Traversing a multi-instrumental voyage through wacky circus dance music, jazzy nuances, and left-field sound design, Mark Rubin has sculpted his own signature blend of sophisticated dub and downtempo. As the force behind Somatoast, the experimental producer began his earliest performance in Austin’s eclectic co-op parties and electronic music events, where he became inspired by the city’s ever-evolving live music culture. So it’s only fitting that Rubin eventually turned to Gravitas Recordings, an Austin-based label that has been making a mark on the electronic scene for years.

For his latest studio album, Somatoast makes use of the natural world to serve technical, musical purposes. Inspired in part by nature, Creation is Creation, out now on Gravitas Recordings, is a philosophical inquiry regarding the alchemy of creativity. For instance, Somatoast uses seed pods as shakers and icicles, which he says he recorded during the great Texas winter freeze of 2021, as a percussive ensemble. This electro-acoustic fusion spans six original tracks and four remixes–marking another unique development in Somatoast’s ever-evolving sound.

“Tapping in Boyd Hill” introduces the album with its sweeping aural environments and grounding tapping that begins the story of Creation is Creation, which is that human creativity is the same force of all creation. The tapping heard in the track was recorded live in Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Petersburg, Florida, as the artist explains further,

“It’s incredibly simple how this track came about. Raquel and I were recording sounds at Boyd HIll Nature Preserve. We sat on a fallen tree and started tapping beats on the trunk with our hands and fingers. That iPhone recording is the beat of the song.”

– Somatoast

“Dawn” embraces the texture of a seed shaker found in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. By letting the naturally found sounds do the talking, “Dawn” comes off with a simplified yet refined sound design. The previously released namesake of the album, “Creation is Creation” is a jazzy approach to the essence of this album. Featuring expansive atmospheres partnered with piano riffs and inspiring lyrics, Creation is Creation dives deep into exploration of the universe that resides all around us.

An organic reprieve in the middle of the album, “Kokoa” features distinct usage of primitive and empowering vocals before segwaying into “Icicle” that was inspired from the Texas Freeze in early 2021 with lush guitar lines, rippling breakdowns, and grounding bass. Lastly, “Ooh Yeah” is an experimental glitchy departure from the rest of the album, highlighting resounding soundscapes underneath bouncing plucks. As a bonus, the album rounds out with remixes from Lapa, Edamame, Skysia, and Kaya Project.

Somatoast – Creation is Creation

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