Here's Five: Pacific Heights (+ Tour Dates)

Today sees Wellington-based electronica artist Devin Abrams release his long-awaited album under the moniker Pacific Heights. Titled The Stillness, the record is Abram's first full-length solo release in eight years, and to celebrate he has just announced two shows....

Pacific Heights

Friday 5th August, Neck of the Woods, Auckland
Saturday 6th August, San Fran, Wellington

Tickets are available HERE at UTR and in store at Flying Out Auckland, RPM & Slow Boat Wellington

Abrams, who is also known for the 15 years he spent in Shapeshifter, has woven rich cinematic textures into the 11-track album, forming a collection of songs that pays homage to the past - but also looks to the future. UnderTheRadar asked Devin to share some of the music he was listening to while writing the album, and here's what he came up with... 

1. Machinedrum - ‘Rise N Fall’
Vapor City, 2013
Machinedrum just nailed it with this album. For me not only was it the best electronic album at the time, but I had this as my album of the year. I listened and still listen to it regularly. It holds for me a beautiful blend of many things I like – Jungle breaks, ambient pads, vintage folk sample guitars and weird vocal manipulated samples. This track ultimately highlights the elation and tranquility factor!!

2. Harold Budd and Brian Eno - ‘A Stream With Bright Fish’
The Pearl, 1984
Really this was just picking a Brian Eno related tune out of a hat. Saying I love Eno’s music is an understatement. Brain Eno is sort of a guru around these parts.

3. Jon Hopkins - ‘Sun Harmonics’
Immunity, 2013
Jon Hopkins production and composition are out of this world. I literally studied this album. It is so sonic, but not at the expense of dynamics and subtlety, a real masterpiece. 

4. Hans Zimmer - ‘Cornfield Chase’
Interstellar Soundtrack, 2014
I’ve always loved Zimmer’s soundtracks, but he hit me hard with this one. The film was great, but I think the soundtrack was the hero, so haunting and hypnotic!

5. The War on Drugs - ‘Disappearing’ 
Lost in the Dream, 2014
I’m not sure if it was a nostalgic sense that brought my ears to this album, but whatever it was I was hooked. I remember listening to this album on repeat when in the early stages of writing ‘The Stillness’, and thinking how it was one of those albums that didn’t necessarily directly influence my production, but most definitely captured me as a listener – reminded me to not forget the listener and the joy of sharing music, this came at a pinnacle time.