Q+A with Loula Yorke

Your new album is titled Volta, why the name?

A couple of reasons really. I wanted to directly reference control voltage which is the 'language' of my modular system, if i can describe it like that. And then it's also a term in literature, music and dance where it can mean a turn or a lift. I think of the album as kind of a 'brightening' I guess, I wanted it to be luminous, to create sounds that bounce around and shine light into dark corners.

The album is described as having seven cycles - and these are programmed compositions rather than improvisations. You set some rules for yourself in creating these, one being that each piece had to be reproducible. Can you tell us a bit about that process choice and what the most challenging and rewarding aspects were?

Volta is the first time I've used a sequencer in my modular system. I made that process choice because I had been relying on a system of quantised pseudo-random voltages to create melodies. The whole point of random stuff is you don't get the same thing twice. I wanted to compose some pieces to play again and again, so I needed to actually store that information somewhere. And secondly there was a choice regarding patches. Instead of breaking them down and building them again completely differently without thinking about it between tracks as I would have done before, I had to work out some tracks that had related or common patches, so I had a chance of moving between them with as few changes as possible.

What is the story of your composition "The hidden messages in water"?

That's a lovely one! It's two sequences in the same key but of very different lengths playing alongside each other, and then the longer sequence is also being played by another oscillator but one step behind so it's extra dreamy. I just wanted to make something super slow and relaxing, really lean into the feeling of something slow and steady cycling round and round. This one felt like water droplets; concentric circles rippling the surface of a flat calm lake. I compile a list of possible titles for tracks as I'm going along and then match them to the tracks when something fits.

I like the photo on the cover of Volta! Is there a story about it?

Thank you! I knew I didn't want to show my face. I just wanted to concentrate on the physicality of the body, on the textures and the light. I cleared out the corner of my studio and photographed myself in burst mode on my phone. It took hours to get that shot! I was just dancing about throwing a lot of shapes until I finally hit on the right frame. This was an album of firsts because I've never put myself on a cover before. I also like that it's the room it was all recorded in too so it's like "here is the person, here is the room, here are the sounds."

I recently subscribed to your newsletter, YorkeTalk. It is an enjoyable read and I really like how you call attention to the others in your creative orbit. It seems like you value and contribute to a community where people lift each other up - have I sensed that accurately? How did your newsletter come about and what is your thinking behind it?

Yes, I hope so. I'm aware that most people who are into music also make music themselves or have a creative practice of their own so I wanted to make it a bit more about making links with emotions and creativity rather than just a marketing email. That said, I think I'm going to give people an option to just have the music news if they like as I think for some folks perhaps my oversharing is a bit much? I don't know! The name is a bit jokey and something I thought of in 5 seconds flat. I wonder if it feels a bit incongruous with the content? Who knows, it's all new to me, I'm just finding my way with it all really. I do feel that social media is such a weird thing and it's good to have a mode of keeping in touch with people that isn't mediated by an algorithm and subject to the viewer seeing other people's reactions to it as part of the experience. Ideally I'd like each one to feel like you're interacting with an art piece, like you're receiving a bit of email art. The whole idea is a work in progress honestly.

I personally appreciate when people share - over or under. I think you have a good thing going with YorkeTalk! And that's a great point - it's a way to 'keep in the loop' that isn't mediated by an algorithm.

I am a new subscriber and was thrilled to receive a link to listen around Christmas time to listen to “free relaxing sounds” - a fabulous gift! What do you think fans can best give to their favourite artists in return?

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed my little offering. I think the greatest thing listeners can give is their ears: making time and the space to give some music your full attention is so precious. Next to ears, and attention, is networks ... it's really great when people like a bit of music enough to tell other people about it. Word of mouth is so important. Just turning other people on to your favourite music is so special.

What are you most looking forward to in 2024?

Reaching more ears! I want Volta to go as far as it can in 2024. I've just done another run of CDs and tapes. I feel like I need to keep shouting about it until everyone who likes meandering synth sequences has heard it. I've got a couple of other releases out this year too – some tracks on compilations, and an album I've just put the finishing touches to for an ambient concept label which I'm really excited about getting out there as well.

There are vids, links and other goodies at Loula's Bandcamp. Check out the 'modular witchery' of her release titled LDOLS - although there are no vocals, I get a Kim Gordon battling Velcro kinda vibe from track 6 "LDOLS"... woah! 

Subscribe to her excellent newsletter, YorkeTalk, at her website.

I'd like to thank Jo Johnson for mentioning Loula's work to me. 

Thanks Jo! Thanks Loula!