‘Soul’ by NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE
We sharpen our digital pencil and, of course, also sharpen our ears to say: Welcome back to NenesButler presents. NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE (NDX) is back and continues their journey with their new single ‘Soul.’ The new release starts with a bang and offers pure variety. For those unaware: NDX are the psychedelic rock ‘n’ soul rulers from the foggy streets of London, the messengers of epic soul rock.
‘Soul,’ their latest masterpiece, ignites like a fuse hurtling toward a musical explosion that cannot be stopped. And when it explodes, it does so with full force! Responsible for this crackling energy is none other than the award-winning drum king from New York,
Josh Van Ness, who, in congenial collaboration with
Ian Whiteling, the singer already revered for his distinctive voice, creates magic.
You don’t have to wait long because then comes the grand detonation, where Jack Dawkins enters the stage on saxophone, playing a role heavier than the universe itself. A mutual escalation of energy unleashes a spectacular display that culminates in a chorus that not only illuminates the soul but pierces it with the force of a cosmic lightning bolt.
This lightning shatters the shadows of indifference and ignites a fire of passion, a passion that is celebrated until the very end and sparks a glow in every single note that defies description. This storm of power is briefly interrupted to treat us to further musical eruptions; brace yourselves for the magnificent outburst around the 3:00-minute mark.
‘Soul’ by NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE is a daring ride that not only showcases the band’s skill but also proves that NDX can breathe more life into a song than you ever dreamed. In this spirit: The starting signal for a new era of releases has been given, and we await the next masterpiece with bated breath. Until then: Listen to ‘Soul’ and let your spirit rock!
‘Soul’ by NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE [DE]
Wir spitzen unseren digitalen Bleistift und spitzen natürlich auch unsere Ohren, um zu sagen: Welcome back to NenesButler presents. NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE (NDX) ist zurück und setzt ihre Reise mit ihrer neuen Single „Soul“ fort. Das neue Release startet mit einem Paukenschlag und bietet pure Abwechslung. Für die Unwissenden unter euch: NDX, das sind die psychedelischen Rock’n’Soul-Herrscher aus dem Nebel Londons, die Boten des epischen Soul Rocks.
„Soul“, ihr neuestes Machwerk, zündet wie eine Lunte, die unaufhaltsam auf eine musikalische Explosion zusteuert. Und wenn es knallt, dann richtig! Verantwortlich für dieses Knistern ist niemand Geringeres als der preisgekrönte Trommelkönig aus New York, Josh Van Ness, der im kongenialem Zusammenspiel mit Ian Whiteling, dem Sänger, der durch seine markante Stimme bereits Kultstatus erreicht hat.
Man muss nicht lange warten, denn dann kommt es zur großen Detonation, bei der Jack Dawkins am Saxophon die Bühne betritt und eine Rolle spielt, die mehr Gewicht hat als das Universum selbst. Ein gegenseitiges Hochschaukeln der Energie entfesselt ein fulminantes Spektakel, das in einem Refrain gipfelt, der nicht nur die Seele erleuchtet, sondern sie mit der Wucht eines kosmischen Blitzes durchbohrt.
Dieser Blitz zerschmettert die Schatten der Gleichgültigkeit und entzündet ein Feuer der Leidenschaft, eine Leidenschaft die bis zum Ende zelebriert wird und in jeder einzelnen Note ein Glut entfacht die man nicht beschreiben kann. Dieser Sturm der Kraft wird nur kurz unterbrochen, um uns weitere musikalische Ausbrüche zu kredenzen, haltet die Ohren steif für den grandiosen Ausbruch bei etwa 3:00 Minuten.
„Soul“ von NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE ist ein Husarenritt, der nicht nur das Können der Band zur Schau stellt, sondern auch beweist, dass NDX einem Song mehr Leben einhauchen kann, als ihr euch je erträumt habt. In diesem Sinne: Der Startschuss für eine neue Ära der Releases ist gefallen, und wir warten mit angehaltenem Atem auf das nächste Prunkstück. Bis dahin: Hört euch "Soul" an und lassen euren Geist rocken!
Q&A (with Ian Whiteling)
Is “Soul” the lead-up to an album release, or will you follow the usual pattern of releasing individual tracks over a few months before an LP comes out?
Following the launch of our second album “The Release” a few months ago, which we’re delighted has been received so well by the amazing indie blogging community, we’re keen to keep recording and releasing. We’re constantly writing and have a lot of songs to record, so ‘Soul’ marks the start of a series of releases that will span the summer and early autumn, and then we plan to release our next album late 2024/early 2025. We already have three new songs almost complete, not including ‘Soul’, so things are progressing well.
It’s clear that you’ve mastered your musical craft, which leads me to my next question. It often seems that nowadays one has to be more of a technician in terms of DAWs than a musician. What’s your take on this?
From my perspective (Ian ‘Lightning’ Whiteling, NDX singer, guitarist and songwriter), creativity comes above musicianship and technical ability. NDX are all about the songs, then expressing them in the purest, simplest way that brings out the best in them. Combining musicianship and technical ability from a recording perspective is key to helping us achieve this goal. It’s never been more important to have these two skills because they give artists control over their songs and their sound, while also keep costs down.
Moreover, your songs are still arranged in the classical sense, meaning they have the structure needed for a full-fledged musician to shine. How do you view the trend of songs getting shorter, moving towards 2 minutes or less?
We’ve released songs of various lengths from under 2 minutes (Seethrough, Conquer, Religion) to over 5 minutes (Dynamite), so anything goes as far as we’re concerned as long as it’s a good song. For us, song structure is really important as we want to take people on a journey, and building in different sections helps achieve this while also engaging the listener. It also enables us to incorporate numerous ‘hooks’ that catch people’s attending and draw the listener in.
Doing this around 2 minutes is quite a skill, but when this is achieved the results can be amazing. So, we love short sharp songs, but also like to write longer tunes to add variety for our fans. And as you might have guessed, we don’t really follow musical trends.
This influence surely also comes from social media, where everything must happen in short timeframes, or interest is lost. How do you handle social media? Is it more a necessary evil of the present, or a useful tool to keep fans updated?
We view social media as simply another communications tool that enables us to get our music ‘out there’. It’s crazy not to use such a well-used free resource. It might be influencing the trend for shorter songs, but few artists post full songs anyway, even if they are under two minutes, preferring to upload clips of the catchiest parts of their material – choruses, hooks, etc. This means it has never been more important to have a good song structure that includes these key engaging elements, so that you can pull them out in social posts and encourage people to investigate further. And social media is a great online entry point, allowing you to take people on a journey through your music.
Since you also perform live, is there a chance to see you on stage in the near future?
We mainly perform across London, so if you’re in the city it’s always worthwhile checking out our website and social channels to see where we’re playing. We perform as a duo (just me and our bass player Amar ‘The Groovemeister’ Grover with or without beats, as a three piece with Isi ‘Tarzan’ Roldan on drums, and also as a four piece with Jack ‘The Dude’ Dawkins on saxophone. This gives us the flexibility to play at any size venue, so you never know where we’ll turn up next!
What are your goals for this year, or at least until after the summer?
Simply keeping on keeping on!! Continuing performing, writing and recording as it’s what we live for. Finding the best gigs, playing to the most people, and writing the best songs! BRING IT ON!!!
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