KRYTICAL MASS is a solo project by Sandy Power, frontman of indie-rock band Cornfield Chase. In this conversation, we discuss the writing process behind his groovy song Future Sounds taken from KRYITCAL MASS' debut EP The Future Sound of KDY.
Tell us a bit about yourself!
My real name is Sandy Power and I’m a musician from Fife. I grew up in Kirkcaldy but I’m currently living in Dunfermline. I've been playing in an indie-rock band called Cornfield Chase for a few years and we brought out an EP called Vitality last November.
I’ve been making electronic music since I was in college and I’ve just released my debut as KRYTICAL MASS. The name is an aberration of “critical mass” which is defined as “a size, number, or amount large enough to produce a particular result”. This can be applied in physics or an economic sense but I like to see it as a catalyst for sustained motion, like when my music makes people dance.
What got you initially interested in pursuing a career in music?
There was always music being played in my life growing up, whether it be from my sister playing the cello or my Dad playing cassettes in the car. This initial inspiration continued as I got older and started listening to bands my mates liked as well as those I discovered in magazines or on the radio. I was in my first band at high school and eventually ended up going to college to study towards a music degree.
Your single Future Sounds features a lot of synth-based melodies; how did you come up with the idea for this song? Was there a particular artist who influenced this sound?
This release is actually me revisiting material that I played in an adolescent band of mine but which never got recorded. The band was called Beep! Beep! Ping! and we strayed from the usual punk and metal that our mates were playing and started a synth/dance-based project. I’ve now got the means to be able to record all the parts myself using Ableton Live, so when I had time over lockdown, I put myself to the task of re-inventing them. Initially, this one was written on a keyboard by me and my friend Martyn at high school which we then put together in a band setting with our friend William, who was our drummer. The music is inspired by a lot of artists I listened to growing up in the 90s and 00s, like The Chemical Brothers, Massive Attack, and Four Tet.
Are there any plans to make music videos for the songs featured on The Future Sound of KDY?
There is an idea for one in the works. Quite a lo-fi, low budget thing due to current limitations for obvious reasons but it should be quite a fun one.
Do you have a specific process when it comes to creating music, or is it instinctive?
It’s quite instinctive in the way I use software, just building things and creating patterns but I have been trying to work on things with specific themes recently and going for specific atmospheres and sound-worlds whilst immersing myself in stimuli that fit those criteria, be that music, film or other sources.
It has been a difficult time for a lot of UK artists and musicians; would you say that lockdown has affected your creative process when it comes to writing and recording music?
It’s certainly affected where I can do it, I'm mostly working solitarily from home even with my band Cornfield Chase, a lot of the writing is done by myself anyway, so it’s not too much of a shock to the system. Recording is on hold with the band for now but with KRYTICAL MASS I have all I need to do it myself.
How has engagement with your listeners changed since lockdown began?
I’ve had to focus on my social media presence even more due to not being able to play in a venue since March, which has resulted in more live streams and creating more engaging content. I’ve definitely broadened my skill set in online marketing and promotion and been able to plan things more thoroughly.
Do you have any plans to release any new music?
I’m working towards some more releases currently that will include collaborations with other artists and labels, so watch this space!
What advice would you give to someone who may want to start a career in the music industry?
It’s cliché, but do it for the love of music. It’s not worth your time, blood sweat, and tears otherwise. And always listen and play as much varied music as possible, even if your music doesn’t borrow too heavily from it stylistically in the finish up.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
KISS – Keep it simple (stupid), a favourite acronym of my college lecturers on the HND. That and my Dad encouraging me to be helpful to other bands and staff at gigs I play at.
Check out Future Sounds by KRYTICAL MASS in the link down below!
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