mtl Archives ~ Bolting Bits

MIXED BY/ La Rama

Florent — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 12:07:07 +0000

We’ve already featured Kris Guilty in our MIXED BY/ series and we’re not shying away from featuring him again, as he is an important piece of Montreal’s music community. Kris is one to never shy away from living his passion to the fullest and undertaking multiple projects to bring people together and take them onto unforgettable musical journeys. Starting to build his reputation and getting known in Montreal through the organization of underground events, now Kris is living his passion to a new level with his latest undertaking: starting his own record store. « La Rama » is a mirror of Kris’s taste and personality. Eclectic, down to earth, open to share and experiment and most importantly, open to people. The record store is configured with its little bistro bar where you can enjoy a cup of coffee before or after digging through the stacks of vinyl, for music lovers to stay awhile. If you want to test your latest digs, there’s even a space in front with decks where you can test run new acquisitions and experiment the blends and mixes that could generate some chemistry and hypnotize future audiences. Of course, if you need, Kris is there to help and will more than gladly exchange with other melomaniacs about records and the history, personal and general, behind each of them.

[soundcloud url=”https://soundcloud.com/boltingbits/mixed-by-la-rama”/]

We caught up with Kris who was kind enough to give us some time and chat with us and even cook up a little impromptu mix full of goodies from his store.

INTERVIEW

Where does the name of the store come from (story behind it)?
The name is a homage to my family. I have also played and signed some works as La Rama, the store is an extension of this. It is more of a performance than a store in the traditional sense… at least for the meantime.

What moment, feedback or event that happened in your life made you think ‘ok, this is it, time to do this and open up a record store’? What gave birth to the idea?
All these years of searching, collecting, and most importantly developing a sense of understanding the landscape of recorded music had to evolve. It had been a few years that the want to open a place was around, but the will only came when the right space presented itself. It was simple, I would never know just what could come of this idea unless it was done… and the right space is the place :-)

You mentioned earlier that your store has an ‘antique bookstore’ aesthetic. Bookstores faced a similar threat that vinyl faced when virtual tools such as tablets came into the market and allowed people to download multiple books into one source. Yet bookstores remain important as some of them, especially antique bookstores, hold literary gems that might be unknown to the general public. Do you believe vinyl stores hold the same role and are guardians of musical history ? Or do vinyl stores hold a broader role?
Record and book stores have personality and are a product of the environment they live in. They survive and then flourish when they can improve the quality of life around its existence with a great enough public who recognizes the importance of the service it provides. A physical location offers you a place to go, it is an escape from the algorithms (notice how it is rithms & not rhythms) of internet shopping, streaming, pay to play, & the peer pressure of your circle of friends.

The retail store rose to its climax with the growth of consumerism, and it was always destined to fall the day a new way of consuming would be introduced to the public. A real shop is not simply about consumption, it is a service whose complexity relies on the experience and proficiency of the people who keep it.

With vinyl regaining popularity in its use, do you believe the vinyl vs digital debate is about authenticity, sound specifications and research (crate digging vs online browsing) or one solely of practicability?

The debate is for people who want to debate. Digital copies and representations allow the world to learn of the existence of information that was for a long time reserved to those with the means or the knowledge of. Now almost anything can be found out. But to have a direct experience with it, that is where the physical format exist, for those who wish to work for a piece of it, and in doing so support all the artistry behind its creation.

What’s the most important aspect of a vinyl record? (example of aspects: its distinctive sound, the ability to find classic/old tracks that weren’t remastered or made available digitally, the context in which a vinyl/album was produced?)

It is the whole experience around it. Records take just enough work to truly enjoy. Not too much to be a burden, just enough to make you part of the process. Other than that everyone involved will have their combination of aspects.

