ABOUT
“Elephant In The Room” once again explores the boundaries between club and home listening. Spread across 12 tracks, it features collaborations with fellow-Canadian artists Hood Joplin, Zander Miller, Khrono.K and Driftnote helping KTA navigate through moods, tempos and styles
EXCLAIM.CA
Toronto-via-Seoul producer Korea Town Acid — a.k.a.
“Elephant In The Room” once again explores the boundaries between club and home listening. Spread across 12 tracks, it features collaborations with fellow-Canadian artists Hood Joplin, Zander Miller, Khrono.K and Driftnote helping KTA navigate through moods, tempos and styles
EXCLAIM.CA
Toronto-via-Seoul producer Korea Town Acid — a.k.a.
ABOUT
“Elephant In The Room” once again explores the boundaries between club and home listening. Spread across 12 tracks, it features collaborations with fellow-Canadian artists Hood Joplin, Zander Miller, Khrono.K and Driftnote helping KTA navigate through moods, tempos and styles
EXCLAIM.CA
Toronto-via-Seoul producer Korea Town Acid — a.k.a. Jessica Cho — has announced plans for a new album titled Elephant in the Room, arriving August 26 via URBNET.
The pandemic-born 12-track record features an all-Canadian roster of collaborators — Hood Joplin, saxophonist Zander Miller, rapper Khrono.K and Cho's mentor, Driftnote — joining in on the effort, which is due to land one day before her upcoming MUTEK performance.
"I had so much change and growth at that time in my personal life and my spiritual health," Cho tells Exclaim! of a seven-month journey transitioning between lockdown and re-entering the world. "I always find album recordings are [a] part of me at that time. It resembles and reflects that time of myself ... It's a snapshot during that moment."
The first taste of the album comes on July 22 with Calgary artist Hood Joplin's edit of "Heart Breaker." The pair worked on the track remotely after teaming up at Red Bull Music Academy Bass Camp on a one-off track released during lockdown.
"I'm very grateful to collaborate with female artists — and especially Canadian artists," Cho says of the experience, "We actually did a track together called 'Jupiter' that we released on Bandcamp during the pandemic. She's an amazing producer. We collaborated [at Bass Camp] and we got to collaborate again."
With her Promise Cherry Beach performance in the books, the producer has lined up numerous live appearances throughout summer, including shows at the TIFF Atrium, NØMAD (for Pep Rally) and the Annex Hotel in Toronto, plus a set at Vancouver's Wonderment Festival. Find tour details via Cho's Instagram.
~~ https://exclaim.ca/music/article/korea_town_acid_details_new_album_elephant_in_the_room
~~ Allie Gregory and Megan LaPierre
MUSICISMYCANCTUARY.COM
We are thrilled to present a first taste of the upcoming album from our talented friend, Toronto-based producer and DJ Korea Town Acid.
Her newest work is titled “Elephant In The Room” and once again explores the boundaries between club and home listening. Spread across 12 tracks, it features collaborations with fellow-Canadian artists Hood Joplin, Zander Miller, Khrono.K and Driftnote helping her navigate through moods, tempos and styles.
We asked KTA three questions about her newest album and share an exclusive upfront listen to “Idiom”
Can you tell me about the creative context and process in which the new record was made?
Coming out with a full-length album seems like It’s world building. conceptual, progression, changes of direction, try and error, it’s a whole journey till you eventually let it go.
I built a small modular rack and new laptop last fall and started recording in december thru may. I try to fire everything up and really play by ear and try to capture the organic moments in the studio. It’s unpredictable but that’s what’s exciting about the creative process. believing in one’s machines fullest-potential.
Music Is My Sanctuary · Exclusive Premiere: Korea Town Acid Idiom (feat. Driftnote)
There are many different styles, emotions, tempos spread across the record. Both in your production and DJIng you seem to always want to explore the boundaries…
My assumption is that I have ADHD so my mind wonders, I am also a curious person ,I get easily excited about stuff and get bored of it quickly, I always try to push the boundaries, so I don’t get tired of what I do and keep my interest in different baskets whether that’s productions, DJing or playing live hardware, and use all mediums of music, digital, vinyl, hardware, vsts, etc. I keep these different sources as my stimulation of interest intact in rotation.
