ODELET On the Making Of ‘Raindance’
Can you talk about any specific themes or motifs that run throughout 'Raindance?'
Minimalism. The whole ‘Raindance’ album is an exercise in simplicity. Even in the mix, the band is starkly dry. It hopefully brings up a deep love for soul music, jazz, hip hop, and traditional music… but through nothing more than a wild, unpolished performance. Everyone’s heard the saying less is more, and if that’s true, ‘Raindance’ is so much more… cause it feels like a lot… but it’s really not. It’s just a Miss and her keyboard. ;) Hopefully that’s mind boggling when listening.
Can you share any interesting or unique musical elements or production techniques used in 'Raindance?'
We loved the production of ‘Raindance’ so much. In arrangement style it’s the follow up to “The Angels Album” we did in 2022, so it’s a simple three piece, drums, bass, keys, and a single vocal, no harmonies. It was mixed in Jackpot! Studio in Portland, OR, by our favorite engineer in the world, Larry Crane. After he had mixed the whole record, and he was such a pleasure to work with, we asked if he’d like to take part in a remix series we’d been talking about doing for a long time, done in a 1970’s “Dub” style. We just thought we’d make a first attempt at it and see what we got… but magically, it turned out that Larry was perhaps the only engineer in the world qualified to spearhead the series. In a continuous “performance mix” of the whole album, he created an entirely different presentation of the material, that was so good, we decided we had to release it alongside “Raindance”. It’s playfully titled “Odelet and E.T. Raindance In Dub With Larry Crane and… Jackpot!”… or “Raindance In Dub” for short. It drops the same day as “Raindance”, July 11th.
Can you talk about any standout tracks on the album and what makes them special to you?
“Dirge” is a really special one… it’s a jazz song from a different time, but it slaps so hard. “Sands Of Time” is heavy… dark and dreamy. “Know It All” is a lovely slow jam… then it explodes. “Be Still” feels like a hip hop anthem… that went back in time and got played by a surf rock band. “Jezebel”, woh… she haunts me. “Raindance” is something strange and new… but makes me want to dance. “Wake Up Call” is my JAM… it’s like a brisk wind in the morning. “Think It Over” makes me fall in love… with anything. “Up Up and Away” is one of the loveliest… and most gangster. “Bayou” might be my favorite… maybe.
What has been the most memorable experience or achievement in your music career so far?
Each album. Every time we finish an album, it feels like a monumental achievement… this year has been crazy. We just dropped “Angels (Revived)”, a massive reprisal album in April, now we’ve got “Raindance” and “Raindance In Dub” dropping in July… and we already have the “Angels In Dub” remix album finished… and an instrumental album, “Odelet In Version”, already mixed… so yeah, this year, right now, feels like the biggest achievement yet. :)
Are there any upcoming projects or releases that you're particularly excited about?
Ha… I guess I just named a bunch… but yes, the “Dub” series. “Raindance in Dub”, then “Angels in Dub”, and we’re working on a “Dubby Pisces Pie” album as well… the remix series has been a blast to make. We’ve never heard anything like it, even in the incredible world of “Dub”… it’s definitely something new.
