Folded Music is pleased to announce the single “fashion camp” from its latest label signings - FLOCKS.

Members Tom Buckley (drums/samples), Josh Jessen (synths/keyboards), and Stephen Patota (bass/guitar) came together to form FLOCKS in the vibrant music scene of Cincinnati and have garnered some enviable accolades in their musical careers, sharing stages with and collaborating with the likes of Hi-tek, Deerhoof, Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo), and more.
Plying their trade as a jazz-trained electronica group who straddle musical territories similar to BADBADNOTGOOD, Squarepusher, and Radiohead, the band is driven by a fascination with the possibilities of human interpretation of electronic sounds.

The new track is both an explosive introduction to their sound and a highly appropriate calling card for their forthcoming album (due later this year). “fashion camp” was primarily written during 2020’s lengthy quarantine through the enforced process of remote composition. Once conditions were safe enough for FLOCKS to rehearse, the demo version was finished. They then traveled to New York to record the album at Bunker Studios in Brooklyn with John Davis (Nerve).

Centered around an athletic bass line and backed by urgent drum beats and immersive synth pads, “fashion camp” is a total musical flex. Filled to the brim with flashes of individual brilliance from each member, the track as a whole takes the listener on a voyage and conjures an audio experience reminiscent of artists like Thundercat and Louis Cole.
Utilizing a vast arsenal of synths on the record, FLOCKS produce an array of sonics that most acts could only dream of - most notably incorporating the classic Minimoog Model D for the melody and Roland’s rare bass-synth module, the GR 33-B, for the bass feature in the first half of “fashion camp.”

The song is inspired by the energy and excitement of youth; the technical, yet emotional character of the music perfectly captures the feeling of movement, vigor, vitality, and discovery.

Record and Mixed by John Davis at The Bunker  
Mastered by Alex DeTurk at The Bunker
Art by Antoine Geiger

released April 15, 2022

fashion camp

Cincinnati/Chicago-based musical triumvirate FLOCKS return with their second single on Asta Hiroki’s Folded Music imprint.

Plying their trade as a jazz-trained electronica group who straddle musical territories similar to BADBADNOTGOOD, Squarepusher, and Radiohead, the band is driven by a fascination with the possibilities of human interpretation of electronic sounds.

The new track “jexqjex” showcases the huge depth and width of their musical influences with an electronica-leaning composition that borrows ideas and characteristics from multiple styles and geographies.

Starting out with a minimalist, yet upbeat, aesthetic that showcases elements of dub, jazz, juke, and footwork, the track then develops into a second half that takes the listener on a momentum-building journey.

Keyboardist Josh Jessen previously lived in Brazil and studied the baião rhythms of the country’s northeastern regions; they have been recontextualised here in combination with the aforementioned styles.

The parts were performed live in the studio, then surgically chopped and rearranged to achieve a more electronic feel. The result is reminiscent of the production stylings of James Blake, Mark Guiliana, and Dub music techniques.

Boasting some wild synth textures closely paralleled by a beautiful Fender Rhodes and kept steady by its bass line heartbeat, the track stays consistent with its electronic/dance-influenced rhythm. It also features the use of the classic analog delay unit Space Echo RE - 201 on the drums. Lastly, the overall shaping of “jexqjex” was heavily informed by record producer John Davis’ (Nerve) editing and production choices. 

released May 13, 2022

jexqjex

With the full-length version clocking in at just under seven minutes, “counterfeit” covers a lot of musical ground. The feeling of the track is defined in part by the juxtaposition of acoustic instruments like piano and drums with analog synths. 

Its accusingly-toned title was derived from its recording approach. Many of the parts were recorded twice and panned hard to the left and right so that each ear is hearing a slightly different take, or not a true copy - hence the title. 

The full-length edit starts off with a biting metallic texture that is reminiscent of an insect burrowing through a wall. This sound quickly crescendos, and as the other instruments enter, it feels as though the aforementioned insect has found itself in a surreal world thats framed in the context of a dark dance track in the realm of Adult Swim music. This feeling is augmented by fluid, yet angular, rhythms from the drums and unpredictable phrasing from the bass and keys.

Like some kind of love child born of Flying Lotus and Radiohead, the music creates an anxious, fever dream-like state, building in its tension to a breaking point, where it settles into the beautiful and well earned peace of the pleasant outro. 

The radio edit focuses on the darker-edged first section of the full-length track, whilst the Asta Hiroki’s edit instead jumps in only for the later section of danceable, upbeat melodics, making for a totally different listening experience based entirely on the starting point of the composition. 

Plying their trade as a jazz-trained electronica group who straddle musical territories similar to BADBADNOTGOOD, Squarepusher, and Radiohead, the band is driven by a fascination with the possibilities of human interpretation of electronic sounds. 

Members Tom Buckley (drums/samples), Josh Jessen (synths/keyboards), and Stephen Patota (bass/guitar) came together to form FLOCKS in the vibrant music scene of Cincinnati, Ohio. Collectively, they have performed/recorded across the world with artists such as Hi-Tek, Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo), Naytronix, Huntertones, Fareed Haque, and members of WHY? and Deerhoof.

counterfeit

“find, fix, finish” is the latest single to be taken from Cincinnati/Chicago band FLOCKS’ explosive forthcoming album, You Were Probably Younger Then. 

Constructed in a completely different fashion than the rest of the album, the first half of the track was created in direct collaboration with two good friends of the band: drummer/producer Ben Sloan and vocalist Brianna Kelly, each incredible artists in their own right. 

