::: friends ::: charles stella

Interview with Charles Stella
by Hakan Turan aka Kino

Producer / Artist / Engineer Charles Stella is an East Bay native who now divides his time between New York City and the Bay Area. An early advocate of computer based music technology, Charles has become well known for his innovative production techniques and rich sonic landscapes. Recent Production / Remixing credits include Norah Jones, Mos Def, Wax Poetic, DJ Logic, Olu Dara, Saul Williams and Jamaican DJ legend U-Roy

This interview was conducted via e mail March 2005.

Kino: What is mediocrity in music in your opinion?

Charles: Not taking chances. following a formula too closely.

Kino: How many records did you do for Nublu records?

Charles: A lot! Wax Poetic , Love Trio , Temple of Soul Sessions. We are working on new projects as well...

Kino: Your relationship with Ilhan precedes Nublu long before it was open, after all these years,what's his most creative effort to this day?

Charles: Of course I think the new stuff is the most creative because that is what we are doing now. But looking back it all is very cool. And all different. Ilhan is an incredible catalyst for inspiring new directions.

Kino: If you must choose one instrument to do an album, which would it be?

Charles: My modular synthesizer.

Kino: How much of a communist are you?

Charles: Not much.

Kino: What is your favourite record of all time?

Charles: Usually what I am listening to at the moment.

Kino: Is it really important to be in a studio when making music for computer speakers and ipods?

Charles: "The Studio" is such a broad term these days. with technology as it is now you can create almost anywhere. It has way more to do with what you are creating than what you are creating with. The media and delivery mediums are changing but it still has to sound good and be creative.

Kino: Do you reckon if anyone will listen to the contemporary music of our age in the next century?

Charles: Yes

Kino: What is the most vicious human invention apart from guns?

Charles: Leaf blowers

Kino: Bearing in mind that a club is a place for dancing and drinking what separates Nublu from other clubs?
Charles: Nublu is unique. Anybody can make a club, but, it's what you do with it. Nublu has such a cool and diverse vibe to it.

Kino: What is the most important: delay or reverb?

Charles: Delay! in all it's forms

Kino: What does the beat signify to you?

Charles: Which way to shake my ass.

Kino: What do you make of the Grammy awards?

Charles: I am not so into big spectacles, but, I think having a community of music people joining together to help one another is good.

Kino: Is cinema dead?

Charles: No, but it's been sleeping...

Kino: What is culture?

Charles: Culture is life... constantly changing , evolving.

Kino: Do you find silence as inspiring in a recording studio, as an empty canvas is inspiring to a painter?

Charles: I value silence quite a bit. It's critical to my thinking process.

Kino: Do you think Hip Hop has anything to do with Jazz?

Charles: Absolutely. It flows from the same spring.


					Brazilian Girls Butch Norris Chantal Ughi Charles Stella Clark Gayton Dj Hardedge DJ Renochild Eddie Henderson ElodieO Erik Truffaz Jochen Rueckert John Farris Juini Booth Karina Zeviani Kenny Wollesen Malik Burke Marla Turner Martin Ogolter Petar Santiago U-roy	Interview with Charles Stella by Hakan Turan aka Kino Producer / Artist / Engineer Charles Stella is an East Bay native who now divides his time between New York City and the Bay Area. An early advocate of computer based music technology, Charles has become well known for his innovative production techniques and rich sonic landscapes. Recent Production / Remixing credits include Norah Jones, Mos Def, Wax Poetic, DJ Logic, Olu Dara, Saul Williams and Jamaican DJ legend U-Roy This interview was conducted via e mail March 2005. Kino: What is mediocrity in music in your opinion? Charles: Not taking chances. following a formula too closely. Kino: How many records did you do for Nublu records? Charles: A lot! Wax Poetic , Love Trio , Temple of Soul Sessions. We are working on new projects as well... Kino: Your relationship with Ilhan precedes Nublu long before it was open, after all these years,what's his most creative effort to this day? Charles: Of course I think the new stuff is the most creative because that is what we are doing now. But looking back it all is very cool. And all different. Ilhan is an incredible catalyst for inspiring new directions. Kino: If you must choose one instrument to do an album, which would it be? Charles: My modular synthesizer. Kino: How much of a communist are you? Charles: Not much. Kino: What is your favourite record of all time? Charles: Usually what I am listening to at the moment. Kino: Is it really important to be in a studio when making music for computer speakers and ipods? Charles: "The Studio" is such a broad term these days. with technology as it is now you can create almost anywhere. It has way more to do with what you are creating than what you are creating with. The media and delivery mediums are changing but it still has to sound good and be creative. Kino: Do you reckon if anyone will listen to the contemporary music of our age in the next century? Charles: Yes Kino: What is the most vicious human invention apart from guns? Charles: Leaf blowers Kino: Bearing in mind that a club is a place for dancing and drinking what separates Nublu from other clubs? Charles: Nublu is unique. Anybody can make a club, but, it's what you do with it. Nublu has such a cool and diverse vibe to it. Kino: What is the most important: delay or reverb? Charles: Delay! in all it's forms Kino: What does the beat signify to you? Charles: Which way to shake my ass. Kino: What do you make of the Grammy awards? Charles: I am not so into big spectacles, but, I think having a community of music people joining together to help one another is good. Kino: Is cinema dead? Charles: No, but it's been sleeping... Kino: What is culture? Charles: Culture is life... constantly changing , evolving. Kino: Do you find silence as inspiring in a recording studio, as an empty canvas is inspiring to a painter? Charles: I value silence quite a bit. It's critical to my thinking process. Kino: Do you think Hip Hop has anything to do with Jazz? Charles: Absolutely. It flows from the same spring.