credits

A brand new release by Økapi (aka Filippo E. Paolini) is out. OTIS – Vertical Tales is its title. An album. Not only that: a musical work illustrated by the artist himself with a selection of visual works especially created for it. Four years after the tribute to Olivier Messiaen, Økapi takes its cue from the story of Otis Elisha Graves, the inventor of the lift, who in the mid-nineteenth century took to the stage at World’s Fair in New York to demonstrate his elevator safety brake. It is the way for the vertical push of the horizons, for the opening to a new narrative imagination that Økapi explores with his sound samples palette (and of images, this time). The compositional processes often are parallel. Sound is born. It turns into an image. And then turns intro sound again. Tracks take their title from the floor where they ideally stop, from ground floor to 15th floor.

In the closing remarks of the illustrated book, Økapi writes: «Pushing a button to get us moving means entering a world whose borders are dilated. Space bursts open onto a theoretically infinitive series of variants […] Thought chamber of suspended time […] The lift is the perfect cabin to stop time and play with the immortality of events».

The album – distributed on physical medium (Audio CD), as an illustrated book (with English texts) bundled with an Audio CD and in digital download – was produced by and with Kappabit Music Publishing and is out on Folderol label (FOL-CD008) . Both physical media are enhanced by extra multimedia content available via QR-Code.

“Rivoluzione Informale” is a 4 track EP written by two long time friends Nicola & Filippo, better known as Hypogeo/Brødo and Økapi. A surprising blend of two radically different styles, where the playful atmospheres cut & sewed by Økapi create a coloured playground for contrasting the dark and industrial grooves forged by Brødo modular system. The surprising dialogue between their creativities is recorded and released at the Orbita Parvati research labs.

The EP opens with “Astronauta muratore”, where after a long ambient dystopian moonwalk we are challenged to climb the hardest peak of the trip : melancholic melodies lead to broken brain-beats and acid synthesizers to end in a father-son dialogue, when the kid would become a carpenter rather than an astronaut. “Ruggine” is a breath of fresh air: Økapi orchestra steps back into reminiscences of 2015 work “Happily Reversed” engaging a tight dialogue with Brødo heavily distorted and uber modulated bassdrum for a spaced out hybrid, dubby “chanson”. A brief moment of diversion before “rivoluzione informale” is unleashed: Nicola & Filippo psychedelic breakfast teleports us to an empty concert in the desert, a far-west duel between a trumpet and alien broken communication systems. Six minutes of cinematic digressions, suspended atmospheres and unidentified objects. “Una via d’uscita” brings us back to a safe harbour with a slow trip-hop with eastern riffs, wah guitars and fading drones.

Un divertimento vocal-elettronico di Økapi
Rima Glottidis è l’apertura tra le corde vocali e una cartilagine della laringe. In quel piccolo spazio è
contenuto l’universo delle nostre esperienze sonore, da quelle fonetiche minime a quelle verbali. Nascono
lì e, attraversando poi anche altre parti del corpo, escono da noi e ci individuano.
Bruno Maderna sosteneva che dietro a una “A” pronunciata si nasconde una complessa genesi sonora di
centinaia e centinaia di frequenze difficilmente replicabili se non attraverso lo stesso paio di corde vocali.
Sono consapevole che le tecnologie contemporanee stupirebbero anche Maderna. Non ho però lavorato con
questa intenzione.
Rima Glottidis è un divertimento musicale che gioca con parole e frasi che ho raccolto e ritagliato da antichi
vinili di apprendimento della cosiddetta corretta dizione. Errori di pronuncia dialettale o disturbi fonatori.
Errori? Qualcuno li potrebbe definire così. Per il musicista, sono suoni. Solo bei suoni.

