Lapalux
Future Music|December 2019
Since signing to Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder label, Lapalux’s defiantly abstract sound has garnered praise from fans and critics alike. Danny Turner dives deep into the Eurorack setup that’s central to his approach
Danny Turner
Lapalux

The brainchild of Stuart Howard, Lapalux signed to Brainfeeder in 2011. With the label acting as a natural home for his intuitive experimental approach, the producer has had free rein over his career. Painstakingly assembled, Howards’ debut album Nostalchic was based on a patchwork of generic textures, accentuated by swirling melodic atmospheres and abstract beats.

Fuelled by emotive introspection, subsequent releases have added further layers to Howard’s sound, and since delving into the modular realm he’s been able to move closer to realising his conceptual ideas. The latest Lapalux album Amnioverse is a beautifully realised homage to the work of US light artist James Turrel, constructed from Howard’s ever-expanding Eurorack setup.

What attracted you to creating abstract electronic music above other forms?

“I’ve always gravitated towards very textural music concrète and found experimentation in sound and how layers work together interesting. I used to overdub a lot of guitar stuff on a really primitive Cubase setup. I’d record on a little microphone, loop it in Cubase and start recording over that until I had these ambient textural guitars with 30 tracks of audio mixed into one. I’m fascinated by manipulating audio to a degree where it’s unrecognisable as an instrument, and to this day try to make and blend sounds in unorthodox ways.”

Was there a template for the sound you made?

This story is from the December 2019 edition of Future Music.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2019 edition of Future Music.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FUTURE MUSICView All
SONIC DESTRUCTION
Future Music

SONIC DESTRUCTION

From overdriven signal paths to rhythmic malfunctions, there’s plenty of creativity to be found by doing things just a little bit wrong

time-read
10+ mins  |
Autumn 2021
Feed Me
Future Music

Feed Me

EDM producer Jon Gooch revives his cartoonish Feed Me moniker. Danny Turner finds out how the use of live instrumentation changed his production approach

time-read
10+ mins  |
Autumn 2021
Exploring Akai MPC
Future Music

Exploring Akai MPC

Leo Maymind takes a detailed look at an iconic groovebox whose influence helped shape modern hip-hop and much more besides

time-read
8 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Liars
Future Music

Liars

Dissolving the contours of rock and electronics, Danny Turner charts the making of Liars’ 10th album with Angus Andrew and Laurence Pike

time-read
10+ mins  |
Autumn 2021
Jean-Michel Jarre
Future Music

Jean-Michel Jarre

The pioneering musician who introduced generations to futuristic sounds the first time around is at it again. He joins Matt Mullen to talk experiments in VR gigging, spatial audio and more...

time-read
10 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Noise
Future Music

Noise

With roots as far back as 1913, noise is the genre that’s also a state of mind

time-read
4 mins  |
Autumn 2021
1010 Music Bitbox mk2 £549
Future Music

1010 Music Bitbox mk2 £549

Rob Redman finds out whether this updated sampler box of tricks contains any more surprises

time-read
3 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Erica Synths and Sonic Potions LXR-02 £499
Future Music

Erica Synths and Sonic Potions LXR-02 £499

Rob Redman braces himself for another resurrected blast from the past

time-read
6 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Modal SKULPTsynth SE £169
Future Music

Modal SKULPTsynth SE £169

Modal are back with an update to their SKULPT synth. Bruce Aisher takes a listen to see if it can rustle up a big sound

time-read
3 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Reason Studios Reason 12 £399
Future Music

Reason Studios Reason 12 £399

Now in both DAW and plugin realms, Reason gains a sampler and refreshed Combinator. Si Truss investigates

time-read
3 mins  |
Autumn 2021