We talked to the British producer about his musical influences, his creative process and the relevance of his hit “Permanence”
If from childhood you live in an environment where the music you listen to is Tangerine Dream, Underworld, Autechre or Aphex Twin, it is very likely that you will decide to do what they do.
Rich Keyworth (aka Lomea) made this decision at a very young age, he has been releasing since 2016 and after the arrival of his single “Permanence” in 2020, his music and style traveled to new frontiers.
His music represents a perspective from diverse influences where acoustic instrumentation is important and experimental sampling and processed synthesizer textures stand out in each of his creations.
In this interview we did with Lomea, we talked to him about his influences, his musical beginnings, the creative process behind his compositions, his story after “Permanence” and the plans he has for the future. Read it below.
It’s always interesting to know the origins, and even go further back, what moments made you connect with electronic music?
I’d actually been passively listening to electronic music since childhood, since my dad was really into Tangerine Dream and that was often playing in the house while I was growing up. I loved The Prodigy and Underworld in my teens but it was my early 20s when I seriously got into it. Mostly at college when I was learning about music production.
I’d heard some Aphex Twin, Plaid and a few others before then, but some friends introduced me to the likes of Amon Tobin, Clark, Autechre, The Field, Matthew Herbert. It was hearing these kinds of sonically inventive artists that really drew me in and made me explore electronic music more broadly.
The first steps are the ones we will remember most, How would you describe the beginnings of your career as a producer?
It was making an album at college (which thankfully almost no-one heard!) while I was learning how to record/mix etc. I made a couple of self-released albums back in the days of Myspace. It wasn’t until a few years later I started taking it all more seriously, and writing music as Lomea.
Before this I’d been in a band where everyone had input, so it was the first opportunity to express myself musically without any compromise.
Sounds are clearly the basis of everything, What is Lomea’s process to create, develop, organize and implement sounds to his creations?
Each track is different. Usually I’ll be playing around on a guitar, synthesizer, drum synth – whatever. And something (a chord progression, a rhythm, a melody) will stick out, and I’ll record that. Then I keep adding things to it, deleting things, changing things until it doesn’t remotely resemble how it began.
Tracks seldom if ever end up sounding as I thought they would. Sunwake for example, was originally intended to be a quiet, mostly acoustic piece (like the intro part is) but ended up having this manic techno section in the middle.
Melodies are almost always part of the musical identity of an artist, How do you define the direction of melodies in your songs? How do you find the structured unity of musical sense for productions?
Usually something will just present itself, while I’m noodling about on a keyboard/guitar. I rarely start with melodies, to me they’re usually something to get added later (if at all), to complete it.
Let’s talk about emotions, what weight do emotions have on your creations? Do you consider them as an objective in front of the public?
It’s all emotion, really. Lomea is the primary outlet in that regard, for me. Way more than words ever could be.
With experience, trajectory, and obviously years, we explore and find the ideal tools to create music, what do you think are the programs, technologies, and instruments essential to your productions?
Guitars, reverb units, mics, Cubase. I could happily create an album with just these, probably.
In general, how would you describe your own music?
Eclectic, emotive, atmospheric. Sometimes serene, sometimes intense.
We like to talk about the musical process, but we don’t forget that there is a human being behind it, is there a balance between your personal life and your musical career? What do you do to maintain that balance?
The balance has been harder to maintain since becoming a father, but since making music is also my full-time job, I have to find plenty of time in the day for it.
I usually work long hours so there’s time for Lomea stuff on top of the music I write for TV, commercials etc. Although sometimes I set aside a few weeks and write only for Lomea, when inspiration strikes and I want to make the most of it.
Recently “Permanence” reached a million streams on Spotify. For us it is a fascinating album, what is the story behind the creation of the album?
Thanks! The Permanence EP was 3 tracks that I like to think are a good introduction to my music, as it’s sort of a blend of all the aspects of my sound. The bones of the track Permanence was something I did in an afternoon one day, forgot about and then found while going through some older files.
All it needed was a few tweaks and additions and it was ready, which is the opposite of how I usually work and something I’m trying to embrace more with my new material. In other words, prizing spontaneity and not fussing over detail so much at the writing stage. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to release Permanence at first, so it’s been really nice to know that people have connected with it.
What is your TOP 5 electronic music album/track releases of 2022?
- Wordcolour – the trees were buzzing and the grass
- Bjork – Fossora
- Objekt – Bad Apples
- Abul Mogard – In a Few Places Along the River
- Floating Points – Vocoder
At the producer and DJ level, what were the most amazing moments you have left this 2022?
Permanence reaching a million streams was a real boost, as was knowing that a few high-profile DJs liked the track. Ferry Corsten added it to his playlist and Rob da Bank played in on the radio I think, which was great to hear.
There are many young producers who are unclear how to start, what style or genre to follow, and the fear of not gaining relevance or popularity has them blocked, what message can you give them?
I’d suggest not worrying about all that. Make the music you want to make instead of chasing trends. It’ll make you so much happier, and result in much more interesting, idiosyncratic music that will last the test of time. And if other people like it too, that’s great.
Finally, what can we expect from Lomea by 2023? Is a new album on the way? From your own perception, how do you think it will go to the electronic scene over the next year?
If all goes to plan, several EPs and/or maybe a 3rd album. I’ve got a batch of tracks in varying states of completion now, it’s matter of deciding what to do with them!
