Interview : Cyndi Seui

Hailing from Bangkok, Thailand, Cyndi Seui is creating the freshest, most outrageous 80s style funk you can imagine. If ever I feel a little down on the scene, thinking maybe electro is becoming totally co-opted, watered down crap, all I have to do is throw on the first couple bars of Flashback on the Kitsch Kat myspace page, and all hope, wonder and enjoyment is immediately restored to my life.


c'mon, how sick is that shit?

I'm very honored to be able to delve into some of what makes Cyndi Seui tick. I'm not the only one jocking Cyndi's style, in the following interview we learn that Miami Horror has made his way to Bangkok to record with the master. Damnit, I want to do that, why does Miami always gotta be two steps ahead. Okay, I'll shut up now and let the master speak:

Loose
In 2005 you released micro bitz life. Weighing in at an impressive 20 tracks, it has a very original sound, like Brasil '66 meets Christian Fennesz meets Cibo Mato meets 8 bit. There are a few moments which foreshadow your current sound, but overall it is quite different than today's Cyndi Seui.


Pop Circuit


What were you listening to at this time?

Cyndi
Back then i was really collective into many genre that has got something to do with electronic sound......Together with my boss ( owner of Smallroom music label which i werk as a senior music production there ) We usually sitting down listen to Bertrand Burgalat, French electronic lounge and film music maker from Tricatel label....checking if there is any missing riff we did here on those trak....And Bungalow is one of my favorite label too as well....it 's like a european clubpop which i still think that it's still futuristic today....This two label has play an important time for me cuz i find many ways to put my electronic sound to many music like lounge, french pop, swedish pop, brazil electro, 60s future samba/bossa/ easy listening music.....Back then i felt that there are so many option open up for us like even our Stereo Lab and high Lamas ....it really inspire me to do tweaking analog sounds and exploration through unique electronic music....Many French artist that i really like is AIR, Saint Etient, Dimitri from Paris, and off course our be - loved Daftpunk.....couldnt agree more they have been doing their thing for ages...

Another decade of music i give importance is digging the Shibuya Sounds.......something from Cornelius, Cubismo Grafico, Hideki Kaji, Mondo Grosso, Plus tech Squeeze Box, Manfield, Pizzicato Five, Fantastic Plastic Machine, YMCK, Second Royal, and many more in this decade that they dare to cut/paste thing to their very own genius way of turning electronic music to an amusement park......U can beware of all the detail out from now where when listen to those record. Japanese electronic has their good name for being so detail on sounds, beatz, and innovative texture of programming things.....

Tweak Today


And the rebirth of baggey music beat like Bentley Rhythm Ace has great impact on many groovy riffs and rhythm and never the less, the early electonic artist that brought 80 glitsch into a new colour like Les Rythmes Digitales, Zoot woman, Arling & Camerson, Junior Senior.....i gave them super credit for moving ahead of time i guess.......

On those day.....i felt that i could choose any of those if im thinking of making an album......so Micro Bitz Life is like a collective music culture i really dont want myself to miss any of those in my werk as Cyndi Seui.......first LP album.......


After Micro Bitz Life you have evolved into a neo funk master. How did your transition come about from your more 'computer-ey' sound into the current analog funk that we all adore?

It all started after i had to prepared some live performance during the time Micro Bitz life release....So i was thinking of some song that i could related people with.......out of no where... i just picked "Rock with U" from Michael Jackson..So i did compose this song into quirky vibe and i found out i am enjoying doing a tune that reminds me super back then......It came clear why i start to do My name is Dos as it is.....cuz i grow along with motown, soul, and 80s music from my big brother and sister eventhough i like it or not.....it is all clear in my mind haha.......And one more thing....after micro bitz life.....my boss tackle me that i should do something with vocal on it......if u want to communicate toward more crowd.....first i dont really understand cuz i didnt get the glitch of it.......i think of it that's my only way that i will be into it....so i pick soul/funky trunk, motown, and 80 music history haha.......



Your track 'I say Go' I must say makes me so jealous. It's got everything I love - old skool orchestral hits, child-like bad ass female vocals, siriusmo-esque synth stabs.

