Tycho
Tycho aka Scott Hansen
Fusing electronic and analog sounds, Tycho brings its kava bar-friendly, ambient chillwave dance music to Grand Central.
For nearly a decade, Tycho was a solo effort, the musical alias of founder Scott Hansen. But with the release of “Awake,” the solo project evolved into a three-piece band. The evolution was organic, as the San Francisco-based Hansen sought to fill out his live sound with a full band before touring for the 2011 release, “Dive.” Tycho now includes Hansen on guitar and synthesizers, Zac Brown on guitar and bass, and Rory O’Connor on drums.
According to the band’s promotional materials (which will be quoted throughout the remainder of this article), Hansen considers Awake “in many ways, the first true Tycho record.”
“After the [“Dive”] tour, I decided that I wanted to capture the more energetic, driven sound of the live show on the next album,” Hansen said. Hansen said bringing musicians into Tycho expanded his songwriting, advancing the project into unchartered sonic territory. “It crystallized the vision of how the drums would come to the forefront on this record,” he said. The difference in Tycho’s sound is stark. “Awake” – the second LP for Ghostly International – is far more upbeat and organic than the three previous releases, which shimmered with a slightly cold exterior. Recorded in a cabin near Lake Tahoe last winter, and later in the hills of Santa Cruz, the new music feels like it was recorded with larger venues in mind and is far more percussive.
The band dynamic is clear on songs such as “Montana” and “Awake,” while “See” and “Dye” echo ideas from the previous Tycho solo incarnation, “but with a clear view to the future.” Working with Count Eldridge, who also engineered “Dive,” the band replaced the electronic pulses that used to be layered under synthesizers with bass and guitar patterns.
Also known for his music and graphic design work as ISO50, Hansen’s visual and sonic efforts have fused throughout his career, but music is now his singular effort. “This is the first time in my life I’ve dropped everything to focus on one artistic pursuit,” Hansen said.
Tycho perform at 8pm on June 10 at Grand Central, 697 N. Miami Avenue in Downtown Miami. All ages. Tickets are $25-$30. For more information, visit www.grandcentralmiami.com.
~ Adam Matza
