From the opening haunting notes of “your last touch” through to the end of “empty grounds”, the Promise by Weeping Boy is a work of experimental electronic music that hits you in the feels. When I first heard “lonely nights”, in some weird way that I couldn’t quite put my finger on, it almost reminded me of sombre indie rock from the early 2000’s even though that’s not at all the genre of the work itself. Then it hit me; vulnerability. That’s what it was. Vulnerability on full display.
Glassy ambient synth textures combine with occasional subtle, noise-oriented, percussion. Occasional pulsing arpeggios and sparse melodies float around the listener’s space. Inventive spacey pad-synths float above minimalist bass pulses on “inching closer” while subtle percussive samples carry the listener forward. “hearing voices” is another inventive and haunting piece, where sample aliasing and subtle bit distortion are used as an emotive textural backdrop that swirls about the listener’s head, while samples drift overtop.
“breaking waves” is a truly unique collage of almost melodic string type pads and digital bassy pulses, evolving into monosynth lines in the vein of classic experimental electronic music from the 70’s.
Packaged with gorgeous abstract artwork that complements the sonic qualities of the release, “The Promise” is a quirky, experimental and haunting release that will leave you aware that you’re longing for something, even if you’re not quite sure what that something is. Fantastic release.
Opening up with a deceptively simple electro flavoured beat, “@4” by Ronnie Spice is a unique and creative piece of music that pushes electronic music genre boundaries while also wearing some influences on its sleeve. In doing so it creates something fresh and original.
The whole track could be described as experimental, but with nods to electro house, hip-hop and even jazz. Phasing funky pads glide over a slowly evolving, but steady electro-house sort of beat, with sharp digital bass lines poking through the mix. Harmonized cold but funky synth stabs come in and out. Experimental electronic percussion elements are sprinkled throughout the track, which really shine and make me curious to hear more!
Around 2 minutes into the track a brief but solid rap vocal comes in and takes the track in a whole new direction.
Coupled with a gorgeous vintage looking photo of the artist’s day to day view from his workplace “@4” is something that needs to be experienced, repeatedly!
Finnish artist The Nightwalker comes to WEATNU Records with his debut release (Nobody Can’t Escape From Karma) Le Clotêt Avec Garcés hails from homeland of Catalonia, originally releasing under a folk-grunge album in 2015 and moving this year to an electro sound. Producing music in the cold north under the land of lights. The Nightwalker brings influences from GusGus and classic electro. His music has been heard worldwide. Hearing the melody that penetrates the heart and soul, you’re soon not to forget this tune.
“Amsterdam’s Except Elephant’s music is tempting, sensual, and very unique. She will be releasing her first single, Mermaid, from her forthcoming EP on WEATNU Record’s sub-label – Transmission Nova this April. We discuss her music and visual art making process, her inspirations, and Amsterdam’s DIY scene.“
How would you describe your music?
Except Elephant: A mixture of indie rock, dream pop, some synths and post punky bass lines?
How
long have you been playing and recording?
EE: I started singing, as a hobby, about 13 years ago. I was singing in a band, started with covers just for fun and then we were writing our own songs. There was a big break from that for a while and I started making my own music about 3-4 years ago.
What
is your songwriting process and what gear do you use to make it?
EE: Normally I just start writing without anything in mind and see what comes out. I usually get a bass line down first and then the drums. When I have the rest of the parts, I play with the vocal melodies and write my lyrics.
Do
you play everything on the record or do you have a band?
EE: It’s just me and the Logic Pro x drummer plugin 🙂
Do
you record your own music?
EE: Everything is MIDI, so I do it all on my computer and record my vocals at home too.
Photo by Except Elephant
What
is your forthcoming album about?
EE: I am releasing my first single this April, Mermaid, which I believe is a very good introduction to what my forthcoming EP is mainly about. Choosing to make oneself able to see beyond the constructs we’ve been living in and imagine new worlds.
What
inspired you to create it?
EE: The meaninglessness that the constructs we’ve been living in have created 🙂 By that I mean several kinds of behavior that lead to or arise from discrimination, oppression, destruction, dichotomy etc. How we treat each other (and even ourselves) and everything else around us as a consequence of the world that we’ve created. This is something I was working through also in my video art work the last few years and what troubles me the most in this life!
I
love your artwork for your songs and on Instagram. What is the
concept behind it?
EE: I’ve always used the human body (or body parts) in my visual art as a symbol for humanity as a whole. In my artwork for Except Elephant, I use it as a canvas to signify what makes us; a blend of everything around us, the magic of human power and the destruction this same power brings into the world. Sometimes it’s a bit more personal, just reflecting a mood or part of myself.
How
do you create/make your art?
EE: I snap some photos of myself, load them into Photoshop, make cut outs and start playing with images, colors and textures. It’s not much different to making a collage.
Is
Except Elephant an alter ego and if so who is she?
EE: I wouldn’t say she is an alter ego exactly. More of an exaggerated version of me. She feels like an alien in this place we live in, because she believes that life can be much different and nicer for everyone on earth. And that makes her angry and sad but also caring, almost motherly towards all humanity. She wants to embrace and heal the whole world. Quite ambitious…
What
is the music scene like in Amsterdam?
EE: In Amsterdam you can find a little bit of everything, but it is primarily a clubbing/party city. A lot of the most interesting stuff for live music happens within the Alternative/DIY scene. From punk to Experimental Jazz, you can find some gems in the most unexpected places!
Do
you play live?
EE: Not yet.
Your
voice reminds me of Kate Bush, mystical and stunning. Who has had the
most influence on your music?
EE: That’s very flattering as I consider her voice and her whole existence quite whimsical! I would
mention Radiohead, Placebo and PJ Harvey, but I feel it’s all kind
of like an interpretation of everything I have listened to over the
years, with a lot of 90’s alternative and early 2000’s indie
elements that have really seeped into my blood.
I’m
dying to know what else you have in the works, any new projects
coming up?
EE: I had a really nice collaboration recently with indie artist Uncool Paul, where I added a bit of a melodic synth touch to a couple of his songs from his upcoming album. And I’m excited to be working on a video for Mermaid at the moment. This will be a solo venture too, but I’m already planning ideas for my second single release and video which will be made in collaboration with another visual artist.
#WEATNU Digital Magazine – March 2022 – Leslie Keffer
Top photo: Susana Martins https://www.susana-martins.com/ Follow: Except Elephant on Instagram
