Italian record label Commando Vanessa recently celebrated their first year anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, the label has put together a compilation titled Mansplained!, made up of 14 diverse tracks that they describe as “Just a flow of different music we like.” Offering a little of everything, seemingly up to and maybe including the kitchen sink, the unique collection is by turns hypnotic, aggressive, mysterious, and just strange. Highly recommend for the adventurous listener.
Premiering here, we’ve got the video for one of the album’s tracks, “Eccoli,” translated as “Here they come!” The duo behind the track, Accident du Travail, made up of Julie Normal and Olivier Demeaux, are notable for utilizing an instrument called the ondes Martenot. Developed by Frenchman Maurice Martenot in 1928, the same year as the development of the theremin, it is one of the earliest electronic instruments. The Wikipedia page about the device is fascinating; I’m still trying to wrap my head around the idea of utilizing different mixtures of powder (depending on the specifications of individual players) to transfer electric currents.
Musically speaking, “Eccoli” has a playful and dreamlike sort of sound at times, but also moves into more pensive sonic territory as well. The frequently tripped-out accompanying visuals (created by video producer Greta Oto) call to my mind the work of experimental filmmakers of the likes of Jordan Belson. In other words: it’s interesting viewing, though probably not designed for the photosensitive.
Expand your mind and check out the video below and head over here to sink your teeth into the full compilation.
ACCIDENT DU TRAVAIL - Eccoli from Greta Oto on Vimeo.
