Zai Kowen

Zai Kowen has been an electronic music producer since 2017 and has experimented with many genres. He is best known in the vaporwave world for his future funk releases. Keep an eye out for his upcoming album Unbound.

Pool Plants: What is your personal history with Argentinian music? Who are your favorite Argentinian musicians or bands? What kind of non-Argentinian music did you listen to growing up?

Zai Kowen: During my childhood and adolescence, I didn't listen to much local music in my country. I listened a lot to Soda Stereo, Babasónicos, and Tan Bionica. The latter two bands mix Latin pop with electronic music, which I really liked and it stuck in my memory. Later, I started listening to Daft Punk, Justice, Deadmouth5, Modjo, among others.

P: How were you first introduced to vaporwave music and how did you get your start in the vaporwave scene? How did you come up with your artist name? What do you like in the current vaporwave scene?

Z: I started making music in 2013. I began making dubstep, influenced by Skrillex's work, through whom I discovered more artists in the subgenre. I composed all of this under another nickname, "Manustep." Then I left the project in 2016, and later I discovered the nostalgic aesthetic of Vaporwave and Future Funk, which caught my attention. I chose a name to differentiate myself from others: Zai Kowen was born in 2017. I started making Vaporwave and then delved into Future Funk and subsequent genres.

Currently, I'm not very involved in the Vaporwave scene because I'm experimenting with new, fresh ideas. From my perspective, I think the scene has changed a lot over the years, and now I see that artists are experimenting with something fresher, more ambient, and mysterious, which is good.

P: When making vaporwave, how much do you draw on Argentinian music and influences? Have you made albums that are about Argentina in any particular way? Do you think there is anything unique about Vaporwave from Argentina?

Z: When I started, I didn't know any other vaporwave artists in Argentina. I was always influenced by Saint Pepsi, who for me is the king of the genre and of Future Funk as well.

I've never made an album about Argentina, but it wouldn't be a bad idea. If I did, it would have something like indie rock, electronica, pop, and vaporwave.

P: Have you worked with other Argentinian musicians or artists, either locally or nationally? How about people in other countries in South or Central America?

Z: During these almost 10 years of my musical career, I've collaborated with all kinds of artists from almost all over the world. Not only nationally, but internationally. Here in Argentina, I've collaborated with Shiruetto and Minuit Cafe. And I might collaborate with Lady Stark in the future. I've collaborated with Luanmer, AST3R3O, and many more.

P: Do you think you are able to connect easily with the American or European vaporwave scenes despite the geographical distance?

Z: I easily connect with the scene almost everywhere. I don't have a specific preference for which one I relate to more. I'm also not very up-to-date with the current scene because, as I mentioned, it's been a long time since I've made vaporwave music. That doesn't mean I won't return to the genre in the future, but for now I’m doing more original things.

P: What is one thing you would like to see happen with vaporwave in Argentina or vaporwave in general? How do you think the vaporwave scene in Argentina could grow?

Z: Here in Argentina, it's somewhat difficult for the vaporwave genre to grow. And I'm not sure about future funk either. I think there needs to be an influence from well-known artists who promote these genres so they go viral and people get hooked. Otherwise, it wouldn't exist because it would remain a misunderstood aesthetic in Argentina. There was a group called Vapor Crew, a group of friends who did vaporwave and experimental music, but I lost track of them.

You can find Zai Kowen's music on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Bandcamp. Follow him on Instagram and X.

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