Inkswel & Andre Espeut Q&A
-Synchronicities it’s a word that makes us think of fate and unexpected connections. Was there a “destined” moment that brought you two together, or did this project come about in a more mundane way, like over a cup of tea?
- Inkswel: I think from memory I reached out to Andre after putting the call out for recommendations for male vocalists… A lot of mutual friends in the worldwide music community mentioned Andre. I was aware of his work already through Illja Rudman & Ron Trent and Midnight Riot so it seemed a given…We got in touch and sent some ideas back and forth and things kinda snowballed from there. Literally we were in sync from the get go (Andre adds).
-Andre, your voice feels like it has lived a thousand lives. If it could actually speak to you, what do you think it would say about carrying all those stories and emotions? And how does it feel stepping into the spotlight for your first full-length album?
- Andre: It feels refreshing and I feel a sense of relief because it has been waiting to happen for quite a while but it's through the speed creativity and ingenuity of Inkswel that allowed this to be the first. It makes me feel as -though- somehow it is a metamorphosis to becoming a true artist creating a collection of stories for people to immerse in, rather than snippets of Life from singles which is also valid, but this takes it somewhere beyond that. I think the voice would say it was about time…
-Jules (Inkswel), you’ve worked with such a wide array of artists, from legendary vocalists to groundbreaking producers. Be honest: has there ever been a collaboration where you thought, "this might be too crazy to work", but it ended up being magic?
- Inkswel: It’s always a test of the universe and the frequency we put out there when it comes to collaboration. I think the craziest scenario I’ve had is my fairly recent work with the late great LEE SCRATCH PERRY. We where in touch prior to his passing (during covid) and the biz side of things had been handled and the tracks and ideas exchanged, but I actually got the final files after he passed. It was a hugely strange experience to work on music with someone, especially of that calibre after their passing, post humously. I guess it was heavy in the back of my head making sure I did his legacy justice, so it was a new set of pressure, it was something that couldn’t be rushed or forced and I could strangely feel his spirit there in that process.
-"Play With Fire" has this irresistible, dubby pull. When you were creating it, did it feel more like building a sonic puzzle or like letting the music flow through you in the moment? Did anything go wrong during the creation of the album?
- Inkswel: Hmmm.., my approach to music isn’t conventional by any means. I guess there is the frame work and the methodology I hold that makes things easy and quick to approach, but I try and be a vessel for whatever happens. Lately I’ve been in a very strange place where I’m so busy raising two kids that most of my creative juices are flowing for a small hour or so window before I fall asleep… This weird ethereal time between wake and sleep is an incredibly powerful time for creation and I often have no recollection of what I have created until the next day, when I listen back to these sleepy downloads from another space and time. Funnily though I’ve trained my brain now accidentally to create in this theta state so much so that when I test mix downs of tunes later I often feel sleepy hearing them, almost like my body aligns creativity with a dream like place or state. This album def had a few of those creative moments.
-Let’s talk about the amazing artists that helped you making this album special, as the LP features a couple of great guests. If you had to form a supergroup with Abstract Rude, Han Litz, and Leonard Charles, what would the band name be and who would probably be late to rehearsal every time?
- Inkswel: “Dream Walkers” hahaha! To carry on from the last question. Funnily enough we are all an eccentric bunch with wild lives but I think we are all very organised when it comes to actual music as it’s our drive and strive to create. That brings us together.
-The artwork for Synchronicities, made by PECUE, is filled with graphic minutiae and makes it a very interesting work of art and an unusual one at the same time. Did you give PECUE free rein to create the cover, or did you guys have some say in it too? More generally, how does the visual side of music impact your creative process?
- Inkswel: I came across PECUE recently… As me being an ex graffiti writer (part of my upbringing in Hip-Hop) I was drawn to his crazy hand styles and cut-and- paste style. I also really love the colour palettes he chooses… To me it’s just the raw and refreshing. I knew it would align with our music. He came up with perfect visions to fit the vibe.
