Koop

Koop consist of Stockholm based musicians, Magnus Zingmark and Oscar Simonsson. They came to our attention with Waltz For Koop, however, in two thousand and six they return with a new album called Koop Islands, released through; !K7 Records. Koop Islands features vocalists Ane Brun, Yukimi Nagando, Earl Zinger and Mikael Sundin.

Koop says, “We’re from Uppsala, North of Stockholm. We also made an album back in ninety-seven called Sons For Koop. We met at a students place. Magnus was DJ ing jazz and I w as playing jazz in a quintet. We decided to make a tune together, where we mixed Debussy with jazz” Koops sound is very unique and experimental, they explain. “Sweet jazz-tunes produced on a computer” Koop speaks of first musical influences, “Sometimes everything, sometimes nothing, but mostly jazz from 1917 to 1961 or the freshest beat on the dance floor”

Koop Islands to Waltz For Koop, both have front covers where Magnus Zingmark and Oscar Simonsson are dressed up, “It started out with a photo we did together with a photographer that later became the album cover for Waltz For Koop, and now we can’t stop doing it” They continue, “It’s irritating when artists try to be manly and good-looking on album covers. We’ve passed all that but it also reflects the music. It’s all a bit illusion”

Koop have been making music for a while, they say, “We’ve gone from creating experimental sampler-sound scapes to discovering a way to produce classic songs via samplers and are now focusing on song writing. We are grateful to all the singers and musicians that have blessed our albums with their talent, and life outside of Koop is nothing I want to talk about”

They haven’t always had positive experiences with the press, often pigeon-holing them as retro.

Koop says, “Hyper modern. Music is always developing with the technical inventions. Our music couldn’t be made fifteen years ago” Koop had recently performed at London’s jazz café, “Yeah, previous dates have been great. Crowd’s use to be up for it and lots of friend’s in the back room!” However, they are not completely a live band, “The illusion worked! It’s maybe forty percent live, and the rest are samples! Our vision is to create the best environment for the vocals. Make them shine”

The interview with Koop was coming to an end, but they still had a few things to say. “It’s music from Koop Island’s. We try not to think too much and just grab what’s around us. Of course much of the eclecticism comes from the use of samples and on this album it was from the 40’s and 50’s. The use of Marimba is significant for the album as well”

And on traveling, “After a while you become a very boring person that can only talk about Airports or Hotel standards.

After a year on the road you’re hopefully just numb”

Thank-you Koop for the time!

“Cheers! Thanks for having us”

Soulisms 2008