Get to know Reverse Death
Photo Credit: Marie Sadrieva
Seattle psych-rock project Reverse Death recently released their project Return to the Mud. It’s a split with Brazilian lo-fi project Oruã, courtesy of indie label Dead Currencies’ new LP series REFLECTORS. Its tempo allows us to admire its sonic textures. On the opening track “Mud Pool Mind,” the melodies match the music’s meditative spirit. The repeating bass line is hypnotic. On “Plum Water,” the guitars and harmonies interlace creating a kaleidoscope of sounds. “Stars Blink Inside” goes deeper inside the rabbit hole, decelerating into a pace that has the power to slow down time.
In our latest Get to know feature, we speak with songwriter Daniel Onufer about reaching into the subconscious, writing down and recreating musical ideas, being driven by tones and textures, choosing emotion over technicality and more.
What was your songwriting process like for the latest EP?
This release was sort of an anti songwriting process. I let the musical ideas bubble up and tried to not get in the way. Once the music was recorded on a 4 track cassette, I bounced it to digital and then sang along each day on my drive to work. The lyrics and melodies were written in a setting where my subconscious could wander. For the accompaniment, I would always write down a description of what I heard in my head before I would pick up an instrument. For example, In the car or at work, I would write down something like "dry fuzzy cascading 12 string guitar". When I would get home, I would pick up the guitar, dial in some fucked up tone and try to remember what I was hearing in my head when I wrote it down.
How do you typically decide on the sonic direction of a record?
I let the tones and textures drive. If they want to go this way or that, I follow their lead. Trance, letting go, and under thinking is a big part of it.
Do you draw from film, literature, or visual art when you’re writing?
Yes totally, but on more of a broad subconscious level, I am always absorbing art and in awe of people's unstoppable need to create. I think the emotions behind something inspire me the most over the concept or technical aspects. If someone moves me, I want to know what moved them. Specificity is also really big for me. If something is vague it will remind me of this or that or a couple things at once, but if something is hyper specific, it is recallable and brings you to a specific place and time in your life that usually has an emotional anchor.
How do you support each other creatively?
We all have our own musical and creative projects so are always sharing songs, mixes, and bouncing ideas off each other. We give feedback but also get moral support and encouragement to keep going. It can be very easy to want to quit making art somedays... just like stop dreaming and come back down to earth and conform. But I think that is where creative peers are the most crucial. We are all cheering each other on and affirming each other’s unique visions and skill sets.
Who has the weirdest pre-show routine?
I'm not sure to be honest... I think collectively we tend to try to put distance between us and the venue, whether it’s wandering, getting food, or a breeze.
What’s something you’ve learned the hard way?
Never stop listening to new music, trying on new clothes, eating new foods, exploring new genres, talking to new people, listening to new ideas. It’s all connected.
Reflectors, Vol. I is out now. You can purchase the Limited Edition Reversible LP w/ 2-Color Variant on Bandcamp, or on a Limited Edition Split Tape. You can also stream wherever you listen to music.
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Seattle psych-rock project Reverse Death dives into the subconscious on their new record Return to the Mud, released through the Dead Currencies label’s REFLECTORS series. Built on hypnotic basslines and meditative textures, the record invites listeners to slow down and sink into its hazy world. In our latest Get to Know feature, songwriter Daniel Onufer talks about channeling intuition, letting tone and texture lead the way, and how creative community keeps the spark alive when it’s easiest to fade out.