Digital Antique: “Flatline”
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Every music nerd has his or her moment whilst watching a film wherein they think (or, more likely, interject to their uninterested friends), “Man, I know a song that would totally fit in this scene to go with this scene.” Some music is just plain made for the silver screen, whether it’s used for that purpose or not. Austin instrumental group Digital Antique makes music that’s grand and cinematic in every sense of the word. Music and film nerds alike, take note.
The core of Digital Antique is the trio of guitarist Travis Kennedy, bassist James Parker Randolph and drummer Payton Holekamp. The three are also joined by violist Dixie Yoder and a rotating group of string players. Kennedy, Randolph and Holekamp are most definitely not your garden variety garage band dilettantes. The three have years of musical training under their belt. Kennedy is an accomplished audio engineer, and he’s worked at New York City’s venerable Electric Lady Studios. Randolph holds a commercial music degree and Holekamp has played in bands all over the musical spectrum.
Late last month Digital Antique issued their newest opus II. The album’s filled with tracks that are spiked with drama and a sort of noir-ish intrigue. Song titles include names like “The Heist,” “Doomed Hero,” and “Horsepower.” Today’s song of the day, “Flatline,” evokes aural imagery of escape. It starts slow, with an almost Western movie feel, and you can imagine the album’s “doomed hero” making his way down a long, lonesome road. The band suddenly shifts gears. What was, at first, an easy (if bittersweet) gettaway, turns quickly into a jittery chase as the tempo ramps up, the band digs in and the strings pluck away. I won’t spoil the ending for you, but suffice it to say, the next time you find yourself thinking that you know the perfect music for a film, chances are you’re thinking of Digital Antique.
If you’re heading out to UTOPiAfest this weekend, you can catch Digital Antique Saturday at 2:15.
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