Three years ago, Sawyer Gebauer immersed himself into the world of jazz and the realm of the "avant-garde." Not only did he dedicate himself to studying the technical practices, but also the historical and philosophical ideas surrounding experimentation, fragmentation, the liberation from conventional forms, and the profound utilization of space in art.
Inspired by the works of Stars of the Lid, Tim Hecker, Nils Frahm, Floating Points, Leon Vynhall, and Nicolas Jaar, he began a personal journey of unexplored creative territories, blending samples, granular synthesis, and modulation techniques with both synthesized and acoustic instruments. Through this process, an awakening took hold within Gebauer, unveiling dormant pieces of his soul eagerly yearning to manifest into the world. He says, “It felt as though my entire musical career and my very existence had been leading up to this transformative period—a pivotal juncture where creation and self-discovery intertwined. And is this not the purpose of creation? To wade into the depths of one's being and unearth hidden truths? Through this work, I realized there will always be uncharted territories waiting to be discovered—an ever-unfolding journey of the self.”
Within these patient compositions, consistent modulation and subtle layering of musical textures evoke sensations of either floating high above the ground or plunging into darkened depths. A perpetual push and pull of waves, air, or anti-gravity create an intriguing contrast, mirroring dark, mystical, and undiscovered spaces where only fragments are truly understood and known. Gebauer aimed to play with this concept of fragmentation, weaving pieces of stories together like listening to multiple conversations at once while standing amidst a vast crowd. By the end of each track, there's a sense of familiarity and remoteness, akin to experiencing déjà vu or those vulnerable moments before being cast into a dream.
Sawyer Gebauer is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and composer based in Oakland, CA. His projects, such as the European-based Brittsommar and the current U.S.-based Catch Prichard, have received critical acclaim from publications like Pitchfork, Vice, NPR, Uproxx, Consequence of Sound, American Songwriter Magazine, and more.
credits
released September 8, 2023
All songs written, arranged, and composed by Sawyer Gebauer
Sawyer Gebauer: Synth, granular synth, piano, guitar
Geoff Saba: Alt-Sax & Alt-Clarinet
Mixed by: Sawyer Gebauer
Mastered by: Sean Conrad
Artwork by: Anthony Gerace
Spacious ambient with a frosty atmosphere from Metric System 1981; one restored piece from the early '80s paired with a newer, darker work. Bandcamp New & Notable May 16, 2023
supported by 18 fans who also own “It'll Be Gone For A Little While”
Hypnotic, cathartic, a rising sun over the wreckage of the night. These electric explorations invite reflection, conjure daydreams. A great unfurling. Admo