ICEBLINK "CARPET COCOON" REVIEW
Iceblink’s new album “Carpet Cocoon” follows the path of their previous EP self-titled “Iceblink,” released back in 2017. With a sound that reminiscence ambient and experimental music from the 70’s, the main composer, Lynn Avery, likes to define as “bedroom new age.” The album is composed of ten songs, and while the songs they don’t relate to each other, each one tells a different story. You’ll find the sounds of every day things can be perfectly put together in a unique way to create an outstanding and beautiful harmony.
With new-age sounds and medieval guitars, Colin Pulice (who has previously collaborated with Bon Iver and Mild High Club) adds winds while Mitch Stahlmann improvises with his electronic flout, that gives a unique sense of rhythm that the previous EP had been missing.
I would have to recommend my top three songs on this album, the very first one being my favorite, “Healer.” This song could be a perfect soundtrack for a Sofia Coppola film; just listening to it I can imagine myself in a warm blanket, drinking tea and just enjoying my own company. It is a very positive and friendly song that starts with a soft guitar that later, as the song goes on, is accompanied by a jazz-like flout that has a steady yet smooth rhythm. This one, compared to the other nine songs, has more musical instruments incorporated. It does have other components, but are minimal, even so, they work perfect with each other.
The second track I recommend is “Microsong,” welcoming us with a tender flout and nature sounds in the background, which makes it the perfect song to wake up and meditate to or do some yoga to. The song also has some soft synths in it that pass by almost unnoticed, but the song wouldn’t be the same without them.
Last but not least, the final track “Collette” is the perfect way to ending the album. You get to listen to conversations in the background as melodic notes are played on a nostalgic synth; like waving us a sad good bye after a longed reunion has ended.
My journey throughout the album was just like that, like I longed to meet with friends, where I enjoyed the musical ride we got ourselves into, to end up with promises of meeting each other again soon, each one of us feeling a bit sad that it ended, but happy that we went through this journey together. I know I’m glad I’ve listened to this album and is a strong recommendation for people wanting to check out new artists that are outside of the ordinary.
Iceblink:
Lynn Avery with appearances from Cole Pulice and Mitch Stahlmann
(Melodic Noise) How's your day going?
(Iceblink) Fine, listening to some new music from my friend Ulla and putting together a new bookshelf
(MN) What is your formed/origin story?
(I) Iceblink began as a set of demos I made that didn't fit a project I was a part of at the time. It grew to incorporate more of the sounds I'm interested in from 70s and 80s ambient and experimental music.
(MN) Genre?
(I) Currently: bedroom new age
(MN) Do you have a label?
(I) Moon Glyph, I was interested in them because of their releases by Galaxy Express 555 and more recently IE. They reached out because of a video of a project I was involved with a couple years ago and I offered them some of my personal material.
(MN) Album name?
(I) Carpet Cocoon. The record is partially inspired by my deep fascination with textile arts, rugs. While I was writing the record I was also learning how to weave and alternating between writing and weaving most of the winter. The record is sort of a record I imagine you would listen to while hibernating in the winter. The tape I'd want to pop in while I sit in my kitchen weaving.
(MN) What was the inspiration behind the album?
(I) Some other inspiration for the record were the strange and wonderful records by british duo Woo, the sound of their clarinet and lulling strums of guitar, as well as their use of vocoder. The whole project, Iceblink, is extremely inspired by mixtapes by art and music blogger toysandtechniques, who sort of reaches all across world music, russian children music, incidental film music, british folk and quaint new age.
(MN) What do you hope people take away from the album?
(I) Maybe a little warmth or calmness, hopefully goes well with their morning coffee.
(MN) Is there something that connects the songs together?
(I) Some songs are more guitar driven and some are more synthy oddities or soaked in field recording. I think the variety gives the record a sort of mixtape feel.
(MN) Are you locals or transplants?
(I) Ive lived in Minnesota my whole life
(MN) What are some of your influences and Minnesota influences?
(I) Some influences are woo, syrinx, jon hassel, roedelius, visible cloaks, harry partch, roberto musci
(MN) Who are some of your favorite current Twin Cities artists?
(I) American Cream, Loud Sun, Nadine, Tine Net
(MN) What is your favorite venue to play and see shows at in Twin Cities?
(I) Khyber Pass, a beautiful space with wonderful owners, delicious curry, and one of the only truly intimate spaces where you can always expect something unique and interesting.
(MN) What can fans expect when they come to your shows?
(I) I will likely play more shows with this album, where I play classical guitar and Cole plays sax. But I'm hoping to do something very different soon, i'm always trying to change direction with this project.
(MN) Do you have a favorite or crazy memory of playing a show?
(I) I played a show in Oakland at an apartment where they had a space dedicated for performances, and the room was completely enclosed in glass. It was a beautiful room and there were lots of beautiful people there and I got a very long list of emails for a nonexistent email list haha
(MN) Other hobbies?
(I) Weaving, I want to learn how to do rug hooking. I also design all of the art that goes with my music
(MN) What do you like about living in the Twin Cities?
(I) The neighborhood is called lyndale, Im pretty close to Kingfield
(MN) Is there anything that sets the Twin Cities scene apart from places you've toured?
(I) People will come to your show when it is -10 windshield.
(MN) What are your favorite places to grab food or drink in the Twin Cities?
(I) I like to run into everyone at Modern Times
(MN) Day jobs?
(I) I run sound at Moon Palace, a medium sized venue that's located behind a bookstore of the same name. My friend Nona does the booking.
(MN) What are your plans for the future?
(I) I am currently writing a record inspired by italian classical guitar music, Les Rallizes Denudes, and Im going to do some choral vocals on it. Just writing songs with vocals is something I haven't done in a long time.
Review by: Maureen Cruz, Writer @MaureenEtoile
Interview and edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner @PlaylistTC
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