Montreal's Clarian has been shimmying his way up the cosmic musical totem pole of life. With that said, you may be surprised to find out that he started his music career in the folk scene,which actually makes sense given his new gig as Seth Troxler's right hand A&R man at his soon-to-be-launched experimental indie label, Soft Touch.He'sknown for his offbeat sense of humour and instrumentation, sometimes resorting to spoons when his favourite analog synth isn't available on hand. Is he joking? It's hard to tell, much like all things coming from this trickster demi-god of the music industry. But no matter, because today he's releasing an epic tranced-out morning banger, exclusive from his new EP Road To Recovery on Turbo Recordings, out July 21st.THUMP: How would you describe your music as Clarian?
Clarian: I've been something of a drifter for over a decade living in the strangest places and circumstances. Music started as a form of rebellion and an escape button, and then developed into an addiction. I don't have one locked direction or style with this project; I'm more interested in creating new sounds and experiments each time. I like to think of it as alternative, loner dance music for the socially awkward and exiled—basically music for myself.How has Montreal helped shape your musical direction or interests?
I used to play the bar circuits as a folk artist which calloused my soul. There's nothing like pouring your heart out to a bunch of drunk, hormone infused college kids and being booed because you refuse to play "Free Bird" and other horrors. The folk scene in Montreal is part of my musical roots and I'll always carry its scars on my vision and sound. Those were beautiful times.Can you recommend any favourite Montreal or global hotspots?
I've played in Tunisia a couple of times nearby planet Tatooine, the oldest known planet in space, according to George Lucas. The guys over there are well advanced into electronic music and are starting their own Burning Man somewhere lost in the desert of North Africa. I recommend a visit to anyone who wants to try something different.What's your dream poutine recipe?
Eat it as 5 AM hangover protection. At that point, it's all one big dream poutine.What's your gear set up like when you play live?
I like to use the Roland-Juno 60 analog synth. It has an intuitive arpeggiator that's fun to manually sync over live beats and samples. However, not all club promoters can find this synth, especially when you're playing in a holy temple party on a mountain in somewhere-you-can't-properly-pronounce, Ecuador. So in those cases, I just end up using whatever's around, changing it up each time. One time I used spoons. Keeps me on my toes.
If you play it in reverse you can hear the devil singing "Utopia."What are you most looking forward to this summer?
Playing Trouw in Amsterdam was a huge highlight, amazing sound and lights. You feel like the DJ booth is literally a space ship and you're flying through some sort of super nova into the void. I'm looking forward to spending time in Spaceman's studio. He just got new amps for the JBL's that I can't wait to hear.Congrats on the gig with Seth as A&R at Soft Touch. How did you guys connect?
Thanks. Seth once told me we might have known each other for thousands of years through multiple dimensions and galaxies. He's been a close friend and made a lot of dreams and visions a reality. I'm really lucky to be working with him on this. He's a visionary and musically, we've always clicked and bonded.Can you talk about what sorts of talent you are looking for?
I'm looking for weirdoes. I'd like to take the music industry into a really weird direction.Do you have a specific vision for the label?
Soft Touch is an indie label putting out all sorts of music, all limited edition. It's a place where we can put out stuff we like to listen to that doesn't fit into any particular box. I'm always looking for new music and undiscovered gems. Anything that connects you onto a different wavelength or source other than the ones we always tap into.Do you have any favourite cult affiliations?
Yes, I started one yesterday. It's really good.On May 31 you posted this cryptic status update to Facebook: "In Dublin and I'm beginning to see how powerful invisible visions can be." Can you elaborate on what "invisible visions" mean to you?
I was in Dublin for a show and went on a little whiskey adventure. The end of it left me alone in the universe in a garden, very loosely elaborating on one of my favourite quotes from Jonathan Swift, "Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others."What did you want to achieve with the new EP?
I wanted to achieve a long beard. It goes with the feel of the EP.Is it part of a larger body of work?
No, but it's part of my human body.What other projects lay in your future?
