IN CONVERSATION WITH COPPOLA
Interview by Samo Šajn
Brazilian producer and DJ Coppola presents his debut album Sandbox Dreams, released on Gui Boratto’s D.O.C. Records. The album blends house, disco, soul, and downtempo into a personal and expressive listening experience. We caught up with Coppola to talk about the inspiration behind the album, his creative process, and the ideas that shaped this new chapter in his career.
“Sandbox Dreams” is described as both playful and deeply personal. What moment or experience first inspired the concept behind this album?
This album was created from sounds that remind me of my childhood and my younger self. I made it without focusing on dance floors; instead, it’s meant to be listened to on a road trip, at the gym, or on a sunny day by the pool. It’s perfect for everyday moments.
You move between house, disco, soul, and downtempo throughout the album. How do you approach blending such diverse genres while still keeping a cohesive sound?
I’ve always associated music with colors, and the tracks I created for this album share a very cohesive palette. The selection of timbres, harmonies, and drum patterns is similar throughout, which makes these tracks feel like sisters to one another.
You’ve said this album represents “rediscovering the joy of creation.” What changed in your process that helped you tap into that feeling?
Not limiting myself creatively was essential, because, from my perspective, many of the sounds I hear today feel generic and over-polished, as if everyone is following the same formulas and patterns to make music. I chose not to surrender to the current standards of electronic music.
The singles “Tip Toe” and “Grooving Without Moving” feature strong vocal performances. How did working with these artists shape the direction of the album?
“Tip Toe” started with a groove I had already built in the studio, and its vibe matched perfectly with my friend Odaya’s vocals. I called him, and he came over to record at my studio. He wrote the lyrics, and we developed the melodic direction together. It turned into a very sweet track.
“Grooving Without Moving” was the last track I made for the album, and honestly, I almost ran out of time to finish it hahaha. My friend Bauhouse came to me with the initial idea, including the harmony, drums, and guitar. From there, I recorded the bass and synths, tweaked the drums, structured the track, and then invited our friend Frannk Whitte to record the vocals. It sounded great, but I felt the album was missing a female voice, so I invited my friend Maria Paula Cunha to close the track with a golden touch.
You’ve released many tracks, but this is your first full LP. What did the album format allow you to express that singles couldn’t?
I think every musician dreams of releasing an album, and I’m no exception. Since these tracks aren’t really built to hit hard on the dance floor, it didn’t make much sense to release them as singles once they were finished. So I decided to bring them together and release them as an album.
With support from major names in the electronic scene, how has that recognition influenced your mindset while working on Sandbox Dreams?
The support from these people helped me reach a wider audience on digital platforms, and it was absolutely necessary because releasing an album wouldn’t make sense without listeners to hear it.
Is there a track on the album that pushed you into new creative territory or surprised you during production?
I’d say “Grooving Without Moving”, because it has a very strong and authentic bassline, and I explored a higher BPM than I usually work with. I also really love my track with Gui Boratto, “Blue House Park”. I think it’s very authentic as well and truly stands out from the usual patterns.
You’ve performed at some of Brazil’s top festivals and clubs. How do you imagine presenting the album’s more cinematic or soulful moments in a live setting?
I’m considering making a remix album of Sandbox Dreams to make some of these tracks easier to play on the dance floor. I’m also thinking about starting to perform live in the near future, incorporating real instruments and live vocals into some of my shows.
Gui Boratto and D.O.C. Records are known for developing innovative artists. What guidance or inspiration did you take from working with them?
Gui Boratto was a true mentor to me. I spent thousands of hours with him in the studio, and what started as a collaboration turned into a friendship that’s lasted more than ten years. He taught me almost everything I know about music production. I’m deeply grateful to him and to D.O.C. Records. Love you, Gui.
As you step onto a more global stage, what do you hope listeners understand about you as an artist through this album?
I want listeners to know that the music a DJ produces can go far beyond what they play in their sets or what you usually hear on the dance floor. This album was made for me. When I created these tracks, I wasn’t thinking about a target audience. I made them without limitations, with the only goal being that the sounds truly pleased me. I believe it became a very easy-listening album.
