9+1 Q&A with Raccoon Lagoon

What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.

My first inspiration is my mom who is a very passionate piano teacher and music lover. I got piano lessons from her since I was four years old until I was about eleven. At that time I just thought the piano wasn’t really cool enough, being a teenager. So my mom asked me what I wanted to play and I answered:the guitar. I don’t really know why I chose guitar cause I didn’t really know any guitarists or bands but it was a good choice and it felt right. I fell in love with the guitar, taught myself to play it and have been in love ever since.

When I was about 16 I wanted to record some stuff and since my step dad owned a studio in the past we had some equipment lying around. I was also heavily into 60’s and 70’s music and that triggered me into recording. It wasn’t very good and I didn’t do it very often but that was the start. When I was 19 I figured I could make a home studio in my room so I started buying equipment and recorded my own tunes. A year ago I had build up such a big catalog of decent tunes that I thought by myself that I should do something with it. Since it’s so easy these days to put something online I reckoned I could give it a shot and promote it somewhat.

Well, I have a band called Surfing Stingrays where we do gigs and record with but the process is a bit slow and I just love making music so I decided to do a solo project as well. Just for fun, see where it lands. Racoon Lagoon is my solo project where I play, record, mix everything and besides that do artwork.

Provide us with some info about your latest release…

My latest Ep came out last October. This was my first attempt at making a cohesive little record. I’ve also released 4 singles, which are easier to promote, but to take it a step further I had to try and make an Ep. The record is all about mixing retro and contemporary sounds in a lo-fi “diy” jacket. I have 4 music videos to accompany it which in my opinion give a pretty well rounded and connected feel too the record.

Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?

I think Kevin Parker of Tame Impala is my biggest influence, he does everything by himself and is super talented and cool musician / producer. Jay Watson of GUM is also a huge influence, he’s a friend of Kevin and does everything by himself as well.
And the Beatles are of course a huge influence, but who didn’t they influence?
Non musical influences are Wassily Kandinsky; a Russian painter who made far out pictures. His philosophy was that art is an expression and reflection of the mind so he didn’t think and just drew crazy patterns and forms.

In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?

I think my sound is different because it’s all made by me, quite spontaneous and is inspired by an unusual mix of genres / artists.

Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…

I prefer doing studio work because it’s more chilled and more about the music. In the studio I can take my time and focus on the creative process. Gigs are always kind of a hassle because you have move your stuff around, set things up, get people to the gig etc. Gigs are a lot of fun to do but I enjoy the studio more.

Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?

I own a Fazley bass.

Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?

I don’t really know but I think my new track called Tales by Night, New Town is quite unique in its arrangement and whole vibe. I think that the guitar part is a cool mix with the distant reverby vocals.

Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?

I have a new single coming out soon.

Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…

Thin or Thick crust pizza?

Thin

Curated by: Christos Doukakis

Recommended listening:

Connect with Raccoon Lagoon:

Instagram @Raccoon_Lagoon

Twitter @Raccoon_Lagoon

www.raccoonlagoon.nl