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Berlin-based singer/songwriter Thomas Azier takes pop music very seriously indeed. Not seeking a simple radio hit with his pop-meets-techno-meets-trip-hop sounds, the Holland-born musician wants to evoke primal emotions from his listeners with his unique brand of cinematic electronica.
"I really want to go back to the first raw emotion of music - which is communication," says the young producer. "Music started because people wanted to communicate with others in the next village so they used a drum. We need food. That's what got lost over the years because music turned into a fashion brand. You listen to a certain band because you have the right bag and shoes - then your friends think you're cool."
Azier recently released his second EP, Hylas 02; a raw, powerful trio of tracks recorded in his factory-based studio in the German capital - the factory that once made the bells of the Kremlin, no less. Moving to the infamous party-city at the age of 19, Azier admits he has spent much of his time in Berlin working in solitude rather than indulging in the city's hardcore party scene.
"I really just lived in my own bubble and spent lots and lots of time by myself. It's resulted in a lot of introspection, thinking about what i'm going through," he says of the EP, which he claims is inspired by the 'sublime essence of solitude', adding that he chose to live in Berlin for reasons other than the social opportunities. "People come here for three months and then leave. People go to India to find spirituality - people come to Berlin to find credibility. Sometimes that gets a little annoying but hey, its the city. I'm just doing my thing and that's working out for me."
Listen to the lead track fro Hylas 002 EP in full below.
The Mike Luck remix of his track track 'Red Eyes' was recently featured on the most recent Kitsune compilation, but despite international interest in his work growing, Azier is in no rush to conform to music industry norms.
"I don't want any interference from other people. I don't want to hear 'we need a big chorus for this one' - like, fuck off," he laughs. "I'm just experimenting, trying stuff out and falling on my face and then i'm trying it again."
Watch the video for 'Red Eyes' ('big chorus' included) below.
Thanking the internet for the interest in his work so far, Azier admits that he has the UK market set in his sights, despite knowing that the British audiences are tough to crack - especially as an outsider on our music scene.
"Before, everything would come out of the UK or the US. Holland and Germany were just copycats - maybe after the second world war there was a massive reset button pressed on everything culturally," he says. "A lot of musicians come back from the UK and are so demotivated because it is so hard for newcomers. If you're not from the UK it's not going to work - at least that's what i'm told all the time."
He remains confident of his own chances however, adding: "If someone would book me - i'd be there as soon as possible."
Hylas 002 is out now.
