Fast Five: Grant Lazlo

When did you begin making music, and did you ever ponder a different career?

Well I started making music when I was 14 years old. I learned the guitar and shortly after I began composing little tunes that were quite simple and got more sophisticated as I got more and more involved in learning music.

Before being sucked into music I was really into drawing and design. I actually originally considered being a car designer or an illustrator but as my passion for music grew I guess it took me away from the designer career I dreamt of. And it’s for the best ‘cause as I grew up I got more and more involved into ecology… So more and more disgusted by the automotive industry, which I once wanted to join so badly!

How would you describe your music?

Well my music is all based around the idea of merging different genres and paying tributes to the artists that inspired me. I’ve been strongly influenced and inspired by both artists from the past and the modern era, so it was quite obvious to me that my music had to contain and merge both acoustic sounds from the past 70 years and sounds from one of the last music revolutions that is electronic music, taking over and redefining the music landscape for over 30 years now. So I define my music as electro coated vintage sounds.

What have you been up to so far and what can we expect over the coming months?

So far I’ve released an album on the German label ChinChin records. This album was quite influenced by the electro swing movement and was my first attempt to combine both antique acoustic sounds and electronic beats and basses. Lately I’ve released an EP on the young LoopdeLoop records. This EP is the continuation of my work trying to bring old flavored tunes up to date and make them fit the dance floors again.

I’m currently working on a second album as Grant Lazlo as well as on a new project in which I’m trying to mix genres in another way. This new project is a collaboration with keyboardist Benjamin Muller. There’s not much I can say about it right now but more on that soon..!

If you could duet with anybody who would it be and why?

Well, that’s a tough question… There are so many artists I’d like to work with..Artists like Magic Arm, Krazy Baldhead or Erik Sumo Band are amazingly inspiring and it’d be an honor working with one of them. Lately though I’ve fallen in love with a neo funk band called Vulfpeck. They groove as hell ! And I’d just love to put some electronic sounds on their warm funky tunes!

What’s your desert island disc and why would you take this one album?

…well… Can’t I take my iPod?…. Please!!! No?… Ok then, I guess I’d take Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the key of life album.

First because it’s a double album, that way I’d have 21 tracks to listen to 😉 Then because there’s so many music genres in it and so much talent in each of these tracks. I guess Stevie Wonder’s been the greatest of all the influences. I’m saying nothing new when I say Stevie Wonder’s a genius but his music really touches me like no other.

…But it would really be a shame that I can’t take any of Queen’s albums on this desert island..