Ephemeral Objects —07: Escaflowne
Finding beauty in deceleration
Ephemeral Objects —07: Escaflowne
Is there something perverse about making downtempo music in New York City? No, obviously not. But globalization, “all scenes and styles are happening simultaneously because of the internet”, and “NYC is a place you can get anything at any time” aside, we are talking about a place that runs on adrenaline and instant gratification. Where most are chasing the rocket-fuel of rave and the pneumatic thump of a pounding 4/4 future.
Brooklyn-based Escaflowne’s new album “Clouds” (the first proper long-player since 2021) arrives like a correction to that sentiment. After finding homes with HouseOfAltr, Sorry Records, Fixed Rhythms, and a run of sharp self-releases covering every tempo and style going, he chose to operate for this one at the 100 BPM crossroads. Perfect for a deliberate, head-nodding scan of the periphery. Here, slowed breaks a la trip-hop are supporting lush pads and delicate acid lines. There, a hypnotic reinterpretation of dancehall’s slow and heavy rhythms. It’s quite lovely.
Maybe this is all of us getting a bit older and realizing not everything needs to be a weapon (though contextualized correctly, there is certainly a weapon or two in here). And honestly, fair enough. The city keeps accelerating. Someone might as well ease on the gas.
In Ephemeral Objects —07, Escaflowne brings us 3 items that allow for the physical maintenance of his creative state.
Check out his Bandcamp and keep up to date with his upcoming shows.
Be on the lookout for an to-be-announced, “not so chill”, New Years party in Brownsville, a couple 12”s next year if everything goes smoothly, and an electro/breakbeat self-release in January.
Object 1: My Studio Chair, Herman Miller Mirra 2
The object that is easily the most important part of my creative output and process. One that both dominates and aesthetically doesn’t fit in my creative space. My Studio chair. About 5 years ago I got a sweet deal on a Herman Miller Mirra 2 off FB marketplace and it’s been a game changer. I can literally sit in that chair all day without pain or discomfort, and I make almost all of my creative output sitting in that chair. It’s literally the foundational object of my creative process. So, If you have the means, please go buy yourself a nice studio/office chair. It might change your life.
Object 2: My preferred studio snacks
I love snacking when I’m having a long focused creative session. Also I’m literally more productive when I do so. Currently My prefered studio snack for the last year is reduced fat Triscuits. They’re not extremely unhealthy, have great texture, and are full of fiber. They will give you the calories you need to keep the session pushing and the fiber you need to keep your movements regular! When I’m feeling a more unhealthy option I gravitate toward quadratinis. Flavors depend on my mood and season. But, you can’t go wrong with vanilla, lemon or gingerbread during the winter months.
Object 3 :Mushroom Gummies
Easily the most mind expanding and pound for pound, the most influential creative object in my studio space are these psilocybin mushroom gummies. I think I’ve been microdosing psychedelics for about 10 years now. LSD for the first 7 years, Mushrooms for the last 3 years, and no other substance or activity I’ve partaken in has been more beneficial for abstract and pure creativity than microdosing. I’ve probably made 70-80% of my tracks over the last 6 years on some form of microdose. At this point in my life, its essential part of not just my creative process but mental health aswell.