An aching song with no definite meaning, Band Spectra‘s third single ‘Pillar & the moon’ will leave you breathless.
The side project known as Band Spectra is a synth-driven, experimental artist who adapts psychedelic rock, electronica, and various avant-garde influences into his work.
After the releases of ‘Thule’ and ‘Pigeon’, both of which were played in the BBC Radio 6 Music, Band Spectra returns with a new single. This time, the artist worked with Super 17, who provided the vocals for ‘Pillar & the moon’.
Other people who helped in the completion of this song were guitarist Leo Abrahams (who has worked with Brian Eno, Regina Spektor, Ghostpoet, Wildbeasts) and vocalists Brynja.
Usually, this is the part where all the behind the scenes for the track and the artist’s thoughts are shared. But Band Espectra, and vocalist Super 17, are people of few words. Or rather, it’d be more fitting to say there were no words.
The short story behind the track is as entertaining as it is mysterious.
Back in the past March (2020), Robert, the man behind Band Spectra, created the first half of what would later become Pillar & the moon. During the lockdown, Robert spent an extensive amount of time looking for an independent singer and/or songwriter who’d be willing to collaborate on the song.
That was how Robert met UK artist, Super 17. But without much interaction, after Robert sent the song and received no reply for months, an e-mail arrived in his inbox by the end of the year. In it laid the long-awaited vocals. No explanation for the lyrics or the time spent in between their two interactions, no comments about the music; nothing else.
There was no discussion about the meanings of the lyrics prior, during or after the wait. As Super 17 decided to stay quiet on the subject and they’d be the only one to truly now, it is more than likely there will never be an answer to this question.
‘Pillar & the moon’ is a hypnotizing, nocturnal song with a narrative open to any interpretation.
Behind the veil of ambiguity, one might be able to give the song their own meaning. Music works this way, anyway. Regardless of the artist’s original intentions, the audience always has the ability to interpret the work as something realms away from the intended message. While most artists share their own perspective and leave listeners with the foundations to form their own opinion, it has never been an obligation.
Everything about Pillar & the moon can feel surreal. Or mundane, if that’s how you’d prefer to see it. There seems to be an eerie feeling to surround the song. From the simple cover art, to the open sounds in the instrumentals and the story we can gather from the lyrics. It’s easy to picture yourself in the same space as the moon in the cover art, knowing where you are but still feeling a bit lost. It’s also possible to picture yourself as an outsider; the person taking the picture of the moon, or the one viewing it from evne further away.
There is an appeal to being left completely on your own to find the meaning in something. A song can become either a good beat to play in the background or a masterpiece you can deeply identify with. Its beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, as it always has.
If you enjoyed Band Spectra’s music and would like to stay updated, be sure to check out and follow his Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. To listen to his music, you can head over to his Spotify profile, Soundcloud, and Youtube channel, or you can purchase their music at Bandcamp.
You can also support the artist by streaming and sharing his music, which can be found in the following Playlists: Fresh Singles, 12 New Songs This Week, Indie Only and Less Than 1,000 Followers.
P.S. If you enjoy discovering new artists and fresh new music you should subscribe to Less Than 1,000 Followers and follow the Playlist with all the artists we’ve talked about!
This coverage was created via Musosoup #Sustainablecurator https://www.musosoup.com/sustainable-curator