Decant has today released their new single titled ‘Passing’. Decant is one of those sets of artists that make their music through that rare creative process of experience with emotion and sincerity. Add to that the raw talent that comes with the best indie artists and you have Decant.
A story told with an original style and scored with the love for a lost comrade, ‘Passing’ is a somber soliloquy born from love and reflection of, not just the passing, but the person.
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About ‘Passing’
“Passing” delves into the complex emotions entwining love’s turmoil and the struggles born from substance use. The song’s entrancing introduction casts an atmospheric spell, paving the way for a hauntingly dark electro beat to take center stage. As the chorus unfurls, the melody intensifies, mirroring the weighty sentiments encapsulated in lines like, “Empty and deep are the thoughts that I think” and “Still hard to keep, my heart slow to the beat.” The song stands as a touching tribute to Corey Budke, a close friend of the band, who passed in February 2013. Both Budke and Verdian shared their formative years in Fresno, where their mutual love for music, exploration, and friendship flourished. In 2011, Verdian played a pivotal role in recording several original compositions by Budke, including the moving track “Solace.”
The chorus of “Passing” emerges as a poignant connection between past and present, as Verdian ingeniously integrates Budke’s introspective lyrics and vocal melodies from “Solace.” The song further showcases the contributions of two other cherished companions of both Decant and Corey Budke: Bradley Penner and Pete Egan. Penner’s rhythmic prowess shines through his drum arrangements on “Passing,” while Egan’s soul-stirring piano melodies inject an added layer of depth.
Since its establishment in 2016 by keyboardist/guitarist Joey Verdian, the experimental quartet Decant has consistently embarked on a journey of crafting unique symbolism within their music. Rooted in their name, which metaphorically represents their artistic process, Decant draws parallels to the transformation of emotions into palpable sensations through their sound, much like the process of decanting wine. Decant’s all-encompassing aesthetic is meticulously forged through an enchanting fusion of electronic nuances and organic instrumentations, harmoniously paired with delicate melodies that explore themes of loss, shifts in perspective, and raw vulnerability. Their musical journey commenced with the release of their debut single, “Gallatin,” in the spring of 2023, followed by the subsequent releases of “Take Them,” “Beverly,” and “Offshore.” Each of these tracks has resonated profoundly, amassing an impressive 80k streams and garnering around 10k monthly listeners on Spotify—an accomplishment solely attributed to their independent efforts.
About Decant
Emerging from the Bay Area, Decant is a rising darkpop project. The band, featuring frontperson and vocalist Freddie Bytheway, keyboardist and guitarist Joey Verdian, fellow keyboardist and guitarist Van Jackson-Weaver, and drummer Thelonius Quimby, crafts a unique sound. They blend electronic drum triggers, sample triggers, analog synthesizers, electric guitars, electric pianos, live vocal processing, and keyboard modeling to create a distinctive auditory experience.
Joey Verdian originally initiated the project in 2016 as a songwriting and production venture. However, it wasn’t until 2020, with the addition of Freddie and Van (members of Bay Area art pop band Yassou) that Decant truly took shape. The band’s name, Decant, serves as a metaphor for their creative process, symbolizing the transformation of emotional complexities into tangible feelings through sound, akin to the decanting of wine.
Decant draws from a diverse pool of influences, including Radiohead, FKA Twigs, Burial, Portishead, Jamie XX, and Grouper, yet, their unique approach to music production sets them apart. Their entire record, self-recorded and produced in a bedroom studio, transcends genres by processing organic instruments to create electronic textures, while maintaining a strong connection to relatable pop song structures and melodies.
Decant’s music explores themes of loss, transformation, shifts in perception, and vulnerability, transporting listeners to post-apocalyptic worlds and reimagined societies. This immersive aesthetic is achieved through their unique blend of electronic and organic elements.
Their first single, “Gallatin,” released in Spring 2023, was followed by “Take Them.” Both tracks have gained significant traction, with over 20,000 streams and approximately 6,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and over 2,000 streams on Apple Music. Their next single, “Beverly,” is set to drop on June 23rd. Two other notable upcoming releases, “Offshore” and “Passing,” are eagerly anticipated. “Offshore,” a song about growing apart from a loved one, was created during the pandemic. “Passing” is a tribute to and collaboration with their late friend, Corey Budke, featuring Corey’s lyrics and vocal melodies from a song titled “Solace.” It explores the interplay between love sickness and substance use-related sickness. These tracks will eventually form their debut LP.
Decant’s music is a testament to their commitment to pushing genre boundaries and creating a unique sonic experience. Their self-recorded and produced tracks defy categorization, falling between the cracks of typical genres. With its upcoming releases, Decant is set to continue their exploration of loss, transformation, and vulnerability through their unique blend of electronic and organic elements.
LINKS:
https://www.decantmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Decant/100089612471033
https://twitter.com/decantmusic
https://www.tiktok.com/@decantmusic
https://www.instagram.com/decantmusic
https://www.youtube.com/@decantmusic
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0VEMJJwLpcoD2lE3zeRCSH?si=U9TJlxILRGa3DPjCQ0t9Mg&nd=1
