Luomo is the pop-experimental side of Finnish producer Sasu Ripatti (Mille Plateaux, Chain Reaction), standing somewhere between shadowy experimentalism and shining club aspirations, capturing tension and romance in shards of polished disco. Check the highlights of hist last album “Convivial”.

Who are you and where do you come from?

My name is Sasu Ripatti and I lived in Berlin for 7 years but I just moved back to Finland.

What’s up in Luomo’s world?

Well it’s mostly getting this new album out and doing some related stuff in the studio (remixes, new versions) but soon we can begin to look at new productions. Also coming soon is a project I make with my girlfriend, named Agf/Delay.

What’s the concept of your new album “Convivial”?

To make music I feel strong about with no strings attached. I don’t make dance music but I like flirting with dance music.I don’t make pop music but I like to flirt with pop music.I like to make personal music and this time I wanted to make music with lots of guest vocalists. I wanted to make an album that is not so much restricted with concepts and rather try to enjoy the process and make good songs.

How do you see the future of artists and labels with internet?

I’m sure there will be a model eventually that at least allow the major labels to make huge sums of money again, but maybe and hopefully there will be also some interesting models and space for independent artists and labels to act along.
I think it won’t be too long before the situation calms down, the whole downloading and p2p filesharing is already so old, kids don’t know what to do with all the data they have and they need someone to keep them informed of what is really something and and hopefully they want to know again who makes it and how. I’m positive about the future.

How is the scene in Berlin?

I moved there because my girlfriend was living there and I wanted to get away from Finland at the time. The scene has been changing a lot, becoming a bit more commercial and less interesting. More and more people are moving from everywhere to live there. But it’s still one of the best cities to live in I think. I moved away because I didn’t really see a future for myself there.

Any places you like to recommend to us?

My favorite restaurant is Re-Make, that’s really good.
Kunstverke. Neuenationale museum. Panorama bar. Usual names. I’m not an expert in Berlin scene and locations. I’m sure in 10 minutes googling you’d find more essential places to go.

How important is the internet for you and where do you see it going?

It’s been and remains very important. It has been a small revolution for me and the whole planet.
My life depends on it. I moved to remote area in Northern Finland and I couldn’t do my work without internet. Also personally it’s my dictionary, encyclopedia, secretary, friend etc.
Besides growing I expect to see some really interesting new models, I think it has matured enough and nothing really groundbreaking has happened for a while so I think the time is ripe for something bigger to happen soon.
I also like the fact that it has changed the whole music business upside down even though it means income has dropped a lot.
I worry about the darker side of it and how to keep that in control, be it terrorism, child porno or so, not about music piracy though.

As an artist and producer, what kind of services do you expect from the internet?

I think the principles exist but the production and practical running of them is not as good as could be.
So it’s not more services but better functioning existing ones I miss.

What was you best label night out so far, and what would be your dream team line for a party?

I don’t really go to label nights and it’s not what I care too much for.
Dream team line up would be to be able to rewind some 20 years behind and put together lots of people not in shape or alive anymore together.

Visit Luomo’s website