We're launching Soft Touchin August with my EP Is There A Light At The End that I'm really excited about. I can't say more than that for now. Then, I've got this Ma Shiva EP coming out on Multi Culti, a new label based in Montreal. Also, keep an eye out for Dinosaurs in Space.@Jesse_Ship is a freelance music journalist and former Juno Juror in the Electronic Music category.
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Clarian: I've been something of a drifter for over a decade living in the strangest places and circumstances. Music started as a form of rebellion and an escape button, and then developed into an addiction. I don't have one locked direction or style with this project; I'm more interested in creating new sounds and experiments each time. I like to think of it as alternative, loner dance music for the socially awkward and exiled—basically music for myself.How has Montreal helped shape your musical direction or interests?
I used to play the bar circuits as a folk artist which calloused my soul. There's nothing like pouring your heart out to a bunch of drunk, hormone infused college kids and being booed because you refuse to play "Free Bird" and other horrors. The folk scene in Montreal is part of my musical roots and I'll always carry its scars on my vision and sound. Those were beautiful times.Can you recommend any favourite Montreal or global hotspots?
I've played in Tunisia a couple of times nearby planet Tatooine, the oldest known planet in space, according to George Lucas. The guys over there are well advanced into electronic music and are starting their own Burning Man somewhere lost in the desert of North Africa. I recommend a visit to anyone who wants to try something different.What's your dream poutine recipe?
Eat it as 5 AM hangover protection. At that point, it's all one big dream poutine.
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I like to use the Roland-Juno 60 analog synth. It has an intuitive arpeggiator that's fun to manually sync over live beats and samples. However, not all club promoters can find this synth, especially when you're playing in a holy temple party on a mountain in somewhere-you-can't-properly-pronounce, Ecuador. So in those cases, I just end up using whatever's around, changing it up each time. One time I used spoons. Keeps me on my toes.
Is there a hidden message to the tune "Road To Recovery"?
If you play it in reverse you can hear the devil singing "Utopia."What are you most looking forward to this summer?
Playing Trouw in Amsterdam was a huge highlight, amazing sound and lights. You feel like the DJ booth is literally a space ship and you're flying through some sort of super nova into the void. I'm looking forward to spending time in Spaceman's studio. He just got new amps for the JBL's that I can't wait to hear.Congrats on the gig with Seth as A&R at Soft Touch. How did you guys connect?
Thanks. Seth once told me we might have known each other for thousands of years through multiple dimensions and galaxies. He's been a close friend and made a lot of dreams and visions a reality. I'm really lucky to be working with him on this. He's a visionary and musically, we've always clicked and bonded.Can you talk about what sorts of talent you are looking for?
I'm looking for weirdoes. I'd like to take the music industry into a really weird direction.
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Soft Touch is an indie label putting out all sorts of music, all limited edition. It's a place where we can put out stuff we like to listen to that doesn't fit into any particular box. I'm always looking for new music and undiscovered gems. Anything that connects you onto a different wavelength or source other than the ones we always tap into.Do you have any favourite cult affiliations?
Yes, I started one yesterday. It's really good.On May 31 you posted this cryptic status update to Facebook: "In Dublin and I'm beginning to see how powerful invisible visions can be." Can you elaborate on what "invisible visions" mean to you?
I was in Dublin for a show and went on a little whiskey adventure. The end of it left me alone in the universe in a garden, very loosely elaborating on one of my favourite quotes from Jonathan Swift, "Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others."What did you want to achieve with the new EP?
I wanted to achieve a long beard. It goes with the feel of the EP.Is it part of a larger body of work?
No, but it's part of my human body.What other projects lay in your future?
We're launching Soft Touchin August with my EP Is There A Light At The End that I'm really excited about. I can't say more than that for now. Then, I've got this Ma Shiva EP coming out on Multi Culti, a new label based in Montreal. Also, keep an eye out for Dinosaurs in Space.@Jesse_Ship is a freelance music journalist and former Juno Juror in the Electronic Music category.