MATTHEW CARDINAL OF nêhiyawak SHARES VIDEO FOR “DEC 4th”

WATCH AND SHARE “DEC 4th” HERE

ACCLAIMED DEBUT LP, ASTERISMS, OUT NOW VIA ARTS & CRAFTS

BUY / STREAM ASTERISMS FROM ARTS & CRAFTS


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”A substantial and constantly shifting record — a sky of billowing clouds, heavy with texture and depth... an entirely wordless snowfall.” Exclaim!
"A synth-driven celestial bath of calm and wonder and gratitude, all things that feel desperately in short supply at this moment.”
CBC Music 

"Asterisms strikes an inviting balance between the cold, digital sheen of vaporwave and the unhurried melodies of Brian Eno." - Bandcamp

"A great, moody chronicle... this album will just melt around you if you let it." - Edmonton Journal 5/5

"A wonderfully introspective collection that goes great with a steaming hot mug of tea on a cold winter’s night” - Vancouver Sun

"A dazzling collection of ambient electronic music that crystallizes moments in the Edmonton-based musician’s life" - XLR8R

MC_web2_HeatherSaitz.jpg

Photo Credit: Heather Saitz // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

Today, December 4th, Matthew Cardinal is sharing the new video for “Dec 4th” from his acclaimed debut album, Asterisms, out now via Arts & Crafts. The LP is a dazzling collection of ambient electronic audio journal entries that crystallizes moments in his life. The video was produced by director SCKUSE (Stephanie Kuse) and follows the established trajectory of her video entries for “May 25th,” “May 24th,” “July 23rd”, and “Mar 12th,” with distinct natural elements finally emerging from the abstract beauty of images processed through an old TV.

“The bed of the track is a bubbling filtered synth sound which is sequenced in a somewhat random way,” says Cardinal. “On top of that I added some more ‘cello’ courtesy of my sampler and my mooshum's fiddle, Roland organ swells, and descending Moog bass. A sound I made sings on top about halfway through the track. I recorded this in the evening, sitting on my living room floor.”

WATCH AND SHARE “DEC 4th” HERE

CLICK FOR THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST OF ALL ASTERISMS VIDEOS

Known for his work in nêhiyawak – the moccasingaze trio whose debut album nipiy was nominated for the 2020 Polaris Music Prize Shortlist and JUNO Award for Indigenous Album of the Year – Cardinal’s first solo full-length explores "captured moments of experimentation and expression . . . asterisms drawing attention to where I was musically, mentally and emotionally at very brief passages of my life,” says Cardinal. 

Created with analogue synthesizers, a small modular system, samplers, electric piano, and processed voice, each sonic entry came out naturally in improvisational waves, recorded often in single days if not single takes. The minimal instrumental framework created pathways through each machine to the album’s vast cloud of starry narratives. “I'm very influenced by the instruments I play,” says Cardinal. “I love the sound of reverb, the imperfect reflection of sounds and how it decays. The sounds of bells, chimes, electric piano, and cello. I find certain sounds very inspiring.”

Calling to mind the luxurious minimalism of Brian Eno, Erik Satie, Steve Reich, and Glenn Gould, and the swirling influence of Fennesz, Jim O’Rourke, Boards of Canada, and Slowdive, Cardinal creates a glacial, airy sonic universe that is personal yet evocative, subtle yet impressive. The album opening “Dec 31st” glistens with the crystalline climate synonymous with the day, while the album closing “Jul 23rd” ranges into Postal Service territory at the height of summer with a pulsing bpm that punctuates the amorphous map of moods that makes up the record.

BUY / STREAM ASTERISMS FROM ARTS & CRAFTS

Described by Cardinal as “music recorded mostly for myself,” the cathartic value of these instrumental compositions is found in their release. A collection of intimate contemplations becomes interpretive and intentional music, a catalyst and companion to reading, studying, working, walking, dancing, hand-holding, and sleeping. “I would like it if people listened and interpreted the music anyway they want to,” says Cardinal. “I don't think these songs need a narrative, and I think certain moods come through some of the tracks, while other moods might only be heard by individual listeners.”

Cardinal found the title Asterisms to be the perfect encapsulation of the record he made. In typography, a near-obsolete character used to draw attention to a passage, and in astronomy, a visually obvious pattern of stars, asterisms connects the tangible and the intangible aspects that define this music. On his solo debut, Cardinal creates a document of his inner reflections that flourishes into an offering of sonic refractions for our own contemplation during these thought-provoking times.

Asterisms is out now via Arts & Crafts on digital and vinyl formats. 

