To get you as pumped as we are for our CMJ 2013 showcases, we’re introducing each band to you by asking them five unique questions Trabajo is playing Sidewalk Cafe, 94 Ave. A in Manhattan on Wednesday, October 16th at 10PM. You can RSVP on facebook or DoNYC.
Brooklyn electronic duo Trabajo is Yuchen Lin & TJ Richards. Their sound explores traditional and popular regional music from across the globe, refracting each style thru an experimental framework of samples, loops, and avant noise-scapes. From lush ambient drones to bursts of high energy postpunk, Trabajo is a constant diversity of sonic investigation and stylistic celebration.
AF: How did the two of you meet and when did you decide to form the band?
Trabajo: We met at a Rubulad dance party in Brooklyn 3 years ago this week! We shared a love of wild and world music so we started jamming. After a few months we got serious and then played our first show in August 2011.
AF: Trabajo performs, in my mind, world music interpreted through a Brooklyn lens. One of your records, for instance, focuses primarily on Indonesian gamelan samples. How do you source those types of elements and build them into your songs?
Trabajo: We sampled from the Nonesuch Explorer Series and performances on youtube. Composing this way is a little like doing a puzzle – you start with a few core samples and then fit beats, melodies and other samples around or against those central themes.
AF: What’s the best and worst thing anyone’s ever said about your music?
Trabajo: Somebody told us we look like we’re worshiping the music in performance which was a really keen, affirmative observation. Dunno about the worst thing, tho… in certain contexts not commenting is probably the worst, right?
AF: What’s your favorite venue to play in Brooklyn?
Trabajo: Probably no single favorite venue but our pal Gabe curates shows with multi-channel quadrophonic mixing which elevates the live music experience at any venue.
AF: Can you make up a color?
Trabajo: I’ve always wanted to play our music for someone that experiences chromesthesia and have them describe what they’re seeing…
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