New Noise by Eve Maret

"New Noise is full of heat and light and irresistible optimism"
- The Wire, July 2023

“There's an impressive range of modular synthesisers and live instrumentation across the album's swift 25-minute run-time, alongside a versatile range of spoken-word poetry, field recordings, and beyond. Maret is fearless in her versatility, drawing her wild grab-bag of sounds together into a release that somehow features a strong conceptual throughline.”
- DJ Mag, September 2023

Curious Music is pleased to announce the release of New Noise by Nashville-based experimental artist Eve Maret.

When asked what ties each track of New Noise together, Maret responds, “As a human, I’m a walking contradiction — a combination of opposing forces, spirit and body — that creates tension and mystery in my everyday life.” This statement on the human condition not only captures a relatable experience for us all, but specifically speaks to the energy emitted from Maret’s sixth studio album. New Noise is an encapsulation of these tensions — the push-and-pull between the organic and synthetic, the blurring distinction between pop sensibility and experimentalism, and the conjuring of chaos to achieve inner tranquility.

While in the midst of creating New Noise, Maret drew from literary, sonic, and musical inspirations. She was unexpectedly illuminated by Clarissa Pinkola Estes’ book, Women Who Run with the Wolves, a text which dives into the correlation between society’s myths and our ability to maintain healthy psyches. In particular, Maret was drawn to Estes’ discussion of the “wild woman” archetype, prompting her to explore it through her musical output. Along with considering archetypes and the human mind, Maret turned to sound for healing in the past few years. Through working with the sound healer Vickie Dodd, Maret began a journey of redefining her relationship to the sounds she makes, removing judgement and ultimately shifting the course of her creative process. Musically, Maret connected with an array of inspirations while creating New Noise, ranging from classical to metal to the blues. Drawing upon an epic quality from composers such as Aleksandr Borodin, a driving, ritualistic approach from bands like Oranssi Pazuzu and OM, and vulnerability influenced by the blues of Lightnin’ Hopkins and Skip James, Maret weaves a path through New Noise that is at times atmospheric and smooth (“Skeleton Woman”), others grandiose and abrasive (“River Underground”).

Rawness and honesty were essential to Maret for the music and production of New Noise. “It feels like leaving all the noise and raw sound is more vulnerable for me. Here I am. Mess and all,” she said. Taking cues from the spontaneous production styles of the early blues and artists such as Les Rallizes Denudes, The Velvet Underground, and Mayhem, Maret strikes a delicate balance on New Noise of maintaining the glisten of electronic music while capturing the gritty candor of the moment. Maret’s intuitive recording process reflected this intent, in which she sat down, plugged in, and let what would happen, happen. For those familiar with Maret’s previous work, New Noise is a pivot, a slight shift in her approach. Maret said, “After reflecting on my previous releases, I felt an urge to pose a new creative challenge to myself. I wanted to make short songs that had a ‘pop’ appeal while abandoning standard production techniques, structures, and sounds. I wanted to innovate a new sound that was both personal and celestial, dark and light.”

Another challenge Maret set for herself was to be “her own band” on New Noise, playing all the instruments on the record, which include guitar, bass, drums, clarinet, voice, and field recordings. The result is a powerful blend of acoustic and electronic sources interacting with one another, such as the clarinet’s timbre merging with the electronic sounds on “New Noise,” or the drum set in “I Draw a Circle” providing the foundation for the swirling synthesizer lines. Each voice is distinct, but also interwoven seamlessly with the others.

New Noise is an expression of contradictions and a refuge from turmoil. Maret recalled, “Sometimes the best way for me to cope is to empty myself of all the news and heaviness by making some noise. I close the door to my studio and let it out. It’s like a meditation where I let myself express the chaotic feelings as a way to move through it.” Convening with Maret through listening to New Noise crafts a space where embracing the mess moves each of us one step closer to our own peace.

Booking:
evemmaret@gmail.com

evemaret.com
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