Artist Spotlight: Meet Holy Death Temple
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "Algo-Rhythm Is Gonna Get You?"
Attention is the most valuable commodity on Earth. Time is our most precious resource. Algorithms steal our attention and waste our time. They also destroy society as a side-effect which companies conveniently ignore while they make insane profits and maintain their monopolies. This song is a party anthem for people who understand the dark reality but feel powerless to do anything about it.
Can you talk about the recording and production process for this single?
This was one of the first Holy Death Temple songs, so we were starting from zero. It went through numerous re-writes and re-mixes over almost a year as we experimented to define the sound and vibe of the band.
For example, we learned that using only synth and no bass guitar creates a massive bottom end and leaves more space for dirty, aggressive textures. This is key to our sound and allows us to keep it simple as a trio.
What did you enjoy most about making this track?
The title of the track is a reference to Gloria Estefan’s “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You.” It was a cool challenge to incorporate all of the dance and rhythm references into the lyrics as metaphors for how algorithms “get” you.
The first verse sets the stage with trigger words (red/blue, Muslim/jew) to grab attention the way that algorithms do and, at the same time, pay homage to the old “everybody’s doing it” dance craze songs. “It doesn’t matter what you wear, just as long as you are there.”
What is your creative vision as a band?
At some point, you have to put a label on your band and fit into a genre. This was a great exercise that totally validated our instincts. We knew we were on to something when we couldn’t find any other bands trying to rock the dance floor with brooding post-punk vocals over driving guitars, live drums, samples and massive synth lines. It took a while, but we came up with "goth dance punk," which really captures what we do.
What are your future goals or aspirations as a band?
This band was created to bring like-minded people together for a fun and cathartic live experience with dark sing-along hooks. The next steps are releasing singles every few months and building an audience with shows starting in the summer and fall of this year.
