The latest from Krumple Krink brings on a crisp and colorful approach to psych-pop with an array of gorgeous textures that come through in layers and melt together to create a rainbow of outstanding and cinematic classic rock undertones and spacious soundscapes.
"Fear Of Death" is absolutely lush with sounds and they all sort of swim around you creating this atmosphere that is all its own as basslines funk it out, synths and keys fill the air with vibrancy and smoothness, and vocals are full bodies with harmonies and catchy lines.
This release packs and indie-pop punch but not in the normal sense at all. It's got layers and breathes as it goes.
It's massive and it's so fun to just let yourself get washed away with the sound all together.
But the main thing is that it's so uplifting. It feels good to listen to and even boasts this strange summer undertone sometimes. Like a summer sunset at the end of a party on the beach or something.
There is a sense of being a part of something bigger. It feels warm and welcoming and its impressive how it can do that so quickly.
All this becomes addictive and infectious and really makes you want more from these guys.
This was laid back in a sense as well. It had a relaxing approach to it and it worked like a charm.
With the release of such a wonderfully built and performed single, we wanted to have a chat with Krumple Krink to find out where this all comes from.
Here's what happened.
RAG: Okay so let's start with " Fear of Death". This single has a psychedelic indie-pop feel to it. Where did this track come from?
This song was born in multiple stages. It started with the guitar part, which for this song was very focused on the chord progression and how that felt. At that same kind of time, one sleepless night at 3am I went on a lyric writing rampage. If I remember correctly, these lyrics were part of that. From there my process was to record down the guitar and vocals and slowly piece together something based on how the song felt it wanted to move/progress. On a more literal note, this song, like all the songs that I will release, ultimately come from my home studio - a small little room that I record out of. RAG: I'm hearing some great styles on this release. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
I think I should start with my favorite band of all time, who I don't sound a whole deal like, but still hold a lot of musical influence for me - Red Hot Chilli Peppers. My musical influences are something that I find hard to pin down, as that answer evolves all the time. As a child I listened to lots of Michael Jackson, before moving on to bands like Green Day/Guns n Roses. Then as I went through high school I developed musical taste for bands like Milky Chance, Alt J and Glass Animals. At this same time I loved artists like Angus and Julia Stone, Vance Joy, George Ezra. In terms of electronic music, I love artists like Flume, Rufus Du Sol and that whole house kind of feel. I've also gone through a huge drum and bass phase where that's all I would listen to for quite a while! Most recently I've started listening to a lot of Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Pond etc.
And I've found a love for older music like The Beatles and The Beach Boys. I want to create a sound with the funk and up-tempo feel of modern music but with the soul and breath of older music. RAG: So how did this all begin for you really? When did you fall in love with making music?
I started playing guitar when I was 11 years old after being fascinated with music for my whole life. I started writing acoustic guitar songs while singing which then became my style, and I recorded an album of these songs at Poons Head Studios. That's really where my love for recording comes from, as soon as I stepped foot in that place I felt like I was in a completely different space and all I wanted to do from there was make music, and learn how to record. RAG: What's next for you as an artist?
I never know what's around the corner for me as a musician. My goal is to soak up as much knowledge from extremely talented and knowledgeable people around me and let that help shape my own music. I think we're all products of our environments, so for me it's about embracing that and allowing positive influence around me to guide me in order to make a smarter and more refined version of my music. The reason it's so hard for me to answer the question is because most of the 'epiphanies' I've had with music have come from people around me who describe a musical concept in a new way to me that I would have never otherwise comprehended or understood alone. So I'm very much in the dark as to how my music will change, until someone new comes along and teaches me how to develop and grow as an artist. RAG: What inspires you to write a song?
To me a song is like an expression. Like when you have a saying in language that describes something in a roundabout and abstract way. More than any single idea that I try to convey, the thing that inspires me to write music is to just test myself and see how rich and complex I can make a song, while also making it simple to listen to when all the sounds merge and create a single, moving unit. I want to create little abstract expressions for the world that mean whatever the listener wants them to. RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
When I'm not working on music I'm usually talking about music. There's so much to it that it never really gets boring for me. I dip in and out of Netflix as well when I need a break. To be honest, music is my only real hobby in life, and besides that, I don't care the activity or setting, as long as I'm around good people who are up for a laugh. RAG: Who are you listening to right now?
Tame Impala, Glass Animals, Flume. RAG: Are you doing live performances?
I have half a band together for this project. I've committed to playing all of this absolutely live with no backing tracks, so at the moment I'm piecing together the puzzle of how to do that, and finding like-minded incredible musicians who can facilitate this. RAG: This single seems like a big undertaking. What kind of advice might you have for other up and coming artists out there?
I'm very unqualified to give advice at this point, I'm still searching for advice from anywhere I can find it. My only advice is to find people who you admire and respect and find a way to learn from them. No one can make something amazing alone. If our surroundings are what make us as people, then surround yourself with people who you want to be like. In addition to that, I try to go into every encounter in life (even when completely unrelated to music) and try to learn something from whoever that person is. EVERYONE in this world has a lesson/quality to teach us if we are open to it and really listen and try to understand one another. RAG: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
If this debut track has perked your ears up and you like this kind of sound. Keep an eye on this music, I am sitting on a completed EP which will be releasing very soon!
I'm learning more every day and constantly improving, so you can expect some great music to come your way. The second EP of this project is already well underway and showing no signs of slowing!
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