Interview: Kid Koala climbs to Shelter

Internationally-renown Eric San, who records under the name Kid Koala, is well known for his inventive style of turntablism, which uses an unusual collection of samples from sources like Charlie Brown television specials, old comedy sketch routines, people sneezing, and people reading a menu in Cantonese.

Since becoming the first North American artist to signed to UK label Ninja Tune in 1996, Kid Koala’s has released “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome,” “Some of My Best Friends are DJs,” and “Your Mom’s Favorite DJ” as full albums, with each including surprises such as video games, comics, and mini chess sets. He has performed DJ sets in Australia, Asia, Europe, Russia, North America, and South America as a member of groups such as Deltron 3030, Lovage, Bullfrog and on his own, opening for artists such as Radiohead and Bjork.

Kid Koala has organized a cabaret-style tour known as “The Short Attention Span Theatre,” which featured 3 DJs on 8 turntables, a slide show, and a bingo game during intermission, amongst other quirks. In 2009, he put together 3 “Music to Draw To” performances in Montreal, which invited people to come and draw while he played records.

There was no dancing allowed, but people could enjoy a complementary cup of hot chocolate, purchase some baked goodies, and either draw or do some writing. The success of the “Music to Draw to” performances, as well as his other conceptual shows, have made it clear that there is an artistic community out there that is looking for more of a marriage between music and the visual arts.

Kid Koala has just recently finished The Slew’s one-time-only tour across North America, sharing six turntables with DJ Dynomite and performing with Chris Ross and Myles Heskett in tow, the former rhythm section of Grammy Award-winning Australian rock band Wolfmother.

We had the lovely opportunity to talk to Kid Koala on his latest project, the tour he just completed, and his newest prospects.

"Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" included a video game and a self-illustrated 32-page comic, 350-page romantic tragedy "Nufonia Must Fall" was accompanied by a soundtrack, "Some of My Best Friends are DJ's" came with a mini chess set. You've organized the "Music to Draw to" performances in Montreal and the Space Cadet's headphone/beanbag tour.

Musical talent usually only demands performance, but you've demonstrated all kinds of creative experimentation that engages all the senses. What's it all about? Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Sometimes I just feel like trying something different. The world would be such a boring place if every musician or dj had to make the same kind of album or do the same kind of tour. I just like having fun with flipping up the formats of things... it's keeps me from getting bored.