What is your unrealized musical dream?
I would like to do work overseas, visit Seoul and do sound scoring for film producers like Bong Joon Ho or Park Chan Wook, and work with rappers like E SENS, Kim Ximya and CL. Also interested in learning and curating “Music Therapy” sessions.
“The Elephant In The Room” drops August 26th, via legendary Canadian imprint URBnet.
~~musicismysanctuary.com/exclusive-premiere-korea-town-acid-idiom-feat-driftnote
GLOSSIMAG.COM
Born in Seoul, Korea, Korea Town Acid has been honing in on her craft in clubs for years. Whether she’s collaborating with rappers and singers or crafting experimental compositions informed by her classical music roots, the Toronto-based artist has a reputation for wowing the electronic music crowd. Using hardware, analogue and digital polysynths, drum machines and samplers, Korea Town Acid embraces improvisation, often dreaming up unpredictable soundscapes with moody textures on the spot.
Underneath her signature bucket hat is an artist who’s hard to define by one term alone, making her an exciting act to follow. This past year, she released two projects, received a nod from the Juno Awards and produced “Play No Games” off Cadence Weapon’s Polaris Music Prize-winning album, Parallel World.
Glossi Mag connected with Korea Town Acid to discuss her career, DAWS and VSTs, and what she’s up to next.
Congratulations on your recent Juno Awards nomination for Underground Dance Single of the Year with Sobriety! How does it feel to be recognized in that way?
It definitely gave me reassurance that I am on the right path [pursuing] music. Definitely feeling more inspired and grateful about everything that’s happening. Also the pressure to keep up the good work.
You released two projects in 2021. While Cosmos showcases your skill as an electronic musician, Metamorphosis highlights your producer abilities. What have you liked about collaborating with others in this role?
I love collaborating with rappers and vocalists because they contribute their own essence and vibe, utilize their voice as an instrument and elevate the entire track. It conveys more depth into the storyline and everybody loves vocals, it’s a proven fact!
What role do you think nightclubs play in building inclusive communities? How can club culture improve?
Keep trying new things and being open-minded, [have] diversity in bookings and make the environment [one where] people feel free and comfortable in their own skin.
Artist Korea Town Acid poses for the camera. She is sitting in front of windows and a plant on a brown chair. She has a pink and blue scarf wrapped around her orange hair, and is wearing a dark blue denim jacket, white pants and black shoes.
Photo Credit: Paddington Scott
Even as DAWs and VSTs have become the tool of choice for many, you’re known for using hardware. What do you like about keeping things analog?
I also use DAW and VST for post-production and editing tools for recordings. What I love about the hardware is that you are not looking at the computer screen, you are more directly engaged with the machine itself and learning about how certain different [pieces of] gear help you to navigate the destination of sound. It’s trial and error, and I love exploring different machines. It might sound odd but sometimes the limitation helps you to achieve your sound vision faster. Like cutting to the chase and working within the boundaries of the machines. Sometimes too many options make you struggle [to move] on quickly when it comes to decision-making. I am not biased about gear though — it’s all about the inspiration, idea and execution.
How does your classical musical foundation inform your work as a producer and electronic musician?
Because of my classical foundation, I have developed a big passion for polysynths [which] allow me to do different chord progressions and express emotions through the chords. A trained ear always helps [as does] intuition. With or without the classical background, it’s important to capture the feel and the groove.
Artist Korea Town Acid stands on a window. She is wearing a head scarf, orange top, black jacket, black pants and black shoes.
Photo Credit: Paddington Scott
You’ve performed in cities across the globe. What is a gig that stands out most to you?
One of the most special nights out from the tour was Helsinki, Finland — everything was done in the finest way. I also enjoyed visiting back in my hometown of Itaewon, Seoul. I hope to go back to perform this year.
What are you working on next?
