#heatwarmer

MIXED BREAKS

Doing a best-of compilation as a remix album; releasing it vaguely on the medium of the t-shirt via bandcamp with a dance party at a Seattle house venue. None of this is new hat or bragging rights for the Bellingham native Clyde Peterson, and yet something has to give. Considering his Queer Films writing project, Boating with Clyde show, and the finally slated-for-showings feature animation Torrey Pines (set to include live musical accompaniment), not to mention art showings and promotions and musical side projects, it is hard to think of any local artist more prolific than Clyde P in the veins of music and multimedia. The level of dedication exhibited on projects like Greatest Hits resembles a meta pop mainstay like a late-90's international sensation. This is not your average gritty and thrown-together underground music. It would seem more triumphant if it didn’t signal the possible tragic conclusion of the project itself. But Your Heart Breaks is just getting started, at least in all probability.

As an aside: One week on the west side of Olympia Washington around the year 2012 Clyde and YHB played a set in a living room and in toe with some folks from Bicycle Records and Talking Helps, among others, reminded the crowd that K Records wasn't the only record label in their city. A recent fall from grace in the media revealed what many in the community knew all along about the once mainstay DIY company.

On the first listen, I was delighted about the camp contained in this smattering of 16 retro synthesizers and bare bones vocal takes. Created by a handful of producers and players over a period of trials involving, among other things, a studio fire Greatest Hits might seem to some like a curiosity at first glance. But it in turn unfolds into an epic once the “Mixed Tapes” bookend theme becomes clear. Nothing less than a take on a dub with vocals track containing a reference to John Cusack and subsequent soul sample of high magnitude, this late middle-point for the record leads eventually into its highlight, “Godspeed John Glen” version. Through a smokey driving bassline, the cool and calm remix here gives a serious feel to a song once known for its whimsical interactive features; a comment on America, JFK and space exploration. This goes on for 8 minutes, and given the seductively acidic dance rhythm equipped with cuts and breaks, it seems like it needs a few more. But the album wraps up gracefully with a "bossa nova" rendition of "Unbind These Roots," lyrically among the most poignant Your Heart Breaks songs, and again, something has to give.

“Holy shit we did it... we’ve been a lot of places... still living in the basement... it’s cool... take it away boys.”

“summertime, won’t you heal me? don’t beat yourself up, you’re beautiful and magical  let’s take a swim in the dark under the moon”

Heatwarmer - Snippets