Spirit Lights

Benjamin Shannon

Deeply rooted in exploration, each song on Spirit Lights is composed of drifting layers of Moog modular, Prophet 6, OB6 and Korg MS20. The single ‘Open Heart’ showcases the richness of Joshua’s sound with lush chord layering and stirring arpeggios. Polyrhythmic synthesiser lines weave in and out of focus in ‘Darko’, a reflection on Jung’s integration of the shadow self. The release concludes with the swirling modular warbles of the emotive ‘...Embers Remain’; a love letter Joshua imbues with hope and tenderness.

Each of these songs began as sketches. Some date back five years. I would have rough ideas before powering up my gear but would usually let my unpredictable modular synths lead the way. I love to combine elements from different sessions to see what else comes forth, often songs change meaning, go through new iterations and take lives of their own. There is a lot of feeling and movement in each layer. Also, many of the synth takes on the album are compilations of recordings from live rehearsals. Structures solidify over time and are discovered through improvisation.

Keeping with the theme of spontaneity, the addition of drums to the album happened late in the writing process. Longtime friend Benjamin Shannon (Big Dead, Milton Man Gogh, Kodiak Empire, Milk Buttons) stepped up to record and the result is a masterful display of art-rock and jazz influenced percussion. A few days after a live performance of the full record, Benjamin recorded his drum parts in a single session. Guided by Joshua playing his hypnotic synthesiser sequences, Benjamin’s explosions of energy and complex fills are on full display in D’n’B-lite ‘Running Rings’. ‘Spirit Lights’ showcases Benjamin at his most creative, with the solid groove of the first section collapsing into an entrancing avant-garde finale. 

Deeply rooted in exploration, each song on Spirit Lights is composed of drifting layers of Moog modular, Prophet 6, OB6 and Korg MS20. The single ‘Open Heart’ showcases the richness of Joshua’s sound with lush chord layering and stirring arpeggios. Polyrhythmic synthesiser lines weave in and out of focus in ‘Darko’, a reflection on Jung’s integration of the shadow self. The release concludes with the swirling modular warbles of the emotive ‘...Embers Remain’; a love letter Joshua imbues with hope and tenderness.
Each of these songs began as sketches. Some date back five years. I would have rough ideas before powering up my gear but would usually let my unpredictable modular synths lead the way. I love to combine elements from different sessions to see what else comes forth, often songs change meaning, go through new iterations and take lives of their own. There is a lot of feeling and movement in each layer. Also, many of the synth takes on the album are compilations of recordings from live rehearsals. Structures solidify over time and are discovered through improvisation.
Keeping with the theme of spontaneity, the addition of drums to the album happened late in the writing process. Longtime friend Benjamin Shannon (Big Dead, Milton Man Gogh, Kodiak Empire, Milk Buttons) stepped up to record and the result is a masterful display of art-rock and jazz influenced percussion. A few days after a live performance of the full record, Benjamin recorded his drum parts in a single session. Guided by Joshua playing his hypnotic synthesiser sequences, Benjamin’s explosions of energy and complex fills are on full display in D’n’B-lite ‘Running Rings’. ‘Spirit Lights’ showcases Benjamin at his most creative, with the solid groove of the first section collapsing into an entrancing avant-garde finale.

Open Heart (Original Mix)