Ketamine Poppy | Rhodes, Hologram Microcosm, Meris Ottobit Jr, Strymon Iridium, Elektron Digitakt

Hi everyone. I'm back this week with another Rhodes piece.

As I was building the Rhodes part for this, it elicited the one and only time I've taken a psychedelic of any kind. Years ago I was in a bicycle accident that broke my ribs and collapsed one lung (miraculously the bike was fine). In the hospital they needed to administer a chest tube to help the collapsed lung reinflate. Because I had recently eaten they couldn't put me under general anesthesia, so instead they gave me ketamine intravenously (with my permission). I had no idea what the effect would be. The effect was that reality disappeared and instead my visual field was filled with bright oranges and yellows, the colors of California poppies. I also heard the peaceful sounds of wind and bells. I don't necessarily crave this experience again, but it was memorable.

For this piece I used my newish workflow: Improvise and record it. Do many takes until you get one you like. Then after choosing my favorite take, augment it. This process too is iterative and a lovely way to lose oneself.

OK, now to the gear!

I played the Rhodes piano through the Meris OttobitJr, Hologram Microcosm and the Strymon Iridium.

The Digitakt is using lots of really simple samples I destroyed to get various wooshing noises. The low kick is probably some 808 sound, I can't remember and am too lazy to look up right now.

This track will be available on Bandcamp and Spotify as well as loads of other streaming services. If you are so inclined I would love it if you would support me on Bandcamp directly. Links to follow:

https://sycamorewillow.bandcamp.com

All others:
https://linktr.ee/sycamorewillow

Thank you!!