Art d’Ecco is set to release his fifth studio album, titled Scheele’s Green, on October 23rd via Paper Bag Records. The announcement arrives with the unveiling of the album’s seven-minute opening track, “The Death of Indie,” accompanied by a music video that satirizes prominent figures in the technology industry.
Exploring Fear and Technological Disruption
“The Death of Indie” is described by Art d’Ecco as a reflection of “fear and anxiety – about AI, and the disruption and uncertainty that this technology has triggered as it infiltrates just about every facet of our daily lives, including the arts.” The Canadian artist, whose real name remains private, aims to capture the pervasive unease surrounding rapidly advancing technology and its impact on society and creative fields.
The accompanying music video, directed by Loken Charon, features a satirical depiction of four tech leaders. Charon humorously commented on the casting, noting, “Despite our philosophical differences, acquiring our Four Horsemen CEOs (Zuck, Bozo, Dipshit, and Altright) for this video took some convincing.”
The Historical and Modern Resonance of Scheele’s Green
The album’s title, Scheele’s Green, draws inspiration from a vibrant green pigment popular in the 18th century. This pigment, while fashionable and a symbol of wealth, contained arsenic compounds that proved toxic and even deadly to its users. Art d’Ecco sees a parallel between this historical phenomenon and contemporary societal obsessions.
“It created this literally toxic society,” Art explained. “This addiction, this allure, was such a rich narrative vein, the same way we can’t look away from our obsession with social media or other technological shifts that might harm us as much as help us… What if humans are just intrinsically drawn to shit that fucking kills us?” This central question permeates the album’s lyrical themes.
A State of the Union Through Music
Art d’Ecco characterizes Scheele’s Green as a “state of the union,” addressing pressing contemporary issues such as the climate crisis and the influence of the military-industrial complex. The album delves into these complex themes, offering a critical perspective on modern society.
Collaborative Creation and Sonic Exploration
For this project, Art d’Ecco collaborated with a group of Vancouver-based musicians, including jazz players and music educators. The ensemble features Junny Chen on guitar, Olivier Leclerc on bass, Hayden Cohen on organ and synthesizers, Kyler Young on saxophone, and Yato Noukoussi on drums. This collective approach aimed to bring a dynamic and nuanced sound to the album.
The recording sessions took place over two months at HippoSonic studio, with Eric Shea serving as co-producer. Shea, a recognized figure in the Vancouver music production scene, guided the band through a process of capturing the tracks live in the studio. This method allowed for a raw and immediate feel, enhanced by the incorporation of unconventional sonic elements.
The album features unique instrumentation, including tubular bells and a 300-year-old harpsichord, adding distinctive textures to the recordings. This experimental approach to sound reflects the album’s exploration of complex and sometimes unsettling themes.
Tracklist and Previous Work
Scheele’s Green follows Art d’Ecco’s previous album, Serene Demon, which was released the previous year. The full tracklist for the new album is as follows:
- “The Death of Indie”
- “Like Trilby”
- “Catch 22”
- “How Real is Real?”
- “The Wolf”
- “Scheele’s Green”
- “Disappear Here”
- “Break & Enter”
- “Beware of Dog”
- “Darién Gap”
- “Endings for Beginners”
The release of Scheele’s Green on October 23rd through Paper Bag Records promises a thought-provoking collection of songs that blend artistic commentary with sonic experimentation, continuing Art d’Ecco’s exploration of societal anxieties and human nature.
