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Minorarc Interview on Nagamag
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Nagamag:
Which are the genres that describe your music style better?
Minorarc:
Minorarc is by no means strictly "Progressive Metal". The project had its origins (under a different name "Mystral Tide") as darkwave with strong classical piano influences. These orchestral and cinematic flavours co-exist with a mixture of Prog, Djent and experimental electronica.
Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?
Minorarc:
Since the early 2000s I have been an active multi-instrumentalist and community-founder for underground and experimental music. A classically trained violinist, my modern musical journey began in Tokyo. The first project “Mystral Tide” performed at numerous industrial and darkwave events, including as a guest artist for Japan’s “Seij minus aC” at Leipzig’s Wave-Gotik-Treffen in 2002. Returning to Australia in 2003, I helped establish a decade-long series of concerts (Enzyme), including events for the Melbourne Fringe Festival, all to showcase and expose dozens of independent Australian experimental musicians.
Over two decades, I've periodically recorded and performed as “Minorarc”. The music shifted from synth-heavy dark electronica, into a new world of progressive metal and post-rock. An expression of despair and regret, crafted through piano-driven melodies, non-traditional song structures, and a wide variety of stringed instruments.
Now in 2022, Minorarc has released its second full-length album, “Untold”. A largely instrumental work summoning elements of modern metal and djent to portray emotive unease, offset through the reverberant and powerful effects of classical piano, the warmth of cinematic synth pads, and delicate touches of acoustic mandolin and guitar. “Untold” is accompanied by the release of “Blind Remixes”, featuring a variety of fellow Australian independent artists, and “Overburden”, a sonic side-dish and reflective continuation of “Untold’s” themes.
Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?
Minorarc:
My first connection to a love of music came from my first purchases (and rentals) of music albums on CD and Cassette, in my early teens. There was a whole world of music to explore, and without preconceptions I was able to simply find albums that struck a chord with me personally. Artists that made my love of music grow, including Fields of the Nephilim, Pink Floyd, Ministry, Alice In Chains, Nocturnus, Solitude Aeternus, Bathory and more.
Nagamag:
What was the concept behind your release, "Untold"?
Minorarc:
Originally I'd wanted the album to be completely instrumental, and tell a story and convey emotions purely through the "feel" of the sounds. Along the way though, during the two years of recording that took place, a very limited selection of the tracks began to just sit better, with some vocals. "Victim of That Before" features vocals by a Melbourne artist and friend, Trayce of Neverembers. Her poetry sets the scene for the album, with a seaside vision and references to drowning and loss.
The album was designed to feel quite claustrophobic, yet also shed occasional moments of light and positivity. Ultimately though, my hope was to convey a story about an innocent soul's final moments, as they drown (either literally, or metaphorically), and suffer strange visions and recollections as the dark waters slowly close. Hope, in hopelessness.
Nagamag:
There is rumor of a companion release for "Untold", can you tell us more about that?
Minorarc:
During the months immediately after "Untold" was completed, we kept recording works in the same vein, and of a similar theme. They now form a release titled "Overburden" which will come out in March/April 2022. Stylistically, they have greater contrast between ambient sections and metal components. Heavier, yet also lighter. We like to think of it as a "side dish" to accompany "Untold".
Nagamag:
Many artists listen to genres that they are not producing music for. Which track is your favorite that is NOT similar to yours?
Minorarc:
Bliss "Quiet Letter"
Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which is the track from a similar artist you admire?
Minorarc:
Sithu Aye "A Future With No Colour"
Discover & Listen to Minorarc
Minorarc on Spotify
Minorarc's Signature Track
Minorarc on Social Media
Minorarc's Website
Alyssa Reid -Roses (Video)
“If you look for explosive sound, “Roses” should be included in your choices. The well-known Alyssa has used her spontaneous creativity in this Electro Pop candy. Carefully mixed patterns, excellent flow and memorable vocal performance, directly affecting each listener.”
-Nagamag.com
When her first single “Alone Again” (ft. P. Reign) became a massive global hit, getting certified Double Platinum in Canada and selling over a million copies around the world – Alyssa Reid knew she had found her path. Fast forward to 2022 and Reid has played on stages around the world, been nominated for JUNO Awards & MMVA’s, and has had hit after hit – crossing genres and pop music boundaries as a singer-songwriter.
The taboo new track, “Roses,” wasn’t meant to be released as Reid wasn’t thinking about how others might perceive it – she only knew where she was at when she felt compelled to write which was an inexplicable state of numbness. Sitting down at the piano one day, Reid picked a starting chord and the entire song just spilled out.
http://auteurresearch.com/artists/alyssa-reid/
Beside the Pool – Love Is a Religion (Spotify)
“Bold title and explosive chorus, which can increase your heartbeat in a blink of an eye. This new release comes with plenty of Electro Pop energy, passionate lyrics and professional performance.”
