At Home – Mathias Modica of Toy Tonics

Mathias Modica, known to his fans as Kapote, is a music producer who manages the three Berlin based labels with a small crew of friends. He helped to launch the careers of artists like COEO, WhoMadeWho, Phenomenal Handclap Band, Mangabey, Black Loops a.o. and makes music for Berlin underground art happenings. While COVID-19 has led to canceled Toy Tonics showcases across Europe, Mathias is still connecting with fans on streaming services and preparing for the moment he can begin to DJ again.

Connecting with fans through streaming

Creator of Toy Tonics

Above Left

Mathias at his home in Berlin
Photo: Helge Mundt

Tell us a bit about yourself

08 APR 2020 My name is Mathias Modica. I produce music as Kapote and run 3 labels with 2 friends: Toy Tonics, Kryptox and Gomma (now sleeping). I have been in Berlin for 7 years. Before that, I lived in Marseille, Munich and short periods in other places.

Above Left

Mathias surrounded by
his collection of synthesizers
Photo: David Bornscheuer

How have the last few weeks or months shaped or impacted your practice?

With our main label, Toy Tonics, we have been doing big parties all around Europe. We had to cancel 10 events (Milan, London, Munich, Berlin). The next 5 to 10 events will probably be canceled too. That's not so good. But on the other hand people stream a lot and buy our vinyl… so that's a good aspect of the crisis for a label like us.

Normally we do vinyl 1 or 2 times per month. Because of the pandemic, we will stop that over the summer as the postal services don't work well in many countries. We have a big international Toy Tonics fanbase, though, so I hope they will continue to follow us on Bandcamp and buy the vinyl til the party starts again.

Our office is closed currently and we all work from home. The problem is more the artists and DJs of the label: they lose a lot of income and gigs which is a big problem.

Above Right

Mathias stands outside
of Soultrade record store
Photo: Helge Mundt

How are you coping at home?

Watch documentaries! Listen to music that you discover on streaming services. Read books by clever people :)

What has inspired you recently?

I just have read an interview with Naomi Klein, the climate and anti-globalisation activist. She was quite positive about the possibilities of people changing “after-Corona”, so I am positive too.