Anticipating a new album to drop this summer with my label Urbnet. It’s called Elephant in the Room. I have been working on it for the last seven months. I believe the album is about growth and reflection. I can’t wait to share it with y’all. Some travelling is coming up — [I’m] playing a set in Brooklyn N.Y., Victoria, B.C. and [playing live] at Mutek Festival in Montreal at the end of August, as well as some local gigs like a live showcase set for Summer of Seoul at the TIFF Bell Lightbox opening.
~~ Rachel Romu
~~ glossimag.com/a-conversation-with-korea-town-acid/
“Elephant In The Room” once again explores the boundaries between club and home listening. Spread across 12 tracks, it features collaborations with fellow-Canadian artists Hood Joplin, Zander Miller, Khrono.K and Driftnote helping KTA navigate through moods, tempos and styles
EXCLAIM.CA
Toronto-via-Seoul producer Korea Town Acid — a.k.a. Jessica Cho — has announced plans for a new album titled Elephant in the Room, arriving August 26 via URBNET.
The pandemic-born 12-track record features an all-Canadian roster of collaborators — Hood Joplin, saxophonist Zander Miller, rapper Khrono.K and Cho's mentor, Driftnote — joining in on the effort, which is due to land one day before her upcoming MUTEK performance.
"I had so much change and growth at that time in my personal life and my spiritual health," Cho tells Exclaim! of a seven-month journey transitioning between lockdown and re-entering the world. "I always find album recordings are [a] part of me at that time. It resembles and reflects that time of myself ... It's a snapshot during that moment."
The first taste of the album comes on July 22 with Calgary artist Hood Joplin's edit of "Heart Breaker." The pair worked on the track remotely after teaming up at Red Bull Music Academy Bass Camp on a one-off track released during lockdown.
"I'm very grateful to collaborate with female artists — and especially Canadian artists," Cho says of the experience, "We actually did a track together called 'Jupiter' that we released on Bandcamp during the pandemic. She's an amazing producer. We collaborated [at Bass Camp] and we got to collaborate again."
With her Promise Cherry Beach performance in the books, the producer has lined up numerous live appearances throughout summer, including shows at the TIFF Atrium, NØMAD (for Pep Rally) and the Annex Hotel in Toronto, plus a set at Vancouver's Wonderment Festival. Find tour details via Cho's Instagram.
~~ https://exclaim.ca/music/article/korea_town_acid_details_new_album_elephant_in_the_room
~~ Allie Gregory and Megan LaPierre
MUSICISMYCANCTUARY.COM
We are thrilled to present a first taste of the upcoming album from our talented friend, Toronto-based producer and DJ Korea Town Acid.
Her newest work is titled “Elephant In The Room” and once again explores the boundaries between club and home listening. Spread across 12 tracks, it features collaborations with fellow-Canadian artists Hood Joplin, Zander Miller, Khrono.K and Driftnote helping her navigate through moods, tempos and styles.
We asked KTA three questions about her newest album and share an exclusive upfront listen to “Idiom”
Can you tell me about the creative context and process in which the new record was made?
Coming out with a full-length album seems like It’s world building. conceptual, progression, changes of direction, try and error, it’s a whole journey till you eventually let it go.
I built a small modular rack and new laptop last fall and started recording in december thru may. I try to fire everything up and really play by ear and try to capture the organic moments in the studio. It’s unpredictable but that’s what’s exciting about the creative process. believing in one’s machines fullest-potential.
Music Is My Sanctuary · Exclusive Premiere: Korea Town Acid Idiom (feat. Driftnote)
There are many different styles, emotions, tempos spread across the record. Both in your production and DJIng you seem to always want to explore the boundaries…
My assumption is that I have ADHD so my mind wonders, I am also a curious person ,I get easily excited about stuff and get bored of it quickly, I always try to push the boundaries, so I don’t get tired of what I do and keep my interest in different baskets whether that’s productions, DJing or playing live hardware, and use all mediums of music, digital, vinyl, hardware, vsts, etc. I keep these different sources as my stimulation of interest intact in rotation.
What is your unrealized musical dream?
I would like to do work overseas, visit Seoul and do sound scoring for film producers like Bong Joon Ho or Park Chan Wook, and work with rappers like E SENS, Kim Ximya and CL. Also interested in learning and curating “Music Therapy” sessions.
