Electronic music trailblazers, KOAN Sound, are poised to redefine the sonic landscape with their latest album, ‘Led by Ancient Light’, set to release on September 8th, 2023.
The duo, comprised of Will Weeks and Jim Bastow, has long captivated listeners with their seamless blend of genre-defying compositions and intricate rhythms. Now, with ‘Led by Ancient Light’, they’re set to take listeners on a profound journey where narrative, organic instrumentation, and cinematic sound design converge.
Quote from KOAN Sound:
“We spent a lot of time thinking about the project and setting out our intentions before making any music, which ultimately made the whole process clearer and more meaningful. There was never a moment of writer’s block because we’d laid out the vision well in advance.”
The journey begins with a grungy, futuristic and electric feeling, with “Ascension,” the first track from the album, set to release on June 13th. The narrative continues on July 11th with “Liquid Levity,” a sonic expression of raw energy, mystery, and revelation, interwoven with feelings of nostalgia and profound tranquility. On August 15th, “Temple of Fervor” brings the narrative full circle with ethereal, expansive sounds that create an ambiance of otherworldly mystery and grandeur.
‘Led by Ancient Light’ transcends the realm of conventional albums, offering listeners an intricately woven tapestry of music and storytelling that takes them on a journey through a remote desert planet inhabited by ancient beings, the ‘Ardor,’ who possess a grounded wisdom yielded through their simple living. The dynamic interplay between the cello and piano throughout the album aids in creating something more intimate and cohesive, mirroring the dual nature of the Ardor’s wisdom and the raw, untamed beauty of their planet.
KOAN Sound’s sonic voyage is aided by two significant influences – esteemed audio engineer, Jim Barr, and the iconic Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre in Calgary, Alberta. Barr, former Portishead touring bassist, assisted in facilitating their experimental, futuristic approach to sound design with organic instruments like cello and double bass recordings.
On the other hand, Studio Bell, a renowned Canadian music institution, provided the setting for the album’s piano components. Imbued with the rich heritage of music and featuring legendary instruments like the Oscar Peterson Upright Piano, the unique ambiance of Studio Bell echoed in the piano aspects of the album.
These collaborations result in a seamless blend of genre-defying compositions and intricate rhythms, manifesting ‘Led by Ancient Light’ as KOAN Sound’s most cohesive project to date, showcasing the narrative, conceptual side of their work.
With an organ-driven grandiose explosion on the final track, the celestial closure of the story is symbolized, making ‘Led by Ancient Light’ a testament to their expansive creative vision. This album reflects how their creativity is driven and pushed by the narrative, conceptual side of their work.
The album, while a standalone auditory experience, will also be brought to life through a novella, documentary, and immersive audiovisual capabilities, creating an innovative and interactive dimension to their work. More details about the live show, promising to mirror the epic and intimate aspects of ‘Led by Ancient Light’, are soon to be announced.
“We want the album to feel like an immersive journey that transports the listener into the narrative and sonic world that we constructed. We hope that the heartfelt message of the story resonates with listeners. In a world with increasing uncertainty about the future, we wanted to write a story about how deep personal meaning can be found under any circumstance, as well as the importance of the connection between all of us and the environment that we inhabit.”
Join KOAN Sound on this sonic journey as they continue to blur the lines between music and narrative art with ‘Led by Ancient Light’. Stay tuned for more updates regarding the live experience that will further bring this narrative to life.
Tracklist:
Embers From Chaos
Anchorite
Ascension
Voices of Dissent
Fragments
Liquid Levity
Interrogate
Kindred Void
Temple of Fervor
Exigence
Led by Ancient Light
Embrace
Solace of the Red Giant
