By Keith Walsh
John Kunkel of The New Division is an electronic music producer based in Los Angeles who grew up in Uruguay but later came to tour with popular music icons Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order) and Peter Murphy (Bauhaus). I had the chance to ask him some questions about his inspirations, his experiences, and his gear, including his use of analog synths on his brilliant new album ‘Modern Life.’
Synthbeat: I was really surprised by the first track on your electronic album. It resembles something like a synth rock Alice In Chains. Are you familiar with that band, and could they be an influence?
John Kunkel: I know of Alice In Chains but I can’t really say they’ve ever been an influence. Now you have me curious to explore more of their work!
Synthbeat: You started making music in your college dorm? 2005 or 2009? What DAW were you using, and how has your workflow changed?
John Kunkel: As far as The New Division goes, I started writing in 2005 (I had done a few other records before that under another alias when I lived in Uruguay called “Roll” which was very brit-pop / Oasis sounding).
Back then, I was using FL Studio which was really difficult to learn at first but over time I got used to it and came to love it. What I didn’t love about it though was the way it handled automation and mixing. Sequencing in FL was fun but once I discovered Ableton I realized that a lot of things I was doing in FL were a lot simpler in Ableton. I was able to produce a lot faster, not to mention keep my project files way more organized. I’ll still dive into FL occasionally since it has a vastly superior piano roll, but I don’t think I could write a full song in FL anymore given how much easier it is to produce in Ableton given its simplicity.
Synthbeat: Have you ever used analog synths, and are you using all VSTs now?
John Kunkel: My very first New Division EP was actually all done on an Alesis Micron. I wouldn’t call it an ‘analog synth’ but at the time it’s what I could afford and even programmed all the drums off that EP with the Micron. Very cumbersome workflow.
These days its a mix of VSTs and analog. I have a Sequential Prophet-5 which appears all over Modern Life, an OB-6, a Juno 106, and a JX-3P.
I think analog has its place when it makes sense, but I wouldn’t consider writing a full track with only analog as it takes a lot more time and my workflow is really based on getting ideas out fast. Analog is usually something I’ll incorporate when a song’s about 70% done and I just want to add some of that analog warmth that you can’t replicate with VSTs. With that said, layering analog with VSTs adds a lot of organic character that I like.
Synthbeat: You’re playing guitar as well on Modern Life? Are you playing everything? Who can you thank for your musical skills, who taught you growing up?
John Kunkel: I play guitar on several tracks, but I have a very specific style of playing that doesn’t always fit every song. Whenever that happens, I gravitate towards asking a friend to complete the guitar duties. I’m fortunate to know a lot of great guitarists, each one with their own unique style. James Meays (Missing Words) who’s our current guitarist writes great bluesy and 1980s inspired riffs, while Brock Woolsey (former guitarist in our band) does really unique indie rock riffs.
I learned to play keys and guitars pretty early on in Uruguay through a few different teachers. I can’t recall their names at the top of my head but they all taught me to play by ear, which I think helped me rely on mood and vibe versus sheet music. Unofficially though Noel Gallagher was my best teacher. In my teenage years I practically learned every Oasis guitar solo by ear.
Synthbeat: What’s your favorite synth? VST? FX?
John Kunkel: That’s a tough one. It really depends on the season and what I’m into musically. I think as far as analog synths, the Oxford Company OSCar is high on the list. After that I’d have to go with a digital synth like the Korg M1, only because some of my favorite records of all time were recorded with (Depeche Mode, etc).
VST wise, I really love the VPS Avenger. I think its one of the strongest synths out there since it functions both as a sampler and synthesizer. After that, I’ve always been a massive fan of Omnisphere and Zebra (particularly the Hans Zimmer variant, ZebraHZ).
Synthbeat: I notice that you use reverb “as an instrument?” Can you comment on how you find reverb effective?
John Kunkel: I suppose that’s a good observation considering the copious amount of reverb on TND songs!
Music without reverb sounds a bit bland to me. I think it’s probably because I grew up listening to “huge” sounding records in my teen years. Bands like U2, Oasis, Tears for Fears, and Depeche Mode all used reverb heavily, and whenever I tried producing songs without reverb, they felt small, bedroomey.
I also fell in love with Progressive and Trance around the time I started writing as The New Division, so reverb just became a necessity for what I was trying to accomplish. Its easy to get carried away with it, and there’s been a handful of times I went over the edge, but at the same time I think “misusing” reverb can create a vibe that some people appreciate. I will say this, though, The New Division would be a very different band without reverb.
Synthbeat: Tell me how the studio is an instrument in itself?
John Kunkel: Well, if we’re talking about how a studio can dictate your mood, then I guess its much like how a guitar has that sound you’re looking for or it doesn’t. Aside from that, I think the studio is more of an environment than an instrument in and of itself.
Synthbeat: Your influences are many, from the 80s but I actually hear more of post-2010 influence in the production. Agree or disagree?
John Kunkel: No doubt, I think the production techniques I employ are mainly derived from Trance and Progressive, I just choose to use the 80s as a source of inspiration for the overall mood and vibe. The 80s comes into play through the songwriting structure, the guitar elements, and drum sounds. Though there’s been plenty of times where I’ve written songs that have very little “80s” in them.
Synthbeat: Thematically, how much do you feel personal melancholy feeds into your lyrics and sonic moods?
John Kunkel: Quite a lot, but I also don’t think melancholy is the only driving force. We’re all a momentary build of a range of emotions. There’s been several times I’ve started writing and had no clue what I was feeling. Sometimes I’ll feel euphoric, other times lethargic, and occasionally I’ll be writing from a place of confusion. So its hard to say what really drives my lyrics and sonics, but I suppose that’s for the listener to decide how it makes them feel rather than what I was experiencing.
Synthbeat: What was the experience touring with Peter Hook (whom you reached out to early on) Peter Murphy, etc? What did you learn on these tours from the elder statesmen of synthpop and alt rock?
John Kunkel: It was great honestly, we got along with Peter Hook’s band really well. It was incredible hanging out with all these Mancunians and having your mind blown as you’ve been dreaming about this moment ever since you were a teen.
As far as learning anything, I suppose I realized that life doesn’t end after you hit a certain age. Hooky and his crew are still going strong, and it’s inspiring to know that I can keep going when I hit that age as well. I think there’s a bit of a stigma around older rock stars, and some of it could be grounded in a few truths, but the way Hooky and his band carry themselves through that many shows is something to be witnessed. Their energy and passion is very palpable.
Synthbeat: Are you ever tempted to write a straight up top ten single? Why or why not?
John Kunkel: As The New Division? Probably not. Only because this project has a very specific sound that wouldn’t translate well into a top ten/top 40 tune. I also can’t really say I’ve heard anything in that world that’s made the hairs on my arm prickle up. If I’m not feeling it, I probably would have a hard time writing something in that vein. With that said, if an artist from that world approached me to help produce and write for them, I’d be all in. I’d even try to sneak in a few TND elements in there!
www.newdivisionmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/TheNewDivision
https://www.instagram.com/TheNewDivision
https://www.youtube.com/TheNewDivision
https://twitter.com/TheNewDivision
https://www.tiktok.com/@thenewdivisionofficial
finis
