CRONAM On the Making Of ‘Decompression’
Can you share any interesting or unique musical elements or production techniques used in 'Decompression?'
The track “Decompression” started out as a live recording I did with my Eurorack Modular Synths. My rack consists of analog drum- and complex synth modules such as Zephyr and the Ultra Kick Module from SSF, as well as FM and digital synths for atmospheric textures. So I listened to the recording a couple of days later and thought: “Yay, this banger is definitely worth releasing!”. So I went into the multitrack recording in my DAW (Ableton Live) and did the post-production, mixing and mastering of the track to polish it and make the drums, sub base and main synth stand out to push the deep dubstep feeling of the track.
How does 'Decompression' fit into your overall artistic vision?
My artistic vision is to create contemporary bass music with an experimental edge to push the boundaries. I’m always drawn to the deeper, darker side of music and love to experiment with hardware synths to get the best out of them. The ‘Decompression’ EP is a milestone for me as I was able to express exactly what I wanted: A deep, cinematic and intoxicating dubstep flavour.
It was inspiring to combine all of my artistic and technological abilities such as Sound Design, Modular Synths, Turntablism and Mixing/Mastering to finish it up.
What has been one of your favorite memories along the path to making this EP?
It is always incredible to hear a live recording and get hyped by it. For the ‘Decompression’ EP especially one of my favourite moments was when I finished the mastering and then listened to the EP driving around with a Friend on a trip in OC California. It was so hard-hitting in the car which made me really happy. I got a lot of positive feedback.
How do you approach creating something new and different?
I get a lot of inspiration from experimenting with synths and drums. I usually create a patch on my Eurorack modular synths and as the patch evolves an idea is forming. I do a lot of improvisation and usually aim to be able to perform my music live. When I feel good about a patch I start a live recording and improvise. Sometimes the recording is satisfactory and I decide to polish it and then I get a new track for an upcoming release project.
Can you share a memorable experience from a collaboration that enriched your music?
When I met with fellow artists the first time starting to jam and play together and it just works without many words. It’s like getting caught up in a brain sync with other artists. Those moments are truly magical. And this style of collaboration truly enriches me as an Artist and my music.
One of those collaborations really stood out and soon I will play live concerts in Berlin with my new Band called Forms of Entrophy, which combines different crafts like Modular Synths, Turntablism, Sampling and Finger Drumming in a coherent Live setup, playing Dubstep, DnB and Hip Hop.
ALBUM REVIEW: LA MVERTE “Alchemy Calls”
Staff Pick
Revolving around three stages in the pathway of philosopher’s stone in alchemy, a mystical object that could turn base metals into gold or silver and achieve immortality, which symbolizes enlightenment and perfection, La Mverte’s Alchemy Call illustrate and further interpret the stages with three tracks: “Nigredo,” “Albedo,” and “Rubedo,” which represents blackness (death/decomposition), whiteness (purification), and redness (reborn) respectively. The EP also includes two remixes of “Nigredo.”
La Mverte’s method of sonic symbolism in Alchemy Call is quite fascinating, where themes and variations spread out throughout the record with different underlying meanings, adding a poetic touch to its gesture. Observing the sonic development between death, spiritualism, and sacredness contrasting with the reinforcement of dissonance and theme while beats behave distinctly in different stages.
“Nigredo Ft. JC From Vox Low” spirals down a dark, eerie theme tackling elusive dark visions with a heavy, punchy beat that intensifies the decomposition. It reminds you of the constant industrial compression that beats an object to its very core, where Jean-Christophe Courderc’s vocal connects the idea with a confrontation with one’s own demon. In the brutal, repetitive self-interrogation, the idea of self is breaking down to what it’s truly made off.
Stepping into the second stage, “Albedo” begins with a constant ring carried throughout the track as purification gradually takes its shape. The same spoken line distorts according to the stretch of space in a penetrating beat, stripping down all judgments. “Rubedo” rises above the sky with a choir, organ-like brightness where the regroup of elements takes shape into the becoming of something new yet familiar, filled with limitless possibilities.
Written by Katrina Yang
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