Paper Talks to The Secret Soul Society’s Cal Gibson

Cal Gibson

Cal Gibson, The Can Do Man of  The Secret Soul Society

Once a writer for Muzik, Jockey Slut, IDJ, and The Face and being part of Neon Heights, Cal Gibson is the one man Balearic wrecking machine whose workflow is the kind we all wish we had!
Under his guise as ‘The Secret Soul Society, ‘ he has released four incredible sun soaked sounding E.P.’s on Paper and on labels further afield where his chopped-up reworks take on a whole new life of their own, and we’re massive fans.

His latest release, ‘Oh People’ is out now on Paper, and we caught up with him for the lowdown…

1. Big thanks for being behind such an incredible release (once again!) with ‘Oh People’. You seem to be one of the most prolific music creators we’ve ever had on Paper. Can you give us a rough rundown of your workflow and process?

First off, it’s an absolute joy to be releasing on Paper: it has been such an integral part of my musical journey stretching way back to the days of ‘The Book’ and Dirty Jesus – it’s never put out anything but absolutely top class underground dance music. I think these days I’m quick workwise because I’ve been doing it for so long: if an idea isn’t working pretty much straight away then it gets binned – the days of beavering away for months on tracks are no more. For me now it’s all about fun and enjoyment and the love of music: it really only matters if you like what you are doing – if anyone else likes it then great, if not no worries – it’s about the process of making the art more than anything else. It’s a collage of soft synths and samples, basically, with occasional guest muso appearances from peeps if I can get hold of them, if not then my rudimentary noodles have to make do. Keep the mistakes in, keep the wonkiness in, mess around and have fun. Fun being the key word. Music as therapy. Creation is all. We’re not around for long – try and enjoy it.

2. There is some really clever use of samples throughout your work. Do you go deliberately digging for things to use or do you have a pile of records in waiting collected over time?

A bit of both: I’ve sold most of my vinyl, but there’s a fair chunk still kicking around, waiting to be repurposed. And then there’s the vast dystopia online where everything and nothing exists at once, and our minds are reshaping themselves as we speak. Squish it all together, and voila. I do recall Jonny Trunk saying how much he loves getting lost in a good loop: something you can spin in the headphones for hours and hours – I tend to be that way inclined. I then usually spoil the loop by plonking squiggly noises over it. Job done. The best ideas are always the simplest ones – one great hook, sample, vocal, guitar lick – and then try your best not to mess it up.

3. Tell us about your current studio set-up?

Streamlined to the point of not being there: on the table sits a laptop, MIDI keyboard, couple of guitars. Currently enjoying Arturia’s Minifreak softsynth and the Surge free download. Less choice often leads to more creativity.

4. It’s quite a unique yet familiar sound to your work. Are there any producers or styles you draw influence from?

I respect anyone expressing themselves artistically in any format. Art, literature, music, philosophy: these are the cornerstones of a life well-lived – when you couple them up with a ton of love, of course. Anyone creating and presenting that creation to the world, with all the knockbacks and ego-bashing that entails, then yes, I’m right with you, amigo. Hate hate and love love. Anything left of centre and quirky tends to find favour in our house: today, let’s go with Gilberto Gil, Yabby You, Husker Du, Mahlathini, Space Ghost, Airto, Guy Maxwell and Duval Timothy.

5. Lastly, what is your favoured studio snack of choice when having a long day at the controls?

Bucketloads of diet coke, sadly. Not good, but hey, you do what you can, right?

Thanks, Cal x

Great review below from Juno on ‘Oh People’ – check it out HERE.

Once something of a UK deep house and downtempo mainstay thanks to his role in Notts outfit Neon Heights, Cal Gibson has quietly set about building up quite a catalogue with his latest project, The Secret Soul Society. ‘Oh People’, the latest TSSS outing, offers a neat summary of the collective’s various influences, inspirations and developing trademark sound. For proof, check the drowsy, loved-up sunrise shuffle of opener ‘Boo Boo4 Sure’, the Beatdown-goes-ultra-deep-house bliss of ‘Oh People’, the Rotary Connection-with-electronic-instruments dreaminess of ‘Stay’ and the unashamedly saucer-eyed Balearic pop warmth of ‘Sooner or Later“. JUNO Review Feb 23

Super FU – Cocoons

Fall to your knees and thanks be to the Balearic Gods, Super FU are here and ready to deliver a blast of much needed sun drenched sounds ahead of their (very brilliant) debut album. ‘Cocoons’ is a taster of what’s coming with two original cuts from the long player plus added remix action.

