In Conversation With #255 - Fractures
Melbourne based artist Fractures shows off his artistic diversity on new album ‘Shift’.
After amassing over 40 million streams globally, Fractures has been hibernating - perfecting his craft and the next phase of his already celebrated career. The introspective process was a catalyst for Shift’s lyrical content, metaphorically presented through cinematic imagery of the environment. With the release of Shift, this singular electronic artist has triumphantly marked a new era. After some years of sonic transformation, experimentation and growth, Fractures has shifted from his ambient/liminal roots, now exploring more technical and energised production.
He took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Fractures - how are you? So your album is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
Hey, I’m good to great thank you for asking.
Correct it is indeed out. It’s kind of exciting, kind of a relief. I’ve been sitting on it for so long it’s just nice knowing it can be new to everyone else now besides me because naturally I’ve started planning for what follows so the perspective shift is a welcome one.
I do wish I could hear these songs back for a ‘first time’ but that’s the gift I’m giving to the general public, whether they want it or not.
It is called ‘Shift’ - what is the meaning behind that?
It was a name I’d kind of half0attached to the project when it became clear the direction it was heading in - one that was not as adjacent to previous things I’d done. So there’s that layer, probably the most superficial one. Just a change of style really. Not that clever, but hey, that’s me.
Simultaneously I was dealing with lockdown like the rest of the world, and amidst it the team around me and my music started its dismantlement, and I was left largely on my own after having had a constant point of reference around me up until that point of my career. It was all new. Kind of frightening and equally frustrating, and so the name gained further depth and meaning.
I guess it just encapsulated the upheaval I was kind of enveloped by. Nice and neat name too, I like simplicity. I’m a simple boy as mentioned above.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
I’m sorry to say the process really was devoid of any sort of romance or excitement. The larger percentage of the album was conceived at my apartment in Clifton Hill in the inner north of Melbourne, largely in the lockdown period.
Obviously lockdowns were a mixed bag for everyone, myself included - I definitely could have done without all that time for full-scale introspection - but it afforded me the luxury of time without interruption.
The other responsibilities of life were kind of done away with so I had a clear path to be creative at my own pace and slowly gain momentum which is when I work best. I’m a slow starter. Also slow in the middle. Additionally the end part is also slow for me. Anyway.
Behind the scenes wise, there’s so little to tell. I was in my tracksuit pants, growing my hair too long, watching the Disclosure Twitch streams religiously and just figuring out how to make electronic music, so this album is kind of an overview of that learning period.
It was just a lot of mouse clicks, looped playback and endless noodling. Not exactly fit for an autobiography but that’s how I got it done.
What are the key themes and influences on the album?
A sense of lack of direction was overarching. It was kind of inescapable during lockdowns, for me anyway. Especially when there was no clear end in sight, and being a part of a precarious industry seemed that much more fraught in the moment and I certainly got caught up in that mindset.
Burnt, Do Nothing and Strangers kind of form that set of songs, where Secret is kind of an antidote to, pretty much journaling the feeling of having that weight removed from me with the help from my little fungal friends.
There’s always relationship stuff in there, romantic or otherwise, but for the largest part it’s contrived, as much as I’m sure I shouldn’t pull back the curtain, but that’s the truth. Sometimes the songs call for a particular vibe and if it means me pretending I’m a lover boy lothario then it shall be so. I’ll follow the path the songs set out for me which means consistency of theme isn’t that attainable.
If the album could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
I just can’t envision a movie with a soundtrack comprised completely of upbeat electronic songs, not one I’d want to watch anyway(I do really like my own songs by the way). Something by Denis Villeneuve, he’d make it all make sense. Let’s tee that up.
I think it probably belongs on a FIFA game or something like that. Is that an option?
Do you have a favorite lyric on the album - if so, which one and why?
As a whole song, Bereft is one I’m especially proud of. I don’t often go the narrative route but I decided to challenge myself rather than stretching a vague concept over 4 minutes like I usually do.
It’s not necessarily steeped on poetic turns of phrase but I like how it covers a passage of time, and is visually evocative. It takes me somewhere when I read the words, even though they’re made up. I can picture it.
A lot of the songs I’d say are the sum of their parts, isolating the lyrics probably makes them seem a bit simplistic out of context, which they probably are but they work in tandem with each other.
If any, maybe the pre chorus to Do Nothing
I continue to be pulled in one direction, have no sense of where it leads
There’s a silence and it fucks with my intentions, question what I believe
In my mind repeating, the moments they come they’re gone
Catch the light and keep it as long as you can
This concisely sums up where my head would so constantly be at, and return to throughout the lockdown, and right up until now. It’s hard to shake.
The career path I’ve chosen is very unforgiving, so often confusing, and it’s in between the action that the mind can become its loudest. Recounting previous steps and missteps, opportunities lost or missed out on. The closing line is kind of a reminder to grab on to whatever you can that makes it seem worthwhile, any semblance of success and not to let it go because sometimes the chances don’t come back around.
Now the album is out there - what next?
Well, beyond superstardom, maybe a cover of GQ or perhaps a low-budget pornography magazine, whichever is offered first.
At present, the follow up music to this album is half-cooked, and I don’t want to have to wait like I did for this album for everything outside of the music to be ready, I want it to be new for me, and for the listeners so I’m making every effort to finish that.
Some shows no doubt - hopefully I can ride the coattails of some other artists too, share some stages around Aus and outside of it.
I’ll feature on a bunch of tracks for some fantastic electronic producers - something I really enjoy doing so keep your ear or even both ears out for that.
Back to the UK hopefully too, things make a bit more sense for me there so I’m hoping to make that a second home of sorts.
Lots of things with luck, and lots of music.
