Arising from the depths of the San Diego underground music scene, Rain Carnation, a troubadour of darkwave rock, has returned with the haunting melody of “Chemical Song.”
A living, breathing canvas of constant metamorphosis, Rain Carnation is the distilled essence of an unusual life path. A native of Siberia, his existence unfolded against the backdrop of the USSR’s collapse. This life experience led to an open channel for the previously forbidden, his tastes spanning eclectic musical genres: from 90s pop and breakbeat remixes, to Soviet New Wave – and later wandering into the realms of American trash metal, progressive metal, electronica, trance, and drum & bass.
“My music is still more electronic than rock, even though I love rock and everything that it created,” says Rain Carnation, reflecting on his influences. With a background in film sound design and artistic roots in indie synth, Rain Carnation describes his work as, “inspired and raised by the 80s, influenced by 2000s, driven by now.”
As a result, Rain Carnation’s aptitude for melding disparate sonic threads creates a piece that is mesmerizingly eerie, teetering on the edge of psychedelia. “Chemical Song” is a siren’s call from the abyss, its enchanting rhythm echoing with an unsettling portrayal of how sinister temptations subtly insinuate themselves into life’s tapestry, shackling an oblivious spirit in the oppressive confines of addiction.
Strains of alternative rock are discernible in the electric guitar’s charge, and an indie air lingers in the synth-drenched chorus. Gothic rock manifests itself in vibrant narratives and deliberately ghostly backing vocals. The overall sound of the track conjures echoes of MGMT, Klaxons, and Animal Collective, but rather than exploring the cosmos and the great beyond, the lyrics weigh heavy with the gravity of human strife. Rain Collective’s unique sound forms a distinctive mosaic that is both hauntingly beautiful and an unflinching reflection of life’s complexities…encapsulating the inescapable lure of dark temptation.
“Life is what your experience is. It’s not what you do day-to-day, but what happened that changed you,” he explains. “Memories are a foundation of our existence. In the end, it’s all we have. If we don’t remember anything, then in the moment, we don’t even exist.”
Listen below:
Born and raised amidst the financial tribulations of his homeland, the initial chords of Rain Carnation’s musical narrative were strummed out on a cassette player, a near-miraculous possession in those times. His musical curiosity ignited when a cousin unveiled the vibrant worlds of big beat, nu metal, and punk rock to him. Yet, the real turning point unfurled beneath the resonating rhythms of a Seven Lions show. Amidst the pulsing crowd and electrifying notes, he experienced an epiphany: ‘I want to be on the stage.’
When it comes to composing music, Rain Carnation is a model of deliberate precision. He holds steadfast to the practice of breathing life into one creation at a time, a method aimed at averting an insurmountable pile of unfinished symphonies. Recently, his musical repertoire echoes with timeless melodies spanning across an eclectic array of genres, featuring the likes of Carbon Based Lifeforms, Hiromi Uehara, Exivious, P.O.D., and Boards of Canada. Given a chance, he would love to open a show for Drab Majesty, who he admires.
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