Shunya’s new album I Have Inspiration For Dragonflies album mixes mild electronica with off kilter melodies and parts of Irish People, giving it one thing of an sudden continental really feel. Stand out observe Doop Boogie is an outstanding hovering slab of lilting drum bass which on it’s personal could possibly be an enormous dance hit. The album that surrounds it’s worthy of considered one of Louder Than Battle’s album of the yr lists.

Take a look at Blockheads Mike Bennett’s interview with the album’s creator, multi-instrumentalist, in demand producer and engineer Alan Keary aka, Shunya.

LTW: Your album has an uncommon title. How did it come about?

Alan Keary: Throughout lockdown I constructed a pond in our again backyard and crammed it with pond vegetation in hope to draw some wild life – frogs, critters, bugs and so on. Ponds are wonderful as you may go away them be and nature does it’s factor (because it does so nicely). pal of mine who goes by the title of ‘Ginger Dave’ overhead I used to be moving into ponding. He sourced some additional vegetation from his mother and father pond and gave them to me and mentioned “HEY In case you have any aspirations for dragonflies then put these in your pond”. So I did, waited a yr and low and behold the dragonflies got here. It’s a lesson in endurance in the end. Both that or I actually preferred bugs as a baby. That’s a re occurring theme within the album…. bugs!

The album has many kinds however when you needed to categorise it what would you name the style?

Digital – Ethereal – Irish tinged – Alt Pop

What are your best influences and did you utilize them to encourage this album?

A few of these tracks are very previous so the inspiration has been stretched out because of the passing of time and turning into a barely totally different individual. I don’t actually draw inspiration from a selected artist and say “I need to create one thing like that” however extra “how can I take in a few of their spirit in how they do issues”. For instance I’m a large Frank Zappa fan and fascinated by his philosophy in writing however I’ve no want to make comparable sounding music. As an alternative I might say make a contrasting daring compositional alternative for comical impact (which he’s so well-known for) I additionally love west African music however don’t have any eager to study the Djembe. I might nevertheless try to re interrupt a west African rhythm how I hear it in my head for a violin and a drum machine which might result in one thing much more attention-grabbing. In creativity I really feel it’s vital to get issues fully “fallacious” to be able to arrive someplace attention-grabbing.

How vital is the working order on the album?

Semi vital. It’s a bizarre one- I do know in my head what the arch ought to be however that’s solely as a result of it really works in my head. It could possibly be totally different for another person. The final track nevertheless Goodbye Spring feat Sanja Cin is about large metropolis scapes collapsing and the top of world in order that was undoubtedly becoming for the ending! The opening observe Tattdah is a really gradual creeper of a observe that takes some time to get going – that felt like a
appropriate intro to the album.

What’s your favorite observe on the album and why?

Difficult to reply that one. In all probability ‘Doop Boogie’ solely as a result of it’s whimsical and playful and doesn’t take itself too significantly. Generally it’s fairly exposing and knackering being all mushy and honest. Dare I say that’s the largest problem why artists or musicians don’t “put something out” – and never due to the social media bollox however extra how fragile you are feeling and generally responsible it may possibly make you are feeling – it may be actually draining. I discover it monumentally vital to faucet into the foolish/ playful aspect of music as a result of it provides me vitality to do the honest stuff.

Whenever you write is it a stream of consciousness and what comes first the lyrics or the music?

I believe writing needs to be a stream of consciousness. Fast, summary, unhealthy, good, bizarre, darkish, humorous, no matter it’s. The aim certainly is to all the time get out of your personal approach to be able to entry funnels that trigger optimistic suggestions loops of authentic ideas or concepts. With reference to lyrics the music half all the time comes first and is the best. Fact be instructed I actually wrestle with lyrics. I just about have one other album sitting there bar the lyrics! That’s one thing I actually need to enhance on. Do you could have any recommendation for me Louder Than Battle?

You’re a multi instrumentalist did you play The whole lot on the album or did you could have visitor artists?

I performed the whole lot on the album bar the dwell drums. There’s 3 gamers on this album – Alan Taylor, Craig Hanson & Rob Turner who all present a person flavour and distinctive wallop. Sanja Can is a visitor vocalist on the final observe ‘Goodbye Spring’. She’s a Bulgarian/ Austrian singer songwriter who I’ve labored with a couple of occasions on her solo materials. She’s bought a really pure and intriguing voice and may ship a critical vocals in an virtually sarcastic manner. It’s onerous to articulate however I’m a giant fan of what she does. Take a look at her stuff!
sanjacinmusic.com

Is the album obtainable on bodily format or is it a digital launch?