Matthew Cardinal Online
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
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MATTHEW CARDINAL OF nêhiyawak REVEALS VIDEO FOR “JULY 23rd” FROM ASTERISMS, DEBUT ALBUM OUT TODAY

WATCH THE “JULY 23rd” VIDEO HERE

BUY / STREAM ASTERISMS FROM ARTS & CRAFTS

”A substantial and constantly shifting record — a sky of billowing clouds, heavy with texture and depth... an entirely wordless snowfall.” Exclaim!

"A synth-driven celestial bath of calm and wonder and gratitude, all things that feel desperately in short supply at this moment.” CBC Music 

“A Glacial Sonic Journal.” XLR8R

MC_web2_HeatherSaitz.jpg

Photo Credit: Heather Saitz // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

Today, Matthew Cardinal releases his debut solo album, Asterisms – a dazzling collection of ambient electronic audio journal entries that crystallizes moments in his life. To celebrate, the amiskwaciy (Edmonton) based artist is sharing the new video for the album’s final track, “July 23rd,” by director SCKUSE (Stephanie Kuse). The video follows the established trajectory of her video entries for “May 25th,” “May 24th,” and “Mar 12th,” with distinct natural elements finally emerging from the abstract beauty of images processed through an old TV. 

“The track reminded me of warmly reflecting on memories of a summer spent with a loved one where the passage of time feels fast and slow all at once,” Kuse says. “I used a collection of clips I shot throughout the summer supplemented with hands reaching out shot in studio and found footage of fireworks to visually emulate that feeling.”

WATCH & LISTEN TO “JULY 23rd” HERE

Of the track, Cardinal says, “I needed to do some work and needed a soundtrack for myself. I made a generative piece and, instead of doing work, I decided to build on this. Adding some analogue bass, a shimmering organ lead and the only drum machine on the album, I came out with one of my favourite tracks I’ve ever done.”

Known for his work in nêhiyawak – the moccasingaze trio whose debut album nipiy was nominated for the 2020 Polaris Music Prize Shortlist and JUNO Award for Indigenous Album of the Year – Cardinal’s first solo full-length explores "captured moments of experimentation and expression . . . asterisms drawing attention to where I was musically, mentally and emotionally at very brief passages of my life,” says Cardinal. 

BUY / STREAM ASTERISMS FROM ARTS & CRAFTS

Created with analogue synthesizers, a small modular system, samplers, electric piano, and processed voice, each sonic entry came out naturally in improvisational waves, recorded often in single days if not single takes. The minimal instrumental framework created pathways through each machine to the album’s vast cloud of starry narratives. “I'm very influenced by the instruments I play,” says Cardinal. “I love the sound of reverb, the imperfect reflection of sounds and how it decays. The sounds of bells, chimes, electric piano, and cello. I find certain sounds very inspiring.”

Calling to mind the luxurious minimalism of Brian Eno, Erik Satie, Steve Reich, and Glenn Gould, and the swirling influence of Fennesz, Jim O’Rourke, Boards of Canada, and Slowdive, Cardinal creates a glacial, airy sonic universe that is personal yet evocative, subtle yet impressive. The album opening “Dec 31st” glistens with the crystalline climate synonymous with the day, while the album closing “Jul 23rd” ranges into Postal Service territory at the height of summer with a pulsing bpm that punctuates the amorphous map of moods that makes up the record. 

CLICK FOR THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST OF ALL ASTERISMS VIDEOS

Described by Cardinal as “music recorded mostly for myself,” the cathartic value of these instrumental compositions is found in their release. A collection of intimate contemplations becomes interpretive and intentional music, a catalyst and companion to reading, studying, working, walking, dancing, hand-holding, and sleeping. “I would like it if people listened and interpreted the music anyway they want to,” says Cardinal. “I don't think these songs need a narrative, and I think certain moods come through some of the tracks, while other moods might only be heard by individual listeners.”

Cardinal found the title Asterisms to be the perfect encapsulation of the record he made. In typography, a near-obsolete character used to draw attention to a passage, and in astronomy, a visually obvious pattern of stars, asterisms connects the tangible and the intangible aspects that define this music. On his solo debut, Cardinal creates a document of his inner reflections that flourishes into an offering of sonic refractions for our own contemplation during these thought-provoking times.

Asterisms is out today via Arts & Crafts on digital and vinyl formats. See below for full tracklisting.

