Have you seen everything you wanted to see before you died?
That's the question Chet Porter posed on his debut album, EVERYTHING YOU HAVE SEEN. Today the story behind the LP continues with what was originally going to be her last track, “Things I Wish I Could Forge”, a dream collaboration with Vancouver Sleep Clinic.
“Things I Wish I Could Forget” is one of Porter's more subtle entries. Forgoing the bright, vivid production we hear throughout most of the album, we are masterfully enthralled with a surging and deeply emotive soundscape.
Vancouver Sleep Clinic's signature falsetto blends beautifully with their production, gently guiding us with captivating lyrics that express their regrets. “I should have loved you more,” she trembles repeatedly.
“This song is actually very old, probably the oldest on the album,” Porter says. EDM.com. “tim [Vancouver Sleep Clinic] He had sent me a bunch of collaboration ideas and when I heard this one, I knew it was going to finish whatever record I was making. I mean it's at least seven years old… It's very easy to fall out of love with a song after a few months or a year, let alone seven, but I've loved this song the whole time, it's so special to me. “.
But Porter's love for the track isn't the only thing that makes it special in his world. She was left off the album due to sample clearance issues.
“There was a bridge section that featured this synth part from an old Sony video game that I was absolutely in love with, I felt like it took the song to this extra magical place,” he added. “Like when that part comes around, I'd turn into the floating Spongebob with headphones meme.”
The licensing issue not only forced him to remove the song from EVERYTHING YOU HAVE SEEN, but the project was also delayed to ensure the runway worked. It was always meant to be the last song on the album, Porter said.
“The label didn't want the album to come out without this closing song, because they loved it,” he explained. “It was supposed to be the title track when the album was released, but the sample hadn't been cleared yet, so they delayed the album for longer to sort it out.”
While the final version may be missing the sample, he still makes sure to play it live.
"Things I Wish I Could Forget (feat. Vancouver Sleep Clinic)" It is now available
added to the end of the album, where it was supposed to be all along. It's one of my favorite songs, I hope you enjoy it pic.twitter.com/4u5ILgtzG8
— chet porter (@chetporter) May 24, 2024
Although the situation was frustrating, it allowed him to carry out his vision. EVERYTHING YOU HAVE SEEN in a deeper capacity.
“The delay meant I had to finish and add 'Deep Water' featuring EVAN GIIA to the tracklist, and spend a bit more time mixing and changing a bunch of stuff that no one will notice but me,” Porter adds. .
With those added changes, the message behind the album is masterfully displayed. The LP is a self-reflective offering that asks listeners to embark on a journey that takes them to new places, some they have never seen or heard before and others they may reconsider after experiencing a new perspective.
A message that serves as an opportunity to acquire a perspective of the world around us as well as to enhance the perspective that their music cultivates.
“EVERYTHING YOU HAVE SEEN as a title, it's very literal,” explains Porter. “What have you seen? Have you seen everything you want to see before you die? No? Okay, go see more.”
“Volcanoes, dolphins in the depths of the ocean, lush green jungles… it's crazy that we have that shit,” he gushes. “Think about what a volcano is for a second. A giant, hollow mountain with a hole in the top, filled with lava? And on very rare occasions it will just shoot it all up into the sky? What the fuck? That's a crazy. When I'm older and retired, I promise you that all I'll do is travel and see as much as I can.”
Each track on the album carries out his vision, showing cohesion without any repetition. Meanwhile, her numerous soundscapes portray different aspects of nature.
“I wanted you to listen to a song, imagine a place, and then when the next song starts, you're in a completely new place. But still in the same world,” he continues. “Obviously, you can decide these things for yourself, but when I was making all the images/artwork, '222† ∂∆ §§§' is the jungle, 'Today Tomorrow Forever' is the volcano, 'EYES' is the ocean. 'Aura' is a sunset, etc. 'Things I Wish I Could Forget' is a very misty, foggy beach with big rocks everywhere.”
Porter's live set takes his album's message one step further. While doubts may make him question her own music, she never worries about her live performances. They are something different than what she has done before, curating a sample of her imagination infused with her with unwavering confidence.
“I'm not very confident, I'm often worried that people will think my music sucks, or that it sucks, or that I don't know how to socialize properly or whatever,” he shares. “What I'm not worried about is the show. I'm so confident in the live show that I think I'm punching way above my weight.”
THE TOUR CONTINUES THIS WEEK
SAN DIEGO 05/15 (TOMORROW)
DENVER 05/16 (THURSDAY)Limited tickets left: pic.twitter.com/P5BeGic4kS
— chet porter (@chetporter) May 14, 2024
After such a personal debut and phenomenal tour, what could be next for Porter? “That's what I'm trying to figure out,” she says.
You can find “Things I Wish I Could Forget” on streaming platforms here.
Follow Chet Porter:
X: x.com/chetporter
Instagram: instagram.com/chetporter
Facebook: facebook.com/chtprtr
Spotify: spoti.fi/3e8oP80
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