Pastoral Synthesis

by S. Costa

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gordondfwallace Cos this man unwittingly wrote a tune about my daughter. #legend #boyswithtats #lovecraftbeer #readtarot Favorite track: Frieda.

Josh Vardey Leviathan melodies built from beds of wrestling rhythms whir their way towards a world of spring sunshine and cool water. Blissful bobbing psych-synth armour for all our current mad moments. Favorite track: Point Arena.

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1.	Point Arena 08:28	buy track
2.	Atlas 03:15
3.	Frieda 05:34

about

This music, made between May and July 2020, is the result of my first experiments with composition using a modular synthesiser. I am new to this wildly complex instrument — sometimes it’s felt like I’m fighting with it and sometimes the music flows faster than I can keep up with. Either way, I am rarely in full control and these recordings capture a series of improvisations before they were lost to me.

Each piece is a golden memory of time spent in northern California — the dawn breaking through redwoods in Point Arena, seals playing in the surf at Fort Ross Cove, Bluegrass Thursdays at the Atlas Cafe in San Francisco.

But it was recorded here at my desk, in my small apartment in London, as the pandemic confined us all to our homes. Listening back now, I can hear the music speak to a deep yearning to reconnect with the natural world; and with the people I love that I don’t get to see. And in bringing my golden memories to life, this music has brought me calm in these times. I’d be so happy if anyone hearing it might share in that calm.

Inspired by and indebted to my musical heroes — Jerry and Ry, Suzanne and Kaitlyn.

Thank you Josh, Freddie, Gordon, Edd, Michael and Alex for your feedback and kindness.

Endless gratitude to my teacher, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith.

Endless love for Grace.

credits

released August 7, 2020

Composed and recorded by S.Costa in London, England
Cover artwork by David Costa
Films accompanying Point Arena and Atlas directed by Grace Harper
Instruments: MakeNoise, Pittsburgh Modular, Dreadbox, Arturia, Critter & Guitari, field recordings.

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S. Costa London, UK

S. Costa is a synthesist in South London, England

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