“ANIML” in its natural state will rise up.”
In a world that often feels relentlessly oppressive, teetering on the brink of madness, we are left pondering: are we fated to endure such harshness, or can we break free from the oppressive chains of karma and the binds of fear?
Great Northern, the profound duo of Rachel Stolte and Solon Bixler, grapple with this existential dilemma in their compelling new anthem, ANIML. Employing a potent mix of keyboards and drum machines, coupled with assertive guitar work and soaring vocals, ANIML’s sound is founded on raw emotional drive and a tender, albeit ferocious, vulnerability.
The duo’s contemplative introspection offers a powerful exploration of the human condition, delivering a sonic experience that is as thought-provoking as it is cathartic. With this powerful track, Great Northern encourages us to reflect, challenging us to seek liberation from the constraints that society and fear impose upon us.
“ANIML is a rebellion to the current state of the world,” says the band. “We find ourselves feeling quite defiant as we watch what is unfolding. It holds the feeling of teetering on the edge of the old and ushering us to break free.”
Great Northern describes themselves as “if Siouxsie and the Banshees and Trent Reznor did a software update and collaborated,” but we also hear heavy nods to Goldfrapp, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and the iconic electro bassline of Breakwater’s Release The Beast (later used by Daft Punk).
Listen below:
Emerging from diverse corners of California, Great Northern returns to the music scene invigorated, fueled by a renewed sense of purpose and a deep-seated passion for creation. Following the loss of Rachel’s mother and years of navigating a male-dominated industry, the band has shifted its dynamic to allow the feminine energy to take the helm.
“There’s a certain essence that comes with feminine energy – less density and weight, more space and balance,” Bixler observes. This shift facilitated a completely novel approach to collaboration, which for them was an uncharted territory. Their journey underpins the transformative power of taking risks, as they assert, “When you take a risk, it’s always rewarded, you just have to commit to it to find the gold.”
After delivering three records, an EP, and countless tour dates, Great Northern felt the need for a reset. Prior to the birth of Great Northern, both members had dedicated years to the music industry. Solon had lent his talents to 30 Seconds To Mars, Earlimart, and Sea Wolf, while Rachel had immersed herself in the OC music scene through her involvement with Cold Water Crane and Whirlpool. The duo plunged into the world of Great Northern and maintained a relentless pace until around 2015. At that point, they embarked on a personal journey of self-discovery, seeking to rekindle their individual identities and deepen their creativity.
It took two years, but the pair have generated what Rachel calls, ”A life changing experience and some of the best work we’ve created to date – and a fierce departure from anything we have previously created.”
In January 2023 they released a string of new songs, their first in nearly a decade. The band will be releasing several tracks over the spring, with a full record to follow in late summer. The band took it upon themselves to create, engineer, produce, and mix all of the material that came to them through this experiment.
Great Northern will be opening for Smashing Pumpkins at JaM Cellars Ballroom on May 25 and will also be performing at Bottlerock Festival in Napa Valley on May 26.
Pre-save for the single, out on May 17, here.
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Photos: Dana Patrick
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