You told me earlier that your state of mind changed from strictly passion driven to incorporating more of a business mindset in promoting the music you sell, trying to reach as many people as possible. Have you seen any concrete, tangible results from that change in mindset in the feedback you get on your store, the music you try to showcase and for your events?
Sometimes when observing the business of music it seems like a war for the domination of peoples attention. With that I feel the necessity to do my own work and hopefully get people on another lineage of music. One that has greater energy and is healthier than what is offered on the main stage. There is no incorporating of anything specific, I just know that this side of music deserves to have a greater audience.

You had also specified that, even in the business of selling something, one must not compromise and remain true to himself. How have you been able to combine the need to pursue business driven objectives while staying true to your passion and what makes La Rama unique?

It is pretty simple… instead of wasting energy on selling things you don’t like, get people into what you have to offer. Every shop is unique, they are all different, good or bad. La Rama is what I have to give until there are more members of the family.

What are your favourite records in the store right now? What are your favourite ones that you let go?
The Goerges-Edouard Nouel record is a gift from the past… and I keep a copy of everything that really gets me so no letting go just yet!

What’s next for La Rama? And for you (in general)?
Hopefully provide a wider selection of music for all listeners, get them up on what is coming around, and put out some original music from the greater community :-)

Shout outs (Montreal and worldwide)?
All the shops, distributors, musicians, DJs, producers, engineers, record plant massive, turntable technicians, cabinet makers, artists, designers, clubs and venues that respect the format (it is the reason this all exists!) and everyone who takes part and enjoys the beauty of recorded music.

Also much love to all the friends who come and support, you are the shop, and I will always consider you when searching for the new.

Interview by Jon
Photo by Sarah-Marie

Cet article MIXED BY/ La Rama est apparu en premier sur Bolting Bits.

Bolting Bits invite : DANIEL LESEMAN [Outplay] + Adam Solomon + Buck Smith

Florent — Thu, 14 May 2015 20:46:37 +0000

[FAG id=814]

ENGLISH WILL FOLLOW

À l’occasion de notre premier Anniversaire, on vous a préparé une soirée festive toute particulière. Pour l’occasion le Bleury ouvrira ses portes ainsi que celles de sa magnifique terrasse dès 20H, au programme BBQ, Barbiers et Grapheurs seront de la party. Le talentueux crew de Org-Asthme sera également parmi nous avec une live performance à coup de bombes et pinceaux. Côté line up on aura l’immense plaisir d’accueillir DANIEL LESEMAN (Outplay) venu des Pays-Bas pour sa toute première date au Canada. On pourra également compter sur nos talents locaux ADAM SOLOMON et BUCK SMITH pour fêter ça comme il se doit ! Now, Let’s celebrate !

Event link : facebook

Daniel Leseman – Artist est un producteur et sound designer issu de hollande qui évolue sur la scène électronique depuis les années 90. Après un rapide passage par la trance progressive, il trouve sa voix dans la musique house. Nourrit par la house de Chicago et le soul de Détroit, il créer ses propres productions oscillant entre la house et une fine deep house.
Parallèlement, il se produit avec Hans Peeman sous le pseudo de Fouk avec qui il a crée le label Outplay. Après sont dernier EP « Time to go » très remarqué l’année précédente Daniel Leseman est revenu avec « Tease me » ..

https://soundcloud.com/danielleseman
https://soundcloud.com/justsayfouk
https://soundcloud.com/outplay

Adam Solomon : Vinyl addict et producteur aguerri, Adam Solomon joue tout ce qui se trouve entre la House et la Techno – un spectre large qui lui permet de montrer, lors de ses sets, toute l’étendu de son savoir faire. Cela fait maintenant 5 ans qu’il évolue sur la scène montréalaise. Ces dernières années ont été particulièrement fructueuses et lui ont permis de se forger une solide réputation. Du haut de ses 28 ans, Adam Solomon a déjà joué avec les plus grands : Jeff Mills, Rodhad, Tin Man, Ben Klock, Zadig, Octave One, Vril, Steve Bicknell, Lazare Hoche, Clockwork et bien d’autres.

