KOAN Sound
About KOAN Sound
KOAN Sound is an electronic music production duo from Bristol, United Kingdom consisting of Will Weeks and Jim Bastow. The project was created in 2008 after the dissolution of several other musical projects. The pair grew their sound out of early electronic influences from acts like Amon Tobin and the Prodigy, working to develop a style that embraced darkness, dramatic use of space, and bass-heavy composition.
The duo cite bands such as Rage Against the Machine and Incubus as early influences. In 2005 the duo began to explore electronic music through artists such as The Prodigy and Noisia. They initially gained recognition as dubstep producers, with earlier popular tracks including "Akira". Some of the duo's productions, such as "Funk Blaster" and "Sly Fox" draw some jazz influences, as seen in Sly Fox's starting drumline and synths.
KOAN Sound's first tracks were decidedly more dubstep oriented, and a 2011 self-released EP, Free, tended more toward that side of their sound. The Max Out EP, released later that same year on Inspected Records, as well as the Funk Blaster EP, also released in 2011 on Skrillex's OWSLA label, both departed somewhat from dubstep, moving the duo's tracks more in the direction of glitchy beats and more funky electronica.
The name is taken from the word kōan, which is a story, dialogue, question, or statement from Chinese Chan Buddhist lore.