Exclusive Interview with Leodoris

Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Kristian Rix of Leodoris, shortly before his performance at Grease on Friday 18th January.

How would you describe your music?

It often starts out as a house kinda track, but as we work on it, add vocals, etc., it usually turns into something warmer and less “loud”. We have a passion for house music but also for soul, blues, and alternative pop so I guess it’s a natural thing that our music ends up somewhere in between.

Which tracks would you suggest to people that are not yet familiar with your music?

I think maybe our first single “Run”, it has that mix of a warm vibe and soulful vocals and for remixes I guess the one we did for “Metronomy”.

Kurt Cobain made you pick up the guitar - you played hard rock in high school. How did you find your way to electronic music?

Actually it was Kurt Cobain’s hair. I had a poster of him in my room as a kid and thought he looked cool, so yeah...the teenager picked up the guitar! Anyways, I started listening to drum ‘n’ bass, probably because there are some similarities with the dominant beat and bass-line that reminded me of the slow, super groovy grooves I loved from bands like Pantera, Helmet, Rage Against The Machine, etc. And I think around the same time came the Rebirth music software that I loved messing around with, and later Rebirth became Reason. After drum ‘n’ bass, I got more into house music and that’s where my primary focus has been since, I guess with detours to more club oriented techno/dub, but also quieter electronica stuff.

You released your first single “Run” on your own – it got picked as single of the week by UK’s Guardian. What can you tell us about the process of releasing it yourself and how did you feel about the very positive reactions on the track?

First of all, releasing “Run” was a quick experiment and a “hello” to the world. Since we thought of “Run” as more of a b-side gem you might find and fall in love with, rather than your typical radio friendly debut single, it also seemed natural to DIY with that track. There is some paperwork to setting up the label and releasing of course, and you have to make sure your release gets promoted, but I guess it makes up for the time you would spend communicating with a label. The effort really pays off when the reactions starts coming in from DJs, radio hosts, magazines, etc., from around the globe. It makes your day when you get a great review of course, but the fun really comes down to just getting feedback on your work.

You had your Bangkok debut on the recent New Year’s Eve party at Glow Nightclub. How was it?

It was truly amazing. I quite often get it wrong when I prepare for a dj-gig at a venue I haven’t played before. I think people might like something particular there or I thinking about playing something specific, and then when I get there, I change my mind. This time was no different. I thought I would be playing deep house and maybe build it from there with some edits of tunes people would know, but it was full-on, with more up-tempo and lord-have-no-mercy-techno-ish tracks. I hadn’t expected that many people to be that focusing on the set. I guess that’s the great thing about venues with a clear electronic music profile.

Here in Bangkok you perform solo, but actually Leodoris is a duo. What can you tell us about vocalist Erikka, the other half of Leodoris?

Correct, Leodoris is a duo, actually we’ve been a trio at some live gigs, but yes, Erikka is the voice you hear on our tracks. Obviously I love the character of her vocals. It’s not everyday you bump into someone who sings like there is no tomorrow and as if their life depended on it. A lot of people try to be someone, try to perfect a style, etc. Erikka is herself and all she gives comes directly from the heart.

What were your highlights of 2012?

Getting the first edit of the “What If” music video from the Austrian fashion photographer Andreas Graf Waldschuetz. That must be an example how NOT DIY can be awesome. I’ve never met him, but he knew Erikka and said he was going to a photo shoot with this beautiful model Jana Wieland and they would have some crazy bathing hats to play around with, and if he should just go for it and try and shoot the video for the single. The label was about to get treatments from UK video directors, but they were just as excited as we were when the first edit came in which looked more or less like the final version on YouTube.

What was the best and the worst gig you ever played?

As for the best, or most fun, I guess maybe playing at a party for a big sushi company where the staff were dressed as cartoons and went bananas. It was hilarious and a bit surreal. As a DJ, I think it must have been DJing at the amazing and now closed Rio Club in Berlin. Worst live gig was one in Copenhagen where subs were jumping so hard that the audio interface got pulled out 3-4 times, I was close to crying. Worst DJ-gig was recently playing at an intellectual Danish newspaper’s yearly Christmas party. There were intellectual TV hosts asking what the best disco song ever written is, and other intellectuals asking me to play Earth Wind & Fire constantly.

What was the funniest thing ever occurred during any of your performances?

Erikka´s chains from her jacket once got stuck in my guitar because we had too little space on stage. You somehow don’t prepare for that situation, you just keep on going, and at the same time you think WTF?! We managed to fix it in a smooth way though.

Are you adventurous if it comes to food? Do you try the local dishes of the countries you travel to, or do you usually eat what you know from home? Do you like Thai food?

I’m adventurous if I’m not hungover. I prefer knowing what’s in the dish, though sometimes I wished I didn’t know when something tastes wonderful yet knowing what it is creeps you out. I love Thai food (thanks for twisting my arm!). I sometimes miss the crispy element in a dish, but the other day the local guys who booked the Bangkok gigs (Duck & Noodle) serviced me with that too. They showed me these super crispy pastry-like bread things, rothi as it turns out - so unbelievably good! My best friend is a chef, and he tells me if it tastes good its either; fat, salt or sugar. So those crispy guys must made of just that!

What can Bangkok’s party people expect from your performance at Grease (Sukhumvit 49) on 18th January?

I’m really looking forward to the gig: it’s an a new venue, I hear they are still working on the finishing the two top floors, but the club room has this huge LED ceiling and a badass VJ controlling it. Like New Year's Eve, I would probably be wrong in guessing what people will be up for; I’ll figure that out when I get there. I like playing all sorts of stuff - from disco and slow-house to more uptempo techno dubby stuff, as long as it makes your feet move.