https://soundcloud.com/adam-solomon

Buck Smith est un oiseau de nuit habitant la scène montréalaise depuis plusieurs années. Inspirée par un amour de la musique en tant qu’avoir commun, elle dévoile un profond univers sonore alliant curiosité, partage et sincérité. Après le Piknic Electronik précédent et l’Igloofest de cette année, elle a plus récemment eu l’occasion de jouer aux côtés de Untold, Ben Pearce , Tessela, Lone

https://soundcloud.com/buck-smith

Org-asthme a été crée en 2014 sur une base de graffiti pure. Très vite les artistes du collectif s’ouvrent à d’autres horizons des arts visuels comme la scénographie, les performances lives, les installations lumières et la vidéo. Depuis sa genèse, le collectif a su faire sa place à Montréal de part son originalité autant dans les œuvres que dans les idées en soit. Ils travaillent maintenant de manière récurrente avec de grosses boîtes de productions telles que La Bacchanale et ont plusieurs autres gros projets en cours!

10$ en prévente :
– Atom Heart, Phonopolis, Cheap Thrill
– Online w/ RA : http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?717449

15$ à la porte
________________________________

For our 1st anniversary, we’ve prepared a night of celebration more than special. For the occasion, Le Bleury will open at 8pm and the night will kick off with a friendly BBQ on its magnificent terrasse. There will be food, barbers and the graffiti artists from the talented @Org-Asthme crew will be blowing your mind live with cans & brushes ! Line-up wise, we’ll have the immense pleasure to welcome DANIEL LESEMAN [Outplay] Netherlands, for his Canadian debut. Support will be provided by local talents ADAM SOLOMON & BUCK SMITH. Now, let’s party !

Daniel Leseman is a producer and sound designer from the Netherlands who’s evolving on the electronic scene since the 90s. After a quick run through prog trance, Daniel finds his way into house music. Inspired by Chicago house & Detroit soul, he creates a sound that oscillates between house & deep house, while always keeping a beautiful narrative to his music.
He’s also producing with his good friend Hans Peeman under the Fouk moniker. Together, they’ve created the Outplay label, on which Daniel has released his very well received « Time To Go » EP of last year. Make sure to check out for the « Tease Me » follow-up, which is another floor stomper !

https://soundcloud.com/danielleseman
https://soundcloud.com/justsayfouk
https://soundcloud.com/outplay

Adam Solomon – vinyl aficionado and devoted producer, Adam plays everything that lies between house and techno – a large spectrum that allows him to show his wide-ranging skills when it comes to move a floor. 5 years of hard work on the Montreal electronic music scene have won him a strong following and reputation. Only 28 and Adam has already played with the greatest : Jeff Mills, Rodhad, Tin Man, Ben Klock, Zadig, Octave One, Vril, Steve Bicknell, Lazare Hoche, Clockwork and much more .

https://soundcloud.com/adam-solomon

Buck Smith is a night owl inhabiting Montreal’s scene since many years. Inspired by a profound love of music, she unfolds on dancers a sonic universe that relies on curiosity, sincerity and sharing. After playing Piknic Electronik and this year’s Igloofest, she recently played alongside Untold, Ben Pearce, Tessela, Lone.

https://soundcloud.com/buck-smith

Org-asthme has been created in 2014 on a pure graffiti basis but rapidly, the collective’s artists open themselves to new ways of visual arts expression such as scenography, live performance, art installations video and so on. Since its beginnings, the collective has been able to stand out by the originality of its pieces and ideas. They are working on a regular basis with big event production companies such as Bacchanale and have a lot more important projects in the pipeline!

10$ pre-sales:
– Atom Heart, Phonopolis, Cheap Thrill
– Online w/ RA : http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?717449

15$ at the door

Cet article Bolting Bits invite : DANIEL LESEMAN [Outplay] + Adam Solomon + Buck Smith est apparu en premier sur Bolting Bits.