MC_LP_cover_A.jpg

Matthew Cardinal – Asterisms
1. Dec 31st
2. May 25th
3. May 24th
4. Dec 4th
5. May 7th
6. Mar 12th
7. Sep 7th
8. Aug 23rd
9. Sep 11th
10. Jan 8th
11. July 23rd

Matthew Cardinal Online
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TWITTER 

MATTHEW CARDINAL OF nêhiyawak SHARES NEW SONG & VIDEO FROM DEBUT LP, ASTERISMS

WATCH & LISTEN TO “MAR 12th” HERE

ASTERISMS ARRIVES OCTOBER 27 VIA ARTS & CRAFTS

PREORDER FROM ARTS & CRAFTS

"A synth-driven celestial bath of calm and wonder and gratitude, all things that feel desperately in short supply at this moment.” CBC Music 

“A Glacial Sonic Journal.” XLR8R

MC_web1_ChelseaBoida.jpg

Photo Credit: Chelsea Boida // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

Today, Matthew Cardinal is sharing the new video for “Mar 12th,” the third track he has shared from his debut solo album, Asterisms – a dazzling collection of ambient electronic audio journal entries that crystallizes moments in the amiskwaciy (Edmonton) based artist’s life. Directed by SCKUSE (Stephanie Kuse), the goal of the video was to “make something spring sky inspired — kind of cold, hazy and colourful,” she says. “I used heavily edited footage of the Apollo 8, 11 and 12 launches from 1968/1969 for this one, along with some blurred out illustrations of flowers from the 1800’s.”

The track unfurls in overlapping melodic waves like rhythmic but beatless IDM, gently pulsating, modulating, and filling the melancholy transient phase between seasons. “With the exception of the opening track on the album which was recorded years before the others, this is the oldest recording on the album,” says Matthew, who timestamped each of the album’s eleven tracks with the dates of their creation. 

“‘Mar 12th’ is a very simple track with a Moog at its core, the pulse becoming syncopated by a few delays and the sound expanding as I slowly open and close the filter. Other sounds are an old Roland string machine and a downtuned sample of my fiddle, a gift given to me by my mooshum. I recorded this sitting on my bedroom floor, playing my synths and recording it all on my sampler's digital 4 track.”

WATCH AND SHARE “MAR 12th” HERE

Known for his work in nêhiyawak – the moccasingaze trio whose debut album nipiy is currently nominated on the 2020 Polaris Music Prize Shortlist and was nominated for a 2020 JUNO Award for Indigenous Album of the Year – Cardinal’s first solo full-length explores "captured moments of experimentation and expression . . . asterisms drawing attention to where I was musically, mentally and emotionally at very brief passages of my life,” says Cardinal. 

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “MAY 24th”

Created with analogue synthesizers, a small modular system, samplers, electric piano, and processed voice, each sonic entry came out naturally in improvisational waves, recorded often in single days if not single takes. The minimal instrumental framework created pathways through each machine to the album’s vast cloud of starry narratives. “I'm very influenced by the instruments I play,” says Cardinal. “I love the sound of reverb, the imperfect reflection of sounds and how it decays. The sounds of bells, chimes, electric piano, and cello. I find certain sounds very inspiring.”

WATCH THE ALBUM TRAILER (“MAY 25th”)

Calling to mind the luxurious minimalism of Brian Eno, Erik Satie, Steve Reich, and Glenn Gould, and the swirling influence of Fennesz, Jim O’Rourke, Boards of Canada, and Slowdive, Cardinal creates a glacial, airy sonic universe that is personal yet evocative, subtle yet impressive. The album opening “Dec 31st” glistens with the crystalline climate synonymous with the day, while the album closing “Jul 23rd” ranges into Postal Service territory at the height of summer with a pulsing bpm that punctuates the amorphous map of moods that makes up the record. 

PREORDER ASTERISMS FROM ARTS & CRAFTS

Described by Cardinal as “music recorded mostly for myself,” the cathartic value of these instrumental compositions is found in their release. A collection of intimate contemplations becomes interpretive and intentional music, a catalyst and companion to reading, studying, working, walking, dancing, hand-holding, and sleeping. “I would like it if people listened and interpreted the music anyway they want to,” says Cardinal. “I don't think these songs need a narrative, and I think certain moods come through some of the tracks, while other moods might only be heard by individual listeners.”

Cardinal found the title Asterisms to be the perfect encapsulation of the record he made. In typography, a near-obsolete character used to draw attention to a passage, and in astronomy, a visually obvious pattern of stars, asterisms connects the tangible and the intangible aspects that define this music. On his solo debut, Cardinal creates a document of his inner reflections that flourishes into an offering of sonic refractions for our own contemplation during these thought-provoking times.

Asterisms will be released by Arts & Crafts on October 27, 2020 on digital and vinyl formats. See below for full tracklisting.

MC_LP_cover_A.jpg

Matthew Cardinal – Asterisms
1. Dec 31st
2. May 25th
3. May 24th
4. Dec 4th
5. May 7th
6. Mar 12th
7. Sep 7th
8. Aug 23rd
9. Sep 11th
10. Jan 8th
11. July 23rd

Matthew Cardinal Online
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TWITTER