Globetrotting producer Onra has staked his claim as one of the most exciting beat-makers of the past few years, thanks to releases like his Chinoseries collections (made from scratch with samples found while traveling Asia) and the acclaimed Long Distance LP. With his first release for Fool’s Gold, the Deep In The Night EP, Onra continues to chart new musical territory. The EP’s five tracks meld the snap of vintage jheri curl R&B with squggling disco synths and deeply funky, late-night vibes. From the new jack swinging “After Hours” (featuring T3 of Slum Village) to the moody, screwed loops of closer “Hold Tight, ” Deep In The Night‘s cut-and -paste danceability proves a must-listen for any occasion. He recently released a collaborative Jazz album with fellow french composer Buddy Sativa, under the name of Yatha Bhuta Jazz Combo. This spontaneous side-project displays another side of his musical experiences into the world of Spiritual Jazz / Free Jazz. Released in April 2013 on All City Records.
Facts
1: French, half vietnamese, born in Germany, lived in Ivory Coast.
2: My two passions are Music and Basket-Ball.
3: Been living in the same studio in Paris for ten years.
Questions
What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
Music if the biggest inspiration. Music makes you want to make music. Besides that, the people I meet, the places I go and everyday life things.
How and when did you get into making music?
I started in 1999/2000, with a software called Ejay. The cheapest you could get. I worked with that for several years and was real comfortable with it, until I switch to the MPC because I wanted to have a warmer sound. At first, I started because some friends and I wanted to rap over our own instrumentals.
What are your 5 favourite albums of all time?
I’d give you 5 albums amongst my favorite ones, cause it would be too complicated for me to be sure about my choice otherwise.
Slum Village „Fantastic Vol. 2″
Scientist „rids the world of the evil vampires“
Mtume „Juicy Fruit“
Lonnie Liston Smith „visions of a new world“
Brenton Wood „Baby You Got It“
What do you associate with Berlin?
Cool people, culture, cheap appartment, euro-hipsters, big parks, communist architecture and Curry Wurst.
What’s your favourite place in your town?
It’s my neighborhood, northside of the 13th district, between the Latin Quarter and Chinatown. It’s calm and very close to the center.
If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
I have no idea, maybe archeologist, cause I like to dig.
What was the last record you bought?
The new Moodymann EP on vinyl.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
There’s bunch of people that would be really interesting. Andre 3000 or Pharell would be dope.
What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
As a spectator, it was J Dilla’s last concert in Paris. I never felt quite like this before in a concert, there was a huge amount of emotion. As a performer, I’d say two weeks ago, in Paris for the release party of my new album „Long Distance“. My both parents and my whole crew being in the same room was something really special.
How important is technology to your creative process?
Technology is everywhere, I’m not making music with wood yet, so, of course it has an essential part.
I’m still working with my trusty MPC1000 till these days, I plan to upgrade to a software to make everything quicker and give me more possibilities to work with sound textures.
Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career?
I have a little brother. He wasn’t really interested in what I was doing until recently when his friends told him about me, then he was like „That’s my big brothre!“. So now, he feels some kind of pride I guess.
Our Favourites:
L.O.V.E.
Sitting back
The anthem
Links: Soundcloud | Facebook
