GET TO KNOW: Konx-Om-Pax

Just when you think you’ve got Glasgow all figured out, along comes someone like Konx-Om-Pax and blows your mind all over again. Shamefully we only discovered Tom Scholefield’s work this summer, and to say we’ve been mesmerised ever since would be an understatement. Master of both sight and sound, he has quickly become one of Glasgow’s most intriguing artists, making a name for himself through inimitable interpretations of the world around him. Certainly, the word ‘experimental’ doesn’t even come close to describing Tom’s work, and although unconventional in its orientation, it is easy to find points of relevance which strike chords on numerous levels.

But it’s not all inner-meaning and exploring the realms of possibility. Tom once promoted Acid & Techno nights at Paisley’s legendary Club 69 and now runs an event at the Burnbank Bowling Club called 48K, which although described as ‘teleporting the future sound & vision of 1992’, is also defended through the simple words ‘no fannies allowed’. But it is of course his artistic output which interests us most. Previously directing videos for the likes of Hudson Mohawke and Mogwai, while also designing sleeves for Rustie and Planet Mu, his visual work is nothing short of astonishing. Head along to his Vimeo account and check out his work for Lone’s ‘Galaxy Garden’ – a truly exceptional display of his quite justified genius.

Clearly Tom is someone who has been blessed with untold creativity, someone who is immune to the mundane and someone who knows no limits. Ever since discovering his work we’ve been fascinated, and debut album ‘Regional Surrealism’ is perhaps the pinnacle of that fascination. Critically acclaimed and dangerously hypnotic, it could quite easily have sound-tracked David Lynch’s ‘Eraserhead’ or the more obvious ‘Twin Peaks’ – peculiar to the mainstream perhaps, but utterly spellbinding to the rest of us…

Check out an album track and recent mixes from Tom below, as well the album trailer and an interview with the man himself:

Konx-om-Pax - Regional Surrealism Trailer from Planet Mu on Vimeo.

Synth: You’ve just released a debut album called ‘Regional Surrealism’ on Planet Mu which we’ll get to shortly, but first let’s talk about your visual artistry which we find utterly mind-blowing. How would you describe your graphic identity and how do you find it effects the direction of your music?

Konx-Om-Pax: At the moment the two are quite different…I think I like to express the happier side of my personality through the visual work and the weirder side of things through my music. Most of my visual work is bright in contrast to darker, earthy sound palette, however things might change. I've got quite a short attention span for certain things, so there might be a change of direction soon.

Synth: You used to run nights at the legendary Club 69 in Paisley before moving to Glasgow for Art School. What would you say were the major influences behind your induction to electronic music? You just released an old school Rave mix, what excites you about that era?

Konx-Om-Pax: The simplicity…all the early dance music from the beginning of the 80's onwards was made with cheap basic equipment, computers played a smaller role back then. A lot more time was spent with less ingredients if you know what I mean. In my opinion there was more "soul" to the music from that period. Most new dance music sounds too sterile for me, people spend too much time worrying about the technical aspects and keeping up to date with the newest plugins etc..

Synth: With regards to the 48K night which that mix promoted, we’ve admittedly only caught up with what you’re doing and it sounds very exciting. Can you tell us a little about the event and how you utilize the Burnbank Bowling Club?

Konx-Om-Pax: Just a bunch of mates that like oldschool and want to share it with like minded people in a small venue, we really respect the place… no fannies allowed!


Regional Surrealism: surreal

Synth: You have your own label entitled ‘Display Copy’ which is focused towards experimental/noise records. With regards to your Optimo Tracks and some of your other work, do you find the nature of such heavy distortion and outward experimentalism can deliver an atmosphere a perhaps more sedate sound cant?

Konx-Om-Pax: I'm just into textures I think…It's sort of irrelevant to me what mood they create. I like odd sounds in a structured sequence…"organised sound"

Synth: Debut album ‘Regional Surrealism’ is out now on Planet Mu, receiving some exceptional reviews, can you tell us a little about the concept and what you wanted to achieve with it?

Konx-Om-Pax: It’s almost like a mix tape from stuff I've had lying around for years…In my head its like a sound track to a film I've not made yet.

Konx-Om-Pax 'Regional Surrealism' is out now on Planet Mu. He plays Chambre69 on Aug 24th for Clash Magazine.

Konx-Om-Pax on Soundcloud
Konx-Om-Pax on Facebook
Konx-Om-Pax on Vimeo
Display Copy Website