'Pioneering
South Pacific label Sub Continental Dub presents 'May Day Radio', the politically
charged debut album from Australian producer Westernsynthetics AKA Rhyece O'Neill.
Fusing
his unique blend of acid, dub, techno and psychedelia, Westernsynthetics draws
from vast pallet of electronic soundscapes, live instrumentation as well as the
subversive imagery he projects through his lyrics. With help on vocals from the
softly spoken Charles Smith as well as Florida MC Werd2jah, Westernsynthetics
provides his own brooding insight into the daily struggles of capitalist society.
Lead
single 'The Machine' summons the sadness that lingers in the dark corners of the
urban jungle - surviving among the madness, while also yearning to be born again.
It's a mission statement that extends across 'May Day Radio'. Westernsynthetics
summons a soundtrack of beats that is both slickly produced and emotionally gripping.
Jangling guitars mesh with industrial soundscapes, there's a sense of warmth and
melody that compliments the dark beats, and the political sensibilities extend
beyond mere statements or sloganeering.
"I'd like people
to feel inspired both politically and artistically by the album," says O'Neill,
of the dual musical and political goals he pursued for his debut album. "I
wanted to cover a range of soundscapes. I did this by using a lot of my own and
other peoples sampling of old radios, streets, voices and noise."
The
result is one of those rare dance albums that carries an appeal stretching beyond
the scene from where it originated. There's every bit the polish we've come to
expect from all of our accomplished dance producers, but it's coupled with a beautiful
sense of the organic, and a South Pacific identity that belies O'Neill's roots.
Highly meditative in its nature, the pressure builds and releases across 'May
Day Radio', with an album that keeps on giving after many listens.
ABOUT
WESTERNSYNTHETICS:
A refusal to conform to popular trends
in dubstep has allowed Westernsynthetics to stand out, earning him a nomination
for 'Best Instrumental Composition' category in the 2009 Australian Songwriters
Association Awards, as well as invitations to perform at the Big Day Out, Rainbow
Serpent and Peats Ridge Festivals across the Australian summer.
He
is a regular guest at Sydney's Void parties and Melbourne's Bass High dubstep
nights, where he's supported international dubstep heavyweights like DJ Distance,
Scuba, Caspa, Skream, Benga, Bassnectar, Cotti, Harmonic 313, Gravious, Tes La
Rok, Deadbeat and many others. Some of his remix credits include artists like
Deepchild, The Herd and Armen Firman.
ABOUT SUB CONTINENTAL
DUB:
Sub Continental Dub is an Australian electronic label
specialising in quality future bass music from the South Pacific. For more information
or to join the mailing list at www.subcontinentaldub.com
'May
Day Radio' is out now.
