Overview
In Maori mythology, Tane, the creator of mankind ascended through the twelve heavens to the highest state of being, bringing back all he learnt to enlighten man below. When Tane reached the eleventh sky, he hadn't quite ascended but was reaching for a higher state of being. The myth is a fitting and distinctly Kiwi title for Electric Wire Hustle's new album — in tune with the genre-defying and otherworldly music contained within. Released on September 30, 11th Sky is a continuation of the band's award-winning soul/psychedelic/electronica aesthetic.
The album takes on a slightly more optimistic (even danceable) sound, punctuated with ethereal echos, smooth synth lines and stilted percussion. It's an intriguing listen and Mara's smooth vocals stand out, culminating in an experience that only gets better after repeat plays.
A FULL LOOP
The journey to this point and the embryo of his fascination with music started early for Mara TK, EWH's vocalist, writer and frontman. His mother was a soul musician and his father is celebrated psychedelic rock and blues guitarist Billy TK— often touted as the Māori Jimi Hendrix. Their passion rubbed off on their son who has long been one of the leading musical innovators of this generation in New Zealand. In fact, EWH's last album Love Can Prevail won worldwide praise and even took home Best Electronica Act at last year's NZ Music Awards.
Mara's success has seen him tour the world and rub shoulders with some of the world's best musicians, "I was starstruck to meet Just Blaze who had made some of my favourite records. I got to record on Tim Finn's last record that gave me a new perspective on writing and recording."
Two full length EPs and several mixtapes later Mara is Electric Wire Hustle's only remaining original member. He describes the band's evolution as a loop, returning to where everything started, "The journey has led me back to a core group of people, such as Benny Tones who mixed the record; so it's taught me to keep my friends close."
Mara reckons this has culminated in a better album, one that he rates as his favourite in a fairly star-studded discography, "Our team of creatives had been able to hone what we do in relation to each other, and thus I reckon that this is our best album so far, with the other albums there has always been more that I wanted to achieve in terms of my vocal performances or on the production side."
THE CHAOS OF CREATION
When describing his newest work, Mara seems as if he's finally completely happy with what he's created. It shows through in the final product, an album that's even more honed, deeply realised and unique than previous recordings. Despite the succinct tracklisting and impeccable structure of the record he describes its creation as anything but structured, "It's been an evolving mess of family life meets art meets the internet meets your own inner thoughts."
The result was anything but a mess, perhaps due to the extra time spent creating, "I think that one thing I got right with this record was the timeframe in which to finish it. I've been known to record, mix and master a record in six weeks. with The 11th Sky I had just the right amount of time to achieve everything I wanted to do right through every process, and without taking too much time mulling over every detail."
Early reactions from critics and media suggest that the approach has worked and that this may just be the band's best work yet. Idol magazine described it as, "A complex sound that lies somewhere between distant melancholy and fiery passion," while Adaoraallure called it "1 of the best R&B albums of '16. Futuristic concept & vibes that hit close to the heart & today's headlines." Ditto.
THE FUTURE OF EWH
It seems further critical acclaim and world touring are on the horizon for Mara the uber-talented Kiwi muso from Welly. But when quizzed about the future of EWH, he talks only of plans for making future music, pushing the limits of what he can do with his art. Creating as an end in itself, rather than as a means to an end, "There are still strange things that I want to try; cross-art stuff, there are visual things using film and AV that I want to achieve. Part of having a band is making film because you have to have that video element to your music, and when it's good it's really quite a powerful thing."
Whatever this fellow tries in the future it will no doubt be innovative, intriguing and perhaps a little bizarre. But that's kind of why we like him so much. He's creating a sound so far removed from anything else we've heard lately, unique in a way that's listenable and meaningful at the same time.
If you haven't heard it yet go and check the 11th Sky — throw on some headphones, close your eyes and get lost on that higher plane.