Ango squeezes soul from machines

ANGO

Having cut his teeth via regular appearances at the now-infamous Turbo Crunk parties in the second half of the last decade, this ex-Montrealer has carved out a niche for himself as a singer/songwriter, producer and DJ. Alongside fellow Turbo Crunk alum Jacques Greene, ANGO (born Andrew Gordon Macpherson) has split his time over the last couple years by touring and writing and producing music for both himself and other people.

His music can be a bit challenging to accurately describe. He seems to be influenced in equal parts by ’90s-era R&B, IDM and trip hop, but his abilities as both an electronic producer and singer shine through, giving his tunes a funkier, melodic and cinematic quality. Last year’s hybrid album/mixtape Serpentine showcases the different shades of ANGO’s sound, from the soulful crooning to the more dance-oriented fare.

Ahead of his performance tonight, I caught up with him over email to hear about what he’s been up to, what he misses most about Montreal, as well as future plans.

Michael Sallot: What have you been up to?

ANGO: Astral projecting into the sixth dimension with ping pong balls on my eyes. I have a sweet new record all but finished. I’m working on an EP with one of my main collaborators that you might be able to guess. I wrote about 40 songs or beats this year for major labels that are in contention for a bunch of different things. Pestering people on email. I have a new live audio/video show that I was developing over the summer while touring with Jacques Greene. Eating lots of Peking duck.

MS: The second half of Serpentine featured a lot of guest producers and you have written and produced for a number of other artists. Who would you like to work with in the future?

A: I’d love to write with the Dream, Overdoz., Jamie Foxx, Partynextdoor, Jessie Lanza and maybe produce with Chromatics, Phillipe Zdar, Kanye West, Jimmy Edgar, Koreless. Wong Kar Wai can direct the story of my life if he wants.

MS: I’ve been told that you recently collaborated with Machinedrum. How did that come about?

A: We’ve been friends for a while, and we share a label and management and have done a couple of festivals and tours together. At one point, he was executive producing an Azealia Banks record and I was sending beats and recording her up until the illuminati absorbed her. We sat down to make stuff a couple times, and he sent me some of his pop-oriented beats to write to as well, so it’s been a long time coming.

MS: What are your plans for 2014?

A: I have a significant amount of music to release — solo and collaborative, vocal and instrumental — that we’re just hashing out a plan for. I will probably hit the road with Jacques Greene again at some point and hopefully get to do my live show in a couple of new places, too. Check your local listings.

MS: What are you into apart from music? What’s been inspiring you lately?

A: I do a lot of odd film and video gigs. I’ve been drawing a bit. Drinking Soju bombs. Reading about Cymatics. Grant Morrison. I’m working on some sound design/music for a horror movie.

MS: What do you miss the most about Montreal?

A: Montreal is pretty much my favourite place on Earth. I deeply miss the way of life, my old apartment. I miss Olimpico, and miss my dear friends who still live there. RIP Euro Deli. ■

ANGO performs alongside Machinedrum, Star Slinger and Nick Hook at SAT (1201 St-Laurent) tonight, Friday, Nov. 15, 10 p.m., $21.50