By Keith Walsh
California’s Darwin has found his current musical niche with bittersweet electronic songs about love and loss, about the residual pain and lessons of trauma. In his everyday life, Darwin is a businessperson, so we can assume that his inspiration often comes by watching the world from a distance (and indeed, starting from his earliest work we find a political awareness.)
It turns out that his latest tune, the haunting ‘Touché’ was written in response to the end of a personal relationship. As he told me, in a message exchange: “This one was brought on by the idea of friendships that end and you knew they would. In particular when you know HOW they will end and that comes true. It’s a weird combination of feelings.”
The song presents the burden of disappointment, with both oneself and the other in the relationship being to blame. Pulsing echoes and drones of synth, bell-like shimmers and DMX drum samples create a mood that’s decidedly dark wave retro. Production by Julian Shah-Tayler is top notch, as usual. ‘Touché’s’ lyrics point to a self-awareness and a willingness to take some responsibility for the failure of friendship.
“Touché, it’s okay/I know I’m know that I’m no angel/Touché, be on your way/I know that’s your nature.”
It’s this slightly dark-tinged passionate view of life that informs much of Darwin’s work, though personally I find he’s more than friendly. Discussing his workflow, he’s happy to share the production techniques that add to his vivid sound.
“I don’t have any vintage synths,” he write. “ I used Roland Cloud, my Micro Korg and Native Instruments for the synth sounds. I usually amp them through my Vox or Fender and then run them through analog pre-amps. I just like to do anything to make them sound less ‘digital’. Add some good noise and harmonics to them.”
The drum textures are gorgeous, and like the synths, sound organic and fresh. Darwin writes: “I used DMX samples for the drum beat. I like to bus out to a dirty track and a ‘crushtrack’ and blend in to add some depth and noise to the drums. I also like to use the Pultec EQP-1A by UAD and Chandler limiter.” Darwin records using Logic Pro.
Future work by Darwin is on the way, which I am very much looking forward to. In particular there’s his project called Static, a work in progress with Julian Shah-Tayler, Dustin Heald and visual artist Mark Gleason.
‘Touché’ is on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music and Bandcamp.com.
Darwin On Facebook
Darwin On Spotify
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