GUITARMY OF ONE – THE WAVE FILES
A SPILL EXCLUSIVE ALBUM PREMIERE
Today we have the pleasure of premiering The Wave Files, the latest long-play recording from NYC-based surf-rock artist Guitarmy Of One, funded by fans via a Kickstarter campaign earlier this year.
The album offers a good swathe of fun sonic explorations that blend punk pop with Spanish-influenced guitar instrumentals and melodic guitar-driven indie rock. A clever and flexible visionary musically, guitarist Scott Helland does a fab job of mixing dark ominous guitar riffing with surf guitar swells and foreboding reverb drenched melodies. A fascinating listen through and through, each song is engaging with anticipation towards the end of each ending in delight at the start of the next.
Helland is an ex-hardcore punk bass player turned instrumental songwriter, whose first band (Deep Wound) was formed with alt-rock trailblazers J Mascis and Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr). He would later join hardcore/ crossover thrash stalwarts Outpatients, School of Violence and Darkside NYC before ultimately forming post-punk duo Frenchy and the Punk in 2005.
This solo project combines the thrilling sounds of spy-themed instrumental surf guitar music with punk vitality. Taking listeners on a sonic adventure to the realms of intrigue, danger and surf-soaked excitement, Helland channels that raw and unconventional spirit into a quirky fusion of genres.
This record picks up where his latest album The Spy Detective Collective left off, his compositions conjuring up images of secret agents, high-speed chases, and hidden agendas through his intricate layered compositions.
Helland explains, “I wanted this album to be music you want to travel with – in your mind or physically. It’s action music, and I think it should ignite your imagination and take you on a journey. Wordless music relies on the visuals it creates so if it can take you on a sonic adventure across continents, or at least counties, my work is done. The idea for this album is rooted in spy and detective shows from the 60s, 70s and 80s. I want the music to be a sonic equivalent of those shows and movies where you’re riding the waves of intrigue and espionage so the music has to match that sense of urgency and excitement.”
As a full-fledged espionage-inspired surf rock act, Guitarmy Of One takes us on a thrilling musical journey, blending the realms of instrumental guitar, surf music and the mystique of spy themes within the one person band format. Helland weaves his mysterious and generous acoustic-electric melodies over propulsive spy riffs and electro beats, layering and building patiently toward engrossing payoffs.
As of August 18, this album is available everywhere music is sold or legally streamable online, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where the full album can already be ordered either on CD or digitally.
CREDITS
Written, performed and produced by Scott Helland
All instrumentation by Scott Helland
Engineered by Jason Sarubbi Split Rock Studio, New Paltz, NY
Mastered by Jason Sarubbi
Cover Art by Nukui Bogard
Layout and Single Design Samantha Stephenson
‘Top Secret’ video filmed and edited by Guitarmy Of One
Artist photos by Samantha Stephenson
Please also enjoy his latest spy-quest of a video:
Guitarmy Of One
The Wave Files
(EA Recordings)
Release Date: August 18, 2023
Live Shows
SEPT 1-3 Atlanta, GA – DragonCon 2023
OCT 7 New York, NY – Unsteady Freddie’s Surf Rock Shindig
Artist Links
Inlay & Background Photo Credits: Samantha Stephenson
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SPILL ALBUM PREMIERE: JOE GENI – CITIES BUILT UPON CITIES
