"넌 늘 이세계와 닿지 않은 푸른 빛을 어느새 내 곁에 차가운 섬처럼..."
A genre, broadly speaking, defines a style, a type of art of course and when it comes to musical styles, shoegaze possesses atmospheres that are easy to define (in a way). Blues of any type, at it's core came from the American deep south with African American roots build distinctly from spirituals, work songs, tied to slavery, tied to pain and survival of hard circumstances. Shoegaze broadly while less discerning in terms of a historical narrative and stemming from so many 80's styles from indie rock, alt rock, space rock, psych rock, Japanese rock, electro pop, proto punk holds more vague emotional origins but for me is clouded in pain as well. The obscured vocal sense, the foggy melancholia creates an atmosphere that feels highly interpretative.
As I am dealing with some physical issues that limit my sense of well being, the wallowing nature of "My Electronic Idol" wraps around me like a blanket. This sonic blanket serves as a cover for my sadness as well as a protective wall until things get better. It is something I have always felt with shoegaze that I gravitate towards. The musician / band is Chicago based Seoul, South Korean DIY artist / producer Precocious Neophyte is a mystery but I am moved by her words on her Bandcamp. Personal bloodletting (as notes below) about PN's full album release "Home In The Desert":
[I quit everything. My job, friends, family, and bands.
I decided that I would never play the guitar in front of people.
I shut myself in. Cocooning. Just read Korean novels, a little poetry.
I decided that I would never listen to loud music.
But I did. Because it was so beautiful.
Once I started listening to it, I could not stop.
I started flashing back to my old days.
Took out my guitar.. Thought about my sad friends, crouched down to sleep in groups underground.
Played jam on the guitar alone.. Thought about the alley watching the dawn together in Hongdae. So often.
Hummed melodies.. Thought about home. My childhood. Where is my home? I’ve never run to my mother crying every night. Never.
Just bewitched by dark trees outside of the window.
Last year, I began to dream. Playing in a band. Again.
I’m still in my tiny room.
Struggling. Processing.
But I will do it. I will.]
I decided that I would never play the guitar in front of people.
I shut myself in. Cocooning. Just read Korean novels, a little poetry.
I decided that I would never listen to loud music.
But I did. Because it was so beautiful.
Once I started listening to it, I could not stop.
I started flashing back to my old days.
Took out my guitar.. Thought about my sad friends, crouched down to sleep in groups underground.
Played jam on the guitar alone.. Thought about the alley watching the dawn together in Hongdae. So often.
Hummed melodies.. Thought about home. My childhood. Where is my home? I’ve never run to my mother crying every night. Never.
Just bewitched by dark trees outside of the window.
Last year, I began to dream. Playing in a band. Again.
I’m still in my tiny room.
Struggling. Processing.
But I will do it. I will.]
NOTE: If this rambling feels rambly, I am not blaming current medications.
-Robb Donker Curtius
+ + +
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:
https://precociousneophyte.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/track/5fRGGmMPk26fT36FsBpHFb
DIY musician in Chicago from South Korea. This 100% homemade shoegaze album got reviewed on KEXP.
** At this particular time we find ourselves in a financial pinch due to many factors. We want to keep AP going. It has been a passion project for over 13 years. PLEASE consider donating, we could really use the support. Thanks so much+ + +
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:
https://precociousneophyte.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/track/5fRGGmMPk26fT36FsBpHFb
DIY musician in Chicago from South Korea. This 100% homemade shoegaze album got reviewed on KEXP.
We get by with a little help from our friends
Precocious Neophyte, stirring bass lines, rapturous guitars, melancholia, shoegaze, post punk ascensions, bedroom pop tones, Chicago, Seoul, South Korea, "My Electronic Idol",
No comments:
Post a Comment