-Nagamag.com
Artist said about this song:
"'Love Is a Religion' not only refers to the fact that love shouldn't have any boundaries, race or gender (love is free!) but also the importance of the connection you have with your loved ones (friends, family, you lover). This connection can really help you heal. This track is more about being down because of all the pressure society tends to kind of build these days. Especially the pressure that comes from social media, or just worrying about our futures, breaking up with someone, hectic lifestyles, all the rush, triggers and not having enough time to kind of reconnect with yourself.
The 'storms' I'm referring to in the song are the downs I was going through at the time. But what helped me go through that period is my family and my friends, I've always felt loved and blessed to have these people in my life, it's always been very important to me.
I feel like a lot of young people are going through these things and a lot of us kind of push them deeper and deeper inside. We let these things pile up until they explode in worst possible ways."
https://linktr.ee/besidethepool
https://www.instagram.com/beside_the_pool/
https://www.facebook.com/besidethepool/
E.G. Phillips – This Infertile Valley (Spotify)
“Pleasant track with velvet vocals from -E.G. Phillips-, leisurely jazz melody and fancy, but warm atmosphere. It can simply make you feel comfort like being with favourite friends. Music that cannot be easily found.”
“Приятный, бархатный вокал -E.G. Phillips-, неторопливая мелодия джаза и причудливая, но очень тёплая атмосфера трека. Ощущается уют и комфорт домашней обстановки в компании с любимыми друзьями. Музыка, которой очень сильно не хватает всем нам.”
-Nagamag.com
Artist said about this song:
"This is song about a place you can get stuck and know you need to leave. This song about a place called Depression.
The 3rd single from my forthcoming album “Alien from an Alternate Earth,” this recording features the incredible Renee Padgett on backing vocals. You can hear her amazing versatility just in the span of this one track. What starts out in the 2nd verse as a simple, subtle backing harmony reminiscent of something out of the 50s transforms into gorgeous gospel-like cadences for the following chorus, lifts us into the heavens for the bridge, and then easily slips into a Bossa Nova vocalese for the final verse as the rhythm switches up.
The rest of the backing band is nothing to sneeze at either, providing rich textures for lyrics filled with detailed imagery and a distinctive harmonic backdrop."
https://twitter.com/DucksWithPants
http://facebook.com/duckswithpants
http://instagram.com/duckswithpants
Gianluca Piacenza – Far from You (Spotify)
“Peaceful and calm solo piano from the hands of "Gianluca Piacenza". There are moments when we need time to escape from every single noise and just dive in those chord vibrations. Simply and easily, isolate and seek sound perfection.”
-Nagamag.com
Artist said about this song:
"This song was inspired by the finding of an old tape cassette of me improvising at the piano when I was only 15 years old recorded secretly by my mother... a beautiful yet simple melody made all my memories come back and inspired this new emotional, melancholic and intimate lo-fi piano version."
http://www.gianlucapiacenza.it
https://www.instagram.com/pgianluca/
Peter Sax – Abu Dhabi 03 – Welcome to W (Radio Edit) (Spotify)
“Meet "Peter Sax" in a cozy place with cool Deep House patterns. A track idealy made for the F1 fans, but also for selective listeners. Increase your speakers' volume, lean back with a nice drink and let this sound guide you through friendly vibrations.”
-Nagamag.com
The Abu Dhabi song series is a 12-part soundtrack and allows you to directly beam yourself to get the whole experience of this adventure at Bonito Club. The series is ending with the epic F1 racing thriller at Yas Marina Circuit.
https://www.peter-sax.com/
This part is about arriving at the awesome W Hotel. Bonito Club was located at the rooftop of it, directly on and next to the Grand Prix track (#yasmarinacircuit).
https://www.facebook.com/PeterSaxOfficial
Excitement already was in the air when I arrived - because of the upcoming F1 raceweek. And we were busy working to finish the ultimate rooftop club "Bonito".
http://instagram.com/PeterSaxOfficial
Watching people in hotel lobbies is always interesting, especially when it’s at such a special place at such a special time while listening to cool music.
So lean back and take a walk around at the W. SPOILER: At the end of the video you can already feel the vibrance which was taking over this place. Welcome to W!
Janna Pelle – TRUE (Spotify)
“"Janna Pelle" fascinates her audience with this catchy single. The recipe of success is simple and effective too; Pulsating beat, electronic atmosphere and attractive vocal performance. That's "True"!”
-Nagamag.com
https://linktr.ee/jannapelle
TRUE is about the process of learning to trust yourself - and realizing that doubting yourself is an important part of that process. It is about falling in love and feeling empowered by it.
https://www.instagram.com/jannapelle
https://www.facebook.com/JannaPelle/
Brian Walker – Ring Ring (Video)
“Rocking beat, interesting combination of chords and vocals from -Brian Walker-, beautifully revealed in the chorus. He practically makes us one with him, plunging into the melodious and positive atmosphere of his track.”
