zap! bang! Magazine

• 

• A Conversation with Coppe'

• Coppe'

• 2011-10-23

• The legendary godmother of Japanese Electronica, Coppe’, a serial collaborator with the likes of Plaid, Red Snapper, The Orb, Kettel, Atom TM and Tipsy, teamed up with the the artists and associates of the UK label Bit-Phalanx, for a charity remix project that spawned an album and a UK tour with shows in Manchester, Brighton, Birmingham and London. While the album saw Bit-Phalanx acts remix her “Yogurt” tune from her 12th release Artificial Insemination, she took a new live show on the road and all proceeds from the collaboration have gone towards the victims of the 2011 Japanese Earthquake & Tsunami. We caught up with Coppe’ twice when she was in London to find out more.

  

  How did you get involved with Bit-Phalanx on this remix album?
  Through my good friend Kelli Ali (formerly of the Sneaker Pimps). She introduced me to Leigh (Bit-Phalanx) and she said “Coppe’, you don’t know what you’re doing, stop working with them, start working with…”. No, that’s not exactly what she said but she introduced me. One thing after another. All the money we make will go towards helping the recovery of Japan since the tsunami and earthquake. We’ve had a lot of feedback, warm, warm feedback.

  Did you suggest the track “Yogurt”, did they suggest the track Yogurt to remix?
  I don’t remember actually, I think Leigh really liked “Yogurt”. I really like “Yogurt” I’m always eating yogurt, aren’t you? It was a bit of a secret because i didn’t know all these people are remixing and my good buddy Kettel (Planet-Mu / Neo Ouija) emailed me and said “Coppe’, I’m so sorry we’re running late with for the remix” and I said “What remix?” and that’s how I found out. It was supposed to be a secret.

  So you didn’t know 13 artists were remixing “Yogurt”?
  No, no, no.

  So what did you think of the results?
  Brilliant. In particular the Minotaur Shock remix and Kelli’s first remix.

  Bit-Phalanx is very new, a lot of new artists. Have you been impressed with the artists?
  Yes, it’s all pure love. All kinds of different music, but the most important thing is the passion and I’m so into collaborating and meeting new people. I didn’t know Leigh until Kelli introduced me because I don’t do anything promotion-wise or the things you need to be doing, I’m always in the studio making the tracks. I’m such a music junkie, if I don’t record something,it feels wrong – I just have to release. Amazingly my very capricious, improvisational sheisha-lullaby lines have become masterpieces because I’m surrounded by beautiful producers such as Atom TM: I just sing and they make this beautiful orchestra. Each and every day I love singing and I love making music, it doesn’t matter what happens but once I’m on stage in front of the microphone singing, even if the sound is really bad, it always makes me happy.

  I’m a music junkie, I can’t live without music.

  You’ve been making music for years, what drives you on?
  I’m a music junkie, I can’t live without music. I was nervous on the tour because I performed 200% live with no backing tracks. In Tokyo we normally use back tracks and on top of it my jazz guys go crazy. Or when I work with DJs, just back tracks and me. But on this tour some shows have been completely different, 200% live. When we came back from Bristol supporting Plaid we had just had our rehearsal gig – but they were brilliant, the bestest band – we knew we’d be kicking ass.

  What’s your inspiration?
  Most of my lyrics come from my dreams. I see everything. Colours, smells, everything.

  So how do you think the the tour gone?
  The first show in London we weren’t great, we sounded disappointing, but now we’re totally different. The sound person needs to be able to handle our six piece band. We went to Manchester, Birmingham and Brighton – my first time in those cities – and I love it, I want to move over here. I was last here a year ago I can come once a year, but normally I only ever get to come to London.

  Manchester was brilliant, we went to Mr Scruff’s tea shop. We opened for Plaid and then went to the Castle Hotel and did our own gig which was the cutest venue. Then we went to Birmingham which was really good, it was a great gig. The sound person was the bestest on this tour, he knew exactly what he was doing and it was packed in there. The crowd reaction was brilliant, we got a five star review in a local magazine. Kelli Ali, my diva, came and sang too.

  So what’s been your highlight?
  Apart from spraining my ankle…

  How did you sprain your ankle?
  By being a rockstar!

  That’s quite funny
  But the highlight? Everyday’s a highlight, I don’t come with any brain so as soon as it happens I forget, but each and every moment has been fantastic. It was my first time in Manchester and Birmingham and I LOVE Brighton. Also, next time I come back to Birmingham I have to go to see the silver shaped building (selfridges) again – it should be my living room!

  It fits in well with your outfit, what’s with that? [Points to luminous pink spacesuit Coppe’ is wearing]
  I’m a love-sperm from Mars. Wait, what did I say?? (smiles)

  So what two things will you take away from England?
  Two things? I’m so into Cyberdog. I don’t buy much, but Cyberdog Cyberdog Cyberdog. Cyberdog would be 20 things to take away!

  You haven’t been paid to say that have you?
  Paid? That would be nice – I pay! But I love their stuff.

  Anything else you’d like?
  Hopefully my prince, where is he?

  Maybe tonight?
  Maybe tonight… yeah!

  Read our review of Coppe’ vs. Bit-Phalanx “Yogurt” here.

by Mike Barnard