The LA-based producer M. Geddes Gengras has been putting out music at an alarming rate for the last decade, both solo (under his own name and using the aliases Personable and Fantastic Ego) and in a plethora of band s, from Britt Brown’s stoner rock troupe Robedoor to dub reggae production outfit Duppy Gun Productions. In recent years, Gengras has put more focus on his solo work, dropping the gauzy Ishi album for Stones Throw offshoot Leaving Records in 2014, and putting out compilation record Collected Works Vol. 2: New Process Music on Mexican label Umor Rex. In July 2016 he’s set to release his latest full-length, Interior Architecture, a blend of modular synthesizer experimentation and digital techniques set to drop on Intercoastal Artists.
Facts
1: electricity is like water, it always follows the path of least resistance
2: most problems can be solved with compassion and understand ing
3: money ruins art, i’m lucky i don’t make any
Questions
1.What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
it can be anything really, but mostly i’m compelled out of an addiction to doing the work, making something out of nothing.
2.How and when did you get into making music?
i started going to a lot of shows in high school & around that time started fooling around w/ music (alone & in groups), mostly casually, started my first real “band ” when i was 18 & started making music by myself in earnest sometime around 2003-4 to express ideas i had about sound & time.
3.What are your 5 favorite albums of all time?
the KLF – Chill Out
the Congos – Heart of the Congos
John Martyn – One World
Burial – Untrue
Pure X – Angel
4.What do you associate with Berlin?
kebab & record stores & getting ripped off trying to buy herb next to a park, last time i was there i didn’t go to any clubs but i went to a lot of museums.
5.What’s your favorite place in your town?
Al & Bea’s Mexican Food
6.If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
i’d probably be an actor or a therapist
7.What was the last record you bought?
Harry Bertoia Sonambient box & a Solid Eye CD-R
8.Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Steven Stapleton, Morton Subotnick, Mickey Hart
9.What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
best sets in recent memory:
S T A R G A T E – Club Adriatico fest – Ravenna, IT
Laurel Halo – Moogfest – Durham, NC
Theo Parrish & Francois K – Cielo – NY, NY
10.How important is technology to your creative process?
it’s certainly wrapped up in it but i’m also using it in a fairly rudimentary way, i’m sure i’d be making music regardless w/o all the technology
11.Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career?
one younger brother who is a total natural musician & is doing far better than i am, he’s proud of me regardless
