Apidae, the production project of London-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Greg Hummell returns with an excellent new live session video for ‘Never Gonna Leave Your Side’. I’m beyond excited to be premiering!
A swelling electronic soundscape comparable to the likes of Maribou State, Bonobo, Caribou with a splash of Jon Hopkins and Mount Kimbie for good measure, ‘Never Gonna Leave Your Side’ offers heartfelt songwriting surrounded by a wash of tasteful, warming electronics.
The live version is true to the record whilst showcasing the tight, flawless nature of Apidae’s live performance. Giving context to the electronic textures as Apidae showcases restless nob twiddling, sample (note the MPC and Roland SP-404 in his set up) and keys playing under his delicate vocal, understated and affecting performance. Accompanied by some live drums, the track is given a driving sense of energy to match the pulsing electronics.
Speaking about this, he says: “Never Gonna Leave Your Side perhaps best epitomises the album-running sonic theme of natural, pure, organic acoustic instrumentation juxtaposed against very un-human, synthetic sounds and noises. It’s built around a squelchy, sequenced modular synthesiser hook, which squeals away alongside soft, felt piano chords, harmonies from singer-songwriter and collaborator Mazlyn, and a four-to-the-floor, disco groove. The track is lyrically influenced by Don DeLilo’s novel ‘White Noise’, and is about medicating against fears (and the futility of seeking to bury such things). Musically, it’s informed by Jai Paul, Jon Hopkins, Sylvan Esso, James Blake.”
Watch the live video below and bathe in some fantastic and tasteful electronic excellence:
