Kamran Sadeghi

How did you start?

I pressed record 😉

Where are you currently based?

I’ve been a bit of a nomad the past 10 years, but I’m based between New York and Berlin. It’s been a really nice balance as I’m not sure I could live in either place all year around. The intimacy and bond I have with Berlin and the people there is a nice contrast to the anonymous wild energy of lower Manhattan, where I wonder and work.

Cocoon Compilation Q – ‘Anno Domini’ http://www.cocoon.net/release/cocoon_compilation_Q How did you come to be a part of this compilation?

Cocoon Recordings approached me and asked if I’d like to submit some music to be considered for their 17th compilation. I was on their radar since I released a track in collaboration with my wife Julia Govor and Tini used a track of mine for one of the cocoon DJ mix releases.

Your able to reach different audiences through a compilation, what do you enjoy most about being involved in a compilation?

I guess your right.. never thought of that, but I’m sure people who listen to compilations are exposed to producers they’ve never heard of before. I’m a big fan of long term relationships, that goes for people and projects. For me being part of a compilation is being part of a family. Being a producer can often feel reclusive and often feed the ego in very dangerous ways, so being part of an album that isn’t your own ‘concept’ is humbling.

Please tell us about how and why the track was chosen?

The folks at Cocoon actually chose a track that reflects my personality and character rather than just choosing a track that fits some other criteria. I think it’s important to foster diverse ideas, exploration and personal expression in music rather than the homogenizing it. Really encouraging and wonderful experience with the label on this release.

When and where did you produce the Meander EP – ‘Astral Body’ http://www.juno.co.uk/products/kamran-sadeghi-astral-body/630856-01/ how has the feedback been?

The tracks were recorded between New York and Berlin around end of 2015 – 2016. There is always this “survival” gap for the music between the ‘making of’ and the time it’s released. I’ve had positive comments on the record and Meander is also getting good feedback.

You made a video teaser for the EP using the label art https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQMiC6UvynI How did the idea for this video come about? Did you study film? Have you had much involment in film in the past?

I like to create things, to give life to what I do and try to put as much into it as I can. The idea came from meaning of the title ‘Astral Body’ borrowed from the philosophies surrounding the idea that there is a space between the intelligent soul and the mental body.

This floating figure that is separating from itself and gradually morphing into an abstract form is a reference to how sound and music can carry us into other planes of existence. I’m an autodidact and drink alot of coffee. Around 2006 I took 8 years off from making albums and releasing music to make video art for live performance and gallery installations. I was super inspired by Stan Brakhage and Frank Bretschneider for example.

Meander Compilation – ‘Amber Alert’

You have an EP coming up in September 2017 on Dana Ruh’s – Brouqade records https://soundcloud.com/brouqade What inspired this EP? What equipment did you use to produce? What vibe were you going for?

For me creativity comes out when I’m in a regular work flow and just getting in the zone. Trying to clear the mind and enter the subconscious. I’m all about practicing and pushing my instruments to find the threshold. I use my normal setup of modular synths. For these tracks I’m using the Elektron Rytm and Tempest mostly for the rhythm and Octatrack.

You also have EP on Lara Jone’s Sensoramic Records https://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=34434 What are the key elements that you aim to encapsulate when creating an EP?

I’m often looking for this area between being physical and etherial. It’s not easy to put into words, but I also find myself trying to create a sonic space that I can walk into, once I’m in this space I decide if I want to float or dance.

Up Coming Shows?

Solo LIVE set at Signal Festival

LIVE set with my experimental group Soundwalk Collective https://www.facebook.com/signal.russia/

Solo Live set at Nordstern Club Basil https://www.facebook.com/nordsternbasel/

LIVE set with Soundwalk Collective – Waking Life Festival https://www.facebook.com/events/1827567557493227/

How do you prepare for each show?

I’m a musician and improvisor so I leave alot of room to perform in real time. I have a very loose set of ideas setup on my machines, mostly the intro and a lead-in rhythm. It’s important for me not to be too predictable and perfect live. I’m always adapting to the venue, sound system and mood. I need to use instinct and emotion, otherwise it sounds like a ‘press play’ live set.

What equipment and programs do you use live?

At the center of my setup is a multi channel mixing desk a Eurorack Modular, Elektron Rytm, ERM Multiclock and the Teenage Engineering Op1. I also use Ableton as my sampler sequencer while I travel because I can sketch out tracks on the move, and I’m moving allot.

What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?

Music is really at the core of my life. I’m also involved in conceptual and contemporary art. It helps me to think critically about my own work and ask important questions. I don’t want to do things because it’s a trend or because it could make me popular or gain me more Facebook likes.

How would you describe your music genre?

I’m really not the best at answering genre questions. All I can say is that I try to merge all the things that I’ve learned over the past 2 decades of working with music, sound and art without thinking too much about the market and business side.

What are your plans for the future?

To keep learning, growing and exploring.

How did you get into music?

As a teenager I realized that I was obsessed with all aspects of music. I knew that it was something I could do no matter where I am and how I feel. I started to collect instruments and teach myself how to play simple phrases to overdub on my Tascam Four Track Tape recorder. I wanted to make music with both electronic and acoustic elements, then I started to really experiment with recording techniques, processing the instruments, slowly moving into the electronic sound scapes.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Right now I’m listening to allot of Deepchord, Terry Riley, Phillip Glass and music from friends.

Who are your top 3 influences and icons?

At this point in my work I’m really motivated by the people who are closest to me like my wife Julia Govor, my group Soundwalk Collective and other close friends and producers that would take up this entire page to list. Otherwise I’ve been heavily influenced by John Cage, Jim O’Rourke, Conny Plank, Johnny Greenwood, Moritz Von Oswald, Frank Bretschneider to name only a few.

When are you playing next?

I’m actually on my way to moscow now as I’m typing playing for Signal Festival then directly to Portugal for Waking Life. Then I’ll play at Club Der Visionare in Berlin before playing at Nordstern in Basel for a Meander Records label night with my good friend DeWalta.