BROOKLYN FOLKTRONICA

In an era when computers play an ever-increasing role in production, Zack Hagan is trying to keep the singer/songwriter spirit alive with his brand of “folktronica.” Inspired by disparate elements from the Grateful Dead and Sufjan Stevens, as well as electronic pioneers The Orb and Ellen Allien, Hagan approaches lyrical storytelling and sonic tapestries through contrast; on his selftitled 2008 release he often pairs upbeat melodies with somber narratives. For listeners, the experience is often cathartic. Hagan’s other two 2008 releases, Rhapsody @ Trash Mansion and The Muramba Sessions, demonstrate an even broader range—both are instrumental albums that hark back to his extensive techno catalog. The former is an ambient house adult film score. The latter grew out of field recordings Hagan made of a church choir in northwest Rwanda. The resulting tracks are a hypnotic combination of chant, distortion and trance melodies. “I was sitting in the back of the church with my headphones on, surrounded mostly by children, and I realized that this was one of the most profound musical experiences of my life. I knew that I had to make something more out of it.” www.zackhagan.com

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