Coppergear is an experimental, post-industrial artist from Québec, Canada.
Owner of Steampunk Alien records.-
https://coppergear.bandcamp.com/
https://coppergear.weebly.com/
https://steampunkalienrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@SteampunkALIEN
- What is the meaning and the concept behind the name of your music project?
Oh ! I used to use the name "Coppergear" when I played video games online... I still do !
I tought it sounded nice and well it's pretty hard to find a name for a music project that hasn't been used a hundred times. So when you find one : keep it !
- What equipment do you use for create music?
ANYTHING !
Literally ! I have a lot of musical instruments (most of them I made myself, like my 6 electric guitars...) But I also use VSTi and samples I make walking around in my home or outside with my Zoom recorder !!
Any sound can make music !
- Tell us a little biography about your project, when you started to make music?
In 1988, Mathieu Lachance (a.k.a. Coppergear) purchased a rather dubious synthesizer and immediately began making experimental music with different bands (Eugène, Gâce Brulé, etc.). At the same time, he started learning acoustic guitar. Rather than pursing the typical path of a musician, he fell in love with composing. He eventually bought an electric bass and joined the band "L'Ombre de l'Erreur", which developed a cult following in the Quebec City alternative scene. Mathieu Lachance went on to perform and collaborate with several other groups and began classical academic training to develop his knowledge of music. He then opted to leave the bass behind to focus on the electric guitar and founded the band "L'Heure du Crime", a punkish group which embraced experimental sounds. The group played few shows, but produced an album entitled "Catharsis", some of its tracks made it on to the charts of university and community radio stations in Quebec City and Montreal.
A few years later, Mathieu started the alternative-electronic band Quai M-83. At this point, he returned to synthesizers, while continuing to play electric guitar as part of the project. The band played several shows in different cities. When the group broke up, he stopped making music temporarily. Still, Mathieu Lachance (Coppergear) remained creative, painting and creating steampunk jewelry. But music was never far away, so he took part in a few underground projects, such as "La Shed" (a cover band that reimagined well-known songs in a highly original way) and "Lips and Light Shade" (a post-punk solo project). It became clear that Mathieu was made to create music on his own.
Unaware of what the future would bring, Mathieu began inventing, creating and modifying musical instruments such as electric guitars, several "noise boxes", a bass featuring giant springs instead of strings and a small acoustic guitar modified with a "flat bridge" and multiple springs inside, giving it a unique but slightly sitar-like sound.
In early 2023, Coppergear (Mathieu Lachance), well into his new project, composed the EP "001" and the album "Hiver Magnétique". Several albums have since followed, as well as compilations and collaborations.
- Who are your main music and artistic influences?
Again, I have to say : Anything.
Or better : Anyone.
I listened to post-punk, electro, techno, but also classical music...
I can also find inspiration in a book or an abstract painting for music. The wires in my brain tend to work in a peculiar way...
- What underground artists from the netlabel scene do you like?
I really like some of the artists on my label: Steampunk ALIEN Records. Recently I listen to James Ghost, a very talented composer.
- Do you have some influence from your country in your music?
In Canada they are some great composers in various underground scenes, like : Godspeed You Black Emperor or Tim Hecker
- What is your favorite album/ep composed by you? And why?
I don't know yet... I've made too many albums or not enough...
But I really like my latest publication "RELAX" and I'm working on a very long album that will be called "29" It should come out in early 2025
- What are your preferred music platforms/websites? Why?
Bandcamp, for sure. Because you pay only when you sell something. Also YouTube is still one of (if not) the biggest platform for music
- Any funny anecdote in the composition of a track or an album?
Recently I composed a very complex piece of music that took me a long time to make. Completely at the end of the track there was an echo with noises and remains of what was the music before. I said to myself : "This noise is better than the WHOLE track that I made. So I just kept the noise at the end and scraped the rest !
- Do you play live? How was the experience?
I played live. I play live. And I will continue to play live in the future ! I just love it too much. Especially now that I make everything by myself : I can't always be at home making music like a hermit, I NEED to see who is out there...
- Any news for 2025?
Yes ! A LOT of things ! But it's all still in the vault for now... (meaning : TOP SECRET)
- Do you want to say anything else to your listeners?
If you are used to listening to mostly one style of music. Give something else a try... You might find something you like !
