In Lost the Polt, flavourful acoustic samples are mixed with frenetic beats delivered to you straight from Taiwan. Close your eyes, imagine roaming around the sprawling Shilin Night Market and hit the play button!
Read our discussion with Oberka below.
Describe your sound in three words.
Fun, unorthodox electronica.
Tell us a few things about your debut album “BELTA.” What is the story behind it?
I’m a record producer working for mainstream and indie artists here in Taiwan, and since 2013, it has always been my wish to make a solo album. In 2020, I finally got time during the pandemic lockdown, and I spent two months making demos. I got busy after that initial period and decided to finish it at the end of 2021.
The album and song titles have no meaning. I just picked them up watching British slang YouTube videos while eating lunch. The music style is my own style of electronic music. I try to use synthesizers that have been dusty for a long time. I experiment a lot and mix many music styles. The process heals the self that has delayed reaching a goal.
Your music has an experimental touch. Should music as a form of art always challenge the listener?
The idea at first was to challenge some genre of music and specific sound that I hadn’t tried. For example, Latin/footwork/techno/etc. I’ve always liked mixing a lot of genres together. I didn’t think I needed to make some music that was already there. That wasn’t fun for me, and challenging the audience was really fun for me. Even making mainstream music, you can put in a little experimentation to broaden the audience’s mind to accept different things.
If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?
I would make it easier for independent artists and labels to earn money for their music.
Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?
Recently I discovered Ben Orlin. His songs are fun, and the melodies have a mesmerizing, slack magic.
You are the owner of Dark Paradise Records. Tell us a few things about it. If you had to pick one release from your label, which one would it be?
In 2013, I founded Dark Paradise Records because I wanted to know more about how the music industry works. Also, Taiwanese audiences are not familiar with local electronic music, so I planned to promote it and try to run the scene. The label mainly distributes Taiwanese electronic music but also hosts underground parties and music production workshops. We have released seven electronic compilation albums featuring Taiwanese musicians. Each has a different theme, including indie electronica, dance, underground hip-hop, experimental electronic, analog synthesizers, etc. I will recommend the latest one, “White Diamonds.” We invited ten electronic musicians to collaborate with ten singers. The audience can get a glimpse of the outline of Taiwan’s independent electronic music through this compilation.
Thank you!
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