First of, just want to thank you for participating in this edition of Infidel Interviews. Could you start off by giving a little information about you to the audience? Whatever you feel comfortable with, but name, age, and where you live would be pretty standard?
My name is Saehwan Lafayette Koo. I am 101 years old. We are based out of Los Angeles CA. Ive been in LA for about ten years now but grew up in Texas and Louisiana.
How do you enjoy where you live? Is there a vibrant music community where you are? Would you say you find that your local scene influences your attitude and/or creativity?
Living in LA has its ups and downs but for the most part I love this town. I have grown as an artist and person since I moved here. The music scene here is very diverse and strong and it has fueled my creativity greatly. Maybe I'm absorbing the Earth's energy from the fault lines. Lol
What does Vertigo Shock mean to you guys in 2018? And how does that compare to what the project meant to you guys when it was formed?
Well for 2018, I will be releasing our new album and will be performing aggressively. I took a few years off to record our new album. There is really no difference from then and now as far as what Vertigo Shock and music means to my crew and I. I always move forward and leave the past where it belongs.
Do you consider yourself to be part of a particular sound or scene? What is your thoughts on the nature of genres and styles, and do you have any particular ones which you find to your enjoyment more, listening and/or production-wise?
If any genre it would be Alternative, we don't really see ourselves falling in a specific category as our music will say that. But personally I love having a diverse crowd and people that enjoy multiple genres as i do. I can really say I have a specific genre of music i enjoy, just whatever feels good at the time. I can wake up to The Cramps one day and other days I'll have Beethoven playing in the background.
Would you say that your choice to pursue music has changed your life since you started? Would you say that creativity has evolved you spiritually, emotionally, or logically?
Of course its changed me, music will always change and grow and is endless.
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When it comes to your musical self and your real-world self, would you say that there is a separation? Do you find yourself getting into a character or mindset when you create, or do you find your music is a representation of your day to day self?
There is no separation, I am who I am on both sides and all.
Are you musically self-taught? Or have you had mentors along the way to help you develop?
For the most part I am self taught, I started playing piano at a young age and just grew from there. I do have friends and colleagues for advise but with that its pretty back and forth. We exchange techniques and info.
When it comes to composing music, do you approach things with a clear vision in mind, or do you prefer to let songs feel themselves out? Do you have any particular techniques or tricks you use to keep yourself creative and consistent?
Its both. I can write something from an idea or just start writing and let my subconscious lead.
There are really not rules when it comes to writing/recording music, I think. But when Im recording it has to be concrete. I don't half ass and try to clean up in post. I think having solid audio files are the way to go.
When it comes to making music it can be difficult to balance atmosphere, song progression, musicality, and excitement. Do you have any tricks, techniques, or methods that you commonly use to help your music sound coherent and engaging?
Pretty much both. During any song I do I always leave room for fall back. Maybe on the final mixes I'll hear something I dont want or think of something that needed to be added to my track. Even in the final stages for my tracks they cam always be changed. Do you ever find it difficult to balance the creative and technical aspects of musical creation? How do you strike the balance for the need to craft and tweak your effects and sounds, in contrast to actually just getting the song itself created with structure and melody? What sort of element of creation do you prefer, the sonic shaping or the song creation?
I always keep a schedule with music just like any 9-5 job. For me its somewhat difficult to balance creative and technical but most of the time its a steady flow once I aplly myself. For fans who have not seen you yet, when it comes to your live show, how would you describe yourself thematically and visually? Are you an energy and audience driven band in the live atmosphere? Or would you consider yourself to be more thematic or presentation oriented?
We are more energy and drive.
What sort of new bands have come out in recent years that have caught your attention? Is there any bands out there you see yourself, or would like to, remix or collaborate with in the future?
Truthfully I have not run into anything new that caught my attention. And I don't like that at all. For the most part new music is not appealing.I have heard a couple tracks from artist here and there but that pretty much it, a track here and there.
Do you have any other musical projects that you are involved with, or do you have any other musicians or artists that you collaborate with in some capacity?
Not really, I have a project in limbo for a movie Ive been asked to score.
Promotion can be one of the most difficult things in the music industry. Do you have an agent that helps book shows and manage your online presence, or have you decided to trek it out without and mantle the reigns of the social media apparatus yourself? Is it difficult engaging the online world consistently and originally, or do you find it easy?
For the most part I do everything on my own. I do work with Licensing companies and a label based out of Orange County but Officially am independent. Outside of music, what are some of your favorite past times and emotional engagements?
I enjoy cooking and am a huge movie/film buff Thank you so much for participating in this episode of Infidel Interview. Any parting words for your fans, or my audience?
And together, we'll light up the world.
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