Austrian producer Clara Moto has just released her debut album “Polyamour” on the French label InFiné, a sensual and elegant collection of minimal/microhouse and ambient tracks. In this interview, Clara has told us about her thoughts and feelings behind the album, about how she started electronic production, about her longtime friendship with collaborator Mimu and other stories.

First, how and why did you choose the moniker Clara Moto?

It was a very quick decision: I wanted to keep my real prename and find something else that fits to it. I thought “Moto” would be nice, so there is actually not a really exciting story behind my moniker.

You’re coming from Graz. Can you tell me how you got into producing electronic music?

I started making music in 2005, after I saw the Korg Electribe at a friend’s place. I liked this instrument, because it was very easy to handle. At the same time, I started to make my first loops with Ableton. As my friends and also my flatmates were all into music, it was very easy for me to start by myself. I always was interested also in the technical aspects of making music.

Can you tell me also a little about the Houseverbot label and the Birds parties?

My flatmates founded the label Houseverbot, and I became part of it when I moved into the flat. As there were not really many parties, where we could play, we started to make our own parties, and invite international artists. They went pretty well, and we had a nice residency.

Then you left Austria. Why did you choose Barcelona first and Berlin later? Which of those two cities, that seem to be so different, do you feel closer to you?

I moved to Barcelona because I was studying there for one year. I really enjoyed living there- the mentality is really different from Berlin. Anyway, I am happy in Berlin now and just think it fits better now. But I need to visit Barcelona at least once a year, because I sometimes really miss it.

Let’s talk about “Polyamour”. What does this title mean?

I came up with the title while working on the album: I thought that ‘Polyamour’ is a great concept, and I really liked the word. In my opinion it fits to the period of the part of my life I was working on the album. After being sure with the title, it was easier for me to continue: it gave a kind of order to that what I was creating all the time.

How long did the album take to be completed? Did you think of it as an album or has it built during the years?

It is difficult to say, but I was working ca. 8 months with idea in my mind on working on my album. But most of the tracks were older, and I improved them over this period of time.

It is interesting the origin of the opening track “Emory Bortz”. The title comes from a novel of Thomas Pynchon..

I studied literature and finished university while working on the album. That´s why literature often inspires me and sometimes I find interesting words and names in a novel I´m reading. ‘Crying of the lot 49’ is a really great book by Thomas Pynchon, everybody should read.

The Austrian artist Mimu sings in three songs. How did you get in touch with Mimu the first time?

Miriam is an old friend of mine, she is a very talented artist, and active in many different fields. We met in Graz due to common friends. We were hanging out a lot: she was more into grahpic design and I was already into music by then. We started a audio-visual project, where I was playing live and she was making visuals too. It was a bit later when I figured out that she had an enourmous musical talent, besides her graphic abilities. I am so glad that she sings on my songs, and also writes the lyrics. I know when she does something it is always going to be great!

Can you tell us about “Silently”, the song, and its nice video?

Silently feat. Mimu is a track from 2008, that we did really quickly actually, and never thought that is going to be released. The video has been done by a French video collective.

“Deer And Fox” reminds me a bit to the atmosphere of Bjork’s “Debut”. Is it simply a case?

Mimu gets often compared to Björk, Portishead, Moloko etc. That was definitely not our intention.  I think Mimu’s voice is very versatile. After these two pop-oriented songs, she sings in “Joy Of My Heart”, which is so different.

The title of the last track “The Opposite Is Also Wrong” is very curious (and the track sounds as ‘mysterious’ as “Emory Bortz”). What does the title mean?

It refers to the situations that sometimes you regret that you have done / or not done something but, if you would have done / or not done it, you would regret it as well.

What is the origin of the titles of your tracks?

Mostly it is something that I read somewhere, then I write it down to remember it, in case I need a title. When Mimu sings, it is a word from her lyrics.

What is your creative process?

This is always different: sometimes at night I start in my headphones, and finish it on the next day. Sometimes I go to the studio of Soundsilo, and we start something there. There are times when I play on my piano and then start to make electronic music.

If I had to describe your sound I would say it is an elegant mixture of ambient, electronica and minimal. Do you agree?

Yes, for me it is always difficult to define my own music, so I am happy that you are doing it.

What are your influences in general, not only in music?

Many things: friends, family, Berlin, travels… It is difficult to define where inspiration or influences come from, sometimes there very small things that are inspirational or influence you, but remain unnoticed.

What is the music you grew up with?

My parents were listening to a lot of Jazz and classical music, and I was playing piano by myself. When Kruder & Dorfmeister started to get really famous all over the world, I  first came in contact with electronic music. After that I listened to a lot of Hip Hop, with 16 I started to go out on techno /house parties and got really absorbed by this movement.

Which producers do you like in particular? Is there any Italian producer do you like?

I like many producers, eg Ricardo Villalobos, Cassy, Dinky, Chloe, Mount Kimbie, Scuba. There
are too many to name. Concerning Italian producers, I like what Marco Passarani is doing.

What do you think will be the direction of your sound in the next years?

I really don’t know. I will see what’s going to happen. I think you cannot plan which kind of music you make, or maybe you can, but not me!

What are your main passions outside music?

I really like reading, and sports - that sounds pretty boring, but I am always happy to have time for stuff like that. Also I like to play piano and to teách my self e-bass, which I just bought, but these are also not outside music passions.

What was the best day in your life?

Not today, but maybe tomorrow!

Author: Antonio Di Gioia Published: 18 May 2010