We Speak Music

KHOMPA releases boundary-pushing drum-triggered ‘Tre Trigger Contro Tre Trigger’

Published

2 years ago

September 25, 2023

Don Reed

Davide Compagnoni, aka ‘KHOMPA’, has been pushing musical boundaries since the release of his ground-breaking debut album, The Shape of Drums to Come in 2016, featuring an adventurous mix of drumming, electronics and cutting-edge drum triggering technology. The album, featured on Ableton Live and Modern Drummer, introduced this unique audiovisual live project, whose main elements are: a drummer, a conventional drum kit, 3 state-of-the-art drum sensors, a laptop and a stepsequencer. Each drum controls a virtual musical instrument (synthesizers, samplers, arpeggiators, etc.) within Ableton Live music software that, in combination with a custom stepsequencer developed with MaxforLive app, allows Davide to perform real melodies/electronic orchestration without the use of any backing track. 100% live. In addition to that, he also uses a microphone set up in the middle of the drumkit to capture the dynamics of the acoustic drums and translate them through ‘envelope followers’ into electronic parts in several ways.

KHOMPA’s second album, Perceive Reality, which followed in 2022, saw the further integration of audio and visual components, with AI-generated 3D visuals created by Riccardo Franco-Loiri (alias Akasha) all triggered and modulated live from the drumkit.

Tre Trigger Contro Tre Trigger is a companion piece to Perceive Reality, drawing on the same technology but venturing into a more trance-inducing territory, with oscillating synths snaking around a pulsating, primal drumbeat, rising in pitch to a cathartic peak.
The video for ‘Tre Trigger Contro Tre Trigger’ is a 100% live performance where all the sounds and visuals were triggered in real time with KHOMPA’s drum kit as a reflection of the punk/chaotic/hypnotic energy of the song. The piece is also the closing track of the live performance “Perceive Reality A/V” that the artist is currently playing in festivals, cinemas and clubs in Italy. In the video, words that seem to be extracted from a manifesto of perceptual dissociation bounce off the screen activated and distorted by the drum kit itself.

We Speak Music

Etherdene’s “Forsaker” Captures the Power of Letting Go

Published

13 hours ago

April 1, 2025

Philomena Marie

Etherdene’s ‘Forsaker’ is a revelation in both sound and sentiment. The track marks a new chapter in her career, blending the vulnerability of heartbreak with the resilience of moving on, all wrapped in an electrifying package of synth-pop and indie-pop. The result is a song that is both deeply personal and universally relatable, a cathartic journey that encourages listeners to let go and rise above their challenges.

At the heart of ‘Forsaker’ is Etherdene’s exploration of emotional struggle and the painful yet liberating act of letting go. Drawing from her own experiences with the end of a professional partnership, Etherdene’s lyrics are a raw and powerful expression of inner conflict. The line, “Brand new member in the club of quitters, the uniform compliments my eyes,” encapsulates the complex emotions of giving up, flipping the narrative on its head to reveal the strength in choosing to walk away.

‘Forsaker’ is a triumph. Etherdene’s decision to incorporate synth bass arps brings an air of 80s nostalgia while keeping the track fresh and forward-thinking. The electric guitar work from Cory Clark adds a layer of dynamism to the song, complementing its mood perfectly. However, it’s the drums – played by Warren van Wyk – that truly elevate the track, infusing it with energy and warmth that feels almost magical.

What sets ‘Forsaker’ apart is its empowering message. Etherdene isn’t merely recounting a painful experience; she’s showing us the strength that comes from letting go of something that no longer serves you. It’s a message of courage and self-love, encouraging listeners to prioritize their emotional well-being over the fear of walking away from something that seems promising but ultimately isn’t right.

‘Forsaker’ is yet another example of Etherdene’s impressive versatility as an artist. From her early days in the Afrikaans band Kaktus to her current solo career, she has continually pushed the boundaries of what indie-pop can be. With ‘Forsaker’, she’s taken an emotional experience and turned it into a musical triumph that’s as empowering as it is catchy. This track is bound to resonate with anyone who’s ever had to make the difficult decision to walk away – and Etherdene’s ability to capture that moment in song is nothing short of remarkable.