LABIRINTO SONORO – SOUND LABYRINTH

A SITE-SPECIFIC INSTALLATION FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES

Introduction

Last November 2017, within the program of RomaEuropa Festival Kids (www.romaeuropa.net), an international artistic festival, there was “Labirinto” (Labyrith), a site-specific installation for children from 4 to 100 years old. The installation, conceived by the company Teatro delle Apparizioni (www.teatrodelleapparizioni.it) consists of a labyrinth of seven rooms, adapted to the architecture of an old slaughterhouse in Rome, built with recycled fruit and vegetable crates/boxes. Økapi, art-name of the italian sound designer and electronic musician Filippo Paolini, has been called to compose the soundtrack of each room in the labyrinth. Økapi has signed a sound journey through the emotions (fear, enthusiasm, abandonment, gratitude…) that accompany the children searching the exit…

During three weekends in November, the labyrinth was crossed by over 4,800 children, some alone and other followed by their parents. Labyrinth received great support from the public and critics. The music of Økapi became the soundtrack that children brought in their memory at the end of their adventure (and in digital format as a present for everyone). After this experience, the record label Aldebaran Records, in collaboration with Slap-Press and Quadra Booking, decided to publish a vinyl. A limited edition of 200 numbered copies will be released at the end of May 2018. A new project in three different options The experience of the Labyrinth in Rome led Økapi to develop a specific project for the psy-trance and alternative festival scenary. Økapi started from a premise.In psy-trance festivals, the audience is increasing and growing. Year after year, the public begin to bring their children with them. Those children already present in festivals also begin to grow up. It becomes necessary to think of them too, to this very young audience that start to show the need for their own autonomy of tastes and spaces. This is the new horizon that festivals are called to consider if they want to keep the very youngest.

Thinking about them, Økapi has conceived a labyrinth of 600 square meters. The core of this is a small dancefloor for children. The shape could be circular or square. The labyrinth has a soundtrack played 24 hours a day thorugh sound diffusion spots. The installation – of course – can be crossed by children of all ages. It become a new space in which you can run across or you can crouch in a corner, where the music gives you good feelings.

Inside the space, in the center of the labyrinth, every evening from 18.00 to 19.30 – at sunset – children can dance with Økapi. Ozora already appreciated his music in two different editions (2013 and 2017) and know well how it sounds good to generate high and lightful energy. It looks to the world of childhood and teenagers. It’s perfect for theatre and circus. It is a big surprise to dance laughing and jumping.

But… how to use the center of the labyrinth during the day? As a LAB(yrinth), of course. During the day the space can be used for workshop for children.

***

We’d like to propose this project in three different options, in order to fit in the Ozora plannig and to collaborate with other groups or creative teams already involved:

First option: the total project

Analysis and development of the project and installation of the labyrinth with proper recycling solutions (fruit boxes, straw, wood or bamboo) to cover an area of 600 square meters (about 6,000 fruit boxes);

Installation of stereo sounds spots in the area (14 speakers with connection usb);

Installation of light spots (maybe solar or not);

Setup of a dj console with DJ mixer, two speakers and two monitors.

Second hybrid option: bring the soundtrack and the dancefloor for children over other architectural projects

Application of the soundtrack by Økapi and realization of the dancefloor for children over a labyrinth structure already planned and / or already realized in Ozora Festival.

Analysis and development of the project in dialogue with the existing structure;

Installation of stereo sounds spots in the area (14 speakers with connection usb);

Installation of light spots(maybe solar or not);

Setup of a dj console with DJ mixer, two speakers and two monitors.

Third hybrid option: bring only the soundtrack over other architectural projects

Application of the soundtrack by Økapi in dialogue with a labyrinth structure already planned and / or already realized in Ozora Festival.

Analysis and development of the project in dialogue with the existing structure;

Installation of stereo sounds spots in the area (14 speakers with connection usb);

Installation of light spots (maybe solar or not);

16 oiseaux pour Olivier Messiaen
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

The album is a plunderphonic parabola of the imaginary world, mystical and ornitological, of the French composer of the XX century, Olivier Messiaen. A sort of birds’ catalogue, as Messiaen tried to do during his life.
As always, even in this case økapi composed a little sound-collagism opera, which includes a video development.
This is the soundtrack of this “movie”.
For this A/V-project, økapi is co-working with the italian video-artist Simone Memé, part of the collective MoreTv-V.
Because of his dixit plunderphonic nature, and for the occasion, økapi involved Geoff Leigh (sax/flute) and Mike Cooper (guitar) into his phantomatic virtual orchestra.

