Dutch Falconi - Carnival of Souls
PREMIERE | DUTCH FALCONI RELEASES ‘CARNIVAL OF SOULS’
California-based world instrumental/Transylvanian Salsa artist Dutch Falconi introduces the first single/music video, “Carnival of Souls,” from his forthcoming new album, Bloom & Brimstone, slated to release toward the end of the year.
Dutch Falconi | Photo: Paloma Begin
Up until 2000, Dutch piloted The Dutch Falconi Orchestra, aka Dutch Falconi and his Twisted Orchestra, a 27-piece swing band, described as “The Manhattan Transfer on acid.”
Talking about the orchestra, Dutch says, “We performed constantly for a decade, made and sold records and toured. We were a real part of the 1990’s West-coast swing revival scene. Our last CD release, Crime Boss Hootenanny is enough to convict on all counts: we were musical, fun, vulgar, and theatrical. We were awesome.”
Both captivating and popular, The Dutch Falconi Orchestra delivered high-octane Vegas-like flair, over-the-top theatrics, and madcap performances.
Now, after a twenty-year hiatus, Dutch is back with his inimitable brand of music, eschewing what’s ‘in’ and trendy for what’s authentic. In fact, he’s been so busy with his other various pursuits, such as painting, drawing, design, sculpture, and animation he’s lost touch with contemporary music and artists.
As Dutch says, “What was the name of Kurt Cobain’s band?” he asks, laughing. “I’m not even sure.”
Opening on lush tinny colors conjuring up visions of a cabaret, “Carnival of Souls” flows into sparkling layered surfaces of instrumental textures.
In a world refereed by social media and curated personalities, for Dutch, the importance of authenticity has taken on new significance.
Dutch explains, “To some degree, I feel like if I’m going against the zeitgeist, it automatically makes the appreciative audience other misfits in time like me. I think that because everyone in current popular culture is so deeply involved in the cycle of digital identity shaping, ultimately, it’s going to spin us all out because you can’t culturally self-cannibalize like a ghoul for that long before everyone becomes a misfit. You know, I’m an individual now, just like everyone else.”
“Carnival of Souls” mirrors this predicament. The song’s genesis occurred when Dutch was coping with his mother’s cancer diagnosis, struggling with loss, and a sense of being hollowed out. Thus, the song deals with the universal problem of the meaning of life, while acknowledging our own irrelevance within the big picture.
Opening on tinny colors conjuring up visions of a cabaret, “Carnival of Souls” flows into sparkling layered surfaces of instrumental textures. Flavored with slapstick segments, dark resounding hues, and melodramatic capriciousness, the tune blends into a multi-faceted, innovative soundscape akin to the soundtrack of Buster Keaton’s The General.
“Carnival of Souls” exudes imaginative tiers of sonic coloration, at once elusively familiar and tantalizingly arranged to superb effect.
