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Where does Quincy Larsen finish and her darkish, inscrutable synth-pop venture Dove Armitage start? “I am her, and she is me,” Larsen tells me. And whereas the Quincy Larsen who lets me into her world at present isn’t lined in pretend blood, or carrying clown make-up, as Dove typically does, at present the artist has tapped into her genuine self greater than ever earlier than, each onstage and off.
After transferring to LA, Larsen first discovered her footing as a bassist, working within the metropolis’s indie-rock and post-punk scenes, showcasing her expertise and provocative perspective by taking part in with a slew of beloved bands, together with Death Valley Girls. However, like many artists, that was solely an period of Larsen’s artistic life, one which might result in one other evolution, and finally the beginning of Dove Armitage. Leaning into the choice music scene she had been embraced by, and desirous to share her personal interpretation of the craft, Armitage emerged as a mix of performative shock rock and a pop-infused iteration of the gritty punk music she had been raised on.
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Today, Larsen and I are taking a look at her newest venture, Concernless. It’s a divergence from something we’ve seen from Larsen, or Armitage for that matter. There’s extra synth, and there’s extra self. Where “darkness” has been a perennial theme, Larsen is diving headfirst into her personal experiences, sharing uncooked, emotional, and painfully sincere lyrics that hark again to childhood, heartbreak, and trauma. However, although Larsen has let her demons in, she cradles the listener by means of every observe with a transparent, daring pop sound — way more historically “pop” than any of her earlier initiatives. Swaying synths, electro-pop beats, and throbbing drum digital drum kits work in completely paradoxical stability that pulses and pushes by means of the heavy, pungent sentiments at hand.
Larsen holds many issues in each fingers on this document. Her personas, being one. Darkness and lightweight, an apparent second. And in sizzling pursuit is her skill to revel within the second, and look again fondly. However a lot her sound has shifted in form and “genre,” Concernless — produced by Chris Greatti and grandma — pays dues to her previous, with parts of grungier devices, punk-esque hooks, and naturally, many an ode favourite instrument, the bass, round which Armitage has constructed every addicting observe round.
AP was fortunate sufficient to speak with the artist herself, who spoke with us about her intimate new EP, Linkin Park, her Ramones cowl band, and extra.
Let’s break down the EP. It’s tremendous bass-heavy — as somebody whose roots are in that instrument, are you able to clarify why and the way you structured it like that, round basslines?
There’s one thing so highly effective and sexual concerning the bass. I’ve at all times been drawn to synth bass and bass guitar. I needed to dwelling in on an instrument that conjures up me a lot, and every music started with the bass. Especially when making the songs “Sex on Display” and “Glass in Me,” it left lots of room for taking part in with melody and different manufacturing parts. I simply love feeling heavy bass in my chest. Playing it is nearly like masturbating, and it is wonderful.
Can you additionally clarify the significance of doing so, what the bass line means in music as a complete — as a bass participant, and a entrance individual?
As a complete, the bass is the soul of a music. It’s the air within the lungs, and it retains the blood circulating. I respect a lot songs with out bass, however throughout all genres, the bass dancing with the drums after which the opposite devices taking part in round them is immensely essential. As a entrance individual, I do take a unique method to bass. I discover it’s positively tougher to sing whereas taking part in bass than guitar, relying on what you’re taking part in. You have to take a seat behind or forward of the rhythms and preserve observe of your vocal melody and respiration whereas your fingers are in control of such a unique aspect. I suppose in less complicated phrases, it’s like air bending and earth bending on the similar time.
You’ve shifted genres all through your musical profession. What instigated that, and what do it’s a must to say about that in any respect, the establishment of style, the reception from the punk group, or lack thereof, as you went a bit extra pop?
I don’t actually take into consideration style once I’m singing. I needed to showcase what I’m finest at — bass, ambient music, and writing lyrics — and problem myself to experiment with different parts that I’m impressed by however are new to me in a music creation sense. “It Won’t Die” and “Brittle” have been the primary songs made and set the tone for this type of writing and manufacturing.
