We all return to nothing.
Venera, the experimental electronic collaboration of James Shaffer and Chris Hunt, released its first album on October 13th. The debut features notable guests such as Health, Deantoni Parks, Alain Johannes, and VOWWS. Anticipate a blend of cinematic soundscapes, enigmatic melodies, and refined electronic productions. Read our discussion with Chris Hunt below!
Describe your sound in 3 words
Haze, wreckage, thermal
The description of “(in our mind)” as a “collision of puzzles” is intriguing. Could you delve deeper into the thematic elements and inspirations that contribute to this unified assembly of the ecstatic abyss in your debut album?
This phrase originated with Blake Butler in his relating text to the sound of the album. I would highly recommend exploring his work, firstly. Our desire is that the work speaks thematically to the listener in whatever way best resonates with the listener. I personally appreciate relating to sound in terms of texture, emotion, and how all of that is existentially connected and how it feels. I wish I could describe it thematically. It’s hard to articulate, but the process is not thematically driven — it’s more impressionistic for me, I’d say. Any ecstatic abyss is purely circumstantial however appreciated. One specific image we have thought a lot about is the Venera missions to Venus. That a machine is sent to such a toxic and crushing planet, captures image data and transmits before imploding is devastating. I know nothing of the technical and science behind it, but the process (as a person reading about it on the internet and considering it) seems to be a uniquely romantic and disintegrating kind of human exploration.
How did you two meet and start making music?
Xhoana invited James (Shaffer) to contribute guitar sounds to a project I worked on with her a few years back. We met and subsequently felt that there was more work to be done. I sent some ideas to James initially and then I made several trips to Los Angeles and we began working together side-by-side for the majority of the generation / collection part of our process of making music.
Your music has an experimental touch. Should music as a form of art always challenge the listener?
No.
If the music of Venera was a book, which book would that be?
Some sort of Alien-abduction conspiracy theory book.
Artists and people that have influenced you?
It’s such an expansive question so it’s hard to really pin it down. When this album first started to take shape, I was thinking about the work of Georges Bataille, Thomas Ligotti, the CCRU texts (1997-2003), and John Trefry’s Apparitions of the Living. These are literary but definitely influential. James inspires and influences me in the pursuit of building a sonic world together.
Do people still listen to full albums?
I have no idea, but they’re out there if people want to listen to them.
A song you are convinced was written about you?
I’ve never really considered that, but I revisit “Corsair” by Boards of Canada.
Thank you!
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