HUMONS TRANSCENDS TIME & SPACE WITH SPECTRA EP RELEASE FEATURING “TRY IT FOR ME” MUSIC VIDEO
Humons is the creation of Detroit producer and multi-instrumentalist Ardalan Sedghi. Spectra EP was created over the last year in collaboration with producer and engineer Jon Zott (Jr Jr & BORNS) and released on November 9th with a live set supported by Diamondstein [LA], Mega Powers and Mike Medow. The EP introduces a “dream house” aesthetic, a psychedelic fusion of Detroit-inspired dance music and live instrumentation. His electronic solo project blends organic instrumentation with digitized vocals and Detroit underground dance influences.
Sedghi got his first taste of music during his youth and began to pursue his passion early on in life. He reminisces, “My family jokes that I learned how to dance before I learned how to walk. I’ve been picking up instruments since about six years old, and started producing around 12.” Spectra EP is a five-track fantasy, written and recorded at Detroit’s historic church-turned collaborative recording studio Assemble Sound. Located in Corktown, it is home to many of Detroit’s musical creators. Humons spent the last year in the musical incubator fine-tuning his refreshing body of work in collaboration with producer and engineer, Jon Zott.
Since his early years, he has grown wildly as an artist, developing Humons as a persona while incorporating complex themes and expressions into his work. His latest music creates a space where psychological and metaphysical concepts are brought to the forefront amidst a background of obscure yet danceable house music. The eclectic blend becomes a vehicle for personal transformation by utilizing the medium to illustrate his personal revelations and conclusions. In describing the name of the EP, Humons exposes a journey of self-exploration:
“The name Spectra fit my personal and musical motivations behind the EP. In recent self-exploration, I have thought about my identity and its place within the surrounding spectra of identity. I have been inspired by the idea of the shared fabric of Human identity. While the tendency to divide ourselves based on race, gender, religion, sexuality, age has become abundantly clear…the truth is that we are all part of the same human spectra.”
He continues, “I’ve contemplated these issues over the past year as I’ve been working on these tracks. The weight of human struggle and the lightness of unity & love have informed the spectrum of moods and sound choices found on these tracks. Musically, I find myself pulling from contrasting ideas – mixing electronic/organic sounds, creating tracks that are danceable/meditative, and pulling from pop/experimental compositional sensibilities.”
Humons is also cites Detroit’s identity as a muse for his work; “In general, I have been inspired by the music coming out of Detroit. Ever since moving to the city my sound has definitely changed. It’s incredible that two major genres have been born in our city – Motown and Techno. Detroit is under-represented in the current US music industry considering how much great music is being made here – although I believe that will begin to change in the coming years.”
The album was completely written and recorded in Detroit, inside the hit factory and incubator for musical creativity. Assemble, also known as “The Church” proved to be a nurturing environment for Humons’ development. Distinguished by its collaborative atmosphere, the space implements programming dedicated to providing industry education, marrying unlikely genres and artists, and pushing musical boundaries while getting cash in the pockets of Detroit artists.
Humons remarks, “working with Assemble Sound has been incredible, they’ve created such an amazing community and support system for Detroit musicians, which was much needed. About a year ago, I went into Assemble with a handful of demos & sketches I had been working on to play for a group of the residents. I had written and recorded the demos by myself and was looking for feedback and ideas for collaboration. It was a cool moment – sharing music that had never been heard by anyone with musicians I respected. After listening, I asked the group if there was a producer they thought would be a good fit for the project – the unanimous answer was “Jon Zott”. Working with Jon was awesome. We went into the studio with a common set of influences and it made communicating ideas feel effortless. The project would not be what it is today without Jon’s production and the support of the Assemble family.”
The first single of the EP, “Underneath” came out via Assemble Sound’s Sunday Song series with praise from AudioFemme and Acid Stag. Humons premiered his second single “Try It For Me” as a music video on Nest HQ. The video was Directed and Edited by Shane Patrick Ford of Detroit’s The Work Inc., a local digital media firm with a sweet tooth for film production. It was filmed on location in both Detroit and Northern Michigan. The Work Inc. accurately emulates the aforementioned concepts behind the Spectra EP- throughout the track, we navigate a dream like state with a lucid and exploring protagonist. Navigated by a seemingly spiritual guide, our subject traverses a variety of locations, transcending time and place in on a sensual and exploratory quest. Through the joined-vision of Humons and Ford, a journey through unfamiliar territory is traveled, reinforcing the explored concepts of identity and human connection behind the music.
Spectra is an inspired mix of self-actualization, collaboration, purpose and connection. By way of hypnagogic, chillwavey house tracks Ardalan Sedghi beseeches us to come on his journey. If you’re willing to go, find the Spectra EP below.
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