Deli #54 - Bodega, Brooklyn Stompbox Exhibit and Synth Expo 2018

ProMiSeland
All you really need to know is that you want to see Promiseland’s
tear-yourself-apart, no-limits live performances.
the project’s industrial-techno tracks sound like they
could come from a secret warehouse rave on the edge of
the city, but Australian-born Johann rashid’s vocals are
straight from the realm of punk. Collectively, it makes for an
intense, nightmarish experience, which coupled with the
performance aspect, becomes simply jarring - in a good
way (if you can take it). those in need of a cathartic ritual
that’s at once cerebral and wild are warned. (CAMEroN CArr)
Industrial rock is a tough genre to pull off, how did it all start?
Johann: Promiseland has many moving parts. one is the live
show. It’s loud, aggressive and really has its own energy. Behind
the scenes there is a lot going on in terms of production
and collaboration. It began when I approached Melbourne
producer harmon with a few demos. he was able to take my
sounds and song ideas and ultimately structure a sound I feel
is ever changing. though the two singles that are out lean more
into the industrial world the other songs move through many
different vibes, slower tempo dub vibes, some experimental female
vox and a general exploration of collaboration.
[Top] Yamaha PortaSound Voice Bank PSS-270
[Bottom] Yamaha DX21
Industrial Electro-Rock
What personality traits do you think are necessary to make
this kind of music?
I think one needs the ability to feel tense and physical. one
needs to trust in subverting images and sounds into any environment.
Like throwing your body around, clenching your teeth
and really destroying something uncontrollably. Acting out destruction
through schizophrenic thoughts and actions. Letting
the mind travel anywhere and become anything and also having
some sort of enjoyment doing that.
What are the pieces of gear central to your sound?
Johann: the energy of where I am and whom I get to jam with is
at the centre of the sound. When I left for New York I didn’t bring
anything with me. I borrowed a Yamaha DX21 and a Yamaha Portasound
PSS-270, which I still use to record a lot of home demos.
Harmon: We like to change things up from song to song and do
a lot of gear borrowing. My go to outboard instruments are my
Gibson bass and guitar and Yamaha sk20, as well as the kaos
pads. I like playing around with reverbs and delays a lot. I will
spend most of my time getting these sounds right. Some of the
new tracks feature things like the Pro 2, korg mono/poly, ms10,
Juno 6, tr 707 drum machine. We really just love getting into the
studio firing up what we can and record as much as we can.
the deli Spring 2018 15