All I Have Known rolls off the blocks with a distorted piano loop, spaced out arps, lazy beats and lush pads, all topped with ethereal vocals for sunsets and hazy evenings. Good times are coming.

Stay Here packs some wonky style synth hits and offset beats with Sarah Lazenby’s fabulous vocals giving it that extra special something. Added floating pads & synth chords put this firmly in the ‘Balearic Street Soul’ category.

Remixes go fully into orbit as Dan Wainwright and our very own Massey tackle ‘All I Have Known’ and create a full blown space disco workout that sounds like a lost Lindstrøm track. Dancefloor mayhem is predicted.

Balearic godfathers Coyote take ‘Stay Here’ and turn in a dubbed out percussion led cosmic groover with pulsating synth lines and soaring pads ahoy..smoke if you got ’em!

Ron Basejam: “Original and Coyote on All I Have Known are definitely tickling my trumpet!’

Fingerman: “That Wainwright & Massey remix is awesome! Nice one lads!”

Pathaan: “KILLER PACKAGE!!!”

Robot 84: “TBH both remixes are sounding hot, not much between them, love them both.. the originals are great as well!”

 

Spotify     Bandcamp     Juno     Beatport     Traxsource

Best of Paper 2020 – Flash Atkins Mix

While 2020 has been a massive shit sandwich with no ketchup, its been a great for music and let’s not forget that the orange lunatic got told to pack his toys and move on….see ya.
Its been a vintage year for us too us too as Paper Wave got in to its stride with brilliant albums from Popsneon, Stubb and The Secret Soul Society along with a flurry of downtempo beauties. Paper Recordings signed their first African artist in Camblom Subaria and the US represented with Mr. Tea, ThrillHammer and Ryan Kick. Paper Disco knocked it out the park with Anoraak, James Rod and Trash The Wax Vol. 8 while Denmark and New Zealand went head to head with Kennedy and Jahn Solo.
Flash Atkins dusted off his controller and blended it all for this end of year mix to see in to 2021 where we’re headed for the light. And just wait to see what we’ve got lined up for 2021….ooooooooooooooft!
Onwards.
Paper x

1. Sirius Rush – Water (Popsnen Mix)
2. Stubb – We Are Launching feat. Jane Weaver
3. The Secret Soul Society – My Exstasy
4. The Secret Soul Society – Don’t Walk Away
5. Coyote – The Igigi Gods Dub
6. BOM – Moon of Endor
7. Picotriopico – Threescodisome
8. Martin Wold – Elixer
9. Anoraak – Fire Inside (Emperor Machine Maxi Edit)
10. De L’Ivresse – Field River
11. From Beyond – Planetary Groove
12. BOM – The Day
13. 2 Billion Beats – Beats of No Nation
14. Jahn Solo – It’s My House
15. The Secret Soul Society – In The Dark
16. James Rod – Belong City
17. Mr Tea – Dramatic Entrance
18 – Popsneon – This Town Forever
20. Coyote – Finally…House
21. Ryan Kick – All That We Do
22. ThrillHammer – Heart Throbbing Lover (Synthe Tigers Vocal Remix)
23. Danny Russell & Ronald Christoph – Future’s Gonna Get You
24. Kennedy – Who Rocks 89
25. Stubb – Haven Wood

Stubb – The Love You Once Regret feat. Charlie Sinclair Video

The fantastic video for Stubb’s The Love You Once Regret feat. Charlie Sinclair (Sylvette) was made by the super talented animator Caleb Riley.

Based around an ancient tree spirit with nods to Studio Ghibli and Pan’s Labyrinth, it is a comment on the Climate Emergency and how trees offer solution and salvation. Charlie Sinclair brings the soul to the epic, cinematic song and make sure you hold tight for the soaring chorus at the end.

Taken from the album Stubb – Canopy.

Get it on Bandcamp – https://stubbed.bandcamp.com/album/ca…

Coyote – Stages of Time

 

Lord of the balearic realm Coyote drop on Paper Wave with four sun bleached bombs on their ‘Stages of Time E.P.’

Illa Conillera soars like a condor over the plains with tribal-esque percussion alongside beautiful pads and synth stabs whilst off beat piano stabs and melody bring a sense of mystique.

The Igigi Gods Dub slows the pace down and goes right in with the dub reggae bass and key note stabs that would have made King Tubby proud. Blaze ’em up!

