 and the MFB Tanzbär. Often I will record percussion or drums in the studio and then go back home with the recordings to finish the arrangement with a little distance, peace and quiet. Sometimes I do this on the train.
What are you working on right now?
At the moment I am working on a new track for the next Stiff Little Spinners compilation.
What is your equipment setup?
Live, I use a sampler, synth and the drum machine by Elektron. I am with Elektron trough and trough!! For their compact size their machines are super powerful and perfect to play with live. In the studio I will use heavier equipment, for example the Moog Voyager or Korg MS20.
What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?
I try to spend as much time as possible with my family. That’s what’s most important in life and it grounds me. This is where I have my happiest moments and of course this translates into my music, like everything in life.
How would you describe your music genre?
I always find it difficult to categorize my own music and I like leaving that to others.
What are your plans for the future?
After releasing a really summery EP with “Alles gut” I feel like doing something darker and more experimental again next.
How did you get into music?
Music has always been there.
What are you listening to at the moment?
The last three albums I listened to fully were by Stimming on a road trip to France. Really inspiring how minimalistic and free his arrangements are.
Who are your top 3 influences and icons?
As a child I was a huge Michael Jackson fan. He is probably the reason why I got into music in the first place. Then it was east-coast hiphop of the 90s. One of my biggest influences later on was most definitely Four Tet. Again and again, I find it so impressive how warm and earthy his music sounds and how he hits the spot every time. Also early Gigolo records were a strong influence. I
am originally from Bavaria so the electro clash of the early 00s didn’t pass me by without leaving their mark. Those were the best parties. It was such a no-holds-barred movement.
When are you playing next?
My next gig is at Plötzlich am Meer Festival in Poland, which I am really looking forward to!
