New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Experimental rock outfit Darto have announced their new 'Fundamental Slime' 12", which will be released via Aagoo Records in various formats, including 12" vinyl and CD.
Formed in 2010 in Seattle, Washington, Darto is
Gordon De Los Santos, Gregory Flores, Candace Harter and Nicholas Merz. This album was self-recorded on April 12-14 on Whidbey Island at the Flores Roost. It was mixed by Steve Fisk (Screaming Trees, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Low, The Wedding Present) and mastered by April Golden (Soundgarden, Car Seat Headrest, Goat, Rob Zombie).
"The song 'Brotherhood' is about power and dominance. Men in particular seem to protect their power with violence without ever questioning the reasons why they feel the need to protect power in the first place. The irony is that violent dominance is an ultimate display of weakness, and it's a way to express insecurity while still maintaining power," says Greg Flores.
This is the follow up to Darto's critically acclaimed record 'Human Giving' and the 'Hush/Follow Up' 7" by Darto & WAND, both of which were released in 2017.
While 'Human Giving' explored the realm of human possibility within the context of hope, community and the dissolution of self, 'Fundamental Slime' is an observation on the darker end of the human-possibility spectrum. Ego, power, and nihilism are dissected from the viewpoint of various individuals struggling to dominate or be dominated. Where the lyrics give voice, the sounds give flesh.
Continuing to broaden the scope of instrumentation allowed Darto to wander into new territory on this album. Working with saxophonist Neil Welch of groundbreaking Seattle jazz duo Bad Luck, the massively varied sonic qualities of the performance by a genius gave each song its own body - startling, confusing, soothing, airy, void, distant, deplorable, and beautiful.
"These songs share a similar theme of power and control, and speak from a variety of perspectives. We all sat down and co-wrote most of the lyrics together, each of us taking the lead on a different song. I really liked that process because it allowed for instant feedback and there were 3 other people helping me with putting ideas into words. I think this record touches on the shadow of what is happening in this world and how people are being mistreated. Overall, it's just a record about misuse of power," says Candace Harter.
Aagoo Records is home to vinyl releases by Xiu Xiu, Phillip Petit, Eraldo Bernocchi & Chihei Hatakeyama, Lucky Dragons,
Philippe Petit, CUP, connect_icut, and The Use. Darto's Nicholas Merz also recently released his solo debut album 'The Limits of Men' through Aagoo.
'Human Giving' can now be ordered in physical format from Aagoo Records' website and digitally via Darto's Bandcamp.
"They showcase some impressive musical chops, but it all feels incidental compared to the larger truth the band is seeking out. The layers of music are there to get lost in, and maybe through that process, the listeners can learn to lose themselves" - Top40-Charts.com
"Catchy sultry melancholic downtempo synth-infused psych-trip combining the best of Cate Le Bon, The
Velvet Underground, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, and The
Black Ryder. The keyboards and strings seemingly propel the movement and the lyrics with instrumentation seem to induce a trance-like feeling" - The Big Takeover Magazine
"Experimental rock outfit Darto are into something. That something is called dichotomy. Mixing together adventurousness with playfulness, they have crafted a sound that is both challenging and accessible... pushes the boundaries but at no time does the track lose sight of what is most important. Namely, that's being memorable" - Overblown Magazine
"Remarkably diverse.. ranges from lugubrious, Lambchop-like Americana to
Sonic Youth in pensive-brooding mode to minimalist motorik krautrock to sublime, opiated psychedelia... One of the best tunes you'll hear out of Seattle this year" - The Stranger
TRACK LIST
1. Brotherhood
2. Totality
3. Persona
4. Everyday Actor
TOUR DATES
July 11 San Jose, CA - Cafe Stritch
July 12 Los Angeles, CA - The Resident
July 14 Phoenix, AZ - LBX
July 16 Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
July 17 San Francisco, CA - The Rickshaw
July 19 Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
