I recently reviewed two fantastic classically based pieces from Radagast The Brown as part of a round-up review I completed based around classical music. If you somehow missed the review, the songs can also be found at the end of this interview!

By Jane Howkins

You recently released a song titled Another Plane Beyond Empiricism, which we reviewed. What can you tell us about the song and its respective LP?

The song and album title suggest my state of my mind when writing and recording the track. It’s meant to suggest that there is divinity that communicates to us through shadows and whispers, not necessarily in the loud and obvious ways that suit our limited human processing. Our collective intellect isn’t enough to grasp beyond what our human experience can give us. Musically, I used a lot of effects-treated kalimba and piano. One song features a penny whistle. I also made extensive use of repurposing vocals from my dream-pop project into this one. I’m a value-driven person in many ways, including in how I approach music. I don’t think artistic credibility is compromised in that sense, I feel proud to be able to take something I created and then use my tools to make it something completely different and unrecognisable to what it started out as.

We also reviewed the track, The More They Tell Me About You, The Less I Believe Them, which is the title track of an LP released last year. What can you tell us about that track and its respective LP?

This was my pandemic-year project and I was inspired by visual imagery in my head that I tried to translate audibly. The title track felt very emotional as it was being written and recorded. I had no idea how the song was going to turn out until it was done. It’s rather exhilarating being caught up in a musical idea and not knowing what’s around the corner. I just had that initial piano phrase in my head and it turned into a musical journey that feels like I’m talking directly to God. Visual imagery that popped in my head included Iceland (I had been there a couple of years before), a run-down steel mill that looks like it came from David Lynch’s Eraserhead, the ocean, the mountains, swampy marshes and a haunted castle.

Your LP, Another Plane Beyond Empiricism, came out in July this year. How has the reception been so far?

I’m aware that this kind of music doesn’t have too wide of an audience. I haven’t heard much from anyone outside of a couple of random reviews from critics and industry writers who don’t really know me. I hope that the people close in my life will listen to it someday… I mean really listen to it because they want to, rather than from a feeling of obligation.

Has the pandemic hindered your work much?

Not really – if anything I’ve been more productive, but I’ve been spread out over writing and producing LPs for 3 different projects simultaneously. Radagast the Brown is the easiest one for me because the music is largely written as it’s being recorded. It’s improvised and since it is a rather niche genre, I try not to worry too much about its reception and enjoy the process.

Do you plan to release any singles in the near future?

While I’ve tossed the idea around a bit, I think that full-length releases are better suited for this genre. It’s possible I may change my mind in the future though.

Both LPs were released within a year of each other. Have you started writing for another LP or an album?

I have started writing a new album for 2023 release which I think will be my favorite release yet. It will feature more guitar and stringed instruments and much more restraint from the piano.

Your music is based within the classical genre. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?

I’m influenced by a few different genres, but classical is a big one. Terry Riley, Steve Reich, Pauline Oliveros, Stuart Dempster, John Cage, Arvo Part, Philip Glass, Henryk Gorecki, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Erik Satie, Henryk Gorecki, Wendy Carlos – it’s like going down a wormhole for me when it comes to influences. Lately I’ve been really into SubtractiveLAD, Gattica Kid, Purl, Julianna Barwick, Light of Shipwreck, Nadja, and How to Disappear Completely, to name a few.

Where are you based? What is the music scene like in your part of the world? Are you influenced by your surroundings?

I’m based in the Bay Area, Napa, CA. There’s not too much interest in wine country for alternative, experimental, left-field or sub-genre music. While I live in a beautiful part of the world, it doesn’t influence me musically as much as it would if I lived in a place like Iceland.

Do you have any tour dates lined up?

No tour plans, but I’m looking to setup a local event where my full album will be played with video accompaniment under the stars. I did that with my first album and it was a lot of fun.

Any last words for the fans?

I really appreciate anyone being interested in my music, especially because it requires a bit more patience and intentional listening than other genres. I’m also interested in making music in various genres. People can follow my dreampop project on Instagram @skylightmotionpicture and my burgeoning hip-hop project @radbrown.beats.