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Tag: synth pop

  • Introducing You To Alt-Pop Visionary Erin LeCount

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    As far as alternative music goes, Erin LeCount is paving her own path. Taking inspiration from artists like Fiona Apple, Kate Bush, Lorde, Imogen Heap, Charli xcx, and Sampha, it’s no wonder the result is brilliant. Hovering in her own realm between alt-pop and synth-pop, Erin LeCount’s sound is distinctly her own, and you don’t want to miss out on it. Her most recent single, ‘I BELIEVE,’ follows two others: ‘808 HYMN’ and ‘MACHINE GHOST.’ With the thundering beat of a drum backing her equally forceful vocals, each song packs a punch. So if you’ve been looking for an artist who’s as powerful as she is honest, read on. We’re going to highlight each of her most recent singles and tell you exactly why you need to look out for Erin LeCount.

    ‘I BELIEVE’

    This song is a great introduction to Erin if you value vulnerability in music. Immediately, she throws us into existential questioning. What is the meaning of life? How do we find it, given the current state of the world? In this song, she searches desperately for answers. We’ll let you, the listeners, decide for yourselves whether or not she finds them. But she seems to have landed at something solid by the end of the song. If not answers, at least a belief that she will find them someday.

    “‘I BELIEVE’ is a cynical, existential song about apathy, passiveness in your own life, disillusionment with the state of the world, what it feels like to turning to every possible external source to tell you how to feel and exist – religion, self help books, magazines, astrology, lovers, antidepressants. I wrote it about a pursuit of perfection, faith and meaning soundtracked to relentless synth pop production.”

    Erin LeCount

    ‘MACHINE GHOST’

    In this haunting track, Erin explores the feeling of dissociation. She muses about her relationship with her own body, and that body’s relationship to the world around her. Between the sound, lyrics, and music video, she conveys exactly what she needs to. ‘MACHINE GHOST’ tells a story of being lost, and of trying to claw your way back to yourself. And as we listen, it’s impossible not to be fully immersed.

    “’MACHINE GHOST’ is a song about dissociation, the feeling of separation from your body in everyday life, at parties and the most intimate moments. It’s about going to extreme lengths to try and evoke some feeling again, no matter what it takes and what risk it involves, seeking cheap thrills and painful pleasure. An observation of my own body, relationships and my take on what it means to be both the ghost, and the machine.”

    Erin LeCount

    ‘808 HYMN’

    Listening to these three songs altogether, it is clear that Erin knows exactly what she wants to do with her music. Her sound is confident and cohesive without getting boring. Although hers is a voice that we could hear and instantly recognize, no two songs sound the same. We can hear the inspiration from all the artists she notes as her influences come together in this song in particular. Quite like Lorde’s Virgin, for example, she blends deeply human lyrics with an experimental electronic sound. And she nails it.

    If you loved these songs, the good news is it doesn’t end there. Discover the rest of Erin LeCount’s songs wherever you listen to music, and lose yourself in her world. Once you’ve become familiar (obsessed) with all of her tracks, join us in seeing what she does next. If anything is clear, it’s that this is just the beginning for Erin. Head over to @thehoneypop on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to keep watch with us!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ERIN LECOUNT: 
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

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    Caitlyn Tarney

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  • Hey, Chvrches, Haunter Wants to Tour With You

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    Just a few months since their debut live show, Houston synth-pop quartet Haunter is making a bold push with a new six-track EP, Game Boy. It’s a record they describe as a statement of purpose and a love letter to the band that inspired them: Chvrches.

    “This EP was made to tour with Chvrches,” says vocalist Lucy Lenoire, with a laugh. “Yep. That was the goal from day one.”

    Game Boy marks a shift in direction for Haunter, who had previously released a series of singles. This time, they focused on creating a cohesive body of work that captures the scope of their sound and energy.

    “We have a whole back catalog,” says guitarist Mike Ray. “But we wanted to build something that felt complete. A full story.”

    The result is an EP that blends synth-pop, emo and metal influences, echoing the genre-blurring spirit of their hometown. Though each song can stand on its own, the band urges listeners to listen to the EP in its entirety, from front to back.

