Miles Davis, Dreamcrusher, Alice Coltrane: Montreal-based creative Quinton Barnes shares what he had On Repeat whilst making his new masterpiece, BLACK NOISE.
Sometimes intimate, sometimes abrasive. Sometimes intense, other times mystical and dream-laden. Quinton Barnes brings a mosaic of moods to his new album BLACK NOISE. It’s idiosyncratic musicianship at its most fervent, impossible to define by typical generic conventions. We follow the Montreal-based enigmatic force on a journey through death and desolation, anguish and resolution, a sprawling sonic observation of the crumbling society we live within. Like Twin Peaks for the ears.
A deft, daring and, quite frankly, devouring listen, Barnes’ opus needs more attention. Wonderland asked the man himself to share some thoughts on inspiration in our latest On Repeat.
Listen to BLACK NOISE…
Quinton Barnes Is On Repeat…
Miles Davis – “Chieftain”
Been fixated on this record for years. The groove, the incessantly almost anxiety-inducing atmosphere. Everything is great, but it’s all about the rhythm here for me.
Alice Coltrane – “Universal Consciousness”
I wanted the first track on BLACK NOISE to feel exactly like how Universal Consciousness feels to me – immediate overwhelm, like being dropped directly into the scene of beauty and chaos with no preparation or warning.
Dreamcrusher – “Incinerator”
I love Dreamcrusher, and this is a pummelling and engaging opus. Definitely a work to get lost in.
Netsanet Mellesee – “Minew Jal”
Gorgeous but unsettling, I really love the scales her voice is working within and the creepy, dark feel of the song. Also love the chord progression here immensely. Something about this work is just fascinating to me.
Ghédalia Tazartes – “Un Amour Si Grand Qu’il Nie Son Objet”
A haunting piece, gives me legitimate chills. I’m not sure what possessed him to make this brilliant and terrifying work, but I pray the feeling never reaches me.
Scott Walker – “’See You Don’t Bump His Head”
Scott Walker going full weirdo is the best Walker, frankly. This is one of my favourite albums — completely uncompromising.
Bamba Pana – “Agaba Kibati”
And then this, pure restless energy. This is the type of vibrancy and instantaneous groove I wish to achieve with my own work. This is exactly what I want to hear soon as I step into a party.
Autechre – “LCC”
My two faves and one of my favourite songs from them – dark and brooding, highly digital and almost anxious sounding. Love how it gets gradually more agitated and seems to almost fight against itself has it progresses into the second half.
RP Boo – “Heavy Heat”
Pure energy – one of those songs that does everything right for me. Man I get mean when I hear this, that groove feels full of rage. I remember playing this as inspo during the BLACK NOISE sessions prior to working on “What Would Eastman Do” – one of those songs that changes how you think of and engage with your own work.
