Evan Shornstein, AKA: Photay, creates music “under the spell of the elements, for the purpose of different human movements — some physical, some spiritual, some emotional, some philosophical.” His forthcoming album Windswept, drops on September 20th release via Mexican Summer (Jessica Pratt. Iceage). In Photay’s own words, “mimic the ‘wind’ as a powerful, deep, unpredictable and at times overwhelming spirit.” The “wind” sound became Windswept’s instrumental through line; a thematic maypole. The natural world had always been one of Photay’s calling cards, and now it had invaded the machine, and his writing. “Derecho,” the album’s first single out today.

Photay offers up some background on the new single: “There are many types of wind. Some ebb and flow while others are so large that if you listen, you may hear a low howling drone that stretches for miles in all directions. A few years ago I started recording music during a period of high springtime winds. I found myself falling under the spell of this deep, unpredictable and often overwhelming force. “Derecho” was the first of many pieces created under the direct influence of these atmospheric conditions. After several gusty seasons, a whole album was created by listening to and reckoning with these larger spirits at play.”

Photay’s had been involved in were all explicitly collaborative. There was the new age improvisation albums with Niño and friends; there was the album he produced for London-based Indian-American drummer Sarathy Korwar; and there was WEMA, a kind of studio supergroup involving members of the Afro-Latin dance band Penya and Tanzanian gogo master Msafiri Zawose. Each of those projects took Shornstein in very specific directions he did not dictate. Windswept was a response to those experiences, an opportunity to reconnect with his own vision, and apply newfound lessons.

The album is primarily reliant on Shornstein’s fresh, home grown electronic textures and acoustic drumming. Numerous friends also add instrumental touches including Randall Fisher, Will Epstein, Carlos Niño, Laraaji, Nate Mercereau, and Mariana Bragada. Windswept’s compositions were largely written-out and specifically produced, though a couple were also turned into “songs” out of improvised sections. But all were under the spell of the wind, of climate change and weather phenomena — from their titles on down.

Photay
Windswept
Mexican Summer
Track List:

1. Forecast
2. Global Wind Trade
3. Air Lock
4. Zephyr
5. Derecho
6. Barely There
7. Thermal Loop
8. Low Pressure System
9. Still Existing

Pre-order Windswept by Photay HERE