Directed: Stuey
Kubrick
(
Pre-order) https://factorchandelier.bandcamp.com
...
FACTORIA
The ruins of the failed city of
Factoria lie under the residential subdivision of
Silverwood Heights in
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the hometown of producer extraordinaire
Graham Murawsky (aka
Factor Chandelier). Just prior to
World War I,
Chicago entrepreneur
Robert E.
Glass ventured north with dreams of building an elaborate industrial city in a formerly typhoid-riddled area that would house a brick plant, flour mill, brewery, school, post office, restaurant, hotel, and whatever else progress would afford. But before his development plans could come into fruition, war, the cessation of banks issuing credit, and the inability to secure electrical power turned Factoria into a ghost town.
Inspired by the obscure story of the
Magic City that never was, Factor Chandelier has crafted a 13-track
album that pays homage to Factoria and wonders what could have been.
On the Factoria LP,
Chandelier’s follow-up to the
2013 concept album
Woke Up Alone, he builds a city of expansive beats that bang with punishing drums and industrial clatter at one moment and exude a melodic, pastoral calm the next.
The sounds shift on the album in accordance with the hope that the city began with and the wartime entropy that engulfed it. Recorded and mixed by
Factor at his Chandelier Studios in
Saskatoon, the album incorporates the bass of Enver
Hampton, violin and guitar from The Pxrtals, and guest vocals from a host of
Fake Four family and friends.
Factoria opens up with “
The Magic City”, a glossy, post-apocalyptic instrumental reminiscent of
Ratatat segueing into
Kirby Dominant’s geographical cure pondering on the upbeat title track.
Open Mike Eagle brings his emotive, pensive musings to “
Dozer II” while
Awol One,
Gregory Pepper, and
Ceschi reunite over the funky bass of “
Noise Band”, a gloomy, self-deprecating sequel to their 2009 collaboration with Factor on “
Back Then”.
Myka 9 explores the concept of building through an abstract historical context on “Shoulders of
Giants” before “Old Organs” closes out the record with crashing drums, eerie organs, and wraith-like wails.
What may have driven Glass to Factoria, beyond monetary gain, is the desire to create something in his vision, to build a city of infinite possibilities where people could settle and seek their fortune amongst a serene central
Canadian backdrop. On the same hallowed ground, Factor Chandelier has built a decade and a half worth of beats for Canadian comrades, west coast underground legends, and indie rap cult heroes from all over the map. Augmented by Factor’s chemistry with emcees he has worked with for years, Factoria is a beacon illuminating the streets that paved over the ruins of the
Magic City.
Production and
Mixing: Factor Chandelier @ Chandelier Studios in
Saskatoon, SK
Mastering:
Daddy Kev @ Cosmic Zoo in
Los Angeles, CA
Bass: Enver Hampton
Moog, Guitar,
Piano, Backups: Gregory Pepper
- published: 14 Mar 2016
- views: 184