In the eclectic realm of music, where genres intertwine and creativity knows no bounds, William Sanford emerges as a distinctive voice hailing from the NW Indiana/Chicago-land area. An eccentric and electronic musician, William’s sonic palette draws inspiration from an array of sources, including Downtempo, IDM, Ambient, Trip Hop, Dreampop, Soundtrack, New Age, Video Games, Electronic Rock, Progressive Rock, and Art Rock. With a working-class background, William’s music reflects a fusion of influences that transcend and embrace his roots, resulting in a captivating and unpredictable sonic journey.
William Sanford’s musical odyssey has not gone unnoticed, earning him a place on various playlists and blogs, including Audio Mirage Studios, Tome to the Weather Machine, Obscure Sound, Nagamag, Find No Enemy, Indieoclock, Roadie Music, Lost in the Manor, Plastic Magazine, and even Pandora’s official Instrumental playlist with the track “Let’s Create Some Memories” from the album “B-Side Vibes.” Now, with the release of his latest album, “Deep Mollusca,” William takes listeners on a profound and dark exploration into the depths of the unknown.
The previous collaborative venture, “Boomer Vibes,” saw William navigating psychedelic nostalgia, offering a kaleidoscopic tour through a sonic landscape rich in diverse influences. However, “Deep Mollusca” delves even deeper and darker into uncharted waters, inviting listeners to join The Faceless Protagonist on a mysterious journey encountering the creatures of the Mollusca phylum.
The album unfolds like a narrative, with each track contributing to the overarching story. It begins with a leap of faith or despair, setting the stage for an immersive experience. As The Faceless Protagonist descends into the abyssal depths, the listener is introduced to the slimy, squirmy comrades of the ocean floor. Together, they taste Marine Snow and witness the wonders of a Whale Fall. The journey continues as they encounter Octopodes guarding their brood, experiencing the bizarre rituals and detritus-consuming creatures in the benthic zone.
As the narrative ascends through the photic zone, a new set of challenges emerges. Beautiful sea angels prey on sea butterflies, and the waters turn blood red. The journey persists, and the benthic crawl introduces curious creatures engaging in detritus-munching and performing peculiar rituals. The sonic voyage becomes a bizarre ritual in itself, with repeated mantras and chants echoing through the music.
Quoting Moby Dick imperfectly, the journey finally breaks water as the protagonist climbs out onto the shore, pecked by seagulls and surrounded by chiton allies. Despite the struggle and adventure, the protagonist finds only a Beached Whale on the sandy shores, a bloated sacrifice covered in flies. The album concludes with a gaze up at the sun, questioning, “But what, what is up? Up from the floor?”
“Deep Mollusca” is not merely an album; it’s an immersive expedition into the depths of William Sanford’s creative reservoir. With its unpredictable twists, diverse influences, and narrative cohesion, the album stands as a testament to William’s ability to craft sonic landscapes that challenge, captivate, and leave listeners pondering the mysteries of the abyss. In a musical world that often seeks predictability, William Sanford remains an artist unafraid to embrace the enigmatic.
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