NMR
September 30, 2024

New from Echo Vocation – Replicants Dilemma (Indie Electro / Synth )

Echo Vocation bring us Instrumental synth sounds.

NMR – This track is interesting as its an instrumental piece focused around Electronic grooves and synths, combining nice sequences with melody lines, it creates great ambience and width to the track.

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Echo Vocation: The Sonic Journey of Adrian Johnson

Echo Vocation is the latest solo music project from Denver-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Adrian Johnson. Known for his ability to craft immersive soundscapes, Adrian blends downtempo, fusion, ambient, Berlin School, and synthwave electronica under this moniker. Utilizing both traditional instruments like guitar (with looper), bass, violin, guzheng, and kalimba, along with experimental modular synth patches, he creates intricate, evolving compositions.

Adrian’s creative process is deeply intertwined with his other passions. He spends significant time writing software and working on visual art, and some of his music reflects the meditative, background-friendly sounds he enjoys while engaging in these activities. However, many tracks are also designed for more focused, active listening.

The instrumental track “Replicant’s Dilemma” is the first single and title track from Adrian’s upcoming synthwave EP, set to release on December 6, 2024. This track underwent a transformation over the last few months through live performances, including sets at the local “Freq Boutique” modular synth and techno meetup, a two-hour downtempo set at a kava bar, and an experimental music showcase at an art gallery. A live version of the track, “Replicant’s Dilemma (Live Version),” was released on August 19, 2024, and is available on all major streaming platforms, accompanied by a performance video on YouTube.

Adrian’s journey into modular synths began after a post-COVID autoimmune condition, mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), temporarily robbed him of the dexterity needed to play guitar and violin. As he managed the disease and regained his abilities, Adrian discovered new methods for looping, glitching, sequencing, and altering sounds through hexaphonic and MIDI guitars. These techniques sparked a creative revival, inspiring a fresh tonal palette. Using Eurorack hardware, he now allows his guitar to interact with other track elements, adding flexibility to his semi-improvised live sets.

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His musical influences range widely, from Massive Attack, Nine Inch Nails, Joe Satriani, and Tangerine Dream, to King Crimson, Daft Punk, and The Midnight. These varied inspirations can be heard throughout his tracks, merging into a unique fusion of genres and sounds.

After a long break (his band Edifice released “Arc Mentis” in 2010, and his previous solo project Rustcycle released “Daisho” in 2005), Adrian is rediscovering the joy of creating and performing music. His return to music has also positively impacted his well-being, and fans can expect plenty more music from him in the near future.

Stay tuned for more releases and live performances as Echo Vocation continues to evolve.

Check out more of Echo Vocation Here

Want to see a full article? Read it on the New Music Review website

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