Absalon
by Mister Mime
1st September 2021
The Israeli music scene seems to be the gift that keeps on giving to the rest of the world, and Absalon is a prime example of such an artist who bends the conventional norms of electronic music, gently sailing into new sonic shores.
His latest EP ‘The Mind’ released on The Rust Music Label is an absolutely meditative yet intense trip that does full justice to the complex human construct that the record is named after. The producer brandishes floating melodies over crystalline soundscapes that unfurl in irrefutable organic detail. For those of us who dig well-engineered, emotive and experimental music, this EP will effortlessly lift your spirits off the ground and keep you there for a while too.
MM: Why did you call the album ’The Mind’? What is the theme/concept of the album?
Absalon: Honestly, at first I felt like the name was too simplistic. I mean, there's just so much music that is named in such a generic manner...But then I realised that simplicity isn't a flaw and that the name just simply represents what the EP is for me, a glimpse into my mind and soul.
The entire EP was written on the first coronavirus quarantine here in Israel and I was taking it no so well... keeping myself busy with music pretty much saved me from climbing the walls. It's a journey between various emotional states I've been going through while being locked up in my house.
MM: What do track names mean to you? {Magical Goo, You Pretty Little Thing} Are there any stories or interesting incidents behind the making of the EP that you would like to share?
Absalon: The track names are simply me trying to say in words how I am feeling when I hear the track now. For example, when I listen to "You Pretty Little Thing", I feel like I'm seeing a pretty girl that I'm into. I actually named the tracks long after I finished them, so after creating them they met me in a very new place.
MM: Can you tell us about the album artwork & how it complements the music according to you? Also, give a shoutout to the artist.
Absalon: I actually made the artwork myself. I hired a graphic designer to do the art for me and I didn't quite connect to what he made. I paid him, of course, but that caused me to not have any more money to hire another graphic designer. So I've put in a lot of time and effort to try and make something on my own... I really like the result. I feel like it isn't very clear what's going on there, just like how I feel about my mind. Also, try turning it upside down and see if it makes more sense
MM: Can you briefly walk us through your music production and creative process? What are some workflows, techniques, plugins, instruments, etc. that you believe are essential to your sound?
Absalon: I don't feel like there is anything specific that I do every track. it really changes from track to track, but overall I almost always start with the beat. If I get the feeling that this track isn't going anywhere, I give up. but if I feel it could be going somewhere, I get absolutely obsessed with it.It becomes all I do for the next few days until it's done. I literally can't do anything else besides working on the track. I feel it contributes to me as an artist but not as a person because it makes me neglect other stuff I need to do for my life.
In regard to techniques, I've really gotten into what I like to call Master Channel Synthesis. Basically, it just means throwing a bunch of plugins on the master channel and automating them in a way that would make cool sounds. Usually, it generates super experimental sounds that I record separately and then mix with the whole tune. Because it was made on the master channel, the sounds usually have a very full, colourful and coercive character.
MM: What are your earliest memories of listening to music? How did you get into electronic music and music production?
Absalon: My dad really likes The Doors, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, etc. so I basically grew up on early rock classics. From there I evolved to Metal as a teenager, which I kinda still listen to. At a later phase, I got super into Jazz and Math rock.
It wasn't until some friend showed me Mr. Bill and I instantly fell in love. Then and there I realized I need to know how he does what he does and that that's the kind of music I want to make. From there I started listening to artists like Copycatt, KOAN Sound, Frequent, etc. Today I'm into more chill stuff, but I try to make pretty diverse music and not get stuck on one genre or something.
MM: Who/what are your biggest musical influences for this album and otherwise?
Absalon: I'd say that my biggest musical influence today is definitely Hiatus Kaiyote. They are by far my favourite band. Everything they do is awesome. Other than that there are KOAN Sound, Frequent, Igorrr, AK and Animals As Leaders. It's a really diverse list, genre-wise. but that's kinda how my brain works - it always jumps from one thing to the next. one moment I'm listening to bass music, and right after I want to listen to some ambient beats and after that prog metal. I'd say that also bands like Mammal Hands and Gogo Penguin have really influenced me in earlier phases of my life.
MM: Who are some artists, people, things from other disciplines and walks of life that inspire you?
Absalon: I'd say that two of my friends, Aviv and Noam, have really inspired me to become a different, better person. Both of them have entered my life relatively recently, but I feel very close to them nonetheless. They are just the best people I've ever met, with the right values in mind and a real, genuine desire to do good and be good people.
MM: What do you like to do apart from making music?
Absalon: Up until now I've worked in education. I spent the last three years working in a boarding school with a group of 35 amazing teenagers. Soon I'm going to university to major in Psychobiology. I hope it will go well!
You Can Follow Absalon on:
https://therustmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-mind
https://www.instagram.com/absalontunes/
All Images Courtesy of Absalon
