13th Floor New Song Of The Day: Karl Steven – Freedom Bells

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Here’s a mind bender from Karl Steven. Its called Freedom Bells.

You know Karl from such esteemed acts as Queen Neptune, The Drab Doo-Riffs, Heart Attack Alley and Supergroove. Here he is on his own making music that can only be described as unique. Here’s the blurb with more:

Karl Steven

July 29 2021: Karl Steven is a composer and producer, currently based in Pārāwai (Thames). Today he shares Freedom Bells, the first single from All of Human Emotion on Microfiche, an album planned for release in the later months of 2021.

Steven’s upcoming output is a collage of organic and electronic sources, synthesised down into an ambitious and enigmatic sound.

“My intention with ‘Freedom Bells’ was to make something a bit anthemic about freeing oneself from existing paradigms” says Steven.  “In the process I tried to get away from the computer and plug things in, experiment, and whack stuff.  I wanted to depart from using membranophones or sounds inspired by them (like kicks, snares, and toms) and try idiophones instead, so you’ll hear there’s lots of wood hitting wood and wool hitting metal!”

The visual accompaniment for Freedom Bells was made by Mindfulness For Machines, generative art practise of Marcel Bellvé (Crap Date, Lipsink).

“It’s not what it looks like” says Bellvé. “I didn’t run video tape down the stairwell or establish a dodgy aerial connection with my neighbor’s pirate T.V. station. One would be forgiven for thinking that a video synthesizer was involved but unfortunately mine was on the fritz, and not in the good way. So I used a computer. Which is fine because it turns out that computers are perfect capable of making pretty mistakes too (I believe this is known as PEBKAC).”

The good news is It’s replicable, and Bellvé has shared his recipe. “First, generate some noise. Then add noise to the noise and spin. The gas should be on. Add a pinch of particle simulation (fun but not necessary). Now, get out your trusty pixel sorter and blend. While that’s happening, ask Karl Steven if you can drop some of his music into the mix. He’ll say “yes”. Now we’re cooking. Taste. Let Karl taste. He’ll say something like “how about some New Order?”. He’s half right. Add equal parts New Order and also H.R. Giger. If something’s still missing, ask Karl for his face. He’ll say “yes”. Add as a garnish and serve.”

 

Marty Duda
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