The realm of electronic music has become vast in recent years. Artists continue to explore the void of the unheard, searching for new timbres and techniques that might stand out from the noise. Sao Paulo native L_cio, self-described as a ‘transverse flutist,” is certainly one of note.
The musician has always been enamored by sounds, and when he brought home the residual waves of the club, he stumbled into a form of electronica that is very unlike most producers – in fact, he’s never even aspired to be a DJ. Instead, L_cio, aka Laercio Schwantes, values the performance aspects of electronic music, interpolating his flute and synthesizers into a mix that includes no turntabling whatsoever: an anomaly in today’s digital landscape.
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Schwantes first made waves for his instrumental contribution to Portable’s 2014 crossover hit, “Surrender” – which garnered Best New Music honors from Pitchfork. He’s been producing rich warrens of electronica ever since. Earlier this week he shared a free-to-download session via Soundcloud. The nearly 7-minute track is a seething progression that relies on additive processes to grow. A reverberating bass of barrel drum depth pushes the session, encouraging high hats and eventually a distant foghorn to enter the mix. L_cio is truly a master of space. Check him out, for your health.