French producer Onra has been on the rise in the hip-hop scene since his first release in 2006 with producer Quetzal titled, Tribute. Onra has a very thematic approach to composing his beats. His first solo release Chinoiseries (2007) was inspired by a stack of vinyl records purchased on a trip to Vietnam. His second solo album titled 1.0.8 (2009) he ventures into the culture, and music of India. Onra’s unique approach to beat making continuously keeps his music fresh, and unexpected. His newest release Long Distance due out May 2010 is inspired by Funk, and music from the 80’s. Elevator recently caught up with Onra to talk about his newest release Long Distance, and future projects in the works. Read more for the full Interview . . .
Elevator Hip Hop Q&A With ONRA
You seemed to have taken a cultural approach making your first two albums. There was the Vietnam motif throughout Chinoiseries, and the Indian motif on 1.0.8. How has your approach to making beats changed from your first full length, to the new Long Distance album?
I get inspired by all kind of different music. I listen to literally anything from 1960 to 1985. Depending on the mood I’m in, I get inspired by such and such style of music. This album is more 80’s, Funk, Boogie, Modern Soul, cause that’s the vibe I was in for the past 3 years. I like to have concepts for albums, it makes it easier to create connections between songs, and overall, easier to tell a story.
Long Distance features some lyrical contributions. Do you plan on releasing more work with emcees or singers in the future?
It was something I’ve always thought about, but I couldn’t really find the project to fit “songs” in, as the other albums were more beattapes than “real albums”. This one if my first “real album”, so I wanted to feature proper songs on it. Also, the label, Allcity Records, gave me the opportunity to work with those vocal artists. I wish I get to do more and more collaborations cause it really takes the beats to another level.
The Tribute album you did with Quetzal is one of my favorites. How did you and Quetzal link up to create that project, and will you two be collaborating on any projects in the future?
We connected a while ago through a mutual friend, simply cause we were both from Paris, and both making beats with an MPC, so it was natural. We quickly became friends and the “Tribute” album started out of a trip we had. At the beginning, it wasn’t even supposed to come out, until a label owner came home, listened to it and decided to release it. At first we thought we were gonna self-pressed 100 copies and sold them to friends only. We’re working on a dub project which is gonna come out later this year… Like a dub battle, Onra VS. Quetzal. Should be fun.
What are your major influences when it comes to composing your music?
Mostly all the great hip-hop & r’n'b beatmakers/producers that I grew up listening to. Jay Dee is my number one all-time. Then all the good stuff from the 90’s… You know who I’m talking about… This is my background. But then, I get inspired by all the genres of music I listen to.
What was the first piece(s) of equipment you used to make beats, and what are you using now?
I first used Hip-Hop Ejay around 2000, until 2003/4, time I bought the Akai MPC1000. I still use that one until now, I think it’s a great machine, you just know how to make it sound good, and that’s not in manuals. I haven’t planned to switch my technique of making music, even though I think sometimes how it would make everything so fast and less repetitive with a software. I often feel limited with the MPC, but I love it.
Has film ever influenced your creative process? Would you ever like to create music for film?
Films have never really influenced my music, I’m not really a huge “movie-head”. Though I can see scenes sometimes when I listen to my beats, and Chinoiseries could be considered like a “sound-movie”. I’d love to make music for a film. I guess it would sound more like the secret tracks dying in my computer that no one ’s ever gonna listen to!
With underground success, and already your third full length project dropping, how has life changed for you?
Well, I’ve been traveling a little bit all around the world, so I got to go to a lot of different countries I’ve never been to, I met a lot of different people, and that’s what made me change the most. People and places. I’ve been living off music for, let’s say, 2 years. Which is great, I feel blessed. Technically, life hasn’t really change during those past two years though, I’ve been living in the same 20m² apartment for 10 years, Paris is an expensive city, so ends of the month are tough sometimes…
Following the release of your new full length album Long Distance, do you plan to tour? Where can we find out about your shows?
A non-official tour will probably takes place little by little. Dates are announced on my Myspace page and my Facebook Fanpage.
Thanks Onra, we look forward to your new release and projects in the future. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thanks for supporting underground artists!
Good Read. Looking forward to this guy’s new album.
yeah dude is super ill on the MPC. I like how he uses different vibes on each album, real cool