Interview: MOD3LLR

The latest is our series of interviews is MOD3LLR. MOD3LLR presents ‘Life Beyond’, a forward-thinking techno release that blends elements of electronica, IDM, experimental, and atmospheric sounds. With six tracks, including ‘The Beginning of Everything’, ‘An Inhabitable Planet’, and ‘The Origins of Life’, MOD3LLR takes the listener on a journey through the realms beyond our current reality, immersing you in the future we are all travelling towards. Enjoy the read and grab your copy HERE.

Can you discuss a specific concept or idea that has deeply influenced your work, and how you’ve translated that into your compositions?

As MOD3LLR, I’m deeply influenced by the concept of interactive, experiential, immersive, improvised storytelling. This idea is important to me because it emphasizes creating a participatory and collaborative experience for the listener, allowing them to become active participants in the story I’m telling through my music.

I draw inspiration from a variety of sources, including science fiction, techno, and futuristic worlds, to create a unique atmosphere in my compositions. By incorporating these elements, I aim to create a world that is immersive and engaging for the listener, transporting them to a different place and time.

All MOD3LLR’s music compositions belong to the same world, regardless of the electronic music genre or BPM. They are all designed to convey a specific vibe that is focused on creating an immersive and futuristic experience for the audience. I use immersive sounds, recurring motifs and themes, and improvisation to draw the listener into the story being told and create a deeper emotional connection with the music.

Another important aspect of my music songs is that they are designed to be performed live with the intention of giving them a unique edition. This allows me to explore new possibilities and improvisations based on the reactions of the audience, creating a more interactive and dynamic experience.

Overall, my music compositions are an interactive, immersive, and collaborative journey through a futuristic world. By drawing inspiration from sci-fi and techno elements, and exploring new possibilities during live performances, I strive to create a unique and engaging experience that encourages the listener to become an active participant in the story being told.

As a multidisciplinary artist, I’m constantly seeking new challenges and opportunities to push the boundaries of my creativity. One of my latest achievements has been the creation of a one hour long live AV performance based on my latest album, Life Beyond, which combines the raw energy and improvisation of a live performance with the immersive visual elements that I have developed through the use of different DCC (Digital Creative Content) and AI tools.

Working as a solo artist, I have been able to build the visuals for my live performance, which I see as a work in progress, as I continue to explore and refine this approach to visual storytelling. I believe that this album and its corresponding live AV performance provide a fully immersive experience for the audience, showcasing the complementary nature of my music and visual art.

Ultimately, my goal as an artist is to keep pushing the boundaries of my creative vision, incorporating new technologies and techniques to create something truly unique and inspiring. I believe that the combination of electronic music and immersive visual art has the power to transport audiences to new and exciting worlds, and I look forward to continuing to explore the possibilities of this art form.

Have any non-musical sources inspired your music? Certain visual artists, films, or books? Can you elaborate on these influences and how they’ve shaped your artistic vision?

As a multidisciplinary artist with a background in traditional arts and music, my creative path has been heavily influenced by my work in visual effects and filmmaking. While my traditional arts background has provided a strong foundation for my artistic vision, my move into the digital world and subsequent production of techno music has given me a distinctive perspective on sound and image.

My over 25 years career in the Film Industry as VFX Supervisor/Artist with more than 30 Films tittles, including work for acclaimed sci-fi filmmakers such as Ridley Scott, James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, Luc Besson or James Gunn, has greatly influenced my creative process. I am particularly drawn to the sci-fi genre and its depiction of futuristic and otherworldly landscapes, which has heavily influenced my artistic vision and sound.

In terms of visual art, I draw inspiration from artists who explore the intersection of technology and nature, such as Chris Cunningham and Ryoji Ikeda. My deep appreciation for the power of visual storytelling, gained through my work as a VFX Artist/Supervisor, has helped shape my approach to creating music that tells a story and immerses the listener in a particular world.

Although books do not serve as a direct source of inspiration for me, my work in the visual effects industry has exposed me to numerous scripts for shows that I have worked on, which have undoubtedly influenced my creative process. Overall, my diverse background and experiences have given me a distinct perspective on electronic music and have helped me create a sound that is innovative and deeply personal.

Electronic music can serve as an outlet for personal expression and self-discovery. Has there been a particular moment or phase in your life that has profoundly affected your creative process or the direction of your music?

One moment in my life that significantly impacted my creative process and the direction of my music was attending Pink Floyd’s The Delicate Sound of Thunder / Pulse live performance in the early 90s. The experience of witnessing a band with an audiovisual message on stage was a pivotal moment for me, and it marked a before and after in my approach to music and visual storytelling. It opened up a new realm of creative possibilities that I continue to explore in my own work today.

