Sea Level
The Death Of Low Key Celebrityism
self-released
The Portland-based musician, composer and multi-instrumentalist Dan Capaldi records and performs as Sea Level. His fifth album under that moniker, The Death Of Low Key Celebrityism, is an impressive musical feat.
Sea Level does not create straightforward pop records. Capaldi combines loops — of live recordings and samples — with live instrumentation to craft his uniquely layered sonic material. He intricately and intentionally weaves together many different little pieces of sound, which results in a full, cohesive song complete with groove, soul, and a little bit of weird.
Capaldi also toys with traditional track sequencing on this album. Though separated into 11 tracks, it listens as one continuous one. One song flows seamlessly into the next, and each track may have two or more distinct sections within it. Some songs are electronic, heavy on samples and loops and without lyrics, while others have more live-band instrumentation and melodic vocals. Each track offers something novel and has a different backstory that inform its sound: “Have You Any Patience” was written as a James Bond theme; “Flying Machine” was initially intended to be a commercial jingle; “Low Key Celebrityism” and “It’s My Birthday” were inspired by personal experiences.
The Death Of Low Key Celebrityism features guests from here and afar who are low-key celebrities themselves, including Maine singer-songwriter Jenny Lou Drew and Emma Stanley (whose trumpet on “Mysterious Wings” is swoon worthy), Dana Colley (Morphine), Lady Zen, David Yearwood, and the band GoldenOak. The record’s immaculate mastering was done by award-winning audio engineer Adam Ayan.
“This album is autobiographical,” Capaldi wrote in an e-mail to The Bollard. “Pieces of the album were recorded all over the world during my travels as a touring musician and working with very personal samples of special moments I’ve collected along the way.” He goes on to say this album also represents his “master thesis in self-production” and his “proudest achievement.” The exceptional quality and production of Celebrityism surely are worthy of pride.
