Orchestral manoeuvres by the SEA

OPEN YOUR minds and embrace some refreshingly new and creative sounds at Wonderfruit Festival, which returns to the Pattaya countryside later this month with 60 local and international acts across four main stages.
Serving up a delectable menu of art, gastronomic treats, wellness and flair throughout all four festival days, Wonderfruit also treats your ears with a series of sounds from across the globe. Award-winning British group Rudimental, folk artist Lianne La Havas and Scottish Mercury Prize winning hip-hop trio Young Fathers are at the Living Stage; DJ Sabo mans the deck at the Solar Stage; The Superglasses Ska Ensemble headline the Farm Stage; while DJs Nicole Moudaber and Mongkorn are at the Quarry.
Among the highlights this year is DJ and producer Kate Simko from Chicago. Simko has established her reputation as a performer with interactive audio-visual live sets and cutting edge DJ mixes. Named one of Chicago’s “Top 10 DJs” by XLR8R Magazine, she has played clubs and festivals around the world and will touch down in Thailand for the first time at the festival.
We chatted with Simko about her music and her plans for the show.

How did it all start?
I grew up playing piano and that was my first passion. Then, when I was 15, I heard house music in Chicago and it changed my life. By the time I went to the university I felt a bit empty studying classical piano and started DJ-ing at the college radio station. I realised that I wanted to learn to make my own music rather than stick to classical piano. In time I went on to be a solo producer and create London Electronic Orchestra.

What kinds of music did you grow up listening to?
My father was very passionate about classical music, so we listened to a lot of his favourite composers and pieces growing up. Alongside that, Chicago is a big city for music, and we listened to soul, classic rock, and then in my teens it was lots of IDM, house, and other electronic music.

How would you best describe your sound?
That’s always a tough question! I’d describe London Electronic Orchestra as organic, warm electronic music mixed with lush live instruments.

What makes electronic and orchestral music a good match?
Both are musical genres without words. Electronic music allows you to create any backdrop soundscape in your imagination and then the classical instruments’ rich natural timbres fit so nicely.
Please tell us some more about your project, London Electronic Orchestra.   

While getting my masters’ in film composition in Loodon, I started experimenting with combining classical instruments into electronic music. I began recording live players to replace synth parts, or live strings to add textures. The players and I loved it, so I started writing more and more music. |We had our first London Electronic Orchestra concert in March 2014 at the Britten Theatre, and since |then have done Boiler Room for Jamie Jones and a number of festivals. In May last year, we released our debut album, simply titled ‘Kate Simko& London Electronic Orchestra.’

What are you working on now? What can we expect to hear from you in the near future?
I’m back in the studio focusing on solo productions, and finishing a Hollywood indie film score. The studio I’m sharing has some great analog synths and drum machines, which I’m really enjoying! First out this year is an EP on Leftroom, which features a remix by Huxley and Matt Tolfrey. Next I’m working on a couple of other solo EP’s for 2017.

What have you prepared for the show at the festival?
I’m really excited about performing at the festival! Wonderfruit has a great reputation internationally, and it will be my first time in Thailand. We are bringing our harpist and violinist from London, and will be collaborating with a Thai bassist and percussionist. I made a request for Thai percussion, which will hopefully be a mixture of pitched and unpitched instruments. I hope this makes the show unique for Wonderfruit.

Wonderfruit takes place at Siam Country Club near Pattaya from February 16 to 19.
Tickets starting at Bt3,500 are available from www.WonderfruitFestival.com.