Neu Mix #13: Mind Enterprises

When you first play Andrea Tirone’s music under the Mind Enterprises guise, it’s a little like being run down by a stampede of giddy kids who’ve just finished school for the summer. It’s enthusiasm in its fullest force, odd-bit pop structures sent into delirium through sharp production and a palpable love displayed by Tirone for the music he makes.

Beginning in Turin, Italy, Andrea moved to London, a bold choice which hasn’t dispelled any of his early giddiness. We were sent through a mix titled “musicthatilove”, with few other details. Bringing together Jai Paul, Bayou (who also happens to co-run that label, Double Denim, that released Mind Enterprises’ debut EP last year) and Empress Of, it’s adoration unrestrained, a calling card for any music lover requiring a jolt of life. “I chose music that represents me, music that I wish I wrote,” he says of the mix. “The songs are quite heterogeneous but all have something that inspired my sound somehow.”

When you started writing as Mind Enterprises, did you have this sharp, punchy pop sound in your mind or did it just come out?
Not really - in the beginning I was just layering loops of African percussions and noisy synths, I wasn’t even singing. I ended up with this sound after a while - it was a gradual process.

What brought you to London and what kind of an influence has the city had on your songwriting?
I came here to take a step forward with Mind Enterprises. I think this city changed me a lot, it was a real shake! Of course this reverberates in my songwriting, I think the most relevant aspect is the perception of the “others”, that here is completely different from where I was living before. This is very important when I’m writing.

You tend to cover your vocals in effects but always in an inventive way. Are you a confident vocalist?
Well actually my background is as a guitarist - I never sang since I started Mind Enterprises so I can’t say I’m a confident vocalist. Also because I like to consider the voice as any other instruments, I’ve never drawn inspiration from great vocalists. My favourite singers are not generally considered confident vocalists, one for all Sal P from Liquid Liquid.

Do you shut yourself off from outside influence when you write and record or is it a collaborative process?
I tend to isolate my self when I’m writing, I like to have 100% control on what I’m producing. I like writing with other people but the idea underlying Mind Enterprises is quite intimate and introspective.

Is ‘My Girl’ an emotionally downbeat song? The lyric ‘be my girl / follow me blind, and waste your time’ sticks out…
Yeah, this song along with all the ones in the forthcoming EP are inspired by my Italian ex girlfriend and the distances between us. So all lyrics are more or less explicitly related to this.

How do you go about finding and using samples in your music?
I like sampling African traditional music tracks, but also everything that retains a lo-fi flavour - I often create samples very roughly by myself.

Tracklist:
Lucky Dragons - Mirror Friends
Bayou - Forever Deluxe
Jai Paul - Untitled 3
Archach - Untitled 3
Charanjit Singh - Raga Rhairav
Black Devil Disco Club - H-Friend
Capital K - Cumbriatronic
Empress Of - Hat Trick (Acoustic)
Blank Students - I Want to be Happy (Mind Enterprises re-edit)

DIY Neu Mix #13 - Mind Enterprises by Diy on Mixcloud