Following the astounding reception of their first EPs German psychedelic electronica trio Sea
Moya – currently residing in Montréal, Canada – just recently released their expansive debut
album, “Falmenta”. Recorded in a reclusive cabin in the Italian Alps just above Lago
Maggiore it is a result of total withdrawal from everyday life, the distraction of technology and
any influence from outsiders.
Inspired by a wide-ranging and rather unexpected group of influences Sea Moya present an
eclectic mixture of Krautrock, Afrobeat and Electronic Funk music. Filtering analogue
instrumentation through tape saturation, modular systems, and a vast array of effect pedals,
this psychedelic beat outfit reshapes and cuts up their original ideas, producing their own
distinctive sound – which unfolds especially in their live show that they’ve taken on the road
extensively – including SXSW, Canada and Europe. You can hear echoes of the multi-
instrumental psych of Tame Impala and the easy electronica of Toro Y Moi, just as much as
William Onyeabor’s deconstructed African disco or J Dilla’s hazy production.
Sea Moya was formed in summer 2014 in between shipping containers in a German harbor.
Current band members are David Schnitzler (Vocals), Elias Foerster (Bass), and Tilman
Ruetz (Drums) + a whole lot of synthesizers.
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Miles: For many, Miles Francis’ 2018 debut EP, Swimmers, was a first introduction – but he had already been around for years, keeping time for some of the most dynamic performers in the world. Some might have seen him on Late Show with David Letterman drumming with Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, or on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as the kit drummer for Antibalas; in South Africa onstage with Angelique Kidjo, in Hollywood playing with Amber Mark, or at the Apollo Theater backing up the late Sharon Jones. Born and raised in New York City, Francis grew up seeing his father play trumpet at local jazz clubs, playing raucous rock shows in high school, and leading underground afrobeat parties in college. At home, he studied his wide range of influences with intensity, plucking elements that appealed to him from any direction – Bowie’s lyrical delivery, Sly Stone’s melodies, J Dilla’s rhythm, Talking Heads’ orchestration, D’Angelo’s feel, Paul McCartney’s bass lines, Fela Kuti’s guitar parts, Prince’s drum patterns. All of these influences and years of experiences coalesced into Swimmers, which also featured a companion short film and NYC gallery show. It was an impressive display by a young artist who had obviously been immersed in music his whole life. Critics agreed: Swimmers was covered by The FADER, Stereogum, Mass Appeal, Blackbook, amongst others, and radio across the country took note, including KCRW and KUTX.
Now, it is clear that Swimmers was only the beginning, as Miles Francis presents his second EP, Doves. Doves presents 6 songs just as emotive and catchy as his first effort, yet with a wider palette of expression. As is the case with Swimmers, each song on Doves has its own sound, yet they cohesively live under the umbrella of Francis’ musicality. Recording himself in his Greenwich Village basement studio, Miles plays each instrument live, without any quantization, looping or autotune. The result is organic modern pop music: contemporary indie intuition with the untampered purity of the classics.
The visual imagery of Doves debuted with two video singles, “Sophomore Slump” and “Adult Life,” released at the tail end of 2018. Francis’ second collaboration with artist Charles Billot, the videos and companion album art center around 2 masked figures in black bodysuits wearing white feathered boas, following Francis wherever he goes. “I call those the ‘Doves’ – they are the inner voices that begin to accompany us as we move further away from childhood. In general, doves can symbolize both life and death – but within those grand notions, there are countless everyday inner dialogues bringing you up and down.” With each song, Francis dives into one of those dialogues – “I Could Use Your Love” confronts loneliness, while “Insecurity” focuses on confidence (or lack thereof) – embodying and humanizing each state of mind. “We go through life carrying these private worlds inside, which can be isolating – I write music to make people feel like they are not alone.”
