Veteran Vancouver-born, Glasgow-based synth-pop artist JJD [Jack Duckworth], under his SOFT RIOT moniker, dropped on November one of our favourite release from last year, in the form of his 7th album ‘When Push Comes To Shove’, through the DIY label Possession Records, he co-founded together with Claudia Nova from Hausfrau and Andy Brown from Ubre Blanca.
Knob turning, synth slinging one man show Soft Riot walks to the beat of his own words as he lyrically explains the complexities of forging ever-forward in an increasingly noisy world.
Visceral electronic pulses measured with precision amid the raw gurgling programmed bass abrasions syncopated by sharp quivering synth notes as deep, intense and robotic vocals swing with guilty human misunderstandings riddled in emotional strife forming dynamic sonic textured effects mixed into moody atmospherics and modern found sounds.
Metaphoric lyrics describe the push and pull dynamic that lies within self-discipline, the battle between willpower and urges, and the delicate balance that consists of both. A stranger wanders the city streets on a secret mission. During the visit he is greeted by a native and shown the local attractions. Tension builds as he lets go of responsibilities to enjoy an anonymous dance at the club, but a clock is ticking in the back of his mind, reminding him to be vigilant of the mission. Distractions and mental escapes are addressed with an essence of time lingering ominously close like a thief in the night, “Two times so different from one another, You’ll only get out by the skin of your teeth.”
Knob turning, synth slinging one-man show Soft Riot walks to the beat of his own mantra as he lyrically explains the complexities of forging ever-forward in an increasingly noisy world. Psychedellically enhanced video by Flustervision (JJD himself and Penstkart), taken from live footage shot on location by the venue crew in Hamburg, last September, 30 2019, at MS Stubnitz, who also edit the ” foretelling future-synth tale” into serious cyber-punk flair, uses negative photography and electric blue and yellow colour splash effects to cut through the stark black atmosphere and harness JJD’s extreme focus into two blurred static streams flowing symbolically in the backdrop of the hypnotic dance-inducing visual accompaniment.
The MS Stubnitz is an independently owned Hamburg‘s live music venue under the threat of urban development, for more information on how to help keep the venue alive please: visit https://ms.stubnitz.com
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Photo by Wil Wilson, June 2019
