The Songs and Stories of the New Video Album, Le Flux

Dec 29, 2022 | Audio/Visual, Fellowships and Artist Residencies

I flew into Paris but had a show in Strasbourg a few days later. I rented a car for the following morning and booked a room in Verdun, the city in the middle, to help break up the 6 hour drive. The residency that brought me to Europe didn’t start for another week. I explored France and Germany with my camera, capturing footage for the songs I was about to write. 

Near Verdun is Vent des Forêts, a contemporary art exhibit in the woods. Some people fly into Paris to experience the city. I drove 3 hours into the countryside on one-lane dirt roads to hike alone in the forest in 91-degree heat. 

The album artwork and videos for “A New Day” is from that hike. The sculptures in the video are “Cartouche” by Marion Verboom.  “One of those who were too long in the woods,” by Stefan Rinck has been described as everyone’s friend of the forest.

The second song, “Black Forest ” features the trees and mushrooms of the Black Forest in Germany. The song was inspired by a melody I overheard two children singing to each other while hiking.

In “Beach Dreams,” forests reflect on stream surfaces. Underwater footage captures the light through water. 

“Sunshine and Pines” shows scenes of Planplatten mountain (7,365 ft) situated within the Uri and Bernese Alps in Switzerland. On my birthday, I rode a gondola to the top of the mountain with 2 other people and what appeared to be hundreds of pounds of cheese (not pictured).

“Delaney” features live, improvised, and looped vocals. The percussion was made by talented musician and pal, Delaney Davidson. The song is named after him. Many years ago, he tapped on the body of his guitar and I saved the sound to my loop pedal. At the residency, I revisited the beat and wrote the composition in real time as it was recorded. The footage is from the Bernese Alps in Switzerland. 

The dark melody of “And Let Live”’ matched the cold cellar at Chateau Orquevaux. I combined videos of clouds, water, fire, and the basement to achieve the haunting effects. Humble brag that I hit those low notes naturally. This song was featured on a compilation released by Volar Records, “Presence Not Absence – A Benefit Compilation for Trans BIPOC Housing Assistance.” Buy it on Bandcamp if you wish to support it. 

“Anticipating the End” features footage from ruins of the ancient Hohenbaden Old Castle and Burg Alt-Eberstein castle ruins in Germany, and a foggy night in Orquevaux, France. 

Skipping in Place meanders through the town of Orquevaux and showcases the beloved goats of the Chateau and their coordinated dance moves.

“Let it Flow” is the only song with lyrics on the track and the reason the album is named “Le Flux” (“the flow” in French). It features highlights from the trip to France, Germany, and Switzerland.

Thanks for taking the time to listen and view. I appreciate you and your support.
 
Subscribe at UnoLady.com
Buy the tape through Imperial Emporium Sound Options’ Bandcamp
Buy the digital album through Uno Lady’s Bandcamp 
Stream on your preferred site

RELATED POSTS

Learn About Le Flux, the New Video Album

Dec 2, 2022 | Audio/Visual, Fellowships and Artist Residencies

Le Flux was recorded and written at Chateau Orquevaux, France in September 2019. 

This was my first artist retreat away from home. Past residencies were self-guided and completed in Cleveland while juggling other responsibilities. During this trip, all of my actions were focused on art.

I was determined to create as much as possible and abandoned any self-restricting rules. I muted my inner critic and nurtured the sound. Don’t have a chorus? It doesn’t matter. Lyrics,…who needs them. My voice is an instrument. These songs are acapella instrumentals. 

Staying in another country and not being able to speak French made me contemplate communication. Musical tones are translators. There are many songs I love that are in other languages. I am often clueless as to what the words are but feel I understand what the song is about. We hear emotions in the melody. Compositions can cross language barriers. I wanted to make music that can be enjoyed by many cultures. 

Every morning, I made myself a cappuccino and walked to the stables where my studio was. Whatever melody was in my mind at that moment I recorded and layered. These are the songs of Le Flux. All were written in a flow state. “Le Flux” means “The Flow” in French.  

Here are some photos of the space.

The film accompanies me on my tour of Europe. The movie has momentum. The videos ramble through forest scenes and castle ruins. The visuals, layered and modulated, transport the viewer. Forged by adventure and intuitive feelings, these recordings are unplanned and unrehearsed yet fuse into a uniquely harmonious production.

I’ll share stories about the individual songs soon. Stay tuned!  (subscribe at UnoLady.com)

Buy the tape through Imperial Emporium Sound Options’ Bandcamp
Buy the digital album through Uno Lady’s Bandcamp
Stream on your preferred site
Watch Le Flux on Youtube

 
Thanks for reading. 

RELATED POSTS