Faust by Kit Sebastian

Kit Sebastian – purveyors of stunning, contemporary music that fuses Anatolian Psychedelia, Brazilian Tropicalia, 60’s European pop and American jazz – share the news that they have signed to Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder label and unveil a brand new track “Faust” with an accompanying performance video directed by Jack & Mars.

“It’s an honor for us to sign to Brainfeeder and be among so many great artists, many of whom share our interest in creating different unusual sounds,” says K. and Merve.

Based in London, the duo of K. Martin and Merve Erdem formed in 2018 and have released two critically acclaimed albums via the legendary British indie label Mr. Bongo, with their debut “Mantra Moderne” earning plaudits across the globe including Rough Trade and Bandcamp’s AOTY lists.

Together they weave a psychedelic tapestry of global influences, vintage synths and melancholy élan from the beaches of Bahia to the streets of Istanbul and Paris. Employing a vast array of instruments – zithers, harpsichords, congas, bongos, balalaikas, organs, saxophones, Indonesian metallophones, santours and baglamas – their unique sound evokes a borderless planet and the seamless commune between past and present. File alongside the likes of Khruangbin, Broadcast, Goat, Os Mutantes, Cortex, Serge Gainsbourg and co.

Their latest offering released today – “Faust” – was influenced by French and Quebec artists like Louise de Forestier, Franck Dervieux and Brigitte Fontaine. “We tried to put our whole world into a song, from Turkish microtones, jazz rhythms, vintage electronic tones and bossa nova guitar textures,” says K. “It is our first song to feature the bağlama, an instrument that has always occupied an important place in our heart.” As the title suggests, it’s a Faustian story about a man's obsessive quest and selfish desire to succeed in life, driven by a need to repress the solitude and lack of love in his life. “Consumed by greed and making small, calculated moves to be in the spotlight, he becomes trapped in his own game and cannot avoid failure, ultimately losing his soul,” explains Merve. “We are forced to confront the insatiable nature of his ambitions and the futility of his efforts. The final outcome of his journey is self-loathing, disillusionment and a fall into oblivion.”

Kit Sebastian is a duo formed in London by Kit Martin and Merve Erdem, spread between Turkey and France. Their music is a meeting point of different genres from Anatolian Psychedelia and Brazilian Tropicalia to 60’s European pop and American jazz.