It is, for all intents and purposes, a sound collage built of samples made from the band playing real instruments as well as Brianna’s vocal parts. Ben Sloan’s percussion and production skills are prominent, while Brianna’s vocal evokes a simultaneously surreal yet organic atmosphere. 

Balancing out the heady, hyper-produced first half arrangement, the ending resolves into the simplicity of live trio playing on a jazzed-out groove that could move the most rigid individual - a single take of group improvisation to bring the track, and indeed the album, to a close. For a record featuring so many produced and designed textures/sounds/moments, the finish is harmonious and fitting, with just the three band members in a room playing together. 

In fact, the radio edit included with the single exclusively focuses on this latter aspect, changing the audio aesthetic completely to a jazz-infused cascade of blissful sounds on a  gorgeous groove. 

Plying their trade as a jazz-trained electronica group who straddle musical territories similar to BADBADNOTGOOD, Squarepusher, and Radiohead, the band is driven by a fascination with the possibilities of human interpretation of electronic sounds. 

Members Tom Buckley (drums/samples), Josh Jessen (synths/keys), and Stephen Patota (bass/guitar) came together to form FLOCKS in the vibrant music scene of Cincinnati, OH. Collectively, they have performed/recorded across the world with such artists as Hi-Tek, Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo), Fareed Haque, members of WHY? and Deerhoof.

find, fix, finish feat. Ben Sloan & Brianna Kelly

https://open.spotify.com/album/2O2p1TfDCklCvEI2TjtqRb?si=E4i9dpZTRVm-knCbwy85wg

Keys/Synths - Josh Jessen 
Drums - Tom Buckley 

Artwork by Kara Shim and Shang Lin of The Gymnasium 
Recorded/Mixed at Marble Garden Studios with Isaac Karns 
Mastered by Alex DeTurk

FLOCKS

Off-Kilter

https://open.spotify.com/album/2O2p1TfDCklCvEI2TjtqRb?si=E4i9dpZTRVm-knCbwy85wg

Keys/Synths - Josh Jessen 
Drums - Tom Buckley 

*Track 8 features vocals by Eric Rollin 
*Tracks 9 and 12 feature Adam DeAscentis on bass 

Artwork by Kara Shim and Shang Lin of The Gymnasium 
Recorded/Mixed at Marble Garden Studios with Isaac Karns 
Mastered by Alex DeTurk

Cardiff

https://open.spotify.com/album/2O2p1TfDCklCvEI2TjtqRb?si=E4i9dpZTRVm-knCbwy85wg

Keys/Synths - Josh Jessen 
Drums - Tom Buckley 
Bass - Adam DeAscentis

Artwork by Kara Shim and Shang Lin of The Gymnasium 
Recorded/Mixed at Marble Garden Studios with Isaac Karns 
Mastered by Alex DeTurk

Far Reaching (feat. Adam DeAscentis)

Clockwork

Sycamore

Eternal Sunshine (feat. Adam DeAscentis)

You're Still Young

Avocado

Glass I

Keys/Synths - Josh Jessen 
Drums - Tom Buckley 

Artwork by Kara Shim and Shang Lin of The Gymnasium 
Recorded/Mixed at Marble Garden Studios with Isaac Karns 
Mastered by Alex DeTurk

Sinton

https://open.spotify.com/album/2O2p1TfDCklCvEI2TjtqRb?si=E4i9dpZTRVm-knCbwy85wg

Keys/Synths - Josh Jessen 
Drums - Tom Buckley 
Vox - Eric Rollin 

Artwork by Kara Shim and Shang Lin of The Gymnasium 
Recorded/Mixed at Marble Garden Studios with Isaac Karns 
Mastered by Alex DeTurk

Cold (feat. Eric Rollin)

Panoramic

Mouthful

When You Appear, Everything Will Be

Tom Buckley - Drums 
Stephen Patota - Guitar/Bass 
Josh Jessen - Keys/Synths/Keybass 

Recorded and engineered at Marble Garden Studios by Isaac Karns 
Mastered by Alex DeTurk 
Artwork by Kara & Shang of The Gymnasium

Tom Buckley - Drums
Josh Jessen - Keys/Synths
Stephen Patota - Bass/Guitar

Recorded and engineered at Marble Garden Studios by Isaac Karns
Mastered by Alex DeTurk
Artwork by Kara & Shang of The Gymnasium

Luna

Recorded and engineered by Isaac Karns at Marble Garden Studios 
Mastered by Alex DeTurk
Artwork by Kara & Shang of The Gymnasium

Grammar King

Driven by a fascination with the possibilities of human interpretation of electronic sounds, FLOCKS strives to create music that guides the listener through a variety of sonic landscapes. Having meticulously crafted their musical voice within the studio, FLOCKS is now committed to recreating this experience live through the interaction of analog synths, electric bass, and acoustic drums replicating synthetic textures. Samples and the human voice also play a significant role in FLOCKS’ approach to songwriting. 

Members Tom Buckley (drums/samples), Josh Jessen (synths/keyboards), and Stephen Patota (bass/guitar) came together to form FLOCKS in the vibrant music scene of Cincinnati, Ohio. Collectively, they have performed/recorded across the world with such artists as Hi-Tek, Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo), Naytronix, Huntertones, Fareed Haque, and members of WHY? and Deerhoof.

FLOCKS’ debut album is available everywhere now!

FLOCKS

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