“Качающий бит, интересное сочетание аккордов и оригинальный вокал -Brian Walker-, который красиво раскрывается в припеве. Он практически заставляет нас переживать вместе с ним, погружаясь в мелодичную и очень позитивную атмосферу трека! ”
-Nagamag.com
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/brianwalker/ring-ring
Walker dropped his first single “Conflicted” at the end of 2018. Since then, his music has been featured on 92.5 The River, as well as Spotify’s “Fresh Finds”, “Fresh Finds Pop”, “New Music Friday Indonesia”, and “Fresh Finds Indonesia” playlists. His latest single “My Letter”, a collaboration with Redbull 3 Style World Champion Eskei83, was released on 10/1/21, and is his most streamed song to date.
Walker produces, writes and records his music in bedroom-turned home studio. He draws inspiration for his lyrics from his own personal experiences. Musically, walker’s catchy melodies lean more commercial pop, while his beats and harmonies get inspired by many different genres and time periods.
Walker grew up on Monahan Farm, a family-run fruit and vegetable farm in the small town of East Kingston, NH. He started playing the piano at the age of 5, by performing melodies he had heard on the radio by ear.
In August of 2021, Walker drove from his farm in NH down to Times Square NYC to direct and star in his first music video for his song “Ring Ring” (Release date: 2.4.21). Walker was in charge of everything for the shoot, from writing the storyboard, to booking hotel rooms and limos to film in, to editing the footage together and adding special effects, to funding it with money made from his live shows.
Walker played 127 shows in 2021, and has played over 400 shows since 2018
https://brianwalkermusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/brianwalkermusic
https://www.facebook.com/BrianWalkerMusic
Phe R.E.D.S – Closer (Feat. Catch24) (Prod. Cha Cha Malone) (Video)
“High-quality R&B, beautifully combined with the artists’ vocal performance. Dynamic arrangement and professional mixing highlights this track, making it unique and unforgettable by all means.”
“Качественное R&B, которое красиво сочетается с мелодичностью исполнения вокалистов. Динамичная аранжировка и профессиональное сведение выделяет этот трек, делая его уникальным и незабываемым в своей нише.”
-Nagamag.com
https://www.instagram.com/phe.reds/
Phe R.E.D.S makes his return with new single, “Closer,” featuring fellow Seattle artist Catch24. Released today via H1GHR MUSIC, the R&B number captures the push and pull of a budding relationship. Written to mirror a conversation, “Closer” is the mix of emotions that comes with feeling out a crush and deciding where things stand. While Phe R.E.D.S offers the perspective of someone who is cautious and guarded after previous heartbreak and disappointment, Catch24 voices taking that leap of faith. The track is produced by label mate and close collaborator Cha Cha Malone and it is the teaser to a larger Phe R.E.D.S’ project release that’s in the pipeline for later this year.
https://twitter.com/phe_reds
Leng Phe, who goes by the stage name of Phe R.E.D.S, is a Cambodian-Chinese American music artist. He is signed to H1GHR MUSIC, an unconventional independent record label that focuses on unique talents from Seoul and Seattle. Discovered by founder Jay Park through Seattle’s local hip hop and break dancing scene, Phe R.E.D.S initially got into music because he didn’t see many who looked like him making music. His name, which is a combination of his surname and an acronym for “remember every dream stolen,” pays homage to his family, who were refugees from Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge. It serves as a reminder to discover one’s dreams and live them out for those who didn’t make it, in addition to striving to break generational curses. “I think I’m unique in the sense that I’m Cambodian-Chinese, signed to a Korean label, and pushing my music in America,” he shared. Since his debut with the single, “Smile,” in 2017, Phe R.E.D.S has released a string of records, including “Love On You” (Prod. GRAY), “Your Hands” (Feat. Jay Park) (Prod. GRAY), “Way 2 You” (Prod. Cha Cha Malone), “ Juice” (Feat. Hoody) (Prod. Mokyo) and “Senseless” (Feat. pH-1) (Prod. WOOGIE). After contributing to H1GHR MUSIC’s critically acclaimed label compilation album, [H1GHR : BLUE TAPE], with his single, “Swing My Way,” Phe R.E.D.S has taken time off during Covid to focus on personal wellness. In between spending time with family and friends, he has been pursuing his other lifelong dream, pilot training. Invigorated, he said “Closer” makes for a strong return. “It’s like I’ve lived a little bit of life and I can take this experience and put it into a sonic medium for people to listen to,” Phe R.E.D.S said. The single marks a new chapter and leads up to a larger project, to be released later this year. Stay tuned for more news from Phe R.E.D.S.
https://www.facebook.com/phe.reds/
Alive & Well – Saturday’s Mood (Spotify)
“What is unique in this jazz composition? It turns off a bad mood and transforms the negative side into positive. Possessing a high-quality melodic and improvisational component, surrounds its listener with unique positive vibrations.”
“Чем уникальна эта джазовая композиция? Она выключает плохое настроение и переводит негатив на сторону позитива. Обладая качественной мелодичной и импровизационной составляющей, окружает своего слушателя исключительными позитивными вибрациями!”
-Nagamag.com
This song is a plea for the lightness of life, for a mood that many of us know from a carefree weekend - a Saturday's Mood. The professional musicians transform the feeling of "Easy Living" into an authentic musical experience.