I had expected more ego.
But here is Eno, half of the electronic hip-hop duo Analog Fire, shyly sipping his chai latte in Starbucks where we have agreed to meet.
“It’s coffee for the sensitive soul,” he explains with an embarrassed smile.
Eno is an intimidating and aggressive presence when performing. The music, what his father refers to as “intellectro,” combines heavy beats and samples with a strong lyrical base that inspires the audience with its directive to move.
“Music is about losing control,” he says. “I’m here to give it my all and the audience seems to respond to that.”
‘Giving it his all’ transforms him into the powerhouse force I witnessed during their performance, the counterpoint to the softspoken presence before me who confesses he doesn’t even curse.
Bandmate Gregory Louisy describes it this way. “Eno embraces his emotions and channels it through mediums that are part of everyone’s vocabulary.”
The two met at summer camp “before we even liked girls,” says Eno. They began a creative collaboration that continues today.
Back then, it was the age of Garage Band and the two began sharing demos.
“He was prolific” says Eno. “He sent me demos almost every day of great instrumental tracks. He was serious and only gets more so. He doesn’t even play piano! He just programs every sound. He’s a great producer. Better than me at this point.”
“When I give him something to elaborate on, it’s like diving into a pool and coming up a completely different person. He’s a real inspiration for me,” admits Eno.
For Louisy, Eno provides a bit of a kickstart.
“When coming upon an opportunity, he does everything in his power to seize it. It’s quite funny because his impulsiveness is what gets us to do many things,” says Louisy.
Together they take their different influences and points of view and align them into music that continues to improve.
“We strive for the same path,” says Louisy. “He is an inspiration and reminds me of the confidence that I need to have when I feel I have little.”
The duo is almost done with a new album which will depart from their dance party roots and move toward a dreamier, softer sound.
“It’s like soft-serve with a hard shell,” says Eno. “It’ll have some reverb, soft vocals, a driving kick-drum and rich instrumentation.”
They shot a video for a new song, “Tunnel Vision” and are planning a winter tour
After that?
Eno smiles. And with the vigor and confidence of his on-stage alter ego, replies, “After that? Hopefully label shopping.”
