Ibiza, often known as the island full of magic. True. Here, our ocean’s magical underwater ecosystem plays a crucial role in the planet’s survival. Ibiza, also the island often blamed for tempting the people with recreational drugs…. but remember, it’s your choice – and you can just say no. On Ibiza lives a very independent, refined woman who values highly this reality – she’s Italian composer and sound engineer Coco Francavilla. Inside her state-of-the-art recording studio, Wider Sounds, set on 90,000 m2 of nature in serene North Ibiza, we delve into her past and present music odyssey where she reflects on her deeply rooted True Punk Rock state of mind.
It’s 2024 and Coco’s sounds encompass a diverse range. Live ambient sets, dreamlike creations, ethereal and immersive, sonic experiences that are ultimately a more relaxed sort of electronic music that monopolises Ibiza. Experimenting on the healing nature of sound and binaural beats to slow down brain activity for meditation, also fascinates her and this genre-blending music is nothing like punk rock – despite listening to it and being a fan at the age of 15. “I think the music industry is really made of circles, you know, and the ambient music scene on ibiza is small but we are an inspiring community, we all know each other,” Coco’s prime circle might be small but her collaborations span far and wide. British Artist Skin, from Skunk Aniase, first introduced Coco to Ibiza about 14 years ago; “I came here because of Skin who was staying here at the time… she took us to a club and she wanted me to produce a record.” She also collaborated with Swedish DJ and Trance Producer Adam Beyer.
Feeling enchanted whilst sipping on a cup of her zesty homemade carob juice and cocooned by gear (of the music kind) such as vintage synthesisers, modular synths, outboards and pianos, I’m curious to know more… “When I discovered this movement in the 90’s it was kind of disruptive… it came from the US – it was very far from… my let’s say classical environment. “There is nothing a man can do, that you can’t. No matter what you do, just do what you like and make your own money, your own career and don’t rely on a man,” her mother told her. “My father is an artist and architect and my mother was emancipated, feminist and fiercely independent.” Those powerful words appear to have influenced her as she worked as the only woman in a team of 40 during a global tour as the sound engineer for famous electronic festival Afterlife, who hold a residency at Ibiza’s Hï nightclub. After winning a scholarship to study in New York something left a lasting impact; “I fell in love with an older guy, I was probably 13 or 14 and he was in his 20’s and we became really good friends. He was following this Punk Rock movement called Straight Edge.”
Whilst renowned punks such as the Sex Pistols were high on alcohol and drugs, an opposing movement emerged known as “Hardcore Punk” – a rebellion against Punk’s excessive drug use. Some also followed veganism and vegetarianism. “How about you?” I asked Coco. “I am vegetarian” she says. “It was a way of living, of having a really big ethic about what you do,” she reflects back on New Yorks past underground music scene “the musicians had a strong do it yourself ethic with a political edge, to be close to social justice, and human rights. One of the members of this movement was Steve Albini, he produced Nirvana, P J Harvey and the Pixies… one of the greatest producers on earth. Just recently he died of a heart attack, I was so shocked. People like him and Ian MacKaye not only influenced me, but a whole generation of kids who grew up with this music integrity. Don’t sell yourself to the devil, for money or fame… only do what you like, what you’re passionate about – you don’t need to sign to a major label”. I was fascinated by this and it always stayed inside of me. I think all the choices that I made in my life were linked to this ideology. I wrote the movie campaigns for Blade Runner 2049 and the Hunger Games, but I can still make the music I like. If I choose to make my own label, I don’t need to listen to anyone else… I don’t have to sell my music rights to anybody.” It’s not always easy, like anything in the entertainment industry, but if I want to spend an afternoon with my daughter I can do that, which is my biggest freedom.
So what does it mean to be Hardcore Punk? “Well, I never had this desire to have an artists career you know. I felt like it never really belonged to me, for my ethics and my way of seeing life. I made music for films and electronic music from a very young age… with a strong Punk Rock do it yourself approach… like true punk rock. Back then I was listening to bands like Fugazi and Shellac and those guys never made their tickets too expensive. Like now, if you want to go a show you spend like two to three hundred euros and there’s VIP tables which for me is very lame. I think a lot of the ambient music scene has a different kind of a work ethic. Ibiza has changed so much over the years. It’s become very VIP, which I think has pushed a lot of artists and more bohemian people let’s say, out of the island, which is a shame.
Coco’s latest project Musicforthesea.org was inspired by the work of Manu San Félix, Marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer and aims to connect the international electronic music scene, artists, scientists, and innovators to amplify marine conservation in the fight against climate change. “I got really fascinated about this topic, how the Posidonia in our sea is vital for all mankind – one square metre of this incredible plant absorbs fifteen times the amount of CO2 that’s absorbed by the Amazon Rainforest. My Point is about creating awareness…. everything is connected to the sea.”
