Bass, glitch, rap, rock, IDM, techno…it’s near impossible to full describe the music made by Alex Argot and Rich Courage (Defpotec), aka Argotec. This New York-based duo have been getting a lot of attention lately for their studied hip-hop sound akin to El-P and Glitch Mob among others. Check their track “Shiner” here and read the interview after the jump.
Please describe your sound in EXACTLY 20 words.
A genre bending, raw collision of conscious intellectual lyricism, live guitars and bass, melodic vocals, and glitched out electronic beats.
What is your earliest musical memory?
Alex Argot: Being in the school band, I remember participating in a lot of concerts. I used to play clarinet then moved to bass clarinet and then I tried the saxophone. I probably wouldn’t do so great if I picked up any of those instruments today though.
Rich Courage: When I was 4 my mom used to blast 70’s disco out of speakers that were taller than I was. She’s work out dance routines in her roller skates. My Mom was like the O.G. roller girl..
What is the best thing about making music in 2010?
RC: Technology, it plays a huge part in both our recordings and live performances. Being able to write and record our record in my own house is great. When we play live all of our instruments are run through a laptop for syncing and processing. No amps. Then a mix of the audio is sent to our projectionist who syncs and triggers live visuals. A lot of what we do would not have been possible just a few years ago.
What are your biggest ‘music’ influences?
AA: People who consistently push the boundaries and parameters set by their respective genres. I dig El-P, Aesop Rock, De La Soul, Saul Williams, Gangstar, KRS ONE, Amon Tobin, Blackalicious, Gaslamp Killer, DJ Shadow, P.O.S., Portishead, Massive Attack just to name a few…
RC: In addition to those artists I’ll add anything by Mike Patton, Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, My Bloody Valentine, the Dillinger Escape Plan, Minus the Bear, Kaki King, Deftones, Poison the Well, Quicksand, Mind Over Matter, Esthero, Danger Mouse, Bonobo, Thrice. Been really digging the “Low End Theory” podcasts recently.
What are your biggest ‘non-music’ influences?
AA: Technology and its evolution, Visual Art, the corrupt governments of the world and their tyrannical ways,
secret societies, current events, the maintenance of my head heart gut and soul, my loved ones, nature and stupid humans.
RC: I’m also a visual artist. A lot of that aesthetic and approach bleeds into our music. Color and composition are a big part of both art and music.
What projects do you have on the horizon?
We are working on setting up a series of mini tours and festival performances throughout the U.S. and Canada, amusic video for our song “Shiner”, a new EP, as well as a side project with our good friends Ancient Tongue and DJ Bigears.
AA: I also do sporadic poetry readings with friends at various venues and schools, ranging from bars to cafes and elementary to high schools.
RC: I am working on a solo record under my alias “Defpotec”
Where do you see yourself musically in five years time?
AA: If we are able to live off of and continue to create our music within five years we will be very happy. Touring, multiple albums under our belt and a solid record label behind us wouldn’t be so bad either.
What’s the one thing you’ve always wanted to say in an interview?
You can download our debut album “Wherewithal” at http://www.soundtrax.com by entering this case sensitive code: cJdgjf6F
Leave A Comment!