Joseph Rabjohns’ second single off Eclipsing // Orbs, ‘Shining’. A representation of existentialism surrounding the loss of loved ones, with each side representing a unique perspective of the concept.
Shining is Rabjohn’s first single off Eclipsing // Orbs. Here, Rabjohns hearkens to an age long past of classical fingerpicking. Smooth, clear and elegant, he intricately plucks and palm mutes his way across a bed of soft harmonising vocals and rich double bass before the track sweeps itself into a near-orchestral crescendo. The care for composition merges perfectly with his talent on guitar, providing listeners with multiple avenues for appreciation.
“I wrote this single in the midst of mourning my Grandma, who died about 2 years after my grandfather,” says Rabjohns. “This whole release is really a dedication to them and the influence they have on me that I’ll hold close forever. In documenting me losing and being reacquainted with myself with this release, perhaps the most important thing for me was music and the amazing power it has in my life.”
In contrast to Lachlan R. Dale’s side of the record, Rabjohns shares deftness in his fingerpicking while often slipping into cleaner, more compartmentalised moments. Returning with frequent collaborator Zac Sacrewski (Milton Man Gogh) on double bass and Kieran Stevenson on ambient vocals, these four songs share Rabjohns’ love for math, prog and jazz in the form of neo-classical/folk arrangements. Some may detect similarities to the likes of Ben Monder and Pat Metheny, but again, Rabjohns’ work is in a class of its own.
“Me and Lachlan befriended each other back in 2016 when my project Kodiak Empire linked up with his band Hashshashin in Sydney,” says Rabjohns about the project. “Since then I’ve started helping out with AAC, and we found our individual sound as musicians compliment each other nicely and we shares a similar vision/outlook on art. We both placed a similar meaning on our individual contributions to the release, mine essentially relating to losing and being reacquainted with myself through dealing with death of loved ones, and through finding new people who have influenced my life in a positive way. In a sense this is returning to my spirituality. Navigating existentialism in a quest to understand what it is to be human in a world of chaos!”
Rabjohns’ side of the release features Cody McWaters on engineering, Jono Frowd as assistant engineer and Ron Pollard (Tangled Thoughts of Leaving, Skullcave) lending his talents to the mastering process. Beyond this release, Dale and Rabjohns also intend on collaborating further. While COVID-19 restrictions hinder the chance of touring, the pair have shared intent on live performances in the future. Music wise, a collaborative album between the pair is also in the works – but for now, the space and texture of Eclipsing // Orbs will more than suffice.
Joseph Rabjohns & Lachlan R. Dale’s new record Eclipsing // Orbs is out 26 November on Art As Catharsis.
