Kai Moa delivers a powerful second single with “L = ∅.” A cinematic track packed with gritty textures, massive energy, and epic, wall-of-sound synths. Read our discussion below!
Describe your sound in 3 words
Cinematic. Ethereal. Industrial.
Tell us a few things about L = ∅. What is its main idea and what the story behind its title?
“L = ∅” follows the story of a nihilist who can’t seem to catch a break in life. They offer their opinions on work, housing, and love, stating “what’s the point in anything if you can lose it all?”.
The track aims to express how negative reactions to negative experiences can often spiral and send us hurtling down a path of nihilism and pointlessness.
As for the track title – “∅” is the symbol for “empty set” in mathematics (a set which has no elements). In this track, our protagonist truly believes their life is an empty set, void of any elements. I’m no mathematician, and I don’t even understand set theory well enough to know if the metaphor works, but it’s a cool name nonetheless.
Let’s talk about that Brostep ending. Did you have to shift your entire mixing and mastering approach for the final section of the track to ensure that “snap” had the maximum physical impact?
Yes, for sure there was a bit of a shift in the way the track was mixed from that point on, but honestly most of the impact comes from the arrangement itself, changes in instruments, textures, and the rhythms that are sequenced. Basically everything changes instrumentally from that point on – from the drums/percussion, to the vocal chops, and, of course, the synths. Other than that, there’s not too much more to it.
Your favorite most solid drop in a track you wish you had composed yourself?
To be honest, I try not to wish I had composed anything anyone else has written. I write what I write, and other people have their own unique streams of creativity, too. I’ve found that if I start trying to copy others, or wishing I had composed something I didn’t, it starts to mess with my head a bit and I start drifting away from my own creativity. Finding solace in how original and unique every individual is due to their influences and experiences has helped me find space for my own stuff.
That being said, “Horizon” by ALOTT has got such a dope drop. I love when producers subvert expectations and this is a classic example of that. “with vengeance” by Nikita, the Wicked is another drop that’s got a lot of sauce on it, and I’ve had a soft spot for “Shellshock” by Foreign Beggars & Noisia since it came out.
Your debut single, (Sea) captured a completely different sonic world compared to the industrial, mechanical chaos of this new track. What inspired you to pivot so drastically?
So, you’ve basically heard 1/2 of the 4-track EP which drops 28th August this year.
The whole EP is essentially 2 parts dreamy/ambient/pop, and 2 parts industrial/experimental/IDM. These tracks weren’t originally written as one project, but as they developed it just seemed to make sense as one body of work. This is partly where the name Kai Moa comes from. It’s a play on the word “Chimera” – an organism composed of cells that are genetically distinct. Given the range on influences I’ve drawn from (consciously, or otherwise), I like to think of my music as being one thing that is composed of many influences which are distinct.
Given the heavy IDM and industrial influences, who are some of the artists or non-musical inspirations that shaped the sonic identity of Kai Moa?
Arca has been a huge influence, Oneohtrix Point Never as well. Sawako, and obviously Aphex Twin, but it was mostly through listening to Arca that triggered the “I can do anything I want” response which led to these tracks being written. As for non-musical inspirations, I’ve always loved the sounds of machinery. I live up the road from a metalworks which you can hear throughout most days, and add to that the tannoy from the building at the top of the hill and you have a really interesting soundscape. I also love “natural white noise” – water flowing, wind blowing through trees, the sound a box of worms make as they move around. Constant, relentless, but varied and never repeating sounds. I’m slightly obsessed with sounds that never end, but never repeat.
In which place or state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
I’m not going to lie, it’s hard to imagine people listening to my music at all, but I think this is the sort of EP you might listen to escape from reality a bit, or if you fancy going on a little musical journey. Either at home with 20 minutes to yourself, or on a drive home at night by yourself, but yeah I think this is the sort of thing you might immerse yourself in on your own. I’m more than happy to be proven wrong, though!
If the music of Kai Moa was a film, which film would that be?
I’m honestly not much of a film buff, so I can’t give you a specific answer, but I suppose it would be the sort of film that defies expectations and has a couple of twists and turns. Something that you maybe have to watch twice to catch all the elements, and something that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but at the same time has a point to make.
Thank you!
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