FK chats to Melbourne boy Vincent Corneille about his music lovers label, Son Valise
Your label is great! Tell us about how it all kicked off?
My friends and I have always been big music fans, it is a central part of who we are and how we relate to each other. I felt that portable music seemed to be lacking quality and was often directed down a more introverted pathway (headphones). My Dad is an audiophile and hobbyist so when i mentioned this to him he went into the garage and emerged a few weeks later with the prototype – a large vintage twin cone speaker mounted inside a suitcase running solely on a battery. My friends and I had a great time taking it to the park and beach all summer long it wasn’t long till i was getting requests from people wanting their very own JukeCase.
What were you doing prior to turning old suitcases into modern stereo systems?
I was (and still am) a research scientist, specifically doing cancer research. This project has involved a wide range of technical skills/knowledge but is also a great creative outlet which is a nice contrast to the research field.
Where does the name Son Valise come from, and what does it mean?
We were searching for something that personified the product. Son Valise means “Suitcase Sound” in French. The name was originally a bit of a joke as I have french ancestry, but it seemed to have stuck. I have had native french speakers tell me that it is a grammatically incorrect translation… But I don’t mind that its not perfect.
What are the top five tunes pumping out of the suitcases at the moment?
1. Luthor Vandross – Never too much
2. Erykah Badu – Turn Me Away (Get Munny)
3. The Avalanches – Two hearts in 3/4 time
4. El Guincho – Bombay
5. Cornelius – Point
What has the reaction been like so far, and what things have you been learning along the way?
The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. I see people innately smile as they walk past the market stall and see their first JukeCase. It is a nice feeling that something I have made is bringing some joy into the world. I am learning so much about all manners of things! A lot about business, philosophy, marketing, humanity. Hahaha, I like to think big. I think the most important thing is to really listen to people and hear what they would like to see in this project. I have some really interesting collaborations in the pipeline as a result.
What inspires your work, and where would you like to see your work in the future?
A multitude of inspirations: My family has inspired me since birth on the audio front and have always been very supportive. I am inspired to continually strive to reach my goals. Music has always inspired me. It is a very important part of my life and many of my memories are intertwined with songs and albums I was listen to at the time. The environment. I know silence can be beautiful but I do think music can hold a very special place in the great outdoors. Last year I was sitting atop a volcano watching the sunrise listening to a Cornelius album. It was a surreal experience. My friends constantly inspire me in all manners of life. At the end of the day I make JukeCases so that I can kick back in the park with my friends, listen to some great tunes and live life.
I would like to see JukeCases sitting along side people in parks and on beaches all around Australia.