When I made my first EP, ///1, which was extra lo-fi ambient pop, the punk group definitely didn’t journey with me by means of this variation. I misplaced hundreds of followers once I introduced the venture in 2020, and it took lots of power to maintain being resilient and pushing ahead. I bought many hate messages from outdated punk dudes, individuals telling me I used to be a joke or to “stick to what I was good at,” and a few individuals I believed have been associates dropping off saying it was “pandering” or “pathetic.” I even bought booed at certainly one of my early reveals in Long Beach! I wasn’t certain why individuals cared a lot. I feel there was only a notion of me in-built individuals’s heads that now not made sense to them… To be sincere, it could have emboldened me a bit.
The EP addresses some severe darkness. Where did this want to face negativity so head-on come from? Were there challenges you met that you simply felt impressed to name consideration to?
I had a extremely tough younger grownup life and actually struggled to search out happiness and luxury in my very own pores and skin. I endured lots of abuse, and it distorted a lot of my considering and notion of actuality. I considered beloved was to be harmed, possessed, and managed. I began to really feel trapped in a corridor of mirrors, and my answer on the time was to stroll away. However, after hitting a severe all-time low, I noticed I had some severe points and [needed to] make lots of modifications, and I actually invested in my psychological and emotional well being. The additional I walked away from myself and what I wanted to handle, the extra misplaced I grew to become. I hit it head-on, and it began to heal me.
I discovered lots of peace-making music in headphones, as a type of sound tub. It’s the place I fell so in love with sound design, discovering frequencies that I felt in my chest and soul and put me into a peaceful and nearly meditative state.
You’ve alluded to Dove being an alter ego for you. Do you continue to really feel this manner? Are Dove and Quincy changing into extra one and the identical, or are you leaning in?
I’m her, and she or he is me. I joke typically that Quincy is the “sweetie pie” facet of me, and Dove is the resilient one. I created Dove to discover a power in me I didn’t assume I had as Quincy. I didn’t have this motive on the time, however in hindsight, I feel splitting myself helped ease the ache of extraction needed for music creation as a result of I couldn’t cease it doesn’t matter what. I’ve discovered that extra snug as a musician, and I accepted this confidence. Dove was at all times in me, and I’ve been within the strategy of claiming her as myself.
As somebody who has performed with different main artists, what would you say is one thing you’ve discovered from these experiences as somebody with your individual venture?
Learning different artists’ artistic vocabulary and seeing the world by means of their lens positively challenged me and helped me develop as an artist. Collaboration is such a present on this manner, sharing your world with others and attending to see another person’s world is so lovely and intimate. There is a lot to be discovered from collaborating, and I feel the most important one is letting go of your ego. It’s all about creating an atmosphere that folks really feel snug and free to create in.
How did you get into music? What’s your first reminiscence of it? What’s a second you had with music that made all of it click on?
I at all times felt it inside me! I beloved, and nonetheless love, video video games rising up principally due to the soundtracks. I felt it so deep in my soul. I’d develop into mesmerized by it, and the idea of world-building utilizing sound was so fascinating to me. I used to be determined to research it. Sometimes I’d simply let the sport run and let the sounds wash over me….till enemies appeared and I’d get killed within the recreation.
Did your dad and mom play music?
My dad and mom aren’t musical in any respect! But my grandfather was. He was an unbelievable singer, a crooner akin to Frank, Roy, all of the greats. My grandma additionally performed piano and had this unbelievable electrical piano of their home that I beloved to mess around with. It was my first intro to creating sounds and little beats. I’d simply spend hours and hours on that piano, and typically my grandpa would come and sing alongside.
What was the primary band you performed in?
Technically a Ramones cowl band once I was 14. I used to be the drummer, and I used to be horrible. The first band I created from scratch was my outdated punk band Cat Scan.
What was the primary album you got with your individual cash?
Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory and the Pure Moods, Vol. 1 compilation album.
What is a horror story you may have from tour?
Last summer time I bought stranded in Bologna, Italy for a complete night time with the drummer and guitar tech. It doesn’t sound so unhealthy at first, however the whole metropolis was booked out for the weekend; no cabs, no Ubers, no accommodations, no trains, nothing. We wandered round and slept on the road looking for a manner again to the place we have been staying 40 minutes away till an Uber lastly got here by means of at about 7 a.m. To make issues worse, I used to be additionally on my interval, in heels, and in immense ache!
Who would your dream collaboration be with?
Slipknot. I’ve an limitless checklist of dream collaborators, however Slipknot could be so rogue and chaotic. It is mindless, however I wanna make it make sense.
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