Aleksander Kostopoulos, an audiovisual artist and drummer from Bodø, Norway, has mastered the art of blending acoustic percussion with electronic elements. Known for his work with the Sami-pop trio ISÁK and collaborations with prominent Norwegian artists, Kostopoulos has developed a distinct approach to music production that combines atmospheric soundscapes with dynamic rhythms.
Photo credit: Mads Suhr Pettersen
His portfolio includes three albums—‘Faleo’ (2017), ‘Oftania’ (2022), and ‘FolaNero’ (2023)—alongside numerous compositions for contemporary dance and theater. As a multimedia artist who works closely with lighting designers, Kostopoulos creates immersive experiences that showcase his fusion of traditional and electronic elements.
Now, celebrating the release of his latest work ‘Mendokaa’, Kostopoulos shares five essential studio tips focused on minimalism, authenticity, and creative growth. These insights, drawn from his experience in both live performance and studio production, offer valuable guidance for producers looking to develop their unique sound.
1. Limit the number of elements to include.
This is something I constantly work on myself. Having the courage to limit myself to just a few elements with clear sounds and ideas. It’s about finding the essence of the song and my expression. With today’s technology, it can be challenging to leave space in the music, as you can do almost anything you want… I find that my music feels more alive on the occasions when I manage to achieve this.
2. Trust your gut
Personally, I’m drawn to artists who manage to create their own unique musical universe… who offer me something I may not have heard before. By basing our choices in the studio on our own instincts and taste, rather than trying to predict what we think people want to hear, I believe we can more easily bring out the unique qualities each of us has within. Having the courage to trust ourselves makes our music feel more authentic, and I think listeners can sense that.
3. Finish your music
I believe the best way to improve in the studio and discover your own voice is to create as much music as possible. Try not to be overly critical of yourself. Instead, focus on enjoying the process of making music and commit to finishing your songs. They don’t need to be lengthy or packed with numerous sections. Share your music—release it or let friends and family hear it. Growth happens over time, and this practice will help you refine your sound and style.
4. Mixing Acoustic and Electronic Drums
As a drummer, I love blending the sounds of acoustic and electronic drums. For example, you could play a full drum kit over an electronic beat, or, for those who don’t play drums, layering your own kitchen sounds over programmed beats can add an organic and unique feel to the drums. Sometimes, when I play acoustic drums over programmed beats, I go through each track and quantize every hit to the grid. Other times, I leave everything unquantized and let the two elements tug and pull against each other. There’s no right or wrong way to approach this—you just have to experiment and find what feels right for each situation.
5. Mixing Presets
If you’re not very comfortable tweaking synths, a great way to create unique sounds is by layering different presets from various synths and instruments. For instance, if you’re designing a synth sound to play chords, start by creating three tracks, each using a different preset from an available instrument. Have each track play the same chords and experiment with their volume levels. Perhaps one track should stand out more than the other two? Find sounds that feel right to you, and experiment with effects like reverb and delay. It’s easy to go overboard with effects, so remember that sometimes a few subtle adjustments here and there can make all the difference!
Aleksander Kostopoulos’s ‘Mendokaa’ is out now on Beatservice. Stream and download here.
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