Code Elektro is the name of one sci-fi and cyberpunk geek's solo musical project. This is the type of person who unapologetically looks to films such as "Blade Runner" for inspiration in his daily life, and absolutely revels in it. After being shot an E-Mail from this guy, I got curious about his project and everything else revolving it, so I spent some time doing a Q&A with him.

You've been involved within the music industry for quite some time working on commercials and the like for Fanta, BMW, MTV, and more. But, you're new to this site. So, tell us about yourself and your project, Code Elektro.

Code Elektro - "Code Elektro is electronic 'cyberpunk' music. A mix of synthwave, sound design and science fiction. If you mix 'Blade Runner' along with 'TRON: Legacy' you get Code Elektro. At least that's how I see it.

It was important for me to write some music that was my own. Especially after writing for others for a long time in the commercial world. So basically: Code Elektro is the music I want to hear."

When was it that you first began playing with electronic music and getting a feel for it?

Code Elektro - "I started playing bass in rock and metal bands as a kid. And since then it developed into something more and more electronic. Actually in a lot of areas the two genres have a lot in common.

At one point I got a computer and some music programs - and I started to write electronic music. All in all I think I have played electronic music for ten to fifteen years. But I have always been listening to electronic music."

I know that you have a distinct taste for cyberpunk music and films. So, tell me, what are some of your biggest influences in those areas between film and music?

Code Elektro - "I’m a total nerd! I like almost all science fiction movies. 'TRON: Legacy', 'Blade Runner' and 'The Matrix' films are my favorites - and they also has influenced me musically. Soundtracks have always been a big part of those films. I guess that in many ways it was my way into the music.

My main musical influences are: Daft Punk, Vangelis, Cliff Martinez, Jean Michel Jarre, M83, Brad Fiedel and John Carpenter.

Besides film and music, I have also been inspired by comics and books. Valérian and Laureline, Jodorowsky and Moebius (The Incal) have been great sources of inspiration. Also I should mention computer games like 'Deus Ex'. Fantastic soundtrack!

...And of course Philip K. Dick and other scifi authors."

When was it that you started up Code Elektro? And why did you begin the project?

Code Elektro - "I started Code Elektro in 2012 - and my reason was quite simple. I wanted to make music I would like to hear myself…and to have fun in the process writing it. It took some time because I also had to learn a lot on the way. And when the opportunity came and there was a label who wanted to help with the release. I was ready.

When I look back, I can’t quite understand that three years have passed…but I guess that kind of thing takes time. Hopefully the next album won’t take so long."

Has your love for cyberpunk easily translated into music making? Did you have any tough times writing music for Code Elektro?

Code Elektro - "The translation from the cyberpunk genre to music has been relatively easy for me I think. The two areas are very much connected at some level, and for me cyberpunk has a lot of stories and colors I could use.

I see myself as a kind of painter. Cyberpunk and synthesizers are my colors. I think that they both have helped me to express emotions ranging from drama, aggression, melancholy, vulnerability and beauty. But I will leave that to be up to the listeners.

Tough times? Yes! A lot! My own experiences with writing – and from what I hear from other artists - is that you often doubt whether your material is good enough. I think that my years in the commercial side of the industry has given me a foundation and a sense of when to move on - and when to stop working.

It very much depends on my mood how I hear my own music. Especially when I’m in the creative zone. I can work on a riff for a whole day and think that I am some kind of “world champion” - and when I hear it the day after I totally hate it…and I’m almost ready to abandon the whole project. And as I understand it is a very common process. So if I like it the day after it’s not all bad."

Your debut album "Superstrings" just released, and you have it available both digitally and on vinyl. Was it important for you to have the album both digitally and physically available?

Code Elektro - "It has always been a dream to release a vinyl. I can remember my parents' record collection - and how it was extremely exciting to look at all the covers and read who did what on the album and where it was recorded etc.

Another reason is that I think that the analog world (vinyl) fits very well to the genre - and acts as a counterpoint to the electronic and mechanical world. In that way there is something poetic about vinyl."

You've described the album as being keen to a soundtrack for possibly a new Blade Runner film. If you could give a description of the album, how would you describe it?

Code Elektro - "Music is all about imagination and communication. I'm very visual when I write music. Often I start with a picture and then I write the music I get from it.

In my head many of the songs are from specific scenes from movies. Perhaps they may even be an entire movie - I don’t know. But the 'Blade Runner' world has in many ways been an overall framework for the whole record. I think that the film contains a lot I could bring into to the music."

When you finished the album and were done with it, did you come away from it loving the music you produced? Or did you find room for improvement that you'll be taking into consideration later on?

Code Elektro - "Luckily I'm still happy with all the tracks. Of course there’s always something you want to change. That’s a part of being an artist, you grow and you learn. But I also think of the record as a statement of a certain time. Good and bad.

I know that a lot of artists never hear their own records. I still put the record on from time to time. However, I am not sure that it continues but we'll see about that."

Have you had any reception for the album thus far? And, if you have, has it been positive or negative?

Code Elektro - "Great! It has been beyond all expectations. I never dreamed that so many would want to listen to my record. It is, after all, a niche genre.

The vinyl sales has been really good also. Just sent out a new batch to people all over the world.

Now I’m going to sound old - but because of the internet there is a sudden access to the whole world...And a much larger audience. It is absolutely fascinating. There’s a lot of sci-fi nerds out there – including myself!"

Do you plan on playing live for this act? And, do you have any additional plans for Code Elektro in store?

Code Elektro - "I'm in the process of rehearsing a live set up. Super fun! But that also takes a lot of time. The music itself is only a small part of being a musician, especially when only one in the band. There is also Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, website plus a lot of other things…

I have always been a band person - and live jobs is a big part of being in a band. So watch out!

Also I just started working on some new material…And I think it sounds awesome!"

Is there anything else you would like to mention at this time?

Code Elektro - "Although I have made music for many years, Code Elektro feels like it's one of the best things I have ever made! It’s super fun and I connect with people all over the world through music."

And, I would like to thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you progress in the future!

Code Elektro - "Thanks for having me here and keep up the good work! I really enjoy the blog so it’s an honor to be a part of Brutal Resonance."

You can order Code Elektro's debut album "Superstrings" from Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, or his official website, and you can check out the review for "Superstrings" here.

Code Elektro

May 2015

Electronics, Soundtrack