Interview by
SelfmadeSatan
Playing with nuns is a one-man project of Ariel Chapuis. Born January 1975 in Buenos Aires (Argentina), he’s the founder of side project Void of Coil, focus in deep dark ambient style (2008-present) with four albums made, all copies sold out and over 4000 downloads on the network. Ariel Chapuis is also the founder of the record labels 7579 Records (2008-2010) and Cubiculo Noise Recording (2010-present). Besides, he’s the collaborator of the "multi artists project" Knights of white triangle. Playing with nuns is an Experimental Noise project with more than 190 albums and splits made between May 2009 to present. Signed by labels like Kapustin Yar Records, Industrial Noise Records, Shit Noise Records, Kermesse Records, Kopp Netlabel, Dark Meadow Recordings, CoreBack Records, Devil Noise Records, Stockroom Records and many others. Enough with this introduction, here we got Ariel Chapuis to talk further…
Hello Ariel Chapuis! How’s life in Buenos Aires and Argentina in general? How do you describe yourself personally, both in and out of your musical activities?
Hi Ian! All is fine here. In Argentina in general, as many countries we have problems, but we've been in worse conditions previously. I personally describe myself as a normal person, with a regular job that lets me luckily, enough free time to devote to what I like.
When I work with Playing with nuns I focus entirely on what I'm doing. I do not usually write tons of stuff and then save and use them in futures albums. I compose at the time the material that will be used in every album, split or V.A.
Previously I used to do otherwise, and then I find myself with a lot of material waiting to be released, so later I used that tracks as bonus tracks or unreleased tracks in special editions. One month ago a released a double album called "Alt. takes and other marvelous" with old compositions, first takes and demos. That was my last work with old material. Now I compose only what will be edited.
When and why did you form Playing with nuns? Any good reason you chose Playing with nuns as your project name?
Playing with nuns was born in early 2009, was an idea I had in mind since 2007. I wanted to experiment with noise, field recording and circuits, so I started working on it. Is a style that I enjoy, not only to compose, but also listening to other artists. Allows you plenty of variants with which to experiment.
The name Playing with nuns, was chosen at random way. Has no meaning.
Please elaborate more about your major genre; musically and conceptual?
What I do with Playing with nuns is experimental noise in a very wide form. People will find in my discography noise, harsh, experimental, power electronics, ambient and circuits sounds. I like to experiment with all, I like to do field recordings and then distorted, add sound effects, noise and stuff like that. Mix voices, samplers, work with pedals, etc.
And conceptually I like to work in primary ideas, based on things I read, or personal experiences.
As for now, you’ve almost 200 titles listed in your discography. That’s amazing! How do you manage to come up with a lot of releases?
That's true, I have almost 200 releases. As I said previously I have a job that leaves me enough free time to work on Playing with nuns, and I have many albums because basically I am connected to many people as me, who enjoys what he does and is willing to further work in splits and compilations. Most of my albums are published under my own label "Cubiculo Noise Recording" and others are published under different labels around the world, as Shit Noise Records (Germany), Stockroom Rec. (France), Dark Meadow Recordings (U.K.), Coreback Rec. (France), Smell The Stench (Australia), Amex Nori (Belgium) and many others.
Last week, at the same day I published 1 album under my own label, 3 under other labels, and 2 V.A.compilations. (6 albums at the same day)
Ariel Chapuis... an Experimental/Noise/Non music artist
If you have possibility to list 10 most essential/memorable releases from Playing with nuns, what would they are?
Well, there is a difference between essential and memorable, so I'll list 10 essential and 10 memorables.
10 essential albums for people who want to know Playing with nuns:
01-Playing with nuns - Hinyouki split "Diego Valor"
02-Playing with nuns - Ethnomite pux split "Asian order"
03-Paranormal interference
04-Screamtoplaxia
05-Playing with nuns - Herr Schmitd hat Krach split
06-Playing with nuns - Kaiser[schnitt]ambosslaszlo split
07-I am the motherfucker
08-Thousands of different ways
09-Playing with nuns - Automageddon split
10-Tasting double jive (A Best of compilation)
I think with these albums, listeners will know the most eclectic side of Playing with nuns.
Now the 10 memorable albums for me:
01-"We were playing". Was the first album, very experimental which released only 3 copies.
