VALIS is inspired by the Philip K Dick book of the same name, which portrays Dick's obsession with his own religious experiences influenced by hallucinations, schizophrenia and drug addiction. The song opens with a sample of Dick's famous speech from 1977 in Metz, France entitled 'If you find this world bad, you should see some of the others'.
Dick's writing has been hugely influential on Ritual Cloak. The words came easily for this song but it was difficult to settle on the music for a long while. Dan had been playing about with dreamy guitar chords and could hear a percussive bass riff repeating over and over. As the loops were built up, Dan began chanting the lyrics over the music. At the time, Dan was listening to a lot of Alice Coltrane and her use of chants accompanied by sonic synth sounds had clearly resonated.
This song eventually became the basis for SnowSkull to create his unique artwork for the album cover.
lyrics
You're my salvation but seeing only through your eyes
I resurrected, I'm the same in a different guise
I am standing on the edge, on the edge of time
And I have saved you once before in a distant life
I am the same, I'm the same in a different guise
The information kisses me with beautiful light
I hesitated and from what I lost
I gave up, I gave up, I gave up, I gave up my mind
I gave up, I gave up
And now I'm naked, I'm naked but I remember you
I remember you, do you remember the truth?
I see a shadow of a twisted hand across my house, across my mind
I am the same, I'm the same in a different guise
I tried and I tried to resist the will to, the will to, the will to exist
I can't find my reason, my reason, I can't find my reset
It's so confusing, confusing to breathe without, without thinking
It's so confusing, confusing to breathe without thinking, without thinking
Kelly is way ahead of the pack. She is pushing musical boundaries with her ethereal techno and is such an authentic songwriter. Her voice takes us to another plain.
Favourite track: Re-wild Ritual Cloak
I think Gold Panda is probably my favourite artist of the last 20 years. Derwin uses melody and rhythm in such a fresh way, infused with East Asian instrument samples.
Favourite track: The Corner Ritual Cloak
I saw Bayonne supporting Sylvan Esso a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Roger has a great ear for uplifting melodies and brings a Steve Reich approach to his rhythms.
Favourite track: Omar Ritual Cloak
Expanding on his work for the British TV show “Kiri,” electronic producer Clark takes a dark dalliance into neo-classical and folktronica. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 4, 2019
Benjamin Mørk joins forces with Frode Larsen from The Band Called Oh, making a super-slick electropop tune with soulful vocals. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 1, 2016