MC: How was the experience of producing an entire song with four track tape? Did you find that it changed anything about the writing or performing process?

Andrea Cortese: Writing on 4-track is one of my favorite ways to express myself musically. Every time I record something into the tape, something magical happens. It's so unpredictable. The writing process is totally different from regular synth production because the gain staging and other small details have to be recorded into the DAW in a different way.

MC: You do a lot of work with groovebox style equipment. Was there a specific piece of gear that inspired the writing process for Antientropic?

AC: I love the Model: Samples by Elektron. I loved throwing noise samples in it and trying to make rhythm from it. I just upgraded to the Octatrack and so far, I love it.

MC: Your music tends to have rhythmic intricacy but always with a steady pulse. Do you find that your work as a drummer provides some building blocks for your music?

AC: Totally. I am constantly looking for a rhythm that make sense to me. I love working with drums where I can set an LFO to it to make unpredictable sounds and variations.

MC: There are glimmers of film score in the track that, for me, brings up a lot of imagery. Was there any visual concept behind Antientropic?

AC: Antientropic was inspired by a painting created by my friend / producer Benedetto Reitano (who also mastered the track). The concept was to create a soundtrack that would make you feel like you're traveling with your mind. I imagine traveling for so long and so far that I could get confused. Traveling to a place that no one has ever been. Discovering new places, having adventures, and getting scared. Then at last, finding peace in this beautiful, green and silent looking place that makes me think about meditation.

MC: I see you've chosen a few tracks by Olafùr Arnalds for your playlist picks. Do you have aspirations to work with orchestral instrumentalists in the future?

AC: Absolutely. I have recently seen artists like Sohn, Bonobo and Dream Koala having concerts with a full orchestra and that absolutely inspires me. I’d love to experiment with classical sounds and process them in real time using electronic and vintage machines to get interesting sounds. If I have more time to get my hands on this music, I would love to achieve tracks like “Loom" by Olafùr Arnalds & Bonobo or maybe something like Idioteque by Radiohead and then add orchestral hints.

MC: What's next for you?

AC: I have a few projects in mind. I'm currently working on releasing an EP made by using noise samples processed by the Tascam 424. The next step would be to go out and play my first solo concert. Hopefully that will come soon because I miss the stage.

Artist Playlist

We asked Andrea to send us what he’s currently listening to + inspired by in the form of a playlist which you can check out below: