If I ever run in to Matt Papich of Co La at a gas station, I know exactly how it’s going to go. Making sure he doesn’t see me, I’ll run inside to buy him a Coke. Back outside, I’ll place it on the hood of his car. I’ll stand perfectly still until he sees me. Eventually we’ll lock eyes and we’ll both smile. I’ll say “Co Ca” and he’ll say “Co La,” and we’ll go back and forth like that until his 2001 Geo Metro finishes filling up, at which point he’ll say, “Hey man, you want to come hang out at my house and talk about my new album?” And I’ll say, “Boy do I ever!”
Back at his place, he’ll crack open the soda I bought him, settle into his oversized recliner and say, “The new record is called Moody Coup. I guess you could call it a follow-up to Daydream Repeater (TMT Review). The brass at the label, Software Recording Co., tell me we’re going to be releasing it on May 7 of this year.” He’ll be able to tell that I’m pretty bummed I’ve got to wait that long, so he’ll say, “No worries, man, let’s listen to the first single right now. It’s called ‘Melter’s Delight,’ and if I do say so my self, it’s awfully delightful.” We’ll listen to it together:
As the hi-hat fades, we’ll both sit quiet for a minute, thinking about what choices in our lives brought us to this point. Eventually, he’ll break the silence, “You know, I really feel that this new album’s a departure for me.” He’ll talk for a long time about how “the bedrock of Moody Coup is [more] elusive and abstract” than Daydream Repeater, and about how all the “micro pieces” on the album “function mosaically, creating an impression at a macro level that is extremely potent as music as well as concept.” He’ll also probably mention the vocal contributions from Angel Deeradorian. I won’t understand all of it, but I’ll listen intently and try to say something smart about Erik Satie occasionally.
Just before sunrise, I’ll look at my watch in shock. I’ll scramble up, suddenly remembering the dentist appointment that I’d been headed to. He’ll apologize, but I’ll tell him it’s fine, I can always re-schedule. On the walk back to the gas station where I left my car, I’ll grin and think to myself how much better this went than the time I followed Avey Tare around the grocery store, waiting for the perfect moment to drop a case of applesauce into his cart.
• Co La: http://meltersdelight.tumblr.com
• Software: http://www.softwarelabel.net
More about: Co La
