Austin has long been known as one of America’s musical capitals and it’s with good reason – not only are there many festivals, live venues and concerts, but so to is the city home to a booming array of music makers and not a small number of them are on the more chilled, experimental end of things. From where we sit, we couldn’t think of a better way to trip out and delve into dreamy sonic territory for a few minutes than with the latest single from the electronic duo Panjoma. ‘Sun and Moon’ is a sonic gateway drug, so to speak.
Recalling such artists as The Knife and Purity Ring, they are back after an eight-year hiatus to release their ‘Sun and Moon’ EP, launching the lead track (by the same name) into our own personal trajectories as a sign of planetary love, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Luminous, positive and upbeat, Panjoma manages to strike a balance between the song’s essence and their restless experimental spirit.
Get ready – the coming EP reputed to be the duo’s best work ever. An avant-garde darkwave electro femme-pop DMT-jazz band with a funky edge, Panjoma’s sound is as eclectic as their influences, ranging from Bjork, Aphex Twin, Orbital and Squarepusher to Thundercat, Nine Inch Nails, Primus, Daft Punk, Le Chic, Mr. Fingers, Jazzanova and Depeche Mode.
Formed in 2006, core members Mary Panjoma (vocals, keyboard, production) and Patrik Nilsson (bass, drum machines, samplers, production) quickly hit it off upon meeting, resulting in a marriage and the birth of Panjoma. Despite their subsequent divorce, Pat and Mary remain committed to their shared musical quest. In 2014, Panjoma released the ‘Personacide’ album and, in 2012, the ‘Panjoma’ album. These were preceded by the singles ‘Death Mantra’ and ‘Transmit Invocation’, both with videos created by two-time Latin Grammy Award recipient Paul Beck, known for his work with David Byrne, The Calm Blue Sea, and feature films ‘Waking Life’ and ‘A Scanner Darkly’.
“Our influences behind the ‘Sun and Moon’ EP are love, philosophy, and psychedelics. The ‘Sun and Moon’ single, which drives the dreamy vibe behind the whole EP, is all about how the Sun and Moon are forever following each other, forever longing to be next to each other, but forever being unable to be together. The theme transitions into dreams, where anything is possible,” says Mary Panjoma.
Panjoma combines electronic sound elements with conventional instruments, which they often use in unconventional ways, such as filtered pianos or e-bows on bass, producing their unique sound using a vast array of drum machines, samplers, keyboards, software programs, and synthesizers.
Panjoma have also had their fair share of adventures in the realms of film, art, soundtracks and sync licensing, having scored the soundtrack for the independent horror film‘Psympatico’ and been featured in the soundtracks for multiple documentaries, including ‘American Drug War’ and ‘How Weed Won The West’. Red Bull licensed Panjoma’s music for the TV show ’10 minutes to the Sky’ and their music has also been licensed by Tokyo Milk Cosmetics and for the beta video game trailer for‘Otherland’.
Panjoma’s studio and live performance members (past and present) include Ricardo Acevedo (Lost Cat Magnet, O’Clock), Ritchard Napierkowski (The Nimbus, Ritchual, Adoration Destroyed), John Ousely (Construction Paper Records, Cosmic Pets), Richard Evans (Rivers Want) and Chris Alvarez (Saul Williams, John Spencer Blues Explosion).
‘Sun and Moon’ and ‘Free’ are out now across digital platforms, including Spotify, Beatport and Apple Music. On February 26, the ‘Sun and Moon’ EP will be released on these same platforms and may already be pre-ordered directly from the artist via Bandcamp. That same day, Panjoma will host their official EP release party at Indian Roller in Austin.
TRACK LIST
1. Sun and Moon (Dawn)
2. Sun and Moon
3. Sun and Moon (Dusk)
4. Free
5. Like Thunder
6. Bleeding Sun
CREDITS
Performed and recorded by Mary Panjoma and Patrik Nilsson
Mastered by Ritchard Napierkowski
Cover artwork by Joseph Salazar
Tracks 1, 3, 4 written by Mary Panjoma
Track 2 by Mary Panjoma, Patrik Nilsson, Ritchard Napierkowski
Track 5 by Mary Panjoma, Ricardo Acevedo
Track 6 by Patrik Nilsson, Mary Panjoma
‘Sun and Moon’ cinematography & filming by James D. Brimble and Bill Lanier
Edited by Mary Panjoma. Animation by Gabriel Phoenix
‘Free’ cinematography & filming by Daniel Doggett
Both videos written & directed by Mary Panjoma
Panjoma
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