Interview With Adam Donen
A DEEP, DREAMY DARKNESS DIFFRACTING THROUGH A BLOODIED PRISM
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Songwriter and poet Adam Donen is set to release the follow up to his critically acclaimed debut record (Immortality) with the imminent release of his second album – Vampires. Drawing comparisons with the uber-bearded Josh T. Pearson and the uber-miserable Leonard Cohen, the album’s vampirical theme explores contradictory feelings of attraction and hatred as viewed through a gothic prism. The subject is informed by many of the artists Donen admires in other media such as Edgar Allan Poe and Werner Herzog who both have their work referenced in his lyrics. Despite being deeply serious the record maintains a wry gallows humour throughout. The idea of contrast and contradiction is a reflection on where the music was written; firstly in Saxmundham – an English coastal town rooted in the dark ages, and then Cape Town, where Adam is from.
Fully immersed in all aspects of his music, Donen wrote, arranged and produced the album. Structurally his songs reflect his idiosyncratic nature – avoiding traditional narrative but creating a dreamlike ebb and flow. Recorded over a five day period on a twenty-four track tape (the hiss of which can be heard at times on certain tracks) the long-player was then mixed and mastered by renowned producer Robert Harder who has previously worked with Herbie Hancock and Polar Bear, and was Grammy nominated for his work with Brian Eno.
Vampires will emerge from the shadows on 28 October. Until then you can download the opening track Sophia here for the price of nowt. If you don’t have nowt then the eye of a newt or the tongue of a frog will do.
