Published by the Bandcamp Diaries on August 13, 2019
* See original publication here
Mauricio Yrivarren A.KA. Binary Drift is an artist currently based in Madrid, Spain. Originally from Peru, Binary Drift set out to focus on creating innovative music, laced with pop and rock influences, among other styles.
Recently, the artist dropped a brand new album named “Pocket Tunes.”
This project highlights Binary Drift’s astonishing creativity, with a remarkable combination of poignant lyrics, and beautiful production aesthetics with a warm and personal sound.
Ultimately, you should definitely give this one a go, particularly if you are a fan of groundbreaking performers the likes of Oasis, Coldplay, and John Mayer, only to mention a few. What’s really special about Binary Drift’s music is that it combines a really personal touch with his inventive sonic coordinates, giving the listeners a broad and intriguing experience. With such a spot-on combination of talent and vision, you really can’t go wrong.
“Pocket Tunes” is an example of an album that has a strong overall concept. By that, I am not saying that this is a “concept album,” but rather that every element is utterly balanced, and it is obvious that the artist put a lot of effort into creating a very recognizable sonic formula. This is particularly incredible when you consider how diverse the album is, straddling the lines between genres like brit-pop, bossa nova, disco, and indie.
As a result, the listing experience is diverse but easy to relate to, for listeners from all walks of life.
Find out more about Binary Drift and do not miss out on this album: http://hyperurl.co/t9w3bx
We also had the chance to speak to the artist: keep reading for a full interview!
I love how you manage to render your tracks so personal and organic. Does the melody come first, or do you focus on the beat the most?
I feel that the melody and the beat are components that are equally as important. In my case, when I am writing a song I try to always do it with a drum machine or with a certain beat in mind. I say this because the beat and its tempo will somewhat dictate what the bass will be doing and where the other instruments will find their place. Making it sound organic is tough!!
Do you perform live? If so, do you feel more comfortable on a stage or within the walls of the recording studio?
I’ve been doing sporadic performances so far. I find that the songs in Pocket Tunes work well under the “guitar + vocals” format. It’s raw indeed, but I find that it is a good way to get the songs’ messages across.
Live performances are interesting as I can draw from the reactions of the audience. Also, every venue has its own vibe and that can influence how the songs are delivered. In my experience, recording studios can also convey a lot. Everything from the location, the equipment, and the team working there can have an effect on how the songs are recorded. They are both different in nature, and I feel comfortable in both.
If you could only pick one song to make a “first impression” on a new listener, which song would you pick and why?
I’m gonna say “Drifting”. It’s one of my favorites and the feedback from the live performances has been positive so far. I feel there is something about the vocal and how it goes into a falsetto in the verses that catches people’s ears. It is a pop song, but rather than ending on a high note, in its coda everything drops and it ends slowly. I find that surprises the listener.
During its the recording I realized that the choruses needed another layer and added an acoustic guitar mimicking the acoustic guitar in “Wish You Were Here” by Incubus. There is no copyright on guitar sounds, therefore giving this away shouldn’t get me in trouble…
What does it take to be “innovative” in music?
Tough question, you’d have to ask the guys in Mars Volta or Radiohead, haha! Jokes aside, I really enjoyed the latest album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP) called “the Getaway”. It was produced by Danger Mouse and I felt that the band took its sound to uncharted territory. I’m a huge fan of the RHCP, and truly enjoy their take on funk, rock, and rap. But in the case of “the Getaway”, they experimented with syncopated drum grooves, keyboards, and cool guitar textures, while still channeling classic elements such as Flea’s slap bass and Anthony’s unique vocal delivery. To answer your question, being “innovative” means to me being unafraid to step out of your comfort zone while preserving your essence. *RHCP fans please listen to “Dark Necessities”.
Any upcoming release or tour your way?
I’ll be releasing the lyric video for “Drifting” sometime in September. It will be another collaboration with Pedro Kyu Fontao who is a great graphic designer (one of his many trades) and with whom I´ve worked on the lyric videos for “Love U Blind” (link), “Power Inc.” (link), “A Song for Vampires” (link), and “Complete & Alive” (link).
In terms of playing, I’ll be playing the Madrid songwriter circuit after the summer. I also intend to play in other cities in Spain and hopefully around Europe.
Anywhere online where curious fans can listen to your music and find out more about you?
Pocket Tunes can be found in all streaming and social media platforms. Please check the FB (facebook.com/binarydrift) and IG (instagram.com/binarydrift) pages where you can see the lyric videos and the forthcoming shows.