Perth based producer and multi-instrumentalist Yarhkob has recently released Surface Waves a collection of stunning electronic tunes from spaced out, synth riddled hip-hop to dark and twisted experimental drum and bass.
Not one to stick to a particular genre, Yarhkob (aka Jake Steele) is involved with a number of impressive local projects including Tobacco Rat, Kučka and Injured Ninja. This seven track release Surface Waves is a culmination of Steele’s talents and experience building stunning electronic soundscapes.
To celebrate the release of Surface Waves (out now via Uncomfortable Beats) – Yarhkob has given us a track by track run down of the new EP which you can check out below. If you like what you hear be sure to pop by uncomfortablebeats.com for more info/ to pick up a digi copy of Surface Waves.
Intro
“Pretty much all of these songs on the EP were born from experimentations with the Sequential Circuits.
Prophet 600. It’s this vintage synth that is basically the same age as me so I feel like theres some sort of connection there.”
Multi tub
“This song needs to be listened to sitting in a giant modified hot tub, with off road wheels cruising along the actual beach drinking rum out of a coconut. That’s really what it’s about.
The song nearly got lost on my hard drive because it sounded real similar to another track I had already written, but luckily this one won out because it turned out way better.
The chimes that run through the song are discarded wood cutting blades from a construction site I was working on.”
Lazy Boy
“This track is more of a ‘lazy boy recliner under a palm tree on a beach sipping on rum in a coconut’ vibe I think.
It came together pretty quick. There are not that many elements to it but they all just fitted together perfectly.”
Midnight Sun
“This is a more ‘secret classy midnight dinner party on a boat’ type of track. The bar would be stacked with Golden Coconut Rum Macaroon Pyramids. Entrees would be rum glazed coconut shrimp followed by Seared Pork Chops with Coconut Rum and Caramelised Pineapple Sauce.”
Hotbox
“Blaze one in the car to this song as you drive down the highway on the way to the beach to drink rum in a coconut.
This track was the most problematic in the mixing stages because there are so many layers all fighting for a spot but I persevered with it and now they are all buddies.”
West Palm Club
“This is where the crew gets loose. Too much rum in a coconut. This is one of my favourite tracks on the E.P. and came together the quickest.
I think I basically smashed out the whole song in about 30 minutes. There were a few post tweaks in the final mixing stage but I think I just left most of it to capture that rawness.”
Surface Waves
“This is definitely the ‘deckchair on a boat sipping rum in a coconut’ vibe.
I came up with this name and subsequently the EP title when I was experimenting and messing about with my new camera and was filming the water and reflections in the family bird bath.
Just slowly drifting in and out of focus on the calm flat water. The sounds of cars driving by in the song is actually from the crappy camera microphone.”
Dusty Ohms remix
“Dusty Ohms is an Uncomfortable Beats label mate from the United Kingdom who has a really cool heavy electronic style that naturally was perfectly suited for a remix.”
Gated remix
“I met Gated when I was in Liverpool with Kučka. We had both played a show with some electronic acts that were studying Music Technology / Composition at the University of Liverpool and his girlfriend had played a set. We all hung out and partied afterwards and kept in contact via the internet but it wasn’t until later that I realised he made some really cool hip hop beats, so I hit him up for a remix and got back some fire.”
Maxy Bills remix
“I’ve known Maxy Bills since high school, and he makes some really interesting beats so it was great to get him on board for what turned out to be a killer reverb drenched trip of a remix.”
