When 100% Electronica was formed back in 2015, the label run by George Clanton and Negative Gemini was very much its own thing—outside of vaporwave’s very-online fanbase there wasn’t much connection to the outside world. Whether it was the name recognition of 311’s Nick Hexum or those LA billboards, the collective’s been quickly expanding ever since, first with the signing of chillwave pioneers Small Black and now with electronic producer, goth star, and progenitor of cool in music and fashion Pictureplane.
The label is announcing today that Travis Egedy’s fifth LP under the moniker, Dopamine, will arrive July 9—ten days shy of his breakthrough album Thee Physical’s ten-year anniversary. “I’ve been a big fan of Pictureplane since his album Dark Rift in 2009 and his music inspired me to start producing electronic music and create Negative Gemini,” NG shares. “He’s been such a positive force in the DIY and electronic music scenes for so long, and to have the opportunity to host his new album on our label is incredible. We think we’ve got a lot in common with his DIY approach and admire his ability to create an entire universe of art, fashion, and lore to surround his music. We’re also excited to see what kind of collaborative work we can achieve together!”
“From his music to the Alien Body clothing line,” Clanton adds, “Travis’s commitment to the DIY ethos makes him a perfect fit for the 100% Electronica team. I’m personally excited for us to grow together.”
Along with the news, we’re getting the first taste of the new album via a grainy visual for first single “Avalanche,” which mostly treads familiar waters for Pictureplane (there’s something particularly Slide-y about the free-fall instrumental drop ahead of the chorus, though). Filmed by Zev Deans (who’s also worked with Denzel Curry and St. Vincent) during quarantine, the video does plenty to fortify the artist’s already-strong aesthetic.
“2020 was such an intense year for everyone,” Egedy notes. “I got very sick with COVID last spring, my entire music studio got robbed in Brooklyn, the global anxiety and uncertainty, and on top of that the extended isolation from friends and family…I think a lot of that went into some of the songwriting [on Dopamine]. I felt very free while writing this music. I am extremely excited for people to hear this new music and to be working with 100% Electronica for this record! They are a label run by artists like me, so it feels like we understand each other a lot.”
Dive into the new music below, and stream “Avalanche” here.
