Whelm by Sacha Mullin
"...From the first moments of Whelm, Sacha's debut solo album, you know you're in for listening that will allow you to temporarily escape from the gray norm. The singer-songwriter's snaking, soulful vocals bolster music that's often dark and fragile, sending you on a journey[.]"
- FRANK KROLICKI, EXAMINER.COM / WINDY CITY ROCK
"...The contrast between Mullin's polished and well-trained vocals and Guzzlemug's passion for the extreme that make this album uniquely interesting."
-THE DELI MAGAZINE
“…The great revelation is the uncommon voice of Sacha Mullin: a neurasthenic mixture of Freddie Mercury and a jet-lagged Morrissey; a voice both brittle and glorious, aspiring to take the height to escape terrestrial gravity.”
- CÉDRIC QUENIART (J’AI TOUT LU, TOUT VU, TOUT BU…)
"An ambitious first work! ... SACHA MULLIN is one of the most versatile and compelling singers I have ever heard. He embraces music in its entirety, denying any limits to genre. What a joy!"
- JUDI DONAGHY VINAR (BOBBY MCFERRIN'S VOICESTRA)
"[His] voice is a real adventure!"
- THYMME JONES (CHEER-ACCIDENT)
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Chicago-based vocalist Sacha Mullin is equal parts banshee, crooner, and typographical error waiting to happen. His cinematic singing style has given way to performances in underground jazz venues, conch shell orchestras, and Japanese jingles.
Sacha has sung with Bobby McFerrin, Patty Peterson, Cheer-Accident, Hannibal Lokumbe and Dessa, and his voice has been heard on MTV, CBS, MPR, and NHK.
Largely influenced by Kate Bush, Scott Walker, and Siobhán Donaghy, WHELM is his first long-playing solo work. By using prog/metal experimentalists Guzzlemug as a backing band, WHELM exudes a rich, off-kilter aura. It documents a darkly cathartic experience through a claustrophobic use of harmonies, vintage electronics, and big beats.
Tracklist
| 1. | Thunderbird | 2:07 |
| 2. | Night Owl (feat. Sasha Gibbs) | 4:17 |
| 3. | Braggers | 3:38 |
| 4. | Days (You Are Loved) | 5:17 |
| 5. | Atlas Heart | 4:22 |
| 6. | Mark Vogue | 3:55 |
| 7. | Dinner With Gershwin | 4:38 |
| 8. | Self-Portrait (feat. Sasha Gibbs) | 4:14 |
| 9. | Bullet-Biter | 3:56 |
| 10. | Whelm | 4:56 |
Credits
SACHA MULLIN, lead vocal, chorus, piano, moog, keyboards, synth manipulation, kalimba, tambourine, shaker
Guzzlemug (guzzlemug.bandcamp.com):
SHANE PRENDIVILLE, guitars, synth manipulation, programming
TOM KELLY, electric bass, upright bass
CHARLIE WERBER, drums, additional percussion
with:
SASHA GIBBS, featured vocal [m2, m8], chorus [m6]
ERIC LUNDGREN, electric guitar [m3]
ZACKARY WARPINSKI, electric bass [m3]
JAKE KIRKMAN, drums [m3]
produced by Sacha Mullin & Shane Prendiville
except [m3], [m7] by Sacha Mullin & Aaron Hodgson
Mastered by Aaron Hodgson
Engineered/Tracked/Mixed by Shane Prendiville
Except [m3], [m7] and Sasha Gibbs vocals by Aaron Hodgson
Except piano on [m8] with assistance by Jon Beavo
Recorded in Illinois, Minnesota and New York, 2011; 2012-2013
Hideaway Studios, Minneapolis, MN
McKern Complex, Saint Paul, MN
Kildare Studios, Chicago, IL
Kelly's Place, New York, NY
Shane and Tom's living room, Chicago, IL
All songs written/arranged by Sacha Mullin © 2013
Except [m7] by Brenda Russell (for Donna Summer),
© 1987 Geffen Music/Rutland Road Music ASCAP; Arr. Mullin –
Appears with permission from Universal-MCA (Acquired through Harry Fox)
Photography/Art Direction: Allison Osberg
Styling: Rachael Zalutsky
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SPECIAL THANKS:
My ma & da (Sharon & Stephen), Judi Donaghy Vinar, Emily Bindiger, David T. Lewis, Annmarie Cullen, Liz Mason, Jeff Libersher, Sarah Winters, Oisín Leonard, Jennifer Parker, Cody William Baldwin, Tricia Towey, Lori Dokken & Kate Perich, Josh & Megan Airman, Joe-Joe, A.O.M. Joni, L.L.G's, Nicholas Garrison, the Tromiczak, Mann, and Vandeputte families, and all my friends, mentors, loved ones, what-have-you's-
Thanks for making me feel like an empowered youngster. I can only hope I've made you proud. xx
(And to everyone credited on the record: Hot damn, y'all! We made it!)
