Brooklyns Spycalopa started as a side-project for Candiria guitarist John LaMacchia between tours. The first single was included on Candirias 2002 double-disc set, The C.O.M.A. Imprint, and three years later, another single was recorded, with the addition of the Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist Greg Puciato and Isis bassist Jeff Caxide. In 2006, work began on this self-titled EP, after Made Out of Babies chanteuse Julie Christmas joined the all-star line-up. The result is an incredibly rich tapestry of textures, as LaMacchia explores diverse soundscapes not available to him in Candiria. "Haunting a Ghost and "Staring at the Sound maintain aggro levels equal to Candiria while spotlighting Puciatos melodic vocal range. "Staring also contains LaMacchias most soulful soloing, akin to the jazz rock styling of Vernon Reid. Christmas steps forward to duet with Puciato on the stellar "Bloodletting and "Together We Became Forever is a serene piano piece that morphs into incidental music from Blade Runners love scenes. Pink Floyd fans will swear that David Gilmour guests on "I Should Have Known You Would but its LaMacchia who dips into Floyds fecundity for surreal bursts of muted lightning. Spylacopa offer one of the years most exciting debuts, as this five-song EP foreshadows what is yet to come from these passionate players.
Had you been working on Spylacopa material on your own before The C.O.M.A. Imprint took shape?
LaMacchia: Yes, for about a year or so. Ken Schalk of Candiria was kind enough to pass on some basic recording knowledge to me to get me started. It wasnt until after 9-11, though, that I officially called all of that recording I was doing Spylacopa. From there, I continued writing songs, experimenting with moods and soundscapes, trance and break beats, writing electronic music, incorporating organic instrumentation, and so on as Spylacopa.
How does the songwriting differ from heavy track to ambient track?
We have no set idea how these songs are all going to work together. All of our music is approached with the same basic goal in mind: to create something musically satisfying. We feel the extreme dynamics in our music are what make the ride more enjoyable the peaks and valleys, so to speak.
How easy is it working with Julie, Jeff, and Greg? Sounds like a match made in heaven!
A breeze. All fantastic musicians. I am very lucky to be working with such creative and talented people on this, and this is just the beginning.
(Rising Pulse)Had you been working on Spylacopa material on your own before The C.O.M.A. Imprint took shape?
LaMacchia: Yes, for about a year or so. Ken Schalk of Candiria was kind enough to pass on some basic recording knowledge to me to get me started. It wasnt until after 9-11, though, that I officially called all of that recording I was doing Spylacopa. From there, I continued writing songs, experimenting with moods and soundscapes, trance and break beats, writing electronic music, incorporating organic instrumentation, and so on as Spylacopa.
How does the songwriting differ from heavy track to ambient track?
We have no set idea how these songs are all going to work together. All of our music is approached with the same basic goal in mind: to create something musically satisfying. We feel the extreme dynamics in our music are what make the ride more enjoyable the peaks and valleys, so to speak.
How easy is it working with Julie, Jeff, and Greg? Sounds like a match made in heaven!
A breeze. All fantastic musicians. I am very lucky to be working with such creative and talented people on this, and this is just the beginning.