Look For The Way In keeps up the lazy hazy pace but with added Coyote infused breaks and dreamy keys.

Finally.House closes off the EP and somehow seems to incorporate acid house, classic Chicago House and elements of jacking into a balearic monster.

 

Juno           Traxsource         Spotify           Beatport

Sirius Rush – Water

London poet Sirius Rush has teamed up with two of Paper Wave’s finest producers for a collaboration of beauty and depth.

Sirius Rush delivers his poem with hypnotic power and grace that is perfectly partnered by Popsneon & The Secret Soul Society. Each of their takes offers fresh insight and context to the meaning of the spoken words.

Popsneon gives the poetry an all out beatless UFOrb style electronic makeover. Trickling arps, sub, synth lines and pads draw you in to a weightless, psychedelic head-trip.

The Secret Soul Society brings a soulful summer jam. Birds, Rhodes, synth bass, subtle acid and some hazy style chords and shuffly drums make this perfect for those sunset moments.

 

Get it on Juno / Beatport / Traxsource / Spotify / Bandcamp

 

The Secret Soul Society – EP1

Paper Wave presents the debut EP from The Secret Soul Society which are four laid back, blissed up beauties.

Jeff and David will instantly make you grab the phone & book a holiday to sunny climes. Totally chilled and totally Balearic with swirly stabs & pads only adding to its brilliance.

Bring The Sun In keeps the Balearic cart on the road with the blissed-out dial cranked to 25. This is crazily good and its simple 4 bar loop never tires or fails to be infectious.

Sunday Brown goes late night and demands to be heard whilst witnessing a once in a lifetime sunset. Shaky beats & plenty of reverb drenched strings, vocals & other elements make this a solid, sun-soaked scorcher.

Until We Reach The Sea closes the EP off and ticks all the ‘Balearic-folk-disco’ boxes that we all know & love. Catchy vocals, waves crashing and an innocent childlike melody perfectly puts this into the ‘day after the night before’ playlist.

Bjørn Torske – “Bring The Sun is my favourite”

Olle Abstract – “Nice music for quiet days by the sea. Dig!”

Fingerman – “Beautiful Groove Armada type gear. Lovely work :)”

 

JUNO            BEATPORT               TRAXSOURCE               SPOTIFY 

 

 

 

The Secret Soul Society – Secrets and Lies – FREE DOWNLOAD

Ahead of his brand new EP on Paper Wave, The Secret Soul Society has done a special Bandcamp only under-the-counter album of bootlegs, edits and re-makes.

From woozy downtempo through space jazz to wonky soul and cosmic disco, its got everything you need to fill your musical pipe.

So don your cap, light a match and spark her up.

PAY WHAT YOU WANT

Get it HERE

 

La Guardia de la Luz – The Cosmic Egg EP

Mexico’s favourite cosmonaut is back for Paper Wave with three super deep, trippy cuts. The EP is not so much late-night as mid-afternoon two days later.

Cosmic Egg is a chunky 4/4 with a one note bass line as the atmospherics weave in and out with synths, found sounds, delays and studio trickery. Its an aural soundscape that could have be taken from the next Bladerunner as dawn breaks over a dystopian desert landscape.

Plano Existencial uses distortion and degradation to ride dubby EFZ over an analogue bass and drums. The track strips back to a beatless finish that would give The Orb a run for its money.

Finally, Zp Tpj has a hooky piano riff that hypnotises its way through a percussive groove as a Hans Zimmer lead synth line takes it in to psychedelia..

The Jedi Master himself Bill Brewster said ‘Cosmic Egg is excellent’.

 

 

Rachel Johns – Special Edition Stubb 12″

Rachel Johns’ describes how she created the artwork for the record sleeve:

“Listening to the Stubb track I was inspired to draw the images for the record sleeve. My process is to draw with a stick & ink on textured paper to create a final drawing.
The next part was a collaboration with Amy Mellis & The Egg Factory as Amy designed the colourful labels for the records. We then went on to screen print the two images on either side of the card sleeve here at The Egg Factory.
For a very special limited edition of 20 I made screen printed fabric sleeves using the main image & free machine stitched into the background of each one with red thread. I often stitch into the background of my original drawings as I love the unexpected quality of drawing with a sewing machine onto paper- I thought it would make a special edition to actually stitch onto the fabric sleeves!”

Buy it in the Paper Shop

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