Portland based shoegaze/post-metal/drone artist FOLIAN‘s debut album Blue Mirror arrives 31st January 2020 via Anima Recordings, and today were thrilled to give you its first complete listen. Exploring ideas such as the duality of being, and the struggle for balance and clarity during a time of intense emotional struggle, the well-balanced record envelops the listener on every level: compositionally, thematically, and emotionally.
Folian is the project of David Stephen Fylstra, a contributor to many heavy and experimental acts such as Ramprasad (featuring members of Lumbar, Process Black), Flood Peak (members of Lament Cityscape, Juracán), KVØID (a collaboration with artist Dylan Garrett Smith), Canadensis (collaboration with Dragon Turtle’s Tom Asselin), Bible Black Tyrant (members of Eagle Twin), and a recent collaborator with The Stargazer Lilies (Rad Cult/Graveface) and Drowse (The Flenser). He releases much of his own and others’ music on his own imprint Anima Recordings. Asked about this new project and the importance of “Blue Mirror”, David offered:
It is a very personal documentation of my experiences and internal struggles over recent years. There was a lot of confusion, sorrow, alcohol, doubt, regret, and love that went into the creation of this. The lyrics may reflect that, but the music as a whole probably does a better job at that. This is the album that represents the center of my world for the past five years or so. There was a point in time I might have thought it would never be finished, or even scrapped. I made this thing to help myself. I hope others might be able to look into it and find something that resonates with them.
Credits: David S. Fylstra – vocals, guitars, microKorg, pedals, MIDI, Zoom RT-123, melodica, field recordings, radio, tapes; Recorded & Mixed by David S. Fylstra; Mastered by Zach Weeks.
Folian manages to merge elements of drone, shoegaze, metal, pop, and experimental noise to create a uniquely meditative and cohesive, psychedelic sonic atmosphere using a mix of guitars, vocals, synths, field recordings, and various other instruments to sculpt the sound.
FOLIAN by Dylan Garrett Smith
The debut LP Blue Mirror explores ideas such as the duality of being, and the struggle for balance and clarity during a time of intense emotional struggle. The work stems from personal experiences with relationships, depression, fear, emotional dependence, and substance use. Dual meaning plays a prominent role in the album’s theme and lyrics. The album is a follow-up to the EP Ache Pillars which was released earlier this year via Apneic Void Sounds.
Blue Mirror arrives 31st January 2020 via Anima Recordings, available digitally, on vinyl LP (edition of 200), and Cassette (edition of 50).
Folian recently toured in November with Entresol, and currently on tour with Shifting Harbor. There will be a release show in Portland at Boathouse Experimental Studios, which you need to ask someone for the address. David is planning to play locally for the springtime and do some smaller touring throughout the year, but he is open to opportunities.
Folian kicks off the new decade with tour adventure around the release of Blue Mirror, this time with the drone/ambient counterpart Shifting Harbor, who is also releasing an album. On *select dates, the two artists will perform together under the moniker Canadensis.
1/16 @ Coaxial – Los Angeles, CA*
1/17 @ The Quarry – Bisbee, AZ
1/19 @ Crazy Rhythms – San Antonio, TX
1/20 @ The Volstead – Austin, TX*
1/21 @ The NASA – Corpus Christi, TX
1/22 @ Neon Rose – El Paso, TX
1/24 @ Rec Center – Los Angeles, CA
1/25 @ Golden Bull – Oakland, CA*
1/25 @ Pro Arts – Oakland, CA
1/31 @ Boathouse – Portland, OR
2/1 @ Charlie’s Chophouse – Astoria, OR
2/2 @ Gallery 1412 – Seattle, WA
2/15 @ High Water Mark – Portland, OR; w/ Thief, and Jason Walton(*Performing together as Canadensis)
Blue Mirror Lyrics
2. Go Alone
aching, swelling in my head
i’ve felt this way before
hollow, the place within
the shield that is my chest
you wini will hide beneath the tide
and all will simply fade awayi’ve been to this place before
and letting go is never as difficult
as holding on for me
not for meso i let go
4. I Am You
you take the shape
of the space you’re infear of going slow
fear of letting go
fear of no control
fear of the unknownthere’s nothing new about fear
that’s not the reason you’re here
when you’re away you will see
when you return you’ll believeyou fear you
5. Further/Give
will you allow me to sink
when i bring myself to the brink?
6. Unwanted
i can’t recall the day we slipped
when we were there
(and now we’re falling)
i don’t think we understand
just who we are
(but we pretend)
i won’t give into my vice
but then i did
(and now i’m wishing)
i can’t look away this time
i tried
but something has meit’s not all so bad, i’d say
but what am i missing?
(the whole picture)
i don’t wish that i weren’t here
no, but sometimes
(i wish you were)
i don’t mean the things i say
i don’t know why
(but i just say them)
i think that we’ll be just fine
as long as we just
ignore itand now i realize
you and i are just the same
we needed this
and so we came to lighttoday i found my place
this place is no escape
you know i can’t help the way
i’m so selfish
there are things we could not say
there’s no reason to blame
oh, it’s just a shame
we can’t help itand when no one is around
and you think you’re safe and sound
you’re really just alone
do you want this?
7. No Wake
we don’t make sense when we speak
their world is a thought, so we think
the water is clean, and it heals
dissolving your thoughts and your feels
whatever you’re told, it’s not true
there’s nobody here beside you
is this where it ends or begins?it felt like a dream
i don’t know what it was
(not aware of losing anything)
let go of me
let go because
(nothing here, only self, empty)
nowhere to reach
nothing to share
(it’s not the way that this should be)
i am with you
but are you in there?
where?i said all you needed to hear
there’s no way to start over here
i pushed all my sour thoughts away
i know where i will be somedaythis is a dream of a fate
8. Erasure
awake
laying awake and
thinking
i can take it
are we okay?
i do feel lost sometimes
you must understandtake what you can get
don’t you have enough to pretend?
can we take this to the end
and then still survive?hear them
i can’t believe it
my heart is aching and i’ve lost
a little more than just a lot
but not
allembrace the pain for years you’ve kept
surrender all the rest
resist, resetdeep end
no one to befriend
tell me, on what will it depend
when time is not our friend
it is a teasewhat now?
what can i do now?
i know for some it’s just too late
for those who could not wait
this makes me dizzyagainst the grain, there’s nothing left
be one with those at rest
reflect, resterase the pain from those who’ve left
relinquish your regrets
resist, resetand know it’s not too late
