Lakeshouse, based in Oslo and Malmö, is a group of edit-savy producers, DJs and jazz musicians.
Their 4 track EP, Firkanta, is set to drop via Paper Disco and will explore fresh new musical ground with a club-oriented sound. This is their latest venture following their original concept BOKA and will be comprised of digital, mechanical and organic elements, as well as featuring artwork by the band.
We chatted to them about the visual elements of the upcoming release, their influences, and being better than The Backstreet Boys.
To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?
Perhaps playful dance music filled with contrasts: Organic and digital, warm and cold, funny and sad. Contrasts make things pop and adds impact. Any sound that make us laugh out loud is probably going to be included. Lakeshouse is in our minds a utopian club where the DJ is jacked into your brain and plays only the music you love.
How did it all start for you?
We started making music for a laugh in our teens. First we had a punk-boyband called Zøtkropp (“Cute Body”), later a prog orchestra dubbed LongLegs, a black metal band with some older friends, a DFA-inspired duo with drums and synthesizers, various noise and contemporary projects, and finally an eclectic disco-band called BOKA. We also had a lot of fun experimenting in Fruity Loops as kids and imagined ourselves becoming like The Chemical Brothers one day.
What three albums would you say influenced your sound the most?
Lindstrøm – Six Cups Of Rebel
Basement Jaxx – Remedy
The Avalanches – Since I Left You
Are there any key pieces of equipment that you can’t live without?
The Korg MS 2000, Arturia Minibrute, Roland SH-32, Casio SA-10
What are some of your key influences in your music? Whether it be the sound created by others, imagery, films or any kind of art form.
Finding obscure music curated by great DJs ala the Cosmic Dancing series by Daniel Donnachie, the Space Race series by Niles & Baggy, or the treasure chest over at Pinchy & Friends. The visual direction for Firkanta EP had us investigating the the link between industrial architecture and dance/techno music, which in turn influenced the music. We do our own art direction alongside recording and it always inspires new ideas for the music. We often go on field trips around Oslo, and this time we were infatuated by this huge industrial area outside of town. It feels kind of sci-fi and dystopian. We like that.
What is one sub-genre you think doesn’t get the attention it deserves?
Hard to say. We’ve never really been preoccupied with staying true to one genre. It is more interesting to us to have a macro view of music and see how the lines connect. Using references to other music is a really good way to build your own musical universe. So perhaps we’d like to champion the interconnectedness of music more than one specific thin
Any new or upcoming artists on your radar?
Been loving Jpeg-mafia´s Veteran record. Really innovative and badass stuff. We also love what’s coming out of the PC-music camp. Sophie is a genius both conceptually and musically. She deserves a wider audience.
What makes your live performances different from the rest?
This is our first release as Lakeshouse so we have yet to do anything other than DJ with this project. In Norway we have garnered a reputation for having an interesting live-sound as BOKA, where we mix sax, trombone, percussion, talkbox, guitar, bass and vocals with electronic beats and synths. Lakeshouse will probably be much more club-oriented and traditional in the sense that we DJ and use some live electronics. We will see 🙂
What single night out has been the most memorable for you? As a performer? As an attendee?
Our first gig as BOKA was an unexpected, all out success. The audience were dancing in conga-lines and going mental, almost out of control. After the show one of the audience members, an Indian exchange student, enthusiastically told us “You are better than Backstreet Boys!”. That is the best compliment we have ever received and we became fast friends.
What is your favourite venue of all times?
When we were fourteen we got into a club at a jazz festival in Molde (Norway). DJ Food was playing records. The set was super eclectic and fun. Being so young and feeling like we were somewhere we weren’t allowed gave the night an added edge that maybe inspired us. The Kala Festival in Albania last summer was also great. Dancing on the beach to Moodymann, Ross From Friends and Bjørn Torske doing wonderful sets. Every time we go to Berlin we make sure to visit Wilden Renate, due to the great rooms, nice staff and wide selection of DJs.
What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
As Lakeshouse we are working on our next EP and have some singles in the bag. If our label permits we want to put out vinyl releases as well as digital. As BOKA we are working on an album.
Famous last words?
When in doubt, go for a walk.
Watch the teaser for Firkanta EP, official release is March 13th:
Tracklist:
1. Ambulanse
2. Robåt
3. Gjere Kva Du Vil
4. Firkanta
Follow Lakeshouse:
