From Cyberpunk Alleys to Cosmic Vastness
Bending Grid unveils “PARALLAX,” an opulent Sci-Fi Vocal-Synthwave Double Album, inviting connoisseurs to a symphonic realm where temporal tides converge upon digital sands, guided by vectors of a bygone era reaching for the infinite. The auditory spectacle dazzles, with bolts of sound forged in the divine arcades of yesteryear, pulsating with the quintessence of '80s pop and synthpop that resonates with one’s very core.
Envision an anthology that serenades the '80s, penned with the finesse of contemporary quills, a compendium of 20 tracks, each an homage to the cinematic sagas and obscure celluloid gems that sculpted a cultural epoch. This anthology transcends mere nostalgia, it is an alchemy where the vintage vibrations of synthesizers amalgamate with the lucid sonority of today’s electronica.
A single composition may escort you down the luminescent boulevards of a cyberpunk metropolis, whilst another may ferry you to the serene immensity of the cosmos. Each artist shines in their own light and coalesces within this futuristic world of Sci-Fi Synthwave.
Teya Flow’s tunes send electric currents through the air, her vocal blends creating a whirlwind that transforms listeners into a vivid display of dance, while The Safety Word architects an auditory Eden of dream pop and chillwave. Roxi Drive and Berzan Önen interlace the nostalgic timbres of synth-pop with the visceral outcry of rock, forging ageless melodies. By Forever, Lucy Dreams, Violet Fears, Kero, and Gulsah Brett revel in a diverse array of sounds, crafting ethereal harmonies and synthwave rhythms that herald the dawn of a new epoch of musical splendor.
Moreover, Andrew O’Halloran’s lyrical ingenuity and technical prowess intertwine with Bending Grid’s essence, co-authoring lyrics for six songs, as Zefear and Outshift elevate “PARALLAX” with their consummate mixing and mastering throughout the album. Kaarin Zoe Lee bestows a narrative dimension with her vibrant storytelling in the standout piece, “In Love With An Android,” enriching of this grand auditory voyage.
Now, the journey is yours to embark upon, unveiling the world within this unparalleled double album. Immerse yourself in the enigmatic depths of synthwave, where echoes of bygone times resonate within each note, evoking the neon glow of yesteryear.
Q&A (with Bending Grid)
How did you discover your passion for music, and what’s the story behind your artistic identity, Bending Grid?
As the world grappled with the unforeseen challenges of Covid-19, I shifted from playing music to producing. I’m a fan of most genres, but my musical roots delve deep into the soul of 80s pop and synthpop, combined with an admiration for nostalgic nuances of that era, from blockbuster films to arcade games. My encounter with synthwave was nothing short of a cosmic alignment. It was as if this genre had been tailor-made to encapsulate the vivid echoes of 80s nostalgia within me. Embracing this journey, I jumped into crafting my unique vision, birthing the enigmatic persona "Bending Grid."
This persona is like a portal to a universe where retro aesthetics and futuristic soundscapes collide. The grid part is inspired by the vector computer graphics of the 80s, it symbolizes the boundless artistic exploration that defines my musical identity. My odyssey within this realm has been a thrilling voyage of discovery, navigating through an ever-shifting landscape of sound and style, thus bending the grid in new ways.
From crafting Retrowave anthems that whisk listeners back to neon-lit streets to producing synthwave symphonies, to cyberpunk style that transport them to dystopian futures, I've embraced the challenge of pushing creative boundaries with every beat. Each endeavor is a testament to my unwavering commitment to evolve, innovate, and captivate audiences with the hypnotic allure of Bending Grid.
Your double album “PARALLAX” has recently been released, which is/was certainly a mammoth project. When did you develop the artistic vision for it?
Yes, just released on May 3rd! The artistic vision for "PARALLAX" began to take shape over a year ago, during a period of deep introspection and creative exploration. I envisioned a project that transcended the boundaries of traditional albums, weaving together an odyssey of sonic and visual narratives that would captivate listeners and transport them to the realm of science fiction. The concept of "PARALLAX" emerged from a desire to explore the intersection of technology and humanity, love and loss, through the lens of science fiction. Drawing inspiration from my own experiences, sci-fi books, and 80s/90s sci-films, I set out to create a body of work that would not only entertain but also provoke thought and evoke emotion.
With each track, I sought to push the boundaries of my creativity, experimenting with new sounds, styles, and storytelling techniques. Collaborating with a diverse array of talented artists and musicians, my aim was to infuse each song with its own unique energy and perspective while maintaining a cohesive narrative thread throughout the album.
It's essentially an odyssey of sci-fi short stories, although the average listener might not even notice amidst all the hooks and addictive melodies. I've tailored it to cater to a wide audience and multiple attention levels – from those who just want to enjoy a quick song to those who are ready to dive deep into the fabric of space-time. As the project evolved, so did its visual component, with music videos, lyric videos for every track, and artwork complementing the music and enhancing the overall experience for listeners. Every aspect of "PARALLAX" was meticulously crafted to immerse audiences in a world of sound and vision, inviting them to embark on a journey of discovery and exploration.
Now that "PARALLAX" has been unleashed upon the world, I'm thrilled to see how it resonates with listeners and what new dimensions it may unlock for them. It's been a labor of love, and I couldn't be prouder of the result.
Could you describe the atmosphere and mood of the album for our listeners?
"PARALLAX" is an immersive odyssey that transports listeners to a realm where retro-futurism meets cosmic exploration. It’s got pulsating rhythms from neon-lit cityscapes to bars/clubs of the cyberpunk underworld, cybernetic creatures that chase, a forbidden love amidst mechanized battles between warring factions, hidden undersea worlds, time-machines, cyberpunk red light districts, human/android relationships, post-apocalyptic warriors, shapeshifters, an anthem to SpaceX, the ethereal melodies of distant galaxies, among many others.
The album evokes a sense of wonder and awe that captivates the imagination.At its core, "PARALLAX" is a journey through the vast expanse of space and time, where each track serves as a portal to a different dimension of sound and emotion. The atmosphere is dynamic and ever-evolving, shifting seamlessly between moments of introspection and exhilaration. The music itself is majority high energy with hard hitting crunchy basslines, dashed with a bit of smooth, creamy, beautiful passages here and there.
It’s an impressive collection of 20 tracks featuring 10 artists and involving 4 additional collaborators. How did you manage to connect with all of them?
Connecting with the talented artists and collaborators involved in "PARALLAX" was a multifaceted process that involved a combination ofnetworking, mutual admiration, and shared artistic vision. First and foremost, many of the artists I collaborated with were individuals whose work I had admired from afar. Through social media, music platforms, and networking, I reached out to them to express my admiration for their talent and to pitch my “PARALLAX” project to them.
Additionally, I was fortunate to have established connections within the music industry, including fellow musicians, producers, and promoters, who were able to introduce me to artists they felt would be a good fit for the project. These referrals often led to fruitful collaborations and expanded my network of creative collaborators. One of the artists involved in "PARALLAX" was an acquaintance whom I had previously made a remix/rework for.
Which song, in your opinion, was the most challenging to record?
The most challenging song to record for "PARALLAX" was one featuring a desirable featured artist. Despite our efforts, problems at their recording studio led to a submission with excessive distortion and clipping, rendering the vocals unusable. This setback necessitated their replacement with another artist, which ultimately turned out well, resulting in a great track.
Additionally, difficulties arose during the mixing process, particularly with Teya Flow's tracks. As Teya has specific preferences for her vocals, and I was running behind on the project, I decided to collaborate with Zefear on her songs. Zefear's familiarity with Teya's preferred vocal effectsand EQ, and his extensive experience with her proved invaluable. I also greatly respect his talent and productions, making it an honor to work with him.
Do you have a favorite track that you’re particularly fond of?
I’m particularly drawn to the track "Mecha War Rendezvous" because it encapsulates a captivating blend of futuristic imagery and timeless themes of love and conflict. The song paints a vivid picture of giant mechanized battles and soldiers clad in powerful mecha exo-suits, setting the stage for a dramatic narrative reminiscent of epic science fiction sagas. It’s like a sci-fi action movie in song form, completewith love interest. I wrote the lyrics for this over a few days back in July, 2023.
At its core, the song tells a story of forbidden love between two individuals from opposing factions, akin to a modern-day Romeo and Juliet tale but with a thrilling science fiction twist. The lyrics capture the complexities of their relationship, highlighting the challenges of choosing between duty and personal feelings amidst the chaos of war. The emotive vocals by Jolie, coupled with my dynamic musical arrangement, evokes a sense of urgency and passion. As the characters grapple with their conflicting loyalties and emotions, the song explores themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the enduring power of love to transcend even the most formidable obstacles.
Ultimately, "Mecha War Rendezvous" is a cinematic experience that transports you to a world of high-stakes battles and star-crossed romance, leaving a lasting impression long after the music fades. I’m also very fond of the YouTube lyric video I made for this one. I think it helps to convey some of the imagery that was going on in my mind when writing the song.
What are your thoughts on the role and influence of social media in the music industry?
It's like having a direct line to my fans, allowing me to share my music, connect with listeners, and build a community around my art. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTubeparticularly help me reach new audiences and promote my music. I’m on Tiktok, X (formerly Twitter), and others, but Instagram is the social platform I favor most and tend to interact with others on. It's all about authenticity and building genuine connections with people who love my music, creativity and storytelling.
I love using platforms like Instagram to share behind-thescenes glimpses of my creative process, givefans a sneak peek at upcoming projects, and engage in real-time conversations with listeners. It's a way for me to show the human side of being an artist and connect with people on a more personal level.Of course, social media isn't without its challenges. There's a lot of noise out there, a highly selective algorithm that wants you to pay for reach, and it can be hard to cut through the clutter and get noticed. But I see it as an opportunity to be creative and innovative in how I share my music and engage with my audience.
I’ve read that one impact of social media is that songs are now often only around 2 minutes long. Do you think this is sufficient to tell a story?
In short, yes, but I believe that the length of a song should be dictated by the narrative and emotion it seeks to convey, rather than external factors like social media trends. I don't think that a song's duration necessarily determines its ability to tell a story effectively, but you would lose the depth, detail, and substance that a longer track allows.
Shorter song lengths require a more concise and focused approach to songwriting, where every lyric and musical element plays a crucial role in conveying the intended message. In most of my productions I tend to live within the 3 minute to 5 minute range, but I wouldn’t be averse to dropping a 2 minute nor a 20 minute track. It depends on my intent and vision as an artist for that piece. There are artists out there that produce music solely guided by metrics and trends, but that’s not me.
What are your plans for the near future? Are you considering starting a new project or taking a short break?
Right now, I've got some exciting projects brewing in the "synth vault" – a fully completed vocal track and two instrumentals, which are just waiting for the magic touch of lyrics and vocals. While I don't have a release plan for those, I'm diving into these new tracks at a relaxed pace and seeing where the creative journey takes me.
In the meantime, I'm fully focused on promoting my double album, Parallax. It's an absolute powerhouse of a project, and I'm thrilled to share it with the world. Expect me to be shouting about it from the rooftops for a good while yet – trust me, it's worth the hype! And looking ahead, I've got plans to release an instrumental version of Parallax down the line. So, there's plenty of excitement on the horizon.
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