Balam Acab | |
---|---|
Birth name | Alec Koone |
Born | April 14, 1991 |
Origin | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Genres | Electronic Witch house |
Years active | 2010–present |
Labels |
Alec Koone (born April 14, 1991), better known by his former stage name Balam Acab, is an American electronic musician and producer originally from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.[1][2][3]
Koone began creating hardcore and metal at the age of 13 with a group of musician friends.[2][3] While studying music at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York in 2009, he began to experiment with post-rock and ambient music.[3] He eventually dropped out of Ithaca College to focus on his music career.[3] His first release, the 2010 EP See Birds,[4] got him categorized as witch house according to Pitchfork.[5] He followed that up with his first full-length album, Wander/Wonder, in 2011.[6] Wander/Wonder was recorded entirely in the same bedroom he slept in as a child and heavily incorporated Creative Commons-licensed nature recordings he found on the Internet.[7] His song "See Birds," title track of the See Birds EP, was featured in a L'Oreal mascara ad starring Beyoncé in early 2011.[7][8]
After a long hiatus, Balam Acab self-released his second official album, CHILD DEATH, on December 17, 2015[9] via Bandcamp. In April 2016, the album was pressed on vinyl and released by the DIY record label Orchid Tapes.[10] Since the release of CHILD DEATH, Balam Acab has released many singles and collaborations in a variety of styles through SoundCloud[11] and Bandcamp.[12]
Among numerous side projects and aliases, Balam Acab recently teamed up with producer Goodbye to form the duo hospice_dreams, releasing the debut demo "because i am true". A full release is expected to be released late 2018.
The name "Balam Acab" was taken from a rainbow-creating deity in Maya mythology that Koone learned about in Spanish class.[7][13][14]
References
- ↑ Lester, Paul (December 2, 2010). "Balam Acab (No 922)". The Guardian. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- 1 2 Richards, M. T. (December 15, 2011). "Balam Acab's Alec Koone Lives With His Mom, Quietly Reviving R&B". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 Lipshutz, Jason (October 19, 2011). "Balam Acab, Electronic Upstart, Preps First Live Shows Ever". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ↑ Park, Dave (July 5, 2010). "Album Review: Balam Acab – See Birds". Prefix Magazine. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ↑ Richardson, Mark (August 29, 2011). "Album Review: Wander/Wonder". Pitchfork Media.
- ↑ Yenigun, Semi (August 28, 2011). "First Listen: Balam Acab, 'Wander / Wonder'". NPR. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- 1 2 3 Cooper, Duncan (August 23, 2011). "GEN F: Balam Acab". The Fader. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ↑ Brandon (January 27, 2011). "L'Oreal Gets Witch House: Balam Acab Soundtr∆cks Beyoncé Commercial". Stereogum. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ↑ Matthew Strauss, "Balam Acab Releases Child Death", Pitchfork, December 17, 2015
- ↑ Warren Hildebrand "So Happy to be Releasing Balam Acab's New Album", Orchid Tapes Blog, April 18, 2016
- ↑ "BALAM ACAB | Free Listening on SoundCloud", SoundCloud
- ↑ "Music | BALAM ACAB", Bandcamp
- ↑ "Balam Acab: dream out loud". Fact. February 22, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ↑ "Balam Acab". The New Yorker. November 17, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2015.