BOREAL SUN - <html> Code (Single) + 10 Questions
Picture Credit: Chris Hargreaves
A collaboration between vocalist Liselotte Östblom and producer/multi-instrumentalist Matt Roberts, BOREAL SUN are set to release their debut single ‘<html> Code’ on Thursday 8th February, via Bridge The Gap. Both highly decorated artists with collaborator credits spanning SAULT to Sput (Snarky Puppy) and Jorja Smith to Ghost-Note, the duo have come together to create music without compromise.
Exploring themes of burnout, hedonism, and the strains of modern society, the track is a dancefloor-ready concoction of broken beat and 70s fusion. Balancing frantic instrumental breaks with lyric-led verses, the arrangement reflects moments of escape from anxiety before being pulled back into the chaotic void of modern life. The duo channel artists including KNOWER and Brotherly to craft a unique sound world based around stacked synths, syncopated grooves and soaring unison guitar and vocal melodies.
“<html> Code is about the stresses and strains modern society puts on us - social media, rent, bills, traffic, noise, work, pressure of all kinds. This leads to a cocktail of anxiety and repressed thoughts and feelings. Music can be a release and stress relief, and we can imagine a crowd going nuts and just dancing as if there is no tomorrow, spreading the joy of music.”
Formed in London, UK, BOREAL SUN showcases the very best talent of the city’s thriving jazz, groove and independent music scenes. Their upcoming debut project features contributions from bassist/producer Robin Mullarkey (Brotherly, Jacob Collier), percussionist Yahael Camara Onono (Balimaya Project), saxophonist Emma Rawicz, drummer Josh Blackmore (Troyka, SiZE) and many more.
Musically the group combine syncopated grooves, sweeping orchestrations, uplifting vocal hooks, powerful lyrical themes and explorative improvisations. The result is a rich, captivating sonic landscape that speaks to the breadth of influences that have informed the duo. Influences that range from the 1970’s fusion excursions of Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, to London’s broken beat and acid jazz movements of the 1990’s. But, make no mistake, BOREAL SUN present a distinctive, contemporary sound, with a unique scope and depth of musicality.
BOREAL SUN sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
The common thread between us is jazz. That’s what got us to take music seriously. We both felt a deep desire to understand what was going on - the harmonic, rhythmic, melodic language of the music, the creative energy, the historical and political context, etc. This journey is very much ongoing…
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
We both find ourselves constantly returning to musicians like Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones and Miles Davis - musicians whose starting point was jazz, but they used that knowledge, language and creative energy to springboard into all kinds of musical spaces. There’s so much breadth in their careers, but never at the expense of depth.
A huge influence on this project in particular would be the British groove duo Brotherly. Their first record, ‘One Sweet Life’ (2007), continues to be a source of inspiration for jazz and groove musicians in the UK and beyond. Producer/bassist Robin Mullarky kindly lent some synth parts to one of our forthcoming singles - his involvement means so much to us.
Last year’s ‘When The Dust Settles’ by Balimaya Project has been regularly in our listening rotation. Their bandleader, Yahael Camara Onono, is featured on our next single ‘New Beginning’, out 7th March! We feel so lucky to be part of the London music scene and be able to working with these outstanding artists.
3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
Following the release of our first single, ‘<html> Code’, we’ll be dropping monthly singles until the release of the EP in May. We’ve been sitting on this music for a while now and are so excited to share it with you!
4. How would you describe your sound?
Jazz-informed, soulful, groove music.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
Completing this record has been a really proud achievement. The whole process has been amazing - the writing, the tracking, bringing together our talented friends to breathe even more life into the sound.
Picture Credit: Chris Hargreaves
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Authenticity. Be true to yourself. Audiences can tell when art is made cynically rather than from a place of honesty and love. Even if you were able to dupe an audience, why would you want a career making music you don’t like?! Life is too short for that!
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
In addition to Balimaya Project, we would add Runner Boy, PinkPanthress, KWAME YEBOAH, John Keek, Kaidi Tatham, Pedro Martins… we could go on and on. So much amazing music is being made right now!
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Pedro Martins’ ‘Rádio Mistério’, ‘Patrice’ by Patrice Rushen, Kaidi Tatham’s ‘The Only Way’ and the two Cleo Sol records that dropped last year.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
We swim, exercise, drink and party with our friends and loved ones - anything that gets us away from our phone screens.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
Coffee, coffee and wine.