subtractiveLAD
subtractiveLAD
Vancouver, BC, CA
Electronica/Dance / Ambient / Experimental
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Stephen Hummel's history as subtractiveLAD is a relatively short one in the grand scheme of known experimental musicians, only adopting the subtractiveLAD moniker for his solo material a mere five years ago. Under this moniker, Hummel has released four stellar full-length CDs: 2005's Giving up the Ghost, 2006's Suture, 2007's No Man's Land, and 2008's Apparatus - each released in the February of their respective year, somewhat suspiciously on or as near as possible to Valentines Day, by the n5MD imprint.
To ignore Hummel's history before the adoption of his subtractiveLAD moniker would be remiss. His background is in improvisational jazz, classic ambient and industrial, with a detour into the creation of custom software instruments for his own use (and eventually for sale as an online business). The years that Hummel would spend developing his software instruments would eventually lead to the genesis of the subtractiveLAD sound - a sound that is really all his own, featuring wide and lofty synth-work tempered by a dark undercurrent. Wavering analogue melodies would become the very foundation of Hummel's music, mixed with broken yet often shuffling beat-work and punctuated by deliberate kick drums - the subtractiveLAD sound was born.
Since subtractiveLAD's signing to n5MD in 2004, the label and Hummel have become synonymous with one another. n5MD touted Hummel's first CD Giving up the Ghost as “an amalgam of the label's output and influences thus far”. The critical motifs were that of a hidden gem that was honest, heartfelt and a refreshing take on electronic music of that time. His follow-up Suture found Hummel roughing up the ambience to show an even darker slant to his sound – perhaps channeling elements of some of his industrialized co-patriots. In early 2006, in an effort to experiment with his sound and put his improvisational leanings to good use, Hummel purchased a guitar which he then taught himself to play. The result of that year of labor was No Man's Land, an album that looks forward while reinventing subtractiveLAD's past motifs. It is a truly introspective album that shows a level of depth in songwriting and personal psyche never before shown on one of his releases. With the addition of these new elements, Hummel's sound suggests a “sky's the limit” attitude which was galvanized by the release of 2008's Apparatus. Apparatus is a monumental release that includes classic ambient motifs, muted broken beat trickery and shoegaze splendor while staying true to Hummel's original aural demeanor. Ever evolving, Hummel is a true original in electronic music. (read less)
To ignore Hummel's history before the adoption of his subtractiveLAD moniker would be remiss. His background is in improvisational jazz, classic ambient and industrial, with a detour into the creation of custom software instruments for his own use (and eventually for sale as an online business). The years that Hummel would spend developing his software instruments would eventually lead to the genesis of the subtractiveLAD sound - a sound that is really all his own, featuring wide and lofty synth-work tempered by a dark undercurrent. Wavering analogue melodies would become the very foundation of Hummel's music, mixed with broken yet often shuffling beat-work and punctuated by deliberate kick drums - the subtractiveLAD sound was born.
Since subtractiveLAD's signing to n5MD in 2004, the label and Hummel have become synonymous with one another. n5MD touted Hummel's first CD Giving up the Ghost as “an amalgam of the label's output and influences thus far”. The critical motifs were that of a hidden gem that was honest, heartfelt and a refreshing take on electronic music of that time. His follow-up Suture found Hummel roughing up the ambience to show an even darker slant to his sound – perhaps channeling elements of some of his industrialized co-patriots. In early 2006, in an effort to experiment with his sound and put his improvisational leanings to good use, Hummel purchased a guitar which he then taught himself to play. The result of that year of labor was No Man's Land, an album that looks forward while reinventing subtractiveLAD's past motifs. It is a truly introspective album that shows a level of depth in songwriting and personal psyche never before shown on one of his releases. With the addition of these new elements, Hummel's sound suggests a “sky's the limit” attitude which was galvanized by the release of 2008's Apparatus. Apparatus is a monumental release that includes classic ambient motifs, muted broken beat trickery and shoegaze splendor while staying true to Hummel's original aural demeanor. Ever evolving, Hummel is a true original in electronic music. (read less)
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