Harmonious Discord 019 KiloWatts- Nocturnal Sunrise
Release Date: February 16th 2010
1. KiloWatts- Frozen Funk
[audio:http://www.hdrecordings.com/audio/FrozenPREV.mp3]
2. KiloWatts- Nocturnal Sunrise
[audio:http://www.hdrecordings.com/audio/NoctuPREV.mp3]
3. KiloWatts- Remembering Spring
[audio:http://www.hdrecordings.com/audio/RememPREV.mp3]
Written in the pages of our legacy is an artist that we have been in love with since his first remix project with us over 6 years ago. KiloWatts premiered on the label as a breakthrough artist trying his hands at his first couple tech house tunes. The response was huge and KiloWatts has been a Harmonious Discord staple ever since. Over the years his releases have amazed our listeners and he has always stayed true to the obscure and abstract nature of the label and in many ways represents the signature sound we have taken and spanned over 19 releases. Since his first remix with us he has branched out releasing EP’s on some of the hottest imprints in today’s techno landscape such as Mothership, Thoughtless, OM, and DirtyBird. Whether he is on tour with his band KiloWatts and Vanek, playing live shows alongside Voodeux counterpart Tanner Ross, or releasing intellectual dance music from his solo project KiloWatts James Watts is always pushing sonic boundaries to create a sound that is widely appreciated and beautifully unique.
We begin with a deep moody soundscape of Thom Yorke esk dissonant Rhodes that moves in waves of calming security. In the background there is a sharpness building that breaks through with the introduction of an elastic bass shake down and our funky groove is set in motion. Frozen Funk is a deep cerebral tune with plenty of swirly distractions that culminate into a funky syncopation of synth sounds, vocals, and bass. The elements dance together before exploding into an energy filled neutron star of sheer musical mastery. Floating keys and frozen vocal stabs add to landscape and force the senses into perpetual motion. Our second selection resides in a darker place. Nocturnal Sunrise is a slow creepy march of haunting melody. The track builds with the addition of off-pitch keys and terrifying drones only occasionally interrupted by growls of resonant bass. This selection gives you the impression you entered the wrong room and there is no way out! Our final track is a great light-hearted deep melody driven tune. Remembering Spring pays homage to the pastel colors and warm atmosphere of spring with light trickling reversed Rhodes and plenty of sneaky pads that enter like a breeze and trail off taking the hard cold of the winter with it.
Purchase
James Watts boasts an impressive and expansive discography of styles and collaborations that dates back to the early 90s demoscene and has steadily progressed forward towards making some of the most influential electronic albums to date. Having worked with some of the greatest minds in the industry, including Bluetech, Bil Bless, Tanner Ross, Peter Van Ewijk, and labels Native State Records, Mothership, Dependent, and Thoughtless Music, he has greeted the challenges in the music business with inspired optimism, smiles, and an infectious easy going attitude. In 2009, he played an extensive tour schedule in cities all over the US and Canada. In the same year we saw his 6th solo album ‘Undercurrent’, the debut Voodeux album ‘The Paranormal’, and the 2nd KiloWatts & Vanek album ‘Focus & Flow’. It’s fair to say the man lives and breathes electronic music.
His work embraces the bulk of electronic genres, including breaks, IDM, techno, and downtempo. His albums on Artificial Music Machine that are full of visionary dimensions, fusing together a dexterous knowledge of sound synthesis, deep emotional articulation, and solid melodic intuition. Peppered throughout these monumental statements are releases with class labels such as Somnia, Harmonious Discord, and his own outlet, KiloWatts Music, that celebrate his adept technical expertise, often bringing a whirlwind of digital wizardry in the form of glitches and edits.