Darkswoon is an electronic shoegaze band out of Portland, Oregon, the primary musical outlet of Jana Cushman. The band performs live as a duo, an energetic show that has Cushman on guitar, effects and vocals and Christian Terrett on electronics. In Cushman’s own words, “Darkswoon builds sonic landscapes from the foundation of loops and beats, layered with intricate effected guitar, harmonized looping vocals, and synths to create a transcendent texture of music.” The band’s second release, a 4 song EP entitled Silhouettes has turned quite a few heads for its flawless execution of the best parts of a teenage ripped-jean rebellion, and capturing the energy of that one enigmatic band from the old days that you just can’t forget. We caught up with Cushman to find out more about her songwriting process and what drives such a compelling sound. Isn’t it true that the best music so often goes unheard? Let it not be true for Darkswoon! Read on and be sure to watch the video that was produced for her song ‘Necromancer’, filmed in and around the lovely graveyards of Portland, Oregon. Femmecult: How did you get into making music? Did it start at a young age, and/or was it born of interest in other forms of art? Darkswoon: I use music to work through problems in my life and this is how I started writing music, as a way of therapy or my own version of praying. Putting an issue out into the universe and harvesting creative energy is the most effective coping mechanism I’ve been able to develop. That is how I started writing music, not so intentionally but more so in order to survive being young and fucked up. I grew up playing guitar and had a very musical family....

Fiona Soe Paing has just released an impressive 12 song debut, via Colliderscope Records, complete with visual art by Zennor Alexander to accompany it. Alien Lullabies has been getting rave reviews and it’s no surprise. Her unique sound channels a super funky futuristic blues-tronic vibe that sets itself apart in an effortless blending of styles. Soe Paing has an impressive grasp on storytelling through song and ‘Ballad of the Two Sisters‘ is one example, in which her expressive voice and lyrics capture a longing and sadness that allude to a haunting tale we can only continue to unravel within our own imaginations. It’s this type of cinematic minimalism that is so alluring; with just a taste our senses can’t help but be enveloped by her sound. Soe Paing draws from a rich sonic palette merging well thought out sound design and electronics, with traditional instruments that make for a quite hypnotic strain of electronica. She captures a playful vibe on ‘Roller Ghoster’ showing that she has an easy grasp on the genre of dance music, yet takes it a step further by deconstructing the arrangement to create the aural simulation of being on a carnival ride. Read an interview with her on her creative process from Creative Scotland. Soe Paing is also a part of the Female Pressure network and talks about the importance of bringing more attention to female artists in her recent guest article on Female First Magazine. Alien Lullabies is available to purchase on all the major digital outlets, and you can also get physical copies via her bandcamp page. Have a listen and support this fantastic work of art....

This year’s MUTEK Montreal shaped up to be an entertaining time. In addition to stellar acts, top notch sound, and beautiful performance spaces, there were also a ton of interesting workshops and Q&As happening that made for a quite immersive experience.

Femmecult interviews Portland, Oregon based event promoter Coco Madrid. In the audio podcast Q&A she gives insights on the history of the underground music scene in Portland, how it’s evolved, and her experiences helping promote events.

Singer and composer, Jennifer Touch has a unique sound that really stands out in the saturated world of electronica. Drawing from electropop and disco influences that came decades before her, she does a great job of reinventing them with a rare essence that leaves the listener wanting more. The kind of music that sticks in your head long after listening is characteristic of her style that could work on the dancefloor and off.

Today is an important day to celebrate women and their contributions to this world. So many women have inspired me along the way and have made me who I am today. When I was younger, it was Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth and Bjork who taught me that I could realize my dreams in music. That I too, could be punk rock and DIY and do things on my own terms.

Pussy Riot Freedom compilation is now online! Across a variety of countries, these electronic music producers of female:pressure offer their music in solidarity with Pussy Riot calling for freedom for imprisoned Pussy Riot members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina.

Pumping out fresh beats with more than just a tinge of west coast attitude, San Francisco based Ana Sia is a straight up gangster behind the decks. On the edge of a release on Hot N Heavy Recordings she will be touching down for more damage in Portland, OR (12.14.13) for Bubblin at The Rose.

