Interview with label owner Pablo Benjamin AKA c0ma for Unknown Art (China)
January 20, 2016

For those into IDM/ambient/experimental music, this might not be the first time you hear about Wave Function Reconstructed China tour brought to you by Broken Thoughts Duo. However, the netlabel behind the project, Abstrakt Reflections, might still be fresh to most Chinese fans.

Abstrakt Reflections is a netlabel focusing on ambient/experimental electronic music. Based on Creative Commons license, they provide free download for all their releases. The label is fully non-profit.

Following the same principle, AR artists make highly creative music, free from any commercial aspects. We have the honor to interview Paul, founder of the label and mastermind of c0ma, to share his thoughts about the label and electronic music.

Hello Paul. It’s an honor to do this interview with you. First of all, could you briefly introduce yourself and AR to our Chinese readers?

My pleasure! A little bit about myself: In 2010 I started to produce electronic music under the name of c0ma (written with zero) and pretty much around the same time I started the label Abstrakt Reflections, which is a collective of artists from all around the world.

How do you manage all the work, being an artist and running a label at the same time?

Through 2015, as a label owner I’ve managed to put out 13 releases out on Abstrakt Reflections. From EP’s to full albums and even two compilations that were the result of a contest we did where people had to use the Flint Kids SamplePack.

It’s no easy task to do both things at the same time, I take like spaces in between, sometimes I am working more on the label and sometimes more on my music but I try to keep up both and not leave anything behind.As c0ma I released my first single “Mad Fuckerz” on Abstrakt Reflections. Also managed to put out out a couple of remixes that were released on the label as well.

More people in China get to know AR because of Broken Thoughts. One thing that’s still new to them is Creative Commons. What lead to the decision of running the label on CC copyright? Don’t you need any sort of income to keep the label running?

I always thought that the music I wanted to release should remain free, that doesn’t mean you can do anything with it. The artists who get to release on the label always seem to like this perspective and approach the label takes, it fits them.

Even though the label is free it has some costs yes, I’ve been covering these 5 years but I recently enabled the option so people could start donating, this will help and hopefully bring the label to the next level.

As a label focusing on more experimental/ambient types of electronic music, what do you think of these sub-genres? What is good music to you? What are the things that you look for when searching for new artists?

I don’t care much about genres & sub-genres, I like it when it’s good! What I generally look when searching for new artists is their creativity and I look for unique minds that fit the sound of the label.

If AR can sign any artist of any time, what would be the top 5 on your list?

How about: HECQ, Apparat, Jon Hopkins, Clark, Syl Kougaï.

How did you find out about Broken Thoughts? What do you think about his work?

Love his music, perfect balance between electronics & instruments – and so cinematic! His album “Wave Function Collapse” released on the label was one of my favorite releases from this past 2015. Wish I could see him live with instruments.

To you, what’s an ideal relationship like between artists and labels? Or let’s say, why are labels still significant these days? What’s the most important thing that AR offers for its artists, without making profit?

The label is the platform for the artist, or at least that’s the way I see it for Abstrakt Reflections. Artists who get to release on the label don’t really care much about profits, it’s way more about the music and the idea/concept behind the label.

Will AR curate any events? What is a perfect IDM/experimental/ambient live show like to you?

Yes, it’s definitely on the plans although I am not certain when that will happen. Perfect scenario is Abstrakt Reflections World Tour, where I would go to different countries and be able to play with my mates from all over the world basically :)

Could you recommend a few AR releases for Chinese fans?

I would recommend them to go straight to our catalog and start browsing, listening, downloading… it’s all there.

Finally, how would you describe AR with one sentence?

Unstoppable.

Unknown Art Productions
Read original interview (Chinese) / Posted on weixin.qq.com

About

Abstrakt Reflections is a platform & netlabel focused on the types we love.

We watch for things more left-field, a creative space for abstract rhythms, otherworldly soundscapes and especially invention in electronic music today.

We are open to anything else anyhow, devoted to high quality electronic music with a distinctive sound. Being creative and doing everything with heart is what we stand for.

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