New York based experimental/doom project Insect Ark have today announced details of its forthcoming album, due to be released in June via Autumnsongs Records.
Insect Ark's debut full-length album, Portal/Well is the result of a full year of work in composer/multi-instrumentalist Dana Schechter's Brooklyn studio. Exploring themes of corruption of the natural world, and facing oblivion, Portal/Well continues the wordless existential narratives already established on 2013's Long Arms EP and 2012's Collapsar 7" single.
Portal/Well finds its voice in the sound of elements burning and crashing into each other; in the haunting groans and swells of the lap steel guitar, the stalking bass, the insistent drum programming, and the deep oscillations of synthesizers. From this morass songs are born, deeply melodic, dense, austere, and wildly unhinged. Amidst the gloom there are moments infused with bright shards of light, and respite to breathe clear air, before submerging the listener once again into a deep cavern of lustrous shadow.
Schechter has a deep and unshakeable relationship with music that has seen her criss-crossing over the United States, and for a prolonged stint living in Europe as she explored creative avenues with her previous projects and passions. From being offered bass lessons by Cliff Burton at aged 15, to self-teaching herself piano, guitar and drums, Schechter's talent and abilities have led her down a diverse array of artistic paths.
Having co-founded instrumental band Gifthorse with drummer Jef Whitehead (aka Wrest/Leviathan) and guitarist Douglas Hilsinger in her early twenties, Schechter has also lent her bass skills to Michael Gira (Swans), American Music Club, Bertrand Burgalat, and many others; in her band Bee and Flower, she's worked with artists such as J.G. Thirlwell (aka Foetus), Thomas Wydler (Nick Cave), and Toby Dammit (Iggy Pop, Nick Cave).
Although her collaborations brought artistic satisfaction, the idea of creating alone appealed to Schechter, and in late 2011 INSECT ARK was born. Over the year in which Portal/Well was made, she wrote and recorded alone, at all hours of the day and night. The album was built with careful attention to immaculate detail, but also takes chances, pushing beyond personal barriers. Portal/Well is the product of a journey into composition and sonic exploration using a small but dynamic palette of instruments and a singular compositional voice.
Upon completion of Portal/Well, Schechter felt the addition of a live drummer would further push Insect Ark to expand sonically, both in the studio and live. In January of 2015, San Francisco Bay Area drummer Ashley Spungin (Taurus) joined as a band member. The duo performs together when possible; when apart, Schechter plays solo.
Portal/Well:
1. Portal Well
2. The Collector
3. Lowlands
4. Octavia
5. Crater Lake
6. Taalith
7. Parallel Twin
8. Low Moon
Portal/Well will be released on CD and digital via Autumnsongs Records on June 8 in Europe and June 9 in USA.