credits

Prof​.​Bad Trip tribute

feat. Prof​.​Bad Trip

Prof.Bad Trip tribute

released November 25, 2016

credits

Nujanode

Label: Looney Moon Records
www.looney-moon.com
You also can download it totally FREE
via Looney Moon rec. website

Il Naso nell’orecchio, The album (xxtra version)

Live version (not mashup) of my “Naso nell’orecchio”
Composed: march 2016
If you download it, listen to it with no pause between tracks!

1000000 exercices

by Økapi & Aldo Kapi Orchestra

1.Exercise n. 1000000 03:57
2.Exercise n. 764337 04:40
3.Exercise n. 296335 04:58
4.Exercise n.43167 04:19
5.Exercise n.17413 05:07
6.Exercise n.829 04:49
7.Exercise n.11 04:15
8.Exercise n.6 04:00
9.Exercise n. 1 01:25

released July 3, 2013

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
Looney Moon Experiment has managed to capture sounds from the mystical mammal known as Økapi! This rare Franco-Italian creature also answers to Filippo and has been behind turntables, in the studio, and swinging from grape vine to apple tree for over 20 years. Okapi was last seen dawning a lovely tricolor floral smock, catching cutup elements with his long microphone tongue, and producing the Happily Reverse EP. As the Okapi swept through the LMX house, it created experimentation in the augmentation of classical instrumentation. LMX swayed in ecstasy, releasing four exceptional movements within the quirky environment characteristically designed by the Okapi. Now available to the public, these rare sounds include warm soulful downtempo step, summer wine beach house, warped classical show tune trip-hop clownery, and a 50s house wife dusting the house. Happily Reverse EP promises to moog you and plop your brain right into a grand orchestral musical hall full of clown shoes.

Released December 12, 2012

…” Tribute to Bruno Munari”

Økapi is Filippo Paolini, an Italian turntablist and sample cutup artist. Filippo has recorded several solo albums, as well as recording in the duo Metaxu and with the trio Dogon. He has performed live for national Italian State radio broadcasts (RAI) with renowned avant-turntablist, Christian Marclay and collaborates with numerous international artists such as Mike Cooper, Peter Brotzmann, Mike Patton, Matt Gustafson, Zu, Damo Suzuki, Andy EX, Kawabata Makoto, Metamkine… ØKapi’s album releases illustrate his unique and edgy use of turntables and computer beyond the hip-hop school of chopped up music, creating music that veers from orchestral to lounge with quirky experimental electronics that maintain a delicate and spacious sound throughout.

Opera Riparata (Fixed Opera) is a tribute to Bruno Munari and to his Broken Opera (created with Davide Mosconi).
Starting from the original text written in 1989 by Munari and Mosconi, the musician Økapi and the visual artist More*Tv*V de-structure and re-compose 40 famous Operas, following the contemporary framework of digital remix (cutting, breaking down, juxtaposing and overlapping).
While Munari and Mosconi’s monumental game/engine forecasted several performers and the whole scenic equipment, the Fixed Opera re-handles the same elements of the Opera language using only digital audio and visual instruments.
The possibility of digitalizing amongst every kind of cultural product, and the easiness of their retrieval turns that “availability of the whole music history” described in the original project into something which today is more real than ever, and brings Munari’s words into a new level, more prophetic than visionary as well. The Fixed Opera implies two different parts: studio session and live performance. In the first step, Økapi and More*Tv*V work on parallel paths mashing up the 40 Operas in short audio/visual portions of 1’11” time length each. The strictness of the writing mode is controverted in the latter part, when these rational and individual means meet, crash and melt, following the logic and the spontaneity of contemporary improv modules.
Just like in a child’s play, the Fixed Opera, though following strict principles and methods of academic composition, at the same time thrives on keeping itself close to the aim of staying free from ties and rules. It therefore suggests curiosity as a way of knowledge and creation but also as a transgression from primary forms to reach an unexpected result.