Prefuse 73

Guillermo Scott Herren is a hip hop IDM producer/artist, now based in Barcelona. You may know him by one of the following: Savath & Savalas, Delarosa & Asora, Piano Overlord, or Prefuse 73. Discussed here his moniker, Prefuse, is known for his distinctive take on glitch, attracting a wide audience beyond the scope of just the hip-hop community.

He begun his career in Atlanta djing for a small local night club, later working in a commercial studio producing hip hop beats for “Dirty South” rappers. During this time he aspired to make his own music, slowly procuring various drum machines and other sound generating/sequencing devices. He later moved to NYC to attend college where he worked on and released his first full length LP in 1997, under the alias Delarosa & Asora titled Sleep Method Suite.

His first release under his more known musical personality Prefuse 73 in 2001, called Vocal Studies + Uprock Narratives, was an immediate success both critically and commercially. Through the years he has released various EPs and LPs including a remix of a Books album in 2005 Prefuse Reads the Books. On his most recent release Preparations (Oct 2007) he again takes another step forward in his unique but somewhat predictable style—perhaps that is part of the curse of having so many aliases—although a good album in itself, the release comes with a surprisingly un-Prefuse/Savath/Delarosa/etc sounding “bonus” disk titled Interregnums. Though titled a bonus disk, being bonus as an unexpected surprise, this disk is in no way a haphazard collection of underdeveloped tracks. In fact it is 6 minutes longer than the actual release and in my opinion has much more to offer—though not as accessible—than the main title itself.

During his most recent trip through the Pacific NW, the producer performed with a live drummer and was introduced by NYC experimental/electronica group School of the Seven Bells. Included is a live sample (www.ctcmagazine.com/prefuse73.mp3) of his most recent show at the Holocene in Portland, OR. Which can be immediately recognized as that tasty Prefuse sound, because although predictability of an artist is an opening for criticism…when you make sick music, why reinvent your sound?

Battles

Battles…although they released two EPs as of June 2004, not many caught on to this band until recent. Largely due to the release of their first full length LP Mirrored and their recent Europe/US 2007 tour this band is getting the recognition they demand. The group is a quartet comprised of musicians all bringing to the table a strong math rock/experimental background (drummer John Stanier of Helmet and Tomahawk, guitarist/keyboardist Ian Williams of Don Caballero and Storm & Stress, guitarist David Konopka of Lynx, and avant solo musician Tyondai Braxton).

The single, “Atlas” off their debut album is quite a catchy number to say the least. The vocals sound like a crazed chipmunk ranting poetry high on helium, while an ensemble of guitar riffs seemingly in different time signatures dance over a driving steady beat. The buzzing and popping of distorted synth melodies interrupt the chipmunk’s rant perfectly.

With so much going on in the music one would wonder how the group could pull such a feat off in a live performance. With the aid of modern technology, (loop pedals, voice samples, lap tops) as well as the ability of both Ian Williams and Tyondai Braxton (son of prolific jazz musician Anthony Braxton) to play both guitar and synth, occasionally simultaneously, and the solid rhythm of John Stanier this group puts on an amazing performance, with out sacrificing any of the multi layered sound of the album. Listen to the live clip I captured ( Click here to listen to the clip. May take about 15 seconds to load but well worth the wait! http://ctcmagazine.com/Battles.mp3)at their most recent 2007 show in Portland, OR and see for yourself.

Even if post/math/experimental-rock is not exactly your thing, I would still suggest taking the time to see this group or at least give their music a listen. The sound takes you on a journey through the extremes: from complex—sometimes to the point of aggravation—to playful, manic and tense to mannered and circular. This band will have you scratching your head and tapping your foot at the same time.