KPT "BIG WITCH" REVIEW — Melodic Noise

KPT (pronounced “kept”) released a new EP titled Big Witch, an unsettling nightmarish collection of sound stitched together to create noisy dark soundscapes. The energy flows between droning echoing noises reverberating around you as you float timelessly, and intense harsh noise that evokes feelings of horror, pushing and pulling in unison to amplify each other. The grim lulls make the harsh sections even more impactful, and the hectic sections make the more spacious moments even more expansive. Listening to this album altogether is like being on a claustrophobic rollercoaster ride through a haunted mansion, passing by sections going downhill at rapid speed like you’re on the river in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, as well as being forced to pass by slowly and watch a disturbing scene unfold. The instrumentation and vocals are vague and unreal which makes it hard to paint a clear picture in your mind of what is unfolding sonically. You try to figure out what the sound is or what the people are saying but can’t quite make it out. The lack of percussion adds to this uneasiness as you’re not sure what the connection between the sounds is or if they are following a pattern, but eventually, it all comes together.
“Conception” and “Invite” start the album out, beginning with a sample from the horror film Antichrist, a conversation between a man and a woman, the strange man asking the woman where she is most afraid. “The woods,” she responds. The pacing and delivery of the conversation lead you to believe the man has wicked intentions and that the woods are not safe. The song seamlessly continues into “Invite” which builds upon the elements presented. There’s a slow start with a steady beat and more eerie sounds. The track evolves into a cacophony of noise followed by a high energy spastic beat until the ride comes to a halt. There are sections on the record where there is only percussion, like the middle section of “Untamed” which breaks out into a danceable drum pattern. The bass-kick combo is in stark contrast to the next song “Lament” which is what sounds like a distorted guitar with a lot of feedback echoing and repeating with no discernible beat. The song “Initiation” is the slow build to the peak of mayhem. The stabbing staccato synth notes over the noisy glitchy base create a jarring experience.
“Continuation” is a notably different track from the rest. The heavenly vocal choir resembles being slowly lifted into heaven after being dragged through hell. “Circle of Dirt” returns to the creepiness, with clanging sounds building and crashing continuously as you continue to move slowly towards the ending: “Futile”. The piercing dissonant violins on this song start immediately and create tension. The volume abruptly goes quiet, then back to normal, then quiet, and so on until you’re not sure if the danger is in your face or far away. Then you start to hear the voice, a little girl singing a nursery rhyme. You don’t even need a visual and you’re already suspicious. The violins stop, the song comes to an end, and then silence. There’s no happy ending, just time to reflect on what you just went through. It’s a short song but it’s one of the most emotionally evocative tracks on the album.
Big Witch can be hard to appreciate because it is so discomforting, but you have to admire the ability to create that feeling. The noise isn’t overwhelming, and if it is, you are given a breather where you can recover. It’d be amazing to see a visual component to envision what KPT had in mind when they were making the album, but I doubt whatever the videomaker envisions is as scary as what your mind creates.

Check out Big Witch below, and check out the accompanying album DARK.HOUSE

KPT:
Just myself. I do it all and "he/him/his" is fine.

(Melodic Noise) How's your day going?
(KPT) Not enough coffee quite yet, but so far so good.

(MN) What is your formed/origin story?
(KPT) I started as KPT in 2012 as an excuse to tap into the industrial/hard electronic "scene". My prior projects might have been similar musically, just not as easily "defined" or accessible.

(MN) Genre?
(KPT) I often describe what I do as dark electronic, but I've dabbled in industrial, witch house, techno, house and acid.

(MN) Label?
(KPT) GIVE/TAKE and Communiqué Records for the release of DARK.HOUSE currently... GIVE/TAKE is the label I co-own with my business partner and Communiqué Records came about from working with DJ ESP (aka Woody McBride) throughout the years... I've performed at his events, he's remixed my material, etc.

(MN) What is the story behind the album's name?
(KPT) A friend shot the cover image of a carnival ride while we were at Riot Fest in Chicago in 2013. It's been waiting to be used and this record's content was plenty fitting.

(MN) Lyrically what stands out on the album?
(KPT) There are no lyrics persay, but the vocal samples definitely help set the tone.

(MN) What was the inspiration behind the album?
(KPT) I had just completed my proper sophomore LP DARK.HOUSE, and while I wanted to showcase my more "traditional" electronic and dance inspirations on that release, Big Witch came about very organically and acts as a nice bridge between KPT ALIVE BY MACHINES. (my first LP) and DARK.HOUSE.

(MN) What do you hope people take away from the album?
(KPT) Any inspiration honestly. Nightmares would also be acceptable.

(MN) Is there something that connects the songs together?
(KPT) The entire album's theme is about the process of seduction from start to finish.

(MN) Are you locals or transplants?
(KPT) Born and raised in South Minneapolis.

(MN) What are some of your influences and Minnesota influences?
(KPT) Anyone who is unapologetically themselves and Prince.

(MN) Who are some of your favorite current Twin Cities artists?
(KPT) Currently, VIAL and Juice Lord come to mind as a few fantastic talents.

(MN) What is your favorite venue to play and see shows at in Twin Cities?
(KPT) First Avenue, hands down.

(MN) What can fans expect when they come to your shows?
(KPT) The unexpected, heavy, startling sounds and brand-new material.

(MN) Do you have a favorite or crazy memory of playing a show?
(KPT) My favorite memories definitely involve meeting some of my inspirations face-to-face, I've been given some fantastic event opportunities over the years.

(MN) Who are your dream tour-mates?
(KPT) Yeezus-era Kanye and Einstürzende Neubauten.

(MN) Other hobbies?
(KPT) Currently? Anti-fascism, cars and motorcycles.

(MN) What do you like about living in the Twin Cities?
(KPT) The diversity, the food, everything but the winters.

(MN) Is there anything that sets the Twin Cities scene apart from places you've toured?
(KPT) Minneapolis just feels like home...a little more "welcoming" I'd say.

(MN) What are your favorite places to grab food or drink in the Twin Cities?
(KPT) The Depot, The Bulldog, so many great spots that are now long gone...Falafel King, Shorty & Wags.

(MN) What are your plans for the future?
(KPT) Video plans are in the works for both Big Witch and DARK.HOUSE, more livestreaming events and I've got a remix coming before 2020 is out.

(MN) Is there anyone you'd like to thank or shout out?
(KPT) My wife, my boys, Melodic Noise and anyone that truly takes the time to listen.

Make sure to follow KPT on Official Site, Bandcamp, Facebook, and Twitter. And make sure to check out Big Witch and DARK.HOUSE available now.

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Review by: Jeremy Bayer, Writer @BeatsBungalow
Interview and edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner @PlaylistTC