The term "bedroom project" carries numerous pejorative connotations, namely lo-fi, half-baked experimentation. But in the world of Kurt von Stetten, the bedroom is merely ground zero for songs that transcend time and genre. Harnessing von Stetton's love of early 90s indie rock (think Pavement, Sebadoh and early Modest Mouse) interweaved with his own insecurities, fears and passions, von Stetton's seventh solo outing Androlafi is his most accomplished and self-assured, a record that proudly stands alongside DIY revisionists Kurt Vile and Ty Segall, and also the seminal 90s output of his heroes.
The themes of Androlafi (aka Witches) are conjured from von Stetten's obsession with gothic folklore and the eternally frightening cautionary tales told to children. "I think that most of these songs reference fear and how people deal with fear," explains von Stetten. "Many of the songs are based on the stories my mother and father told me about their childhood and the stories that were told to them. These stories were fun and fantastic, but meant to mask great anxieties. Fear is a powerful motivator and the impetus for a lot of beauty.
Quotes
An indie delight. — Golden Mixtape
Listening to von Stetten’s music is like ingesting a drug for the first time. As your psyche ascends towards the initial drop you release yourself for what’s to come. — Visions of the Unexcused
Taking us back to the very birth of modern guitar music. — Sound of Confusion
Terrific, all over the place, and quite unlike anything else I’ve heard so far this year. — Something Daily
Celebrate the avant-garde and wildly eccentric. — Mojophenia
Tracks
- First Daughter
- Kaiju
- Anger
- Stockholm Boy
- Things A Camera Would Say
- Pounding Strange
- Anthropos Elafi
- Spy Song
- You Don't Know
- Song for a Phobic
- Splainin
- Witches Vs Kids
Credits
Kurt von Stetten: Guitar, vocals, cello, keys, drums/percussion, and bass
Songs and music by Kurt von Stetten (BMI)
Produced and engineered by Kurt von Stetten
Mixed and mastered by Mike Quinn at Moontower Studio (Q Division) with Kurt von Stetten
Design by Kurt von Stetten