02-"The yellow ribbon cutting". Also one of the first. A raw album and one of my favorites.
03-"Screamtoplaxia". The first in Power electronic style, part of a trilogy with "Map.109" and "Stealing puppies again". A year ago was re-edited under the romanian label Harsh noise Propaganda Prod. in special edition with some bonus tracks.
04-"She was lost in madness". My favorite among all my discography. Pretty experimental!
05-Playing with nuns - "Kaiser[schnitt]ambosslaszlo" split. For this split I used different instruments, such as an electric violin and bass.
06-"V.A. An Unattainable Idea". The first compilation I organized, with the label Amex nori from Belgium. 56 projects and almost 4 hours of noise.
07-"Playing with nuns - Talib Aziiz split (Jakarta)". With a great friend and a constant inspiration for me.
08-"Playing with nuns - Hinyouki split (Diego Valor)". With legendary Hinyouki!!!
09-"Alternate theory". With the collaboration of Xtematic and Ecoute la merde on voices.
10-"Playing with nuns - Arte Sacra Atelier split (I'm a motherfucker)" A new artist for me, the final result was fantastic!
What are your favourite tools you employ in composing processes? Did you ever have formal learnings in handling those equipments and softwares?
My favorite tools are pedals, some digital sound mixers and circuits. But I really enjoy making noise with whatever I find around me. Also I use an electric bass and some metals.
I have no formal learning. I am self-taught, like to experiment with stuff and find that I can create new sounds.
Void of Coil is known as your other project, give us further information about it? How does it differ from Playing with nuns? Any other projects to tell about?
Void of Coil is my dark ambient project. Was born in early 2008 and consist of 4 albums. I work with dark sounds, ambient textures and a lot of field recordings. You can download the complete discography at
www.myspace.com/voidofcoil.
The difference between Playing with nuns and Void of Coil is basically the dismal atmosphere that recreates ambient passages and a conceptual dark story.
About other side project, I have worked with people from Mexico, Chile and U.S.A in a multi-artist project called "Knights of White triangle" You can find that project around the net. I have more side projects but that's a secret! :)
You’re also running a label called Cubiculo Noise Recording. Anything you want to share with concerning the label? Something about 7579 Records please?
I created Cubiculo Noise Recording just as a tool for editing my works. In the beginning I had the label 7579 Records, but when I started to work on splits I decided to close 7579 Rec. and create Cubiculo. simple as that.
"Lack of thorns" released on Devil Noise RecordsTell us your experiences in live shows related to Playing with nuns?
I have played live several times, in local pubs and workshops, but what I enjoy most is writing in the Studio. I like to think about Playing with nuns as a studio project. I dont know if I'll perform live again.
How do you see the current experimental/electronic music scene? Please recommend some of your preferred artists?
I see a lot of awesome artists. What I enjoy most is to maintain contact with them! Its fantastic to share experiences, ideas and futures projects. And of course I have some favorites artists.
First of all, "Hinyouki" from Spain. They are wonderful people and I learn from them everyday. They are very professional in everything they do.
"Ecoute la merde" from France. Vivian is awesome and I really enjoy his complete discography!
"Koobaatoo Asparagus" from U.S.A. Michael is the master of circuit bend. If you are looking for a versatile artist, go to Koobaato asparagus!!
"Fukte" from Italy. What can I say about Fukte?! If you have not heard Fukte, you're missing something special.
"Endometrium cuntplow" All the discography is essential for me!
"Ethnomite Pux" An artist that surprises me every time I hear something new from him. He has a great talent.
They are some of my favorites, and I fully recommend!
What would it supposed to be from Playing with nuns in the future? Can we expect more surprise and distinct releases?
In a near furure will be released a split with Gay noise, also a split collaboration with Fukte, Dao de noize is in the list too, and more Hinyouki/Playing with nuns collaborations. So for sure you must wait for new surprises!
Here we come to the end of this conversation! Final messages please?
Well, I want to thank you for your interest and for this interesting interview! I really enjoyed answering and I really appreciate that! Cheers and best regards! - Ariel (Playing with nuns)
Information:
http://playingwithnuns.weebly.com http://soundcloud.com/playing-with-nuns
http://twitter.com/PlayingWithNuns
http://www.myspace.com/playingwithnuns
#Details on "Lack of thorns" released on Devil Noise Records
[HERE]
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