Middle Part, Andy Selkōw's musical project, recently launched his album, disruptorthat combines elements of maximalism distorted with nuances of sincere sincerity, that is, fusing post-sharing tones and the new millennium with innovative turns.
Selkōw describes the album as “a representation of madness”, in allusion to the persistent theme of Sisyphus struggle against productivity at the corporate level and generalized emotional deprivation that we often face.
Much of disruptor It was written and recorded between New York and the friend of a friend in Maine near Lake Sebago, with Middle Part collaborating along with his old friend and producer Brian Zaremba, as well as with producer Michael Andrews, Frank Cor of The Drums and Morning Silk Silk , as well as with James McDermott. Xs Noize spoke with Middle Part to know more about his movement in a new sound direction, the origin of the name Middle Part and its use of the traditional structure of the song.
How would you describe your music?
In essence, my music is nostalgic, sounds of what I grew up listening, wrapped in introspective lyrics that often reflect more dark deeper realities.
I love the art of contrast in music and what I am looking for is to create songs that cause a double look by the listener. It's that moment of surprise, when the strident soundscape is juxtaposed with melancholic lyrics, that truly defines the experience of my music.
Tell us more about disruptor. What was your experience in doing so? What did you want to try and achieve with this album?
Creating 'disruptor' was a cathartic process for me. It was about dealing with my emotions in front and channeling them in my music. At first, I was dealing with a torrent of anger and lack of inspiration. I wanted this album to be a mirror that reflected my journey towards self-acceptance and clarity, a kind of musical testimony and description of madness.
The letter is direct, almost raw, since I have tried to capture the chaos of my thoughts and transform them into a narrative consistent with which others can connect.
Disruptor moves away from his previous work; What was your main approach when making this album?
This album represents a fundamental change, not only in the sounds that I explode, but in how I see myself as an artist. Musically, I was anxious to get away from the pop sensitivity that characterized my last EP. I felt confined by the expectations imposed by that genre and wanted 'disruptor' to free from that mold.
What is the story behind your artistic name?
One day I got drunk and entered a living room and asked for a middle part. 'Middle Part' emerged not only as my hairstyle but also as my character on stage. I've always seen it as a ship that allows me to navigate the music world like Andy, while at the same time enjoying the veil of anonymity that a band name provides. It is curious because the name itself has no deep meaning.
disruptor It covers 10 tracks. Is there any topic that is more personal for you, that has more meaning than others?
'Spin 4 U' has a particularly deep and personal meaning for me, which makes it perhaps the most moving theme of 'Disruptor'. The song was born from a very difficult period in which a friend of mine was fighting cancer. Raw emotions and uncertainty of that time were channeled directly on music. He received updates on his condition, often while he was in the study writing and recording.
Fortunately, my friend already overcame cancer, but the intensity of those moments remains summarized in that song. Today I find it difficult to hear 'spin 4 u'. It transports me to those days, full of fear and hope in equal parts.
Now I also want to ask you: What has been the climax of your career so far?
It is always a bit discouraging to answer this question when you feel that every new day it makes me advance in my trip and the impulse continues to grow. However, if I have to choose, create the 'disruptor' album has been an incredibly gratifying milestone. This project was not just about making music; It was about telling stories, healing and overcoming my creative limits. The process of giving life to 'disruptor' will always occupy a special place for me. As a symbol of where I have been and where I go. He felt like a turning point and, from here, the only way is up.
In my opinion, much of contemporary music does not follow the traditional structure of the song: introduction, stanza – chorus – stanza – chorus – bridge – chorus – final. However, your songs do. How do you explain that? This is how they taught you or was it simply natural?
The structure of the song is something that was rooted in me since the first days of my musical journey. I had a mentor that was inflexible about the importance of traditional structures: introduction, verse, choir, bridge, end. He instilled it to me until it became a second nature. This foundational training has given me a versatile toolkit that allows my music to span multiple genres while maintaining a strong pop sensibility.
I started writing songs seriously only a few years ago, but the discipline of song structure was something I embraced early on. It is like a muscle that you exercise continuously. By consuming a wide range of music, I have been able to perfect this ability, absorbing different styles and influences. This structured approach is not something that arises naturally; It's a cultivated skill that I've honed over time, allowing me to express my musical ideas clearly and effectively while still experimenting within and sometimes beyond those boundaries.
What do you enjoy: write, record, practice or play live?
Record all the time: it is where I feel more alive. There is something magical to enter the study. It is a kingdom of pure freedom where I can experience, modify and perfect to my liking. It is the best feeling in the world, creates a lot of freedom to do what you want and experiment. It is not just about capturing sounds; It's about capturing a feeling, an emotion, and that is what makes it so exciting to me.
What's still for you?
Right now, I'm putting the finishing touches on a cover of Michelle Branch's 'Everywhere', which has been a blast to rework in my own style. In addition to this, I am writing new material every week and collaborating with other songwriters and producers who bring new perspectives and energy to my music. The goal is to make a new album, hoping to launch it next year.
But that's not all: I'm also preparing for more tours. Performing live is a very exciting aspect of what I do and I can't wait to have the opportunity to connect with my fans and share the energy of my new music live, which always brings a whole new dimension to my songs.
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