When I’m feeling stressed, down, or in any way negative, I like to
go to the guitar & loop Lydian/”happy” chords until I feel better (works like a charm). I used to send a little demo of such playing
to friends when they would feel this way, & I always hated that there was so much tape noise on that original demo. When the idea of a solo album came up & things started to take shape, I knew I needed a breather or two...so this was constructed to be the polar opposite of “Pretzel Avalanche!” in every way: no tempo, drums, crazy orchestrations, harmonies, etc. Just a big ol’ guitar [with accentuating layers] & space. Lots of it.
The title comes from a MN State Fair Performance of mine a few years back. When the humidity & temp finally dropped while I was waiting for the shuttle, I looked up at the dusk sky...it evoked such a somber, weightless feeling. I tried to capture that here.
*Main guitar tuned EADGBD#
credits
from Sonic Chef's Circus Absurdities,
released February 2, 2019
Alex: everything (guitars, electric sitar, bass, auxiliary percussion; breathing)
supported by 5 fans who also own “Cotton Candy Clouds”
The Mountain is a close second, but Iron Sights is my favorite tune on the album. From the gnarly bass riff to open it up, to Pig Riff mixed with heavy guitars, to that assault of an ending...this tune kicks hard! Alex Maiers
Anyone homesick for the classic sound of ’90s math rock will fall in love with the jagged guitars & tricky tempos on “LLC.” Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 6, 2023