An Experimental but Driving and Colorful Single from Ethel's Odyssey
A brand new single release from Ethel's Odyssey delivers a kind of tense soundscape that's built off fast-paced rhythms, samples, light synths that drip throughout the track's course, and a bass guitar line that sort of drives things forward.
"Bullet Train" is a track that you should be listening to with headphones on, because this way you can really soak in all the different tones and textures that are sort of coming at you.
The tension of this song is meant to be there. You're meant to feel that drive and sort of robust energy that it delivers, while still going with the flow of the groove it delivers.
The drumming is absolutely outstanding. Also adds this incredible liveliness to the track that feels boisterous and brings elements of jazz and pop together, which all feels awesome with the other instrumentation going on.
It is a bit of a stripped-down feel even though it also has a full-bodied approach.
What I mean is that you have drums, bass guitar, and keys that are scattered about the song.
Throughout those elements, you also have samples of an actual set of announcements letting people know trains are coming and going.
All of those elements are completely consistent through and through. They never drop out; they are part of the song's aesthetic.
The cool thing is, even though it has that sort of intense feel, it also has a brightness to it that's almost colorful.
I feel like that combination of fast-paced percussion and trickling keys along with the rolling bass line is what makes this track unique.
I feel like some of the rushed kind of feeling you get from it is because of those train announcements. Because they're there and the rhythm of the song is upbeat, you kind of feel like you might miss a train, and you need to be paying attention. You find yourself imagining looking around a station, trying to find the right train and making sure you don't miss it.
I think that they captured that essence amazingly. Being able to display that sense of urgency to find the right place you're supposed to be, otherwise you might miss your ride, is a really unique thing to accomplish.
It brings two different elements together. The element of music and instrumentation, with that urgent sensation coming from the samples, announcements, and music.
I love a song that pulls you out of wherever you are and puts you in a different place altogether. This track is exactly that.
The bass guitar work is outstanding as well. This is done by musicians who are masters at their instruments. They love the craft of creating for the sake of creating it.
It does have a natural and sort of forward-moving flow to it, but it's also a little edgy, and definitely pop-riddled.
You can hear that there are a slew of influences that the group hold close to their heart, coming from the pop, the jazz, and everything else, it all works in such a strange way that it's enticing and addicting.
The song makes you feel like you're running through that train station.
Another reason you should listen to this track with headphones on is simply that it was designed so that you are surrounded by these sounds. You're meant to be immersed in this experience, and listening with headphones is absolutely the best way to do that.
Listening to it in the car is also a great way to soak this in properly.
As I said before, this is a bit of an escape. It does put you in a different place, and you do feel those high-rising emotions that come from a strange sense of worry; all the while, you have a little bit of bounce, color, and flavor.
It's definitely a fun track, showcasing how the project can portray semi-cinematic pieces that blend and bend genres freely, while getting you involved.
One of the things I love most about this whole single is that as it plays, you start to picture things in your head. I think that certain people will interpret it a little differently than I did, but if you dive headfirst into this track, you're going to have a great experience.
The track also has some synth pads that are used almost like strings that flow through some of the ether of the track, adding a bit of vastness to it. This also deepens the track and pulls you in further.
This is most certainly meant to be an experience for the listener.
As far as we can tell, this single is a glimpse of their upcoming EP, Shrine, set to be released early next month.
One of the coolest things about this is you kind of don't know what to expect next. You know it's going to be experimental like this, outside the box, immersive, and fun, but you don't know exactly what is coming.
I absolutely love that factor.
Ethel's Odyssey is the brainchild of Ian Hand, who decided to take matters into his own hands and create something atmospheric and different.
So this may not actually be a whole group. I think this may be Ian himself performing everything.
Upon listening to the track and finding all of this out, I wanted to have a sit-down with Ian to find out where this all came from, how it works, and what's coming up next.
So, while you listen to this track, have a read through of our interview with Ethel's Odyssey.
Where did this track come from and what is it about?
So this track essentially came from travelling around Japan last year, where some of the bigger journeys were via Japan's famous bullet train, the Shinkansen. I'm a bit of a train nut, so it was a lifetime dream come true to ride the Shinkansen! I sampled sounds of the bullet train on my trip and used these in the track.
I am hearing several approaches to this! What are your biggest musical influences?
So for this single, and forthcoming EP, and indeed the Ethel's Odyssey project, I've drawn very much on my DIY music and synth influences.
I'm a huge fan of Mac DeMarco's music and what he stands for in terms of music production and writing, so that really has had a huge effect on me. The DIY, stripped back approach, basically making do with what you have but trying not to jeopardise quality (hopefully!), is something I've really taken inspiration from.
Style and sound wise then, in addition to Mac, Public Service Broadcasting, Gary Numan and Tubeway Army, as well as Japanese electronic acts such as Shigeo Sekito and Haruomi Hosono, have all fed into the Ethel's Odyssey sound.
How did it all start for you guys as an artist?
Ethel's Odyssey was actually borne out of the lockdowns during COVID, where I couldn't regularly meet up with my band, The Elephant Room.
So Ethel was very much a result of creative necessity. Otherwise, I think I would have been in a worse off place if I didn't have that creative outlet.
Did you produce this yourself, or did you work with an outside producer?
Yep, "Bullet Train" and the forthcoming EP, "Shrine," are all produced by myself. It's a full DIY approach where I wrote, recorded and mixed everything by myself, with some sage advice from sound engineer friends along the way.
Was this recorded in a bigger studio, or was it a home DAW setup?
Again, taking a leaf out of Mac's recording book, I recorded all parts at home. The drums were recorded in my garage, and the bass and synth parts in my spare bedroom.
It was all recorded and mixed using Audacity. Open source forever!
Are you performing live right now?
My next live show is the "Shrine" EP launch on September 5th at Watchtower, McHugh's Drogheda, Ireland, where I'll have a full live ensemble with me.
What's next for you now that this is out?
Hoping to build some momentum now for the forthcoming EP and to get as many people down to the launch as possible. I'll also be joined by two other brilliant local acts for support, Pale Legs and DJ Fanny Split McGee.
So for me, this release is as much about promoting local talent as it is about gaining some new listeners along the way.
What would you say people can expect from this release?
People can expect a blast of energy hurtling its way through the listener's ears like a bullet train!
The "Shrine" EP will include this and more, taking the listener on a Japanese prog synth rock trip.
What would you want to say to fans of the music?
I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to those who are already fans and to new fans who will hopefully dig what I've been trying to put across with this new release.
Artists need fans to spur us on, so I really do appreciate the likes, follows and listens. It makes it all worthwhile!
Thanks again,
Ian
https://www.instagram.com/
https://distrokid.com/
