Editor’s Note: For those in the indie/emo underground scene, Dearist is a household name. Sometimes an individual needs to start something fresh in a completely different genre, and this is where Homecamp comes into play. Out of United Kingdom, Homecamp have released a mini-album entitled “Did We Return As Something Else” via Wiretap Records. The mini-album includes the music videos and singles for “Thoughts Of You” and “Two Doves”. This is the kind of record where you turn off the lights in your bedroom, put your headphones on(or airpods for you Generation Z folk) and just close your eyes and take in the ambiance that is composed by Homecamp. In this mental health conversation with Madness To Creation, Adam