17 hours ago

Purple Tape: "My sound has evolved with the experiences and places I have lived"

Purple Tape is an Italian music producer influenced by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures. His music creates dark, evolving atmospheres that reflect his personal and cultural journey. He began playing the flute at age 12 and soon started experimenting with electronic instruments, producing a range of genres from Hip Hop to Psytrance and Techno. A skilled composer, sound designer, and technician, he has worked with music festivals, orchestras, and advertisements. His aim is to create music that transports listeners to other worlds. He has released tracks with labels such as Camel Riders, Maccabi House, and Cafe De Anatolia.

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind "That Dirty Funk"? What elements from your experiences and cultural influences did you aim to incorporate into this track?

"That Dirty Funk" is the result of my artistic and personal path, as my music has evolved over time, just like the experiences and places I've lived in. My background in hip hop and psytrance, combined with indie dance, plays a key role in this track. I’ve always been drawn to that rough, dirty sound mixed with rap elements, which really comes through in this piece.

You mentioned that your music has evolved over time, transitioning from hip hop to genres like psytrance and techno. How do you think your evolution as an artist is reflected in "That Dirty Funk"?

I started working on Purple Tape in 2020, right during the first lockdown. I was experimenting, trying to refine my sound, drawing influences from Mediterranean music. My first gig under this name was in Ibiza the following summer, where I immersed myself in the organic house scene. Playing in various cities around the world and experiencing the international nightlife, I picked up different elements that I could blend into my own recipe. This evolution is reflected in "That Dirty Funk" because the track captures the essence of my journey and the music I feel truly represents me.

Your new track was released in the compilation of your label Desert Vision. What is the philosophy behind the label, and how do you choose the tracks to include in its releases?

The philosophy behind Desert Vision reflects my vision of Ancona, a city where the electronic music scene is still developing. I strive to bring my experiences and the artists I've encountered along the way into this space. "Pure Kalotype" for example is a project that showcases a diverse range of genres, from organic house to indie dance and melodic house. I seek tracks that capture emotional depth and rhythmic energy. Each track and release is selected not only for its individual quality but also for how well it fits into a broader narrative that represents the label’s journey.

Describe how you create the dark and intriguing atmospheres that characterize your music. Are there specific landscapes or experiences that inspired you in composing this single?

Creating the dark and intriguing atmospheres in my music relies heavily on the creative environment and the people I work with. I often discover new DJs and genres while hanging out within the techno universe. For this track, the collaboration with Jjames happened almost by chance, as we share a studio and he ended up contributing some bass lines. Jjames is not only an excellent producer but also a talented bassist, and the takes he recorded were essential in shaping the final sound of the track.

Do you have plans to explore new sounds or collaborations in the future? Can you give us a sneak peek of what we can expect from your upcoming projects?

For superstition's sake, I’ll try to keep it under wraps, but I have some exciting collaborations in the works that I never would have imagined. As for Desert Vision, there are several interesting releases on the horizon that I'm looking forward to sharing.