Reviving romanticism in the material world is a task often endured by musicians and artists. Doing so without the use of words or lyrics makes it all the more daunting for experimental soundscapist, Flica.
Flica aka Eu Seng Seto is an unassuming KL-based electro-acoustic outfit. At first glance, this shy and introverted character doesn’t strike as the passionate-type. But a closer look reveals his depths of emotion, much like his music. The 26 year old artist began his musical odyssey in 2005 with his first electronica project as duo Muxu, with former Citizens of Ice-Cream guitarist, Huat Liang. Soon, Flica realised the need to explore his own style and in early 2007, he began solely crafting his music in the solitude of his bedroom.
Armed with an arsenal of sound programmes, acoustic and electric guitars as well as pianos, Flica conquers ambient fields with concise arrangements. His live performances are spontaneous affairs, combining loop effects with organic on-the-fly programming and his admirable work-ethic has resulted in debut album, Windvane And Window. Released earlier this year, it saw him collaborate with famed Tokyo indie label mastermind Akira Kosemura and electro-acoustic musician Haruka Nakamura. His latest album, Nocturnal is another electro-ambient masterpiece.
But if Flica is a composer and musician by night, he’s talented graphic designer by day. He designs his own sleeves, album covers for Mu-nest Records releases. Escapism may be nothing more than dreaming, but Flica’s creative musings will surely help to easy the burden of a jaded Sandman.
(JUICE Malaysia)
UPCOMING RELEASE:
Schole Presents
SCH-010 FLICA / WINDVANE & WINDOW [REISSUED]
Including bonus track "after", "all (original version)"
& "all (paniyolo remix)"
2009, April 26th RELEASE.
RELEASE:
title : nocturnal
format : cd
release date : Dec 2008
label : Schole
2008, December 22th. RELEASE.
Score: 7.5/10
Handsome and awe-inspiring as it may on occasion be, by God I hate winter. Days are short, feet sore, eyelids drooping, the head permanently full of indecisions. Whoever decided the shortest day of the year should fall in this ungodly season must have been heinously inexperienced. Momentary warmth buys but the most fleeting of antidotes; what is really needed is an aural IV drip of pure, unadulterated goodness such as that provided by Flica.
Nocturnal, in much the same vein as his debut, Windvane and Window, is a collection of sparsely-titled snippets of IDM melancholia courtesy of Euseng Seto which promises to warm cockles and melt hearts no matter how low the temperatures outside might be sinking. Fortunately, gone are the wispy and forgettable voices that pervaded his first record and acted as the sole obstacles to its excellence. In their place stand beats of even more delectable glitchiness than ever before and layers of immensely tasteful sampling and keyboard playing, as would perhaps be expected of one for whom both Akira Kosemura and Haruka Nakamura have previously provided remixes.
There is not a single aspect of this album which escapes without being shrouded in a halcyon haze or imbued with a wholeheartedly Keatsian melancholy. Even the kick sounds feel rounded and unobtrusive, in direct contrast to the slightly clinical and aggressive kicks that are often to be found on otherwise similar records. I have no doubt that some will view this similarity of feel and sound across all of the tracks as a hallmark of dreaded predictability, but considering the way in which Flica's work stands out from many others in the IDM crowd in terms of its ability to utilize complexity in an extraordinarily accessible and comprehensible manner, I feel it unfair and, indeed, mistaken to think of it as anything other than consistency.
On the point of complexity, Nocturnal is one of those records which requires particularly intent and repeated listening in order to fully appreciate that it is considerably more elaborate and intricate than first impressions might suggest. While trying to avoid the inevitable descent into pedantry and over-analysis, the way suspense is built before the beat eventually drops in "Light" is particularly worthy of attention, as is the incredibly subtle and gradual addition of harmonies to the root note which continues throughout the entirety of "Walk." Such evidence of the amount of time and attention to detail that has been poured into this release resound throughout its playlength and make it even more enjoyable when similar time and attention are put into listening to it.
So, whether to treat as an album to zone out to or to obsess over each tiny detail of, I wholeheartedly recommend you give Nocturnal a spin and test out its winter-defeating capabilities for yourself.
TheSilentBallet.com
title : coffee & spectacles ep
format : cdr, 5 tracks/limited 200 copies
release date : Aug 2008
label : self-released
With the successful debut "windvane & window" released by
Malaysia-label mu-nest, seasoned artist flica has written another
chapter in his musical journey, by self-releasing his first EP "coffee
and spectacles".
"coffee and spectacles" is a wonderful soundtrack made for daily life
and mediating lifestyle that treasure the beauty of simplicity. It
comprises of 5 brand new tracks and tells little stories about morning
walks in the park and watching stars before sleep. Warm but yet
delicate melodies are layered with dreamy ambient and beautiful field
recording, "coffee and spectacles" portrays enchanting audio scenaries
that are relaxing and calm.
Enclosed in a lovely handmade CD sleeve, "coffee and spectacles" is
limited to 200 copies only. This precious little album would be your
perfect background music for your daily life. Its simple, and its
magical.
send an email to flicasound@gmail.com to make order
title : windvane and window
format : cd, full-length
release date : Jan 2008
label : mu-nest
Take the scent of a Sunday morning air, add a touch of an after-rain breeze, multiply it by the silent beauty of a couple of seashore sunset but removed the over-powering awe that surrounds it, and add a pinch of urban avant-garde grandeur, you’d be somewhere close to flica.
windvane and window captures flica's impeccable ability to balance simple playful musical creativity with subtle, honest emotional depths, combining youthful pop sensibilities with matured artistry.
Thin layers of ethereal sounds create the ambience, helmed by easy-tripping electro acoustic tunes and grounded by sleek IDM rhythms; each number intricately weaves a subtle beauty that works its way to a refrained but magically spell-binding crescendo softly fluctuating to the sweetest and truest human touches.
flica's debut album is not one of extremities, but a collection of skillfully controlled heart-felt expressions, creating a sense of serenity that bridges dreams with reality.
in this gorgeous album, besides showcasing the stunning vocals by Malaysian singer-songwriter ika, it also features collaborative efforts with famed Tokyo indie label mastermind Akira Kosemura and talented electro-acoustic musician Haruka Nakamura. As a final magical touch, windvane and window is beautifully mastered by our dear friend, ricks ang, who is also one half of the splendid Singapore electronic ambient duo, aspidistrafly.
die ausstellung und party zum viertel! unterstützt uns im kampf ums gaengeviertel, indem ihr kommt die ausstellung genießt, ne geile party feiert und am besten eine unterschrift auf der "volksinitiavenunterschriftenliste" hintelaßt.
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