Basique keeps it simple on ‘Graduation’ EP

The Auckland producer returns with his fourth moving project.

Mitch Ley
Mitch Ley
Sep 8, 2018 · 2 min read

For months, Auckland artist Basique has been quietly putting work into his most interesting project yet. Graduation, an EP, is the audio catalogue of five months, and five events that completely changed his life.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Basique and learn a little more about the events that inspired the project.

“For me, Graduation is the most important song on the album. It captures that feeling of optimistic fear you get when you’re walking up to the stage to get your certificate. You’re not sure whether everything will work out well or terribly. That’s the question the song is asking.”

Building on that feeling, Separation, is about a significant break-up with a bitter-sweet nostalgia trip. It captures the feeling of remorse without regret, with bright synth hits and 80’s floor toms that throw you directly back to a fonder time with a melancholy twist.

Obliteration is about the loss of a beloved family member.

“I wanted Obliteration to be the most upbeat song on the album because the person I lost was just so optimistic but that wasn’t the energy I had. Things were going downhill and upbeat wasn’t my headspace.”

Resignation is Basique’s first track to feature his own voice, which was recorded in a single, impromptu take.

“The song is about leaving the industry I studied to get into. The vocals are referencing an interaction I had where I presented an idea to a creative director who spent the whole time on his phone. You put all this energy into impressing someone and they don’t care. They have better things to do.”

The final track, Appreciation, is the most jarring of the five but it sonically ties up all the loose ends. It captures and compacts all the emotion that has been built up in the project and releases it. In my opinion, its final 60 seconds is the most beautiful moment on the EP.

“It’s the happy ending I allude to in the title track. Everything eventually works itself out and comes full circle. At the end of the five months, I found my footing and started on a new trip.”

Listen to Graduation today:

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/y94gfdf3

Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/yc78tpqw

Google Music: https://tinyurl.com/y8oeeyjr

Tidal: https://tinyurl.com/y9boyjpz


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Mitch Ley

Written by

Mitch Ley

curating culture

HENDON

HENDON

For the Culture

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