PREVIEW: Highlife & Optimo Present...Comeme Records All Day Party
WORDS: Colin Brownbill

Rarely does a label capture the imagination so completely than the multi-national and constantly innovating Comeme Records. Having spent some time researching the imprint for this very preview, we found ourselves whole-heartedly absorbed by a collective who channel global inspiration through one delirious dancefloor. Pinpointing their sound is impossible. Forget the clichés. Comeme Records have their own identity and will never conform, they don’t need to. The artists which so sensationally represent them have been touched by influences most of us can only dream of: Kwaito, Fiestas, Magic, South America…"these are some of the detonators which motivate us to work in what we call Cómeme."

In other words, Comeme Records is a label of life - not just releasing music, but capturing the very essence and diversity which makes existence so exciting. As you can probably tell, we’ve already been converted after only a couple hours of exploration. Their output is consistently vibrant, with releases from the likes of Rebolledo, Isaac Johan, Christian S and of course label ‘boss’, Matias Aguayo (we only use air quotations because we imagine the word ‘boss’ would be somewhat unnecessary at the Comeme headquarters).

This Saturday, they bring some of that irresistible passion to Glasgow as the equally mesmerizing Highlife team up with Optimo to bring you a Comeme Records showcase of sweat-inducing humidity. Taking to the tropical sanctuary of Mono during the day you can expect a live DJ set from the aforementioned Matias Aguayo, with support coming from some of the label’s brightest talent in the form of Christian S and Alejandro Paz. Glasgow’s own Auntie Flo and Esa will also be on hand to eclipse the monotony of the ‘Great British Summer’ and an afterparty at La Cheetah will ensure the Comeme vibes last well into the night…

Check out a special promo mix from Auntie Flo below as well as Comeme release and an exclusive interview with Matias Aguayo:









Synth: So it’s been three years since you released last your last album ‘Ay Ay Ay’ on Kompakt which of course made great use of vocal trickery and samples. How would you say your sound has developed since then and when can we expect the next album?

Matias: I like to change my working methods every now and then to try and avoid falling into production habits and to know too much what I am doing, I need to create some kind of innocence. Still, developing ideas by singing is very essential for me, it is the most direct and spontaneous way of making music for me, the voice is my instrument. Furthermore I can trace a development in my music making, shifting away slowly and surely from the more solitaire authors work to an open process of more participation. I see continuity and change in my music, I always try to put myself in the situation of doing something for the first time as I think that is the point where you can create exciting things, as soon as you feel established and too secure I think that is when you're about to lose it. Continuity I see in the sense of me making music that is meant for dancing. In every sound I produce there is an awareness of the dancer, and how the music relates to his or her body. It has to leave a lot of space and be open for fantasy and dialogue!

Synth: Comeme Records has been putting out some incredible music recently, particularly the Power Of Now EP. What do you look for when signing a record and how would you define the Comeme Records sound? (If you can)

Matias: I think one of the things that is very special about Cómeme is the intense work relation between the producers - a lot is created in a process of sharing ideas and influencing each other. We help each other with rhythms on tracks, the arrangements, sometimes a backing vocal is needed, sometimes you don't know how to finish a track and someone else might help you, etc. As I strongly believe in the talent of the label’s artists, I think it is very important and rewarding to really dive in to each ones musical world and imagination and help to develop the recordings in long terms. We are not a label that releases some demo and then forget about the artist when he or she sends her next one just cause we don't
like it. For example we just spent two weeks in the countryside alongside Alejandro Paz, Ana Helder, Philipp Gorbachev, Sano and Yula, and also Capracara joined to make daily music, finish up stuff, sing vocals, or play instruments on top of each others tracks, mixing down, etc... The sound of Cómeme in the end is the result of a process, not something premeditated. We influence each other a lot, and we are all dance music lovers, and we all prefer short intense parties with a lot of frenetic dancing to nonstop after hour partying with zombie-like stepping from one foot to the other for three days and taking pictures for later posting and tagging. Our sound reflects that spirit I guess.

Synth: You’ve lived in a number of interesting locations throughout the years, how much do you think that influenced you musical direction or did you have a clear vision of the music you wanted to make from the start?

Matias: Yes, I am very dedicated to music, and it is also the music itself that took me to several places. I am extremely grateful to have the possibility of living in very different places in my life and travelling a lot. I am extremely curious about every place I go and the music from each place. It helped me to see things in common with music from everywhere and not falling into the trap of genre imitation or fusion. Of course you probably hear influences in my music, but you will hear no emulation of anything. I want music to be an open language I can speak with many different people, and not some insider dialect of a clique. I want music to be the opposite of arrogance.


Matias: exotic

Synth: You’ll be joining Highlife and Optimo on the 7^th July in Glasgow for a Comeme Records showcase where you will be DJing as live, what should people expect from you in a live DJ performance - what’s the set up like?

Matias: I will DJ and sing! I will play percussion and use my hands and feet a lot and put a lot of energy in what I do!

Synth: You have a monthly show on Radio Comeme called Veneno which encompasses some of the more obscure and exotic flavours of electronic music. Is radio something you’d like to be further involved with and is it difficult choosing what records to include?

Matias: I love the fact we are doing our internet radio project now! What our releases cannot tell so much is the other music we listen to and also a little about the musical context of people of the label and their friends. I think it is very exciting to listen to all of them, they all have great stories to tell. Also for me, it is a great thing to be able to share the music I like and want to be heard. My program is quiet improvised, and which way it will take I don't know yet. I wanted to leave it open as I am just beginning this, it is also great for me to see so many people involved with great enthusiasm. Alejandro Paz and Avril Ceballos have done an incredible job in putting it all together and setting up the whole thing. I love every single show, and am happy to be able to listen to all of them. Now different radios throughout the world are retransmitting our programmes which is wonderful news as I can't think of anything better than our music travelling through the air in bogota, Valparaíso, or Cologne...

Synth: Finally, what else are you looking forward to over the rest of 2012? Also, if you could bring some good weather with you to Glasgow that would be greatly appreciated.

Matias:  I look forward to finishing my album, and the album of Daniel Maloso, releases by the DJs Pareja, Ana Helder, SANO, Alejandro Paz, Christian S, Philipp Gorbachev, and many more. I am listening to hours of unreleased music we are looking forward to sharing soon, there is so much to show and so much to tell! About the weather I am sure that we can bring the summer to Glasgow if we all do an effort, including the audience. Can't wait!!! :)

Comeme #15 is out now featuring music from Cowboy Rhythmbox, Sano & DJ Pareja. The lastest edition of the Veneno radio show is available via Radio Comeme's Mixcloud.

WHAT: Highlife & Optimo Present...Comeme All Day Party
WHO: Matias Aguayo, Christian S, Alejandro Paz, Auntio Flo, Esa
WHERE: Mono, 10-12 King's Court, King Street, G1 5RB (Followed by La Cheetah, 73 Queen St)
WHEN: Sat 7th July // Outdoor Party - 3-11pm // Afterparty - 11-3am
TAX: Early Bird £8 // General Admission £10
TICKETS: Resident Advisor
FACEBOOK EVENT: http://www.facebook.com/events/367041386688287/

Matias Aguayo on Facebook
Comeme Records Website
Highlife on Facebook
Optimo on Facebook