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Recommended by us on 15th April 2011
...according to our Business Lady on Wed 13 Apr, 2011.
Felicia Atkinson is a lucky lady. Not only has she got someone to love but the boy in question also has a valid drivers licence and was more than happy to drive Ms. Atkinson around the US for four months back in the summer of 2010. 'The Driver' is inspired by said journey, in particular the scenic stretch from Portland to San Francisco known as Route 101. Atkinson's music is incredibly subtle in approach and is driven by her enthusiasm for improvisation and chance, be it in her music or art in general. Recorded in her attic bedroom in her home town of Brussels, I get the impression that 'The Driver' is more a reflection on that period of time as opposed to a direct interpretation of her travels. It seems incredibly sombre in tone which suggests a sadness in these events passing and also a desire for further travel adventures with loved ones. Atkinson primarily improvises with guitar and effects creating ambient swirls and abstract melodic phrases. It's very peaceful and understated and sorta reminds me of David Grubbs in mega mellow mode. Very much in keeping with the Hibernate philosophy.
Félicia Atkinson is a sound and visual artist, born in Paris, France (1981) currently residing in Brussels Her work is a result of her interest in chance and improvisation. Whether it be sound or in her drawings, everything is recorded in one shot and occasionally edited slightly after the improvised session has finished.
Atkinson's music has seen her collaborate with the likes of Sylvain Chauveau, Louisville and Stechandrelax and as an artist, she draws inspiration from landscapes, travel, movies and reading. With a collection of instruments found and borrowed, Atkinson sets about crafting immersive sound collages she summons from the objects of her inspiration.
Atkinson's past discography lists Spekk (Japan) and Kaugummi (France) as outlets for her music and soon, a record inspired by Oregon State is to be released by Home Normal. In the meantime, her solo album 'The Driver' out here on Hibernate is inspired by her four month trip with her boyfriend to the United States last spring/summer.
Unable to drive, Atkinson was driven throughout the trip by her boyfriend. Particularly on the Route 101 from Portland to San Francisco, she became aware of a strong sense of being literally 'driven' by the person that she's in love with through some of the most breathtaking scenery she had ever seen. The sequoia trees, the pacific ocean, sea lions and the ancient rocks that tell tales of the years gone by. Brimming with new-found inspiration from her travels, she set about recording 'the driver' in her attic bedroom back home in Brussels, watching the clouds pass the ceiling window, acknowledging that the wonderful summer trip had gone by...
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