    “I want people to walk away saying, ‘That was a full experience,’” says Lenoire.

    Among the standout offerings is the title track, which originally appeared in a pandemic-era horror film that spent six weeks atop the box office—the first movie to do so since Avatar. Though the song was written early in the band’s formation, they held it back until the timing felt right.

    “That moment is now,” says guitarist Enoma Asowata.

    click to enlarge

    Haunter hopes to catch the attention of Chvrches.

    Photo by Brittaney Penney, courtesy Haunter

    At the center of Haunter’s music is Lenoire’s voice: a fierce, emotionally loaded blend of pop clarity and metal grit. Her performance on the track “Strangers” has drawn strong reactions even from within the band.

    “One of the guys called it ‘obscene,’” she laughs. “I’ll take it.”

    The group’s fascination with Chvrches runs deep. That obsession took root after a post-recording session night in Los Angeles, when the band caught a Chvrches show.

    “We were already riding a creative high,” bassist Mark Schroeder recalls. “Then we saw them live, and it was the perfect ending to that moment, and kind of the beginning of this one.”

    The band’s hope is that this EP catches the attention of the Scottish synth-pop trio, not just as fans but as potential tourmates.

    Haunter isn’t content with building a following one single at a time. They’re crafting a sound, a vision and a live presence worthy of the artists who inspired them. “Each song has its own personality,” Asowata says, “but this releases more of a statement piece of who we’re turning into.”

    HAUNTER’s EP will be available for purchase and on all streaming platforms on September 12. They will perform at The Secret Group in Houston on October 3 and 29th Street Ballroom in Austin on October 4.

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    Matthew Keever

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  • An Evening with Allie X

    An Evening with Allie X

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    Interview and Photos by Jordan Edwards

    Last month, Allie X performed a secret show to celebrate her new album Girl With No Face. The Canadian singer-songwriter performed tracks like “Black Eye” and “Off With Her Tits” at 1720 Warehouse in Downtown Los Angeles. The industrial setting matched the dark synth pop of her set.

    Since her debut EP in 2015, she’s continuously evolved musically and aesthetically. Her latest recalls the sleek early ’80s sound of acts like Eurythmics, Gary Numan, and The Human League.

    We caught up with Allie X to talk about the new album and creating her striking visuals.

    Congrats on the new album! How did making this compare with previous projects?
    Much more insane process. And probably more fulfilling.

    Where did the concept of Girl With No Face come from?
    Well it’s the name of one of the songs. Then I decided it sounded right for the album name. I think of the Girl With No Face as the entity that was in the room with me. Something I conjured up in the isolation of the experience.

    Which track from the album was the most fun to make?
    Maybe “Galina.” That one came together the fastest. Or “Hardware/Software.” Those were probably the only two that weren’t torturous to complete.

    A lot of recent pop has leaned on the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Lately, your music has more of an early ‘80s synth pop influence. What draws you towards that era?
    The experimentalism. The attitude. The sonics. The limitations. It’s my fave.

    Visuals are a big part of your work. How do you collaborate with designers, stylists, videographers, etc. to bring your ideas to life?
    I am good at curating and making mood boards. Selecting the right people and instructing them is what I do. Then their talent shines through. It’s about having a vision and taste.

    One thing that’s remained consistent with your music is really cool synth sounds. Do you have a favorite synthesizer?
    Umm of the ones I’ve used, maybe a Jupiter? Or a Prophet. But there are so many divine ones I haven’t used. Or so many complicated ones I don’t have enough knowledge to get a sound out of.

    How much of a perfectionist are you in the studio? The production and mixing on this album is really great.
    Wellll I actually think perfection in music is boring. But I need it to be right. And trying to get this album to sound right was incredibly hard. But I kept going and going till it clicked in my head.

    You grew up in Ontario. Who’s your favorite Canadian artist?
    Hmm Neil Young is pretty cool.

    Now that the album is out, what’s next?
    Just announced a tour. Putting that together will be my focus.

    For more from Allie X, follow her on Instagram and TikTok.

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    Staff

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