Cody Currie interview – “I think the country directly affects the music”
House and jazz effortlessly fused by the lad from Leytonstone
After a string of much loved singles for esteemed Berlin label Toy Tonics, Cody Currie has taken his unique fusion of house and jazz to the next level with the release of Lucas, his debut album. Taking influence from a mixture of old and new acts, and utilising the skills of a veritable army of collaborators, the album uses no samples whatsoever and mixes grooves with tip top songwriting.
Juno Daily caught up with the man himself to find out more….
For starters, tell us who you are, where you’re from and what you do…
I’m Cody from East London, I make music from time to time.
What are your earliest musical memories – early listening, parents’ tastes etc, first instrument and embarrassing bands here please!
There was always music around the house, my grandmother used to sing traditional Spanish music, I think that might be the earliest. I was playing guitar with my close friend in Leytonstone making blues tracks when I was 15.
We understand the album’s title is a nod to the Spanish roots of your family – tell us more
I spent three years away from London, I would often think about home. Most of my family and friends have a lot of connection to the music hence the name. Tracks like ‘Boyz’ and ‘De ja Vu’ are ode to friends back home.
It’s a very collaborative album – can you talk us through the people who appear as guests and how you know them?
Sure, to start me and Eliza have lots of tracks together which we made over last two years so we thought it was right to include a couple on the album. Our work flow works well together I think because of the jazz influence. Tino is a very talented multi-instrumentalist who I met in Mexico and we had big respect for each other straight away! Also from a very extensive jazz back ground, he is really one of a kind unique character who lives the art!
Ziggy, a close friend who influenced me a lot, whenever we are both in town we are always working. His rhythms, style and taste are unmatched, he also is the lead member of 30/70 & ZFEX (and more) creating some of the best sounds right now in my opinion. Andy K I’ve known for way over 10 years, being also from Leytonstone we grew up together, and see him every week of my life pretty much. Being such a good spoken word artist I thought who better to describe our lives than someone that I’ve lived it with! He is a exceptional producer also – watch out for him.
Finally Ally, also a close friend who I have worked for years sending stuff back and forth. Also a amazing player with great taste and feel for what the track needs, features on “easy” and “Voyage”. Tracks like Voyage really showcase how great he is!
Likewise, there are different locations in which you’ve recorded for the LP – what difference does a different location make to the vibe and feel of a recording?
Sure the album was recorded over many countries, London, Berlin, Mexico, Colombia. I think the country directly affects the music a lot, from the playing style of the artist from that specific place but also from the heat, weather, food, traditions etc
There are big elements of house and jazz (among many other thing, obviously) going on here – who are your main inspirations in the worlds of jazz and house?
Big Inspirations from Miles Davis, George Duke, Bill Evans this year. From the modern artists, Kaidi Tatham & Dego are big inspirations, constantly inspire me. Joel Holmes, also, a next level pianist, producer who I’m constantly inspired by.
How did you hook up with Toy Tonics? You’re not an obvious shoe in for the label style-wise, but they are more adventurous than most labels around we’re guessing….
They guys hit me up in Berlin three years back and liked the real instrumentation element of the tracks, so a relationship started from there. All the guys are great some real family vibes in there.
What’s next after this? Any plans for live shows, recordings etc in the pipeline already?
Yes, live show is currently on the way with the next album almost finished!