Voted Away

Spycker, the Amsterdam troubadour, traverses a vale of desperate melancholy on his new album Voted Away. A musical tragedy leads the listener into a world of schizoid nightmares, maudlin delusions and trampled love, a life at odds with humanity and it's endless insanity. Following albums with dark guitar soundscapes (Fonderie Olive, 2011) and experimental electronica (Ner Begot Kish, 2012), the do-it-yourselfer Spycker (born Michiel Omtzigt, 1974) decided it was time for an album with 'real' songs: 'I had quite a bit of useful material in my disarranged database. After a lot of tinkering and darling-killing the final product was reached: a multidimensional fusion of folk rock, indie and 60s psychedelia, in the spirit of heavyhearted forebears such as Syd Barrett and Elliott Smith.' The recording sessions took place in the home studio of producer Henk Jonkers (Hallo Venray, zZz, Daryll-Ann). Spycker: 'The improvised set-up contributed to the ultimate feel of the album. As it turned out, a dilapidated Spanish guitar with ancient strings was ideal for the fragile sound of Screwdriver Crimes. And a vintage synth produced the perfect psychedelic finale for Mean Proportional.' A variety of other resources were used: polyphonic background vocals, field recordings, distorted guitar solos and the unusual combination of toy piano, Aboriginal rain stick and a grandfather clock (Leave Me Wary). The album's tranquil atmosphere is intensified by wistful lyrics. It is the confused world of thought of the unseen and disillusioned mortal. The listener hears conversations between the conscience and the subconscious, sometimes combative, at other times resigned. With the exception of Blind Pig Blues and Haar Ogen of de Goed Gebruikte Wensvorm, all music on Voted Away was written and performed by Spycker. He has also taken responsibility for releasing the album. 'If there's anything about the album you don't like, then I'm the only one to blame,' explains the musician. 'But I for one know that I didn't make any concessions and enjoyed total freedom in my work. And that was the main condition.' The strong melodies and ethereal vocals on Voted Away envelop the listener in mystery. Spycker: 'The album feels like a slow, groovy dream, where you never know what to expect round the next bend. And when you wake up, you're not quite sure of exactly what just happened.'