The latest release from Sum Over Histories comes from a new project by label head Frankey Beckers and his partner Birgit Austermann.
Tension, the first EP from Flageolet, is a 4-track experimental project that combines field recordings and soundscapes with keys, bass, harmonies and percussion. The result is emotive, provoking electronica that’s lightyears away from Frankey’s usual house and techno projects, yet his energy and production style makes his influence recognisable.
Frankey and Birgit have been collaborating ever since they met in 2001 when Birgit sang vocals on several of Frankey’s tracks, including hugely successful “Switch.” The pair enjoyed collaborating so much that Frankey taught Birgit some basic Ableton skills and gave her a field recorder. Birgit would collect sound-sources, and her and Frankey would select their favorites together. They’d start each track with the most unique sound they could find, which Frankey would build on using keys, synths, percussion and harmonies.
The Flageolet project grew organically. The pair would produce when they felt the urge, resulting in tracks filled with raw creativity. “I think sound selection from somebody who doesn´t have a background in musical theory is the purest sound source selection you can
have,” Frankey says.
Because of the rawness of this project, the pair are reluctant to assign genres. “We don’t want to describe or categorise our music or state goals or intentions because this would distract from the pure creativity.” However, Frankey and Birgit love funk grooves and feel all the tracks on the EP are rooted in those sounds.
The title track “Tension” lives up to its name. It’s a tight, urgent track that uses heavy bass and high synths to build atmosphere. Birgit’s soundscapes are peppered throughout adding intensity, flavour and texture to an already emotionally loaded production.
“First Light” combines the sound of rain against a window with whirring woodwinds and clapping percussion. It’s an atmospheric production, a deep exploration of nature, creativity and composition; a track built to get lost in.
“Chose” is a slow-beat production that combines vocals, rattles and synths to create an ominous and futuristic sound. “We didn’t want to have a clear message by using full sentences,” Frankey says. “The words are opposite pairs and related to us, but everybody can interpret them as they feel.”
The final track, “Time,” uses woodwind and related field recordings to create the impression of clocks ticking and time passing. The track may well be a homage to Frankey and Birgit’s own relationship - the EP release coincides with their 20 year anniversary - and the slow-burning, euphoric production could be interpreted as a representation of their time spent together.