Sure bodily format- CD & Vinyl. The vinyl ought to be obtainable kind late summer season onwards. Exhausting to inform with this stuff as urgent vegetation have a large cue from elevated manufacturing. I learn someplace that more cash is being generated from music now than ever in historical past. I do know it’s onerous to be optimistic when streaming revenues are so poor (until you’re hitting a billion performs) however you can also make a dwelling from it if you carve out a distinct segment, pull up your pants and write some shit. (when you’re bare while studying this then I’m very sorry)

What do you like analogue all digital by way of recording and format?

A hybrid of each for positive. I take pleasure in recording via messy analogue sign paths ie previous gear/ results pedals or usually simply something that may impart a flavour that has imperfect qualities. Combining that with the effectivity and velocity of digital modifying is an space I wish to dwell in. I’ve no want (not but anyway) to do something with tape via an previous Neve desk. It’s not my background and fairly frankly provides me anxiousness desirous about it…
Is there a particular or particular age group the album is geared toward? It appears very eclectic so are you interesting to a broad viewers or is it area of interest? I’m hoping this report will attraction to beings that exist in a better dimension. Beings which might be fabricated from glitter – smog and purple ether – mud. Entities that may expertise music in minus time or in an anti gravity vortex..
ahem.. apologies I’ll be considerably critical (though the above can be actually satisfying) I’m undoubtedly not pondering or have ever considered a audience. Individuals of their 60s who love violin led prog are followers of Shunya as are folks of their early 20s who’re into lo- fi hip hop. I believe everybody is certainly extra open to quite a lot of sounds now that web has cracked open regardless of the hell goes.

Are you enjoying dwell? if that’s the case the place can we count on to witness a efficiency?

I did some small gigs across the northwest, my album launch in Manchester and a present in London. Developing in July I’ve a couple of festivals. One being Inventive Peaks competition within the hills in Yorkshire and the opposite within the wild rumpus grounds – Timber competition. I’ve a tour in October with the Manchester Collective which will probably be a collaboration between myself and violinist/ musical director Rakhi Singh. I’ve accomplished many collaborations with the Manchester Collective who’re in essence a classical collective who try in pushing new floor in
classical areas. Not afraid to make use of lighting, dwell sound, electronics and smoke machines. I’ll embrace a hyperlink to their web site and tour dates under.

Who else have you ever been working with? And what different collaborators do you could have?

I get a lot vitality, enthusiasm and concepts from my associates and collaborators. I’ve been working so much with my pricey pal – South African cellist Abel Selaocoe for a few years now and he’s nonetheless pushing the envelope on what the cello can do. He’s additionally an immense composer. I contributed to his debut album ‘The place Is Residence’ which was launched on Warner Classics final yr. I used to be additionally concerned in enjoying bass and arranging music for Abel’s first BBC promenade which we premiered on the Royal Albert Corridor with orchestra BBC NOW (Nationwide
Orchestra of Whales).

How do you are feeling about your work being squashed onto MP3 format after all of the onerous work recording and mastering?

It doesn’t actually trouble me. What bothers me is the iPhone audio system factor. I’m not saying everybody ought to exit and purchase a mega sound system on your lounge however no less than placed on some semi first rate headphones and benefit from the factor that approach. You’re ravenous your self from so many parts by mono-ing it onto an iPhone speaker.

What studio have you ever used while recording this glorious physique of labor?

This was primarily recording at my dwelling studio and one other studio I co hire with my pal Mark Lewis who’s an incredible producer, engineer and bass participant in his personal proper. I really combined nearly all of this report on headphones. I’m attempting to let go of this tools fetishisation and simply crack on with what I’ve round me. I admit I’m unhealthy for it although – alas I like stuff and kit….

You combine electronics with dwell instrumentation and you’re a multi instrumentalist. What devices do you play and the way did it affect the sound of the wonderful album?

I play the string household i.e. violin, viola, cello & double bass. They’re all throughout the album. My most important instrument is the bass guitar however surprisingly that didn’t make a lot of the report. Synthesisers and Fender Rhodes sounds frequent throughout the tracks and supply a sonic backdrop to the report. I’m a fan of exploring a number of kinds however utilizing the identical sound worlds to tie all of it in. Within the digital age we are able to typically get led astray by alternative anxiousness so I discover it creatively liberating solely recording a couple of alternative devices after which remodeling them in an infinite doable methods inside the pc as an alternative of getting an excessive amount of decisions to start with.

Are you able to present some hyperlinks that might information the reader to experiencing parts of the album?

Positive!

Web site www.shunyamusic.com

Stream I Have Aspirations For Dragonflies Stream

Purchase I Have Aspirations For Dragonflies – Purchase

Shunya is on Instagram and Fb

Sanja Cin Web site 

LTW: Thanks very a lot on your detailed information in the direction of the album and we want you luck with this excellent set. please present any hyperlinks within the can point out parts of this magnificent set and thanks for participating within the Louder Than Battle interview

AK: My pleasure! Thanks for having me

Mike Bennett’s writer’s profile is right here