Kodachrome Forests by BVSMV

If you haven't heard the fantastical synthwave stylings of BVSMV (Bicycle VS Motor Vehicle), the brainchild of Triplicate album art guru Bryan Kraft, there's a good chance you're new here. As well as putting out a plethora of top-notch records on the label over the past few years, his fresh and dance-worthy pieces are a consistent cornerstone presence on our playlists and compilation records. The new EP 'Kodachrome Forests' takes the listener on a grand and memorable synthy excursion through Kraft's tuneful world. Each and every tune will likely find its way onto your playlists.

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INTERVIEW
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George Ernst: What is a Kodachrome Forest?

Bryan Kraft aka BVSMV: I always like the juxtaposition of something electronic and mechanical with natural and organic, and the name kind of plays off of that. Also, the look of the old Kodak Kodachrome Film Is just so magical whether It be for cinematography or photos. It's just so warm and colorful. I try to do that with my music I guess! Same idea goes for the title of my (2019) EP, "Glacial Tapes".

GE: So how're things?

BK: Things are good! I am just excited this EP Is finished and out there, for a while I didn't think It would get done as I was dealing with some problems In my hands so It took a little extra time. It's a new year now and all of that, Triplicate Is full steam ahead and I have a whole bunch of demos to finish now that I am feeling better. Now, all we need Is Covid to disappear and I'll think about figuring out how to play live.

GE: How do you come up with titles?

BK: Titles are usually the last thing that comes for my tracks. They are usually titled stuff like "Gm Arp Heaven" or "Com Versus MV" or something like that depending on the song Inspiration. I have a running note of lines that stick out from tv shows or things I see, like a full moon at 4 PM (Infinity Signs (Daytime Moon)). A lot of times I just go off a vibe I get from the track and hit up the thesaurus and just see what sticks.

GE: Am I going crazy or is putting the best track in the penultimate position like a secret thing artists do?

BK: I don't think you are crazy! I feel like It's one of those things where you want to keep the people engaged until the end, so It's like "Here you go! You know you want more now". So many tv shows have the penultimate episode of the season blow away the finale. Thanks for the love on 'Infinity Signs'. I just thought It fit best there because I dig a real cinematic outro to albums.

GE: Your top five video games?

BK: Ooh, good one. I mostly play LEGO video games these days, so I will have to go for all time here:
5. Katamari Damacy
4.Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess
3. Super Mario 3D World
2. GTA Vice City
1. Super Mario Bros 3

GE: What're you working on at the moment? What's the next big thing?

BK: Hmmmm, with Triplicate this year we are trying tons of new things and working with new people, so I have lots of artwork to keep cranking out, which I love. As I said earlier, I have a whole bunch of demos that I want to finish up for another EP or album. I'm sure I will drop some more singles In the meantime since Triplicate Is all booked up for the year. Since I've sort of retired Running In Slow Motion as a focus and combined that with BVSMV, I'd love to put out an ambient release with some retro synths and guitar. I'm just going to see where the year takes me and hope my music can reach some more people!

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REVIEW
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You've patiently waited more than half a year since last June's 'Wish We Were Sightseers', the stunning yet breezy BVSMV release. If you're anything like me, those five stellar tracks sit comfortably in one playlist or another of yours and it's a joy when anything from Bryan Kraft's sonic oeuvre shows up. Now you can increase the likelihood of those spring-loaded seratonin-coated synth-wave bullets occurring without doing anything weird like duplicating them in your playlist, by adding these fantastic six new pieces, presented hear under the intriguing 'Kodachrome Forests' banner.

Kraft has another story to tell you. The first track says as much, and lays out the route for this new mini musical journey with the signature crisp and clean synthy optimism we've come to love his tunes for. You didn't think he'd have fallen off did you? The guy breaths synth-wave, every magnificent piece like this demonstrates his prowess and elevates his standing above what at this point is a wildly popular subgenre. You can feel the care and respect for his craft on every song, none more so than on the airy and brief yet refreshing 'Elsewhere', where bright, colourful melodic flourishes glide proudly and vibrantly across tightly constructed aural halls, soaring high over the crispest and sharpest beats.

The strangely titled 'Relative Obscurity' is up next, though the sounds found therein are anything but strange. In fact here we're treated to Kraft's masterful straight-up funk sensibilities, married with his trademark reverb-laden synth bells in an interesting fusion which produces an extremely likeable aural polymer. The following 'Caspian' hits the slow-mo key, and the EP finds its breathing space. Over extremely reverberated beats, punchier than punchy, it's title bringing to mind the vast continent-crossing stretches of the water from which this amazing track may take it's name, or perhaps it's Prince Caspian's epic nautical voyage, previously documented by Phish, (and I guess C.S. Lewis if you're one of those fancy reader types). Either way, it's a top tune.

'Infinity Signs' is the best track on the EP. I always like when people put their best track in the penultimate spot of their releases. I notice it happening all the time. There's no way of knowing if Kraft did this on purpose. I mean I could ask him but... anyway. Everything about this particular tune is lovely and sublime and a million other complimentary adjectives. The shimmering array of keys and the infectious as ever beat just gel so beautifully together it makes me want to do something drastic like dance. This is my favourite BVSMV tune of all time and if it's not yours, that's probably because you prefer the similarly exquisite closer.

'Kodachrome Forests'. It's the title track so you know you're in for a blast. You'd be right to assume so. This isn't some 12 minute epic multifaceted synth-opera building up to some overblown crescendo, rather the whole piece feels like that. A subtle build up, but charged with mystically good vibes and washes and wooshes of fantastical noise.

BVSMV, Bicycle VS Motor Vehicle, extended play, Kodachrome Forests, six tracks, synth-wave, synth-funk, borderline ambient at times, endlessly enjoyable, frequently mesmerizing, always a pleasure. You already know you need to get on this.

George Ernst - Triplicate Records

Tracklist

1.	Another Story to Tell	3:50

2.	Elsewhere	3:01

3.	Relative Obscurity	3:36

4.	Caspian	4:09

5.	Infinity Signs (Daytime Moon)	3:37

6.	Kodachrome Forests	3:01

Credits

released February 16, 2022

Written & Produced by Bryan Kraft
Mastered by Michael Southard
Artwork by Bryan Kraft

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