Olivia Louvel of Catwerk Imprint presents her lastest release, Doll Divider at Earsthetic, a festival merging visual art, new electronic music and experimental soundscapes. Featuring also cult electrorock artist Peaches (14 Dec), Japanese visual artist Ryoji Ikeda’s immersive art project datamatics [ver 2.0] (13 Dec), awardwinning composer and visual artist Mira Calix (10 Dec), Brighton based experimental music collective Spirit of Gravity (11 Dec), visual artist and musician Planningtorock (12 Dec).

Portland based electronic music artist, NeveroddoreveN (Heather Tucker) is early in her career as a solo artist but already turning quite a few heads with her original work and live show. Her work can be classified as dark wave and synth pop, drawing inspiration from notable industrial and postpunk synth bands of the 80s among others. She is a talented and expressive vocalist and her live performances are known to feature live video projections and dancers as well. Femmecult got a chance to pick her brain on her creative process and that gnawing feeling one gets when creativity becomes stagnant. Femmecult: Where are you from? NeveroddoreveN: I was born in a tiny town in Texas near the border of Louisiana. But I grew up in Houston, TX from the age of 2. Femmecult: What is your musical background? How did you get started? NeveroddoreveN: I am not formally trained. I’ve had no schooling in music. I was mostly a vocalist up until about 2 years ago. After being in a handful of bands from the age of about 22 I decided to go it alone. I find that working with others can be a lot like being in a relationship. You like someone more than they like you or vice versa. I was either looking for a way out of whatever band or completely heartbroken when whatever project didn’t work out. Not that I’m against collaborating now but it’s so much easier to answer to yourself with artistic endeavors. Also, I’ve never been less stage shy than when it was just me…..representing what I want to make…..from start to finish. Believing in it more. Standing by it, you know? Femmecult: Please comment on your musical style. NeveroddoreveN: Downtempo dark synth? Electronic droneloop sample? I...

I recently discovered this amazing artist, Emika, who has released a full length on Ninja Tune in 2011. She samples her voice to create instrumentation that accompany her ingenious electronic compositions. Her compositions are well thought out, and seemingly non genre specific. Emika is a song writer’s songwriter; each track offers a unique atmosphere that navigates a range of moods.  Some songs are dance music and some are more ambient, but all are exceptionally interesting. Her substantive lyrical content adds to the intrigue, alluding to political issues and showing the world she’s got something to say. Here is a video interview she did with Minimum Wastage on her LP and philosophy on music. Watch Emika Interview Listen to Emika here...

A FUSION OF modern electronica bathed in Middle Eastern influence could be the best way to describe the music of Kalya Scintilla—the alter ego of one Yaygon Lamagaia—but the imagery it inspires all but transcends known genres. Each song is a journey into reinterpretation and improvisation, ending up far from its starting point. The intricate electronic compositions are graced with psychedelic string sections that bring to mind gypsies playing under a starlit sky; Lamagaia creates a harmonious ground for world music fans and diehard electronic audiophiles to meet in peace. It’s no wonder, given the influences he cites. “Nature and her infinite beauty, sacred geometry, and the frequency of love,” Lamagaia says, adding that growing up in the wild Australian countryside has made nature a heavy influence on his musical process. Over his last several releases, Lamagaia’s compositional style reflected a development that came from discovering multilayered intricacies in himself and the world around him—developments that he’s mirrored in his art. In asking what guides the construction of his sound palette, he says, “A song will usually start with an intention, a word, a color, an idea, or concept, or combination of these things.” He then locates a backbone of highly intricate rhythms, beats, and bass that make his music so compelling to dance to. He hopes the imagery that his music conjures for listeners might include “temples, deep-forest adventures, extraterrestrial worlds, and gypsies dancing in the desert in front of Funktion-One speakers.” Kalya Scintilla’s live performances are “ever growing and evolving,” says Lamagaia, “to create a multilayered intentional journey that is never the same twice.” Gearing up for several more releases and a string of shows in the United States and South America—including one at Burning Man, of course—have kept him busy. When...