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Leather talks to: Quadron
By leather | June 23, 2010
Quadron has me ‘under their pressure.’ When I first glanced at their album cover, I knew that I was in for something special. What I got was more than special. The Danish duo’s self-titled debut is mysterious, sexy, sophisticated, and raw. Coco O.’s sultry vocals compliment Robin Hannibal’s decadent instrumentals like strawberries and cheesecake. The pair first met 5 years ago, when Coco O. was only 16. Robin invited her to perform with his musical collective, the Boom Clap Bachelors, after hearing her striking voice. Fast forward to the present day, where their soulful sound is catching the ears of everyone from Pharrell Williams to Gilles Peterson. Leather had the opportunity to rap a taste with Coco O. & Robin Hannibal to learn about their artistic process, favorite songs, and which of them is a closet R. Kelly fan. Enjoy!
Tell me about your album cover. Who is the mind behind that? When I saw it, I didn’t know what it was but I knew that I liked it.
Robin Hannibal: That’s what you always hope for in an album cover that it can stand alone. I think that was also the idea of the art director she made it that it had to be mystic. It doesn’t necessarily have to show the music, but it’s so beautiful and interesting that you want to check it out. We had tons of ideas and she came up with that idea, asked us about it and we liked it. The girl is the daughter of the photographer’s colleague.
How many songs did you guys record for the album?
Coco O.: Everything on the album!
R: Can you imagine that? The 12 songs that we made all made it on the album.
Out of all the songs which one is most personal to you?
R: We write all of our songs together. Because it’s a collaboration most of our songs are 3rd person lyrics. Even though its being told from the “I” [point of view] it’s often about a character that we explore and delve into; so its probably easier for us to answer regarding the music. Like what affects me emotionally when I hear the music. With that said, I would say for me it’s “Far Cry.” Every time I hear Coco perform it I always get goose bumps. There’s one point in that song where she always moves me. I always get it at that point.
C: I would say “Day” maybe, but its like a kid you don’t want to leave anybody out! (laughs)
On your album you didn’t collaborate much with other people. The only other person you worked with was Owusu. Was there a reason behind that?
R: I think that was because we had so much that we wanted to do between the two of us so we ended up doing most of it. We had an idea of what we wanted to do and it just worked out that way. It wasn’t that we wanted to exclude everyone else. Actually the two tracks that we recorded with [Owusu] were earlier productions that we worked on further. So we weren’t really collaborating with him either. We pretty much just did everything between the two us.
Why do you think that Europeans are more receptive to alternative & non-stream forms of music than Americans?
C: I think we have a thing in Europe where people suppress their egos. I think in America you are much more exposed and expressive so you don’t judge the kind of music where people want to show themselves off. I think Europeans try to be introverted, different and interesting. They are always trying to be on top of what’s interesting and different. So different that people might not always understand it but it’s very different and that’s what makes it popular.
R: To continue with that, I think that here it’s more about “the game.” You instantly feel like it’s about making it and getting to a certain point. In Europe it’s about that too, but it’s more about making it the right way and making it the trendy way. It’s about distancing yourself from others and showcasing your individuality.
You both have a unique style. How would you each describe your personal style?
R: I would day David Lynch meets prep boy.
C: I would say Sade meets the Cosby Family. (laughs)
What would be something that people would be surprised to find in your music collections?
C: Titanic Soundtrack
R: R. Kelly.
Which albums?
R: All of them!
You guys are signed to Plug Research. How long has it been and how are you enjoying it so far?
C: It’s been under a year. We signed before the new year.
R: We signed on my birthday, December 21st or like the day before maybe! So far it’s been amazing. Getting that offer from a label that has such a great history and amazing artists, it was like the biggest pat on the back that you can imagine.
Last question: Erykah or Lauryn
R: Whoa!
C: Lauryn. Sorry Erykah, but Lauryn.
R: Yeah me too.
Topics: Interviews, Music |