In this interview feature, we get to know the most radicalist up and coming stars on the planet.

This time, we chatted with Guinean electronic artist Falle Nioke, and London producer Ghost Culture about their collaborative EP Youkounkoun.

Falle Nioke is a multi-lingual singer and percussionist from Guinea Conakry, West Africa. Released last year, his debut single 'Salia’, birthed excitement and curiosity over his fresh and idiosyncratic sound; consisting of ominous electronics, pulsating beats and his robust vocal style. Recently, after meeting in Margate, Nioke combined forces with London producer James Greenwood aka Ghost Culture, who is signed to Errol Alkan's Phantasy Sound label, and has worked with the likes of Daniel Avery and Kelly Lee Owens.

On 17^th July, via PRAH recordings, the two delivered a wonderfully vibrant, and quirky EP named after Nioke's village, where the Coniagui live: Youkounkoun. It embraces entrancing and monotonous melodies, reminiscent of the late Francis Bebey, combined with techno-esque production; rising synth sequences that swell with euphoria.

We quizzed the two artists on their meeting in the seaside town of Margate, their plans for the future, and how they sculpted the distinct sound of Youkounkoun.

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TMR: We know that Falle Nioke and Ghost Culture met in Margate, but how exactly did the collaboration come about and who approached who?

GC: It was our mutual friend Stephen Bass of PRAH/MoshiMoshi that suggested we collaborate, Stephen is a great guy for making things like this happen, and I’m glad he did! Music wise, I’ve always wanted to do something like this, and it just happened really naturally.

TMR: With musical collaborations, sometimes it takes time to grow new sounds and songs, but other times, you can get results very quickly. Did the collaboration feel very natural or did it take some time for the music to grow?

GC: This was the most natural process I’ve ever had. Falle already had ‘loops’ in his head - musical phrases had stuck with him, and it was a simple case of building around those. Starting with the vocal like that really gave birth to the whole sound.

TMR: There’s a particular analogue drum sound throughout the EP, which gives it a lot of character and consistency. What did you use?

GC: I had just bought a Korg ER-1 legendary drum machine, some of it is that but mostly it’s a real Roland TR-808 which I was borrowing. You can't beat the real thing!



TMR: When building the songs for the EP did you have a particular technique or starting point?

GC: It was really built around Falle’s vocal - I got him to just riff over a basic beat that I started from hearing the natural rhythm in his phrases. I then chose the ‘best’ bits and went from there.

TMR: ‘Loneliness’ is ironically the most upbeat and dancey song of the EP. You’ve previously explained that the lyrics are about a woman who leaves to visit family in the city, and once experiencing the city life, she doesn’t want to return home, leaving her husband to become lonely. Is this a fictional story or is it personal to you or someone you know?

FN: It’s the story of somebody I know



TMR: Please can you translate the titles of the tracks?

FN: Mounemuma - 'I Won't Forget', Foufafou - 'Useless', Barké – 'Blessing'

TMR: Hearing the EP played live and very loud would be spectacular. When, and if live music exists again, do you plan on performing live together?

GC: We would love to do this. In any case, it takes time and energy to get something together that would do it justice. I’d want to spend time working out how to do it. At the moment time isn’t in abundance because I’m trying to finish my Ghost Culture record, but I agree, a live show with this would be spectacular!

TMR: Can you run us through some of the production techniques and equipment? Did you use any live percussion?

GC: I would record long passes of drum machine, of the full on beat, then add sequences of synth using a sequencer and piece together afterwards. It’s all in the edit! Equipment wise I stuck to my old classics - Korg MS10, Korg Mono/Poly and Roland Sh09.

TMR: Falle – what are your favourite two tracks right now?

FN: I'm listening to 'Grades Ina Me' by Clay and 'Ah Ndiya' by Oumou Sangare.

TMR: Ghost Culture – what are your favourite two tracks right now?

GC: Recently discovered Fabiana Palladino - ‘Waiting’ which I thought was brilliant. That and ‘Bad Friend’ by Rina Sawayama are on repeat.



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-Ellie Rose-Davies