With the rise of the laptop generation, and the bedroom artists, the process of recording, composing and editing music (particularly in the electronic genre) has become much cheaper and accessible than ever. The means of music production, once locked away behind expensive recording studios and pricy producers, has been passed to the creators of the music.
The first of the unfortunate downsides of this new paradigm, and the ability for us all to be music creators, is that not all of the mountains of new music being created is worth listening to. The second is that by nature of their usability, the recording devices and software platforms themselves may be creating a shift for creators to record in similar ways – meaning that music can often sound, or at least feel, similar.
How to compose something interesting and unique has now, surely, become one of the most important questions an electronic artist can ask themselves.
North East, electronic, duo ‘Human X’ have been striving for such answers in their first year together and have generated interesting returns already. Early release ‘Death & Romance’, sprinkled with 80’s driven synth beats and emotive, powerful, vocals, sounded original in it’s packaging of strong pop hooks alongside both retro and progressive soundtracks. It’s a mesmerising track and a one which makes the future look very bright indeed.
Obvious comparisons with the Eurythmics were well received by the band, given their reverence to the 80’s duo, who also saw Kate Bush and local beat masters Eve Simpson and Twist Helix as sources of inspiration.
Talking with Spotlight, one half of the duo, Paul Clark was happy to give an insight into their year to date and the success they’re having on the live scene, “we’re over the moon to have so many confirmed shows already this year, coming up we have the Spotlight UK showcase at the Independant Sunderland March 8th, then a support show for Anavae on the 24th March at Jumpin Jacks. Into Easter we’ll be playing The Canny Fringe 13th April , then the Bearded Theory Festival, and further ahead in the summer we have Northern Electric Festival and Oxjam Sunderland penned in so far.”
Where the X’s go next will be interesting to watch; staying original in what can often feel like a stifled genre. Paul, for one, is ready for the challenge ‘We worked really hard last year, so it can be easy to be complacent and take the foot off the gas, but we’re determined to stay focused and not let that happen. So in 2018 we are looking to build on the momentum we generated last year. We have a very clear vision for the music and songs so we’re really exited about the prospect of new videos, recordings and shows.’