I Say Go

Who are the vocalists on this track?

Ok her name is Karen K. thailand/italian vocalist( she is pretty like her voice haha) which i will be doing her a solo album soon......she sang me vanilla walk, my name is dos, and many compilation around......


Karen K

What synths are we hearing in this track?

TB303 bassline is one of those but it is not the real damn pocket size synth ( could u believe it!!!! ) few sample cutz i collect....like the punchy horn stab and the last half string stab........for the record, it divided into 2 big section.......this both song has got nothing to do with each other til i decided to put them both into one hahahahahah.......i feel they both cant stand only but when combine it.....it's magical!!!!!! Then i get my friend to my studio for some puncy mc on it then i called Karen K. another week.



My Name is Dos

In addition to your incredible synth sounds, are you using a lot of live instruments to create your tracks?

Yes i use alot of Guitar nowaday and real bass slap too......but i prefer both chicky bass slap vst i too haha...it does hav their beauty and yes the vocal is so necessary.



Your music is very 'musical'. What instrument did you learn music on?

I start off as a Guitarist, start digging on the instrument when i was 16 - 17yrs old......for the record i never think that i will come toward this Cyndi Seui thing at all back then........i just think i will alot of big head jazz thing and stuff hahaha......and yeah the drum machine tends to change my direction of music career.....very strange very strange

The chord progressions you use are very fresh and unexpected. Do you use key changes at all?

Some of my song has been treated to change some key from part to part depend on the mood if i feel it need to be elevated....ill find some shift progression to that particular tunes..

You are located in Bangkok Thailand. Is there a big music scene there? What's it like?

Im a city boy from Bangkok haha......The music scene is building up but yet very slow......after i release my tune from time to time.....there is more people starting to dig many music genre from post rock, idm, emo, indy tronica and so forth.....the big reliable festival might be Green Space from Heineken, B live from Barcadi, Jazz music Fest, and Fat Festival (popular indy radio that play our tunes hahaha)


A few months ago, you launched Kitsch Kat. The music is amazing, but it also has an incredible visual style.



Who is the graphic designer for Kitsch Kat?

That i would have to give all credit for my partner, Yuri Nominee......Kitsch Cat divided into two half, im in charge of music production and Yuri Nominee take care from Grafix, Web site, and all art werk KC needed.......

Do you guys all hang out and make music together?

We do have meeting every week or two eventhough there is nothing to talk about
......we share music influence among our group.....we dont go out much but we do hang out at my studio, shopping like a mother fucker, go find vintage keyboard, update new fashion that involved around KC (kitsch kat), updating mission that we want to accomplish.......Yuri Nominee use to work in smallroom as a main grafix designer but last 2yrs in came out to do his freelance werk while im still at the label........Yuri say that if we both are still in the label.....we would not have time for KC at all.....From time to time i always update KC to my boss cuz i dont think i hav any competition mind among business any way.....cuz im really close to my boss....i stand correct and he gives / takes it.


Flashback remix is my favorite track from the Kitsch Kat crew. Like the track 'I Say Go' it's got the nice big chord hits which do a really great call and response with the melody.

FlashBack Yuri Remix

Who are your some of your big influences?

i might hav to say Stevia Wonder, Prince, Kylie, Madonna, Michael Jackson, ....not the fact that he leave us to the moon or anything......i really dig his music from time to time...spark me to do music which im doing now a day

Who do you like listening to that's current?

This month i dig few artist i like at the moment like Breakbot, Shazam, Tesla Boy, and Miami horror....And yeah Miami Horror just came to Bangkok to produce some tunes together for the future album.......then he leave me with his ep which i havnt dig much.....when i do get time to listen....he got amazing composition.......with all above, i love how they break their groove with the flavors of soul, nu wav, and 80s sprout in their music.....

Is there anything else you'd like to say to the world?

Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat +Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat + Kitsch Cat


Thanks for the music. We love you in America, keep it up!

Be sure to check out Cyndi's other music on myspace, as well as the other Kitsch Kat artists:
www.myspace.com/cyndiseui
www.myspace.com/kitschcat