For edition twelve of ZERØ HOUR, we are ecstatic to present a mix from Rhys Prka a.k.a. LUCAN LONO.
Experimental sound artist, RTRFM presenter, event co-runner, DJ -- Rhys's presence can be felt across Perth's music communities. We have a chat with them ahead of their slot at ZERØ x MIDNIGHT ELEVATOR event at Love Shack this Friday, December 10…
Tell us about your background in DJing. When and why did you start? How long have you been doing it for? Any favourite moments?
I honestly don't remember when I started DJing, but it must have been 4 odd years ago now. I believe DJing began for me in the same way that it does for most people - all your friends do it, and you get on at an afters and learn.
What do you do outside of music?
I’m a journalist/editor. Mainly covering business and property news.
Tell us about the mix; what were your ideas behind it? Any favourite artists showcased?
There was no real plan going into the mix, I just scoured all the tracks on my USB and wanted to play music that was interesting to me and made me feel something at the time.
Including both those in your mix and outside, who are some of your favourite artists? Who’s influenced your personal style the most? Anyone / anything outside of music?
Changes every day, but as I write this my favourite artists that I am currently listening to could probably be summarised as Kanye West, Billy Woods, Susumo Yokota, Chief Keef, Miles Davis, Sons of Kemet, Sete Star Sept, meat computer, David Shawty and more depending on my mood.
I’m not really sure what/who has influenced me, I feel like I’m influenced more by the people and things around me than any monolithic figure or idea. It’s hard to pin down any specific inspiration, everything I’ve done, everyone I’ve talked to, all the media I’ve consumed all combines to influence who I am in some way. Is it pretentious to say everything inspires me? Probably.
What are the favourite gigs you’ve been to? Why?
My favourite show I've seen was an experimental show at Atelier Q in Seijo, Japan. The live house is hidden behind a railway line and some motorbike parking. When I stepped in, I had no idea what to anticipate, so I put my complimentary drink of wine into a plastic cup and walked inside the performance room. There were around 5 persons in all, not counting the performances.
It was a three-way performance, with Junji Hirose creating improvised noise with airguns and contraptions he built, Yu Kimura performing an improvised dance routine, and Akiko Nakayama performing her 'Alive Painting,' which used chemical reactions, magnets, and a bit of chaos to create some really stunning live paintings.
It was one of the strangest and most beautiful sights I'd ever seen. It's difficult to put into words how I felt throughout their performance, but it's something I'll never forget. One of the main reasons I founded Rathe with Ryan was to offer that type of experience to Perth, a lofty goal that I may one day achieve.
Surprisingly, one of the five individuals in attendance was a VJ who knew Ryan from when he lived in Sydney. It's a small world and all that.
Who are your favourite performers / crews here in Perth? What makes them special to you?
Obviously a shoutout to the Midnight Elevator crew. They are doing plenty of interesting things in the space. Always got a soft spot for Grievous Bodily Calm, and on the other side of the spectrum for Self Harm. Luchii is probably my favourite producer in general, not just in Perth, Sowdy and Macks Martin just dropped a dope tape. Consulate always killing it, also Michael Terran is an OG. All the others that escape me right now as well.
Big shoutout to Amir who is now a DJ so a performer, they basically hold the Perth scene on their shoulders, the city would be a lot less lively without them.
What can we expect you to bring when you play at ZERØ?
Interesting music that (hopefully) makes you feel something.
Catch Lucan Lono closing out ZERØ x MIDNIGHT ELEVATOR this Friday 10 Dec 2021 (link).