(08.02.06) Don and Roel Funcken (a.k.a. FUNCKARMA) have been on the extreme tip of mind-altering electronic intoxication for the better half of a decade. Having seamlessly created a signature bass-driven sound that twists and morphs into the most complex and sinister sounds on the planet, the brothers Funcken have maintained a high level of accuracy and sonic finesse with just about every alias on just about every leading electronic imprint. A quick glance at their discography reveals the depth and reach these two prolific musicians have attained, yet it has always been a tough pursuit to keep up with the many musical shades Don and Roel possess. Their range of monikers consume several layers of digitally corrupt rhythms that magically adhere to a wide variety of ears.
On the cusp of their latest release entitled Caipruss with n5MD (as Quench), the Funcken brothers took some time out of their busy schedule to answer a few questions regarding the sonic manipulations resonating from their home-bass in the Netherlands.
Igloo :: What was the initial inspiration behind the Funckarma (main) nameplate, and how do you balance each others sounds?
Funckarma :: No inspiration. Just making music… and that needs a name. We try to focus on our sound as a trademark, and that means being critical on each others work and trying to make a mutual piece out of it.
Igloo :: As prolific and sought-after artists for several years, how do you inter-link the various production aliases with each other?
Funckarma :: Style and project wise… It’s time we start having a new website with all the stuff ever done on it… before we loose things ourselves.
Igloo :: Where do you see yourselves headed next, and how do you find the time to create such a mixture of prime-quality cuts?
Funckarma :: We try to live through music but it’s not easy. On the other hand, having a
lot of time means a lot of time to make music. That’s what it’s all about. Our future focus would definitely be producing a major artist, because we feel we can do that.
Igloo :: There’s a unique sound both of you develop that rips through boundaries, yet you’re able to keep a consistent signature. How do you maintain such a high standard of creation while still being able to release so much content?
Funckarma :: …by not thinking and talking too much about it and instead just listening. We always feel that the level of perfection isn’t reached… so it means that it has to become better
always.
Igloo :: Where is the Funckarma sound going next? What can we anticipate to hear this and next year?
Funckarma :: In different projects: There is a new Funckarma album on Sublight coming that shows the electronical stuff Funckarma stands for. A new Shadow Huntaz album is being prepared as well as a solo album of one of the SH cats. There is a new project coming called Automotive for Couchblip!, which contains guitar and horn players… which has a more jazz fusion sound. And there are some other things in the pipeline.
Igloo :: Which artists do you feel are on the forefront of electronic music production, and how do you align yourselves with the current state of the ever-expanding music scene?
Funckarma :: Mmmm… good question… some cats definitely understand the process of phat sound but to name people… it keeps changing I guess. It’s just that we occasionally find out how good some things from the past are instead of following all the new stuff. We stopped showing interest in the whole electronic scene ages ago. While we think it doesn’t feed our way of making music… we hope we can reposition ourselves a bit with some of the new releases we are planning because we think we have something different to show than many others.
Igloo :: Tell us a little more about yourselves, your general interests and your location based in the Netherlands.
Funckarma :: We are originally from the south of Holland, but we both live in 2 small towns around Amsterdam nowadays. We’re both keen on proper food (Indian, Thai and Asian food in general), we both love the haze (and other related mind altering substances) and we share the same interest for pure music, music that has that ageless power.
Igloo :: You’re scheduled to play Decibel Festival in September. Will this be your debut live performance in the US? **
Funckarma :: Yes… looking forward as well hoping to get some more gigs lined up since we’re there anyway and we think there should be some people in the States eager to see and hear us.
Igloo :: At what point do you both feel a track (or set of tracks) is complete?
Funckarma :: It’s more a sort of awareness of your own tracks. To be able to step outside of the track and take a listen as if it was the first time hearing it. That’s damn difficult, each time, for most people making music, we see that we try to control that process… mainly technical… emotional as it is subjective, so not worth so much stepping in and out of that. Sometimes a track needs the opinion of the other if it has any right to stay alive.
Igloo :: Are you always looking to achieve a certain theme, groove, or style and is it apparent at the start of production, or does it develop?
Funckarma :: Yes, most of the time the tracks are being made as a part of a bigger concept and that’s something we’re doing more and more because it works… staying on certain vibes for periods of time.
Igloo :: You have both been on several labels, starting off with DUB for several releases. How do you select (or approve) of signing to a particular label? Do they approach you, or vice-versa?
Funckarma :: Both. Nowadays the number one criteria is that the relation has to be flexible… that means on all fronts.
Igloo :: I have always been amazed at the high-level of accuracy and precision in your music, in either alias/project/production, and have always been seeking out what you’re up to. Where do you guys set up studios and do you enjoy playing out live, rather then producing in-studio?
Funckarma :: Being at the studio making music is No. 1. Playing live is not really our thing… although we do now and then… we need to. We know how to please a crowd our way, but circumstances have to be right; that means a good venue, and even better sound-system –that’s where a lot of lives gigs go wrong already. We like to be in control of sound, playing live sometimes forces you to step into a circumstance which doesn’t do your music any good. We see it as a form of self protection… what’s the use of wanting to hear people on real sub-woofers, but then playing on a system that cuts off all the low end under 60 Hz? We have seen and heard it all live… we know our sound systems now which are able to show our frequencies the way we made them… and that’s why we try to become more keen on what live gigs we do and don’t. Somebody told us DB has a master PA… that itches already… we are the test team. Seriously though, studio means perfect circumstance, live depends on many things, mainly venue and system (technician, time, height, crowd etc.)
We are flexible though live. No one will ever catch us doing the same shit ever because we are simply not able to do that. We never prepare, practice, rehearse, whatsoever. A moment for us is a moment for you. (End)
For more information about Funckarma, visit their website here.
Upcoming albums ::
** Update (08.11.06): Funckarma will not be performing at Decibel Festival this year.
