Robert Aquatic – Kestad – Single and Feature
Robert Aquatic single Kestad dives into tension and release. A local Phoenix area project . This is part feature, part review.
Kestad is a ten minute sojourn that will sort out people seeking radio friendly 3 minute pop anthems. Listen here –https://robertaquatic.bandcamp.com/track/kestad If this resonates then you may want to check out the entire album. For another taste of a local area band click here https://meatsheetfanzine.com/captive-cooks-easy-bake-lovin/ Let’s read on.
This Robert Aquatic single can be found on the LP ‘Dreambreakers’. I don’t have a problem with it being 10 minutes. Then again I’m the type of person who tried to listen to Sleep ‘s Jerusalem as many times as I could in an 8 hour shift in an effort to see if my coworker or myself would get tired of it . We both made it through 8 hours of one riff repeated through an entire album. But that is a that is a story for another time. Kestad rewards those who can hang in there.
Understated, clean, guitar picking carries Kestad along. Gentle, rolling drums open up Kestad and enhance the introspective aura.
The duration of the arpeggios and beat is subtle but with a sense of anticipation. Consequently this builds just enough tension for the song to go from light to heavier.
At about 7:00 or so, the six string crescendos then crashes like a wave. This is the apex.
It is effective and works to Kestad’s credit. I’ve heard bands of the 90’s do this. Examples such as God Machine. A song or two from Hum’s “You’d Prefer an Astronaut” or “Downward Is Heavenward”. Of course these 90’s bands employ extra tracks and a budget that is bigger than most people’s standard home recording studio budget. However the gist is very similar.
Vocal samples sound as if they are spoken through a megaphone or through an old time radio speaker. If you zone out with the guitars and the sample or crescendo kicks in, at high volume, it could scare the shit out of you. Alas with tension and release that is the point. To build or show a contrast.
After the distortion waves recede, Kestad, fades into higher B and high E stringed notes.
The more I listen, the quieter guitar parts have a meditative quality. After a few listens I researched the song on Robert Aquatic’s blog. I may have missed the mark somewhat. If you are curious check it out. https://www.robertaquaticmusic.com/blog
Kestad and several other cuts off Dreambreakers are not songs you can take in driving around doing errands, they’re for a longer trips where you can listen closely.
In conclusion, in a valley that is dominated by metal, it is refreshing to hear Robert Aquatic’s music.
Here are a few questions and answers regarding Robert Aquatic Kestad single.
JM : Aside from the guests is that you on all the tracks (Dreambreakers) or did you have help with the recording? –
RA: With exception of the drums and features, it’s just me. I recorded all of the tracks, however Lost in Kyoto mastered and polished the entire album.
JM: What is the meaning of the name Kestad?
RA: At the start of writing the album, I was trying to name a different song (Garsiaivisuma) and I just became obsessed with different languages in Europe.
After Kestad was written, I decided to zero-in on some of the words sampled in the song and looked to translate them.
In the song, Hemingway references his experiences writing “The Fifth Column” while in the Spanish Civil War. He mentions that the building where they were seeking refuge, was hit by 30 high explosive shells. So I translated “shells” to Estonian, and voila, Kestad was born.
JM: I read that you suffered from writer’s block is there any other things that feel this song? Inspirations or obstacles or anything ?
R.A.: When I decided to go all-in on my solo music, I was nervous as all hell. I really wanted to create music that was an experience, but a unique experience.
At this point, the writer’s block took a tremendous toll on my confidence in my musical ability.
During an extended loop session, I found the intro riff and decided to build from there. That riff inspired me to attempt to sonically capture instability, the frustration that comes along with not being compos mentis, and what it feels like to give up. That was the musical goal with Kestad.
I felt that something was missing, and that’s when I found the vocal sample. I never planned on sampling any vocals, much less a collection of sentences that meld so well with the tone of the song.
The lines gave it a whole new story and meaning, and I find myself more and more pleased with the creation of Kestad everyday. I hope others can find some connection to it and can gather their own meaning.
JM: This blog is in it infancy and will hopefully grow and cover a wide range of sound. Is there anything you would like the new listeners of your stuff to know? Or is there something you would like to say regarding your music. Present or future?
RA: I’d love for everyone to check out my full album release at my bandcamp: www.robertaquatic.bandcamp. com.
I’m also trying to dip my feet into as many pools as possible and grow my sound. I’ll soon be releasing a collaborative EP with an electronic artist named H12. The experience has been eye opening and has helped me grow a lot musically. I’ll also be releasing a solo ep called “Mysteries”. Where the song titles will be pulled from famous unsolved mysteries and crimes. The vibe and sound will be way darker than anything I’ve released before, I’m excited to be featuring some great talent as well. I’ve been keeping busy, so be sure to follow me on my social media accounts to stay up-to-date on the releases.