It's been a busy year for Jessica Cho, AKA Korea Town Acid. She's put out three records since 2021 and built close ties with neighbouring cities like Montreal and New York all the while finessing her live hardware shows. Speaking to Resident Advisor during MUTEK Montreal this past August, Cho unpacks her creative philosophy and the inspiration for her new album, Elephant in the Room.

"There's always pressure to make a banger," she says on the topic of sonic identity. "Sometimes, I just want to do what I do and make art." An advocate of cross-genre styles, the Toronto-based talent relies on her instincts when it comes to production. "I just try to do my thing, even if it's not digestible for everybody." Elephant in the Room is more than just palatable. Weaving in rap, jungle and glitch, it features an all-Canadian roster of guests and serves as a time capsule of Cho's pandemic experience. "I felt like I was the elephant in the room, isolated and trying to record this album."

A classically trained pianist, Cho has a wide range of influences that informs her craft. To hear more about her love for hip-hop, how she began building her modular set-up and what the Toronto scene is like, listen to the full conversation.

EX.635 Korea Town Acid

The weekly RA Exchange is a series of conversations with artists, labels and promoters shaping the electronic music landscape.