Artist Spotlight: Meet KRISTRÚN
Can you share any interesting or unique musical elements or production techniques used in 'Covet?'
I use vocal layers a lot in my songwriting and production. I like recording blocks of dissonant harmonies and then using plug-ins from Soundtoys to manipulate the sounds. Sometimes I use this technique with the lead vocals as well, where I feed a double-track vocal through the crystallizer or distortion pedals. In general, I like to produce songs that feature contrasts between the lead melodies and the drum/bass/synth instrumental underneath.
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of 'Covet?'
During Covid lockdown, I was watching a show where the word Covet was used. I quite liked the word itself and I started reading about the history of the word, definitions, etc. I felt it sparked something in me and I spent the next few weeks coming up with a few song lyric drafts: focusing on envy, jealousy, love, and heartbreak. As time went on I decided to create a short album with this concept in mind.
What is your personal favorite song from 'Covet' and why?
I’m going to have to say “Exhumed.” I like the fact that it’s all over the place and doesn’t seem to fit in any one structure. I wanted to let go of predetermined songwriting structures and just play with mad synth sounds. The lead melody sounds like it comes from a different song altogether and really the whole song sounds like a few song ideas thrown together when really this is how I wanted it to sound: raw, disturbing and energetic.
How do you stay inspired and motivated to continue pushing boundaries in your art?
I’m purely driven by dramatic, dissonant sounds. Sometimes they’re beautiful but more often than not they are raw and ugly sounding. I get a kick out of trying to put them together like a puzzle and try to make them work together. When I get them to work, I get motivated to push them further and further until I feel I have said my piece. These sounds can vary, all from a drum sample to synths/pads to a melody I hear in my head. Or it can happen with one initial word, like Covet.
Can you discuss some of your favorite production techniques or tools that you frequently use to achieve a specific sound or texture?
I think of the soundscape of a musical piece. I try to make sure I have an instrument somewhere in every song that hits all the frequency ranges. If the initial trigger for the song for example is a bass sound, I try to find a high-frequency sound that works well with it. I always make sure though that I leave enough space for the lead vocal to shine through.