The process of creating an album or EP can be a transformative experience for an artist. Can you discuss the journey behind one of your most significant releases, and how it reflects your growth and evolution as a musician?

Creating my first album, Time & Spaces, was a truly significant and transformative experience for me as a musician. This deeply personal project took me several years to complete, and it gave me the opportunity to experiment with different sounds and styles.

The album reflects my growth and evolution as a musician in many ways. Departing from my earlier techno productions, I was able to incorporate more experimental and ambient sounds into my music. As I created the album, I continued to learn and evolve as both a producer and a person.

Throughout the process, I was able to explore various themes and ideas, and the music became a reflection of my personal journey. I wasn’t initially looking to create a structured album, but rather to explore different ideas and styles without any limitations.

Overall, creating Time & Spaces was a deeply rewarding and transformative experience that allowed me to push myself creatively and explore new avenues of self-expression. I believe that this album laid the foundation for my growth as a musician in the years that followed.

Many electronic artists have a strong sense of social responsibility and use their platform to raise awareness about various issues. Are there any causes or movements that you feel particularly passionate about, and how do you integrate them into your work?

Although I don’t have a huge fan base, I still feel that as an electronic artist, I have a responsibility to use my platform to raise awareness about issues that I feel passionately about. One cause that I feel particularly strongly about is the need to address the urgent environmental challenges facing our planet.

Through my music, I try to communicate the message that we need to start taking action on the future of our planet before it’s too late. I believe that music has the power to inspire people and bring about positive change, even if it’s on a small scale. So while I may not have a large following, I still believe that my work can make a difference and contribute to a greater movement towards sustainability and environmental consciousness.

Your music often challenges conventional genre boundaries and expectations – walking the line between sounds. Do you think its important to sound a little different to the crowd?

As an artist, I believe it’s important to stay true to your own creative vision and express yourself in a way that feels authentic and unique. While it can be tempting to try and fit in with the crowd or conform to popular trends, I believe that taking risks and pushing boundaries is ultimately more rewarding both artistically and creatively.

Of course, it’s not always easy to stand out in a crowded and competitive industry, especially when you don’t have a huge fan base. But for me, the most important thing is to stay true to my own creative instincts and continue to explore new sounds and styles.

Ultimately, I believe that if you’re passionate about what you’re doing and you’re creating something that’s truly meaningful and authentic, then people will take notice. So while it may not always be easy to sound a little different from the crowd, I believe that it’s ultimately worth the effort if it means creating something that’s truly unique and meaningful.

The role of improvisation in electronic music can vary greatly between artists. Can you discuss your perspective on the importance of spontaneity in your creative process, both in the studio and during live performances?

I believe that improvisation is a crucial aspect of my creative process, both in the studio and during live performances. It allows me to tap into my creativity and explore new sounds and ideas that I may not have discovered otherwise. When I’m in the studio, I often start with a basic idea or concept and then allow the music to develop organically, improvising and experimenting with different sounds and melodies until I find something that resonates with me.

During live performances, improvisation is equally important. It allows me to respond to the energy of the crowd and the environment, creating a unique experience for everyone in attendance. I may improvise on the spot, responding to the energy of the room or the vibe of the crowd, or I may plan out certain moments of improvisation to ensure that the performance is fresh and exciting.

Ultimately, I believe that improvisation is a key element of what makes electronic music so special. It allows for a sense of spontaneity and unpredictability that can’t be replicated in other genres, and it keeps the music fresh and exciting both for me as a musician and for my audience.

Throughout your career, you’ve likely encountered various mentors or collaborators who have influenced your growth as an artist. Can you share a particularly impactful experience or lesson you’ve learned from someone in the music industry?

While I haven’t had any formal mentors or collaborators in the music industry, I have had some impactful experiences with people who have influenced my growth as an artist. One of the most significant was with my father, who taught me the basics of sound engineering at a young age. He introduced me to the world of music production and showed me how to create my own sounds and experiment with different techniques.

On the other hand, my grandmother had a big impact on my visual art. She introduced me to oil painting and encouraged me to explore my creativity through different forms of art. Both of these experiences helped me develop my artistic abilities and shaped my approach to music production.

Overall, I’ve learned that creativity is a deeply personal journey, and while it’s important to learn from others, it’s also essential to stay true to your own unique vision and voice.

What’s next for you?

In addition to touring, I’m also working on new music and exploring new sounds and styles. I have a few collaborations in the works with other artists, and I’m excited to see where those projects will take me. I’m also interested in exploring new ways to incorporate visual elements into my live performances, such as stereo projections or immersive installations. Overall, I’m just looking to keep pushing myself creatively and see where my journey as a musician takes me next.

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