“The Elephant In The Room” drops August 26th, via legendary Canadian imprint URBnet.
~~musicismysanctuary.com/exclusive-premiere-korea-town-acid-idiom-feat-driftnote
GLOSSIMAG.COM
Born in Seoul, Korea, Korea Town Acid has been honing in on her craft in clubs for years. Whether she’s collaborating with rappers and singers or crafting experimental compositions informed by her classical music roots, the Toronto-based artist has a reputation for wowing the electronic music crowd. Using hardware, analogue and digital polysynths, drum machines and samplers, Korea Town Acid embraces improvisation, often dreaming up unpredictable soundscapes with moody textures on the spot.
Underneath her signature bucket hat is an artist who’s hard to define by one term alone, making her an exciting act to follow. This past year, she released two projects, received a nod from the Juno Awards and produced “Play No Games” off Cadence Weapon’s Polaris Music Prize-winning album, Parallel World.
Glossi Mag connected with Korea Town Acid to discuss her career, DAWS and VSTs, and what she’s up to next.
Congratulations on your recent Juno Awards nomination for Underground Dance Single of the Year with Sobriety! How does it feel to be recognized in that way?
It definitely gave me reassurance that I am on the right path [pursuing] music. Definitely feeling more inspired and grateful about everything that’s happening. Also the pressure to keep up the good work.
You released two projects in 2021. While Cosmos showcases your skill as an electronic musician, Metamorphosis highlights your producer abilities. What have you liked about collaborating with others in this role?
I love collaborating with rappers and vocalists because they contribute their own essence and vibe, utilize their voice as an instrument and elevate the entire track. It conveys more depth into the storyline and everybody loves vocals, it’s a proven fact!
What role do you think nightclubs play in building inclusive communities? How can club culture improve?
Keep trying new things and being open-minded, [have] diversity in bookings and make the environment [one where] people feel free and comfortable in their own skin.
Artist Korea Town Acid poses for the camera. She is sitting in front of windows and a plant on a brown chair. She has a pink and blue scarf wrapped around her orange hair, and is wearing a dark blue denim jacket, white pants and black shoes.
Photo Credit: Paddington Scott
Even as DAWs and VSTs have become the tool of choice for many, you’re known for using hardware. What do you like about keeping things analog?
I also use DAW and VST for post-production and editing tools for recordings. What I love about the hardware is that you are not looking at the computer screen, you are more directly engaged with the machine itself and learning about how certain different [pieces of] gear help you to navigate the destination of sound. It’s trial and error, and I love exploring different machines. It might sound odd but sometimes the limitation helps you to achieve your sound vision faster. Like cutting to the chase and working within the boundaries of the machines. Sometimes too many options make you struggle [to move] on quickly when it comes to decision-making. I am not biased about gear though — it’s all about the inspiration, idea and execution.
How does your classical musical foundation inform your work as a producer and electronic musician?
Because of my classical foundation, I have developed a big passion for polysynths [which] allow me to do different chord progressions and express emotions through the chords. A trained ear always helps [as does] intuition. With or without the classical background, it’s important to capture the feel and the groove.
Artist Korea Town Acid stands on a window. She is wearing a head scarf, orange top, black jacket, black pants and black shoes.
Photo Credit: Paddington Scott
You’ve performed in cities across the globe. What is a gig that stands out most to you?
One of the most special nights out from the tour was Helsinki, Finland — everything was done in the finest way. I also enjoyed visiting back in my hometown of Itaewon, Seoul. I hope to go back to perform this year.
What are you working on next?
Anticipating a new album to drop this summer with my label Urbnet. It’s called Elephant in the Room. I have been working on it for the last seven months. I believe the album is about growth and reflection. I can’t wait to share it with y’all. Some travelling is coming up — [I’m] playing a set in Brooklyn N.Y., Victoria, B.C. and [playing live] at Mutek Festival in Montreal at the end of August, as well as some local gigs like a live showcase set for Summer of Seoul at the TIFF Bell Lightbox opening.
~~ Rachel Romu
~~ glossimag.com/a-conversation-with-korea-town-acid/
