Populous is the moniker of talented and versatile electronic musician Andrea Mangia, who is currently signed to the Morr Music record label. He often does collaborations with Short Stories (Michael McGuire), and is a part of the folk project, Girl With The Gun. We were lucky enough to sit down with Mangia and ask him a few questions.

I read an interview that you gave to your Morr Music label-mate Michael Turner of Telekinesis, and I think it would be fitting to start this interview the same way you did. If you were a painter, a season, a historical character, a colour, and a model of shoe, which would you be for each?
painter: Milton Glaser (I know he’s not a proper painter but I feel total empathy with him!)
season: spring
historical character: Judas
color: gray
model of shoe: Vans authentic

How did you get started as a musician?
When I was a kid my father gave me this sort of Casio pocket calculator/keyboard his father gave him. I think it all started then. Future held into the past!

What music did you grow up with?
Mostly indie/noise rock. Sonic Youth, Sub Pop records, Shoegaze. Then I discovered Aphex Twin, Orbital and the whole Warp shit. It was a shock!!

Do you usually make your music in a studio, or do you bring a laptop with you and produce anywhere?
I have a little studio at home (with keys and other “real” instruments), but lately I mostly use laptop. I definitely love to work with samples. A sample is forever, quoting Shirley Bassey…

If you think of an awesome beat when you’re on the bus, train, etc., how do you remember it?
I have my iPhone always full of shit!

Does the environment where you record influence the sounds you use to create?
It’s quite normal. If I happened to live in India for some time, even for a short stay, I’m sure somehow it would affect my sound. This is but an example. Unfortunately, I live in Southern Italy: I used to think it was special or just different (sea in wintertime, the fields and so on), lately though I’m fed up with it. I guess it’s time to get away.

When you do you a collaboration with a vocalist, such as on “Breathes the Best” or “The holy see” what comes first, the beats or the lyrics?
Usually I send Mike (Short Stories) tiny hints of melodies. Then we organize the whole.

If you could recommend one of your tracks to someone who has never heard your music, what would it be?
Probably “breathes the best” as for Populous and “steamboy” for my folk side-project Girl With The Gun.

Thanks a lot for sitting down with us at Ten Million Sounds! Are there any upcoming releases we should look out for?
I’m trying to ends both the new records (new one with Short Stories and new Girl With The Gun). Unfortunately the summer is not the best period for studio working… But please, stay tuned!

We’ll keep you posted when the new Populous and Girl With The Gun records drop. Until then, check out a couple of our favorite tunes from Populous:

Populous – Bon Bon Por Les Rappeurs
Populous – Hip Hop Cocotte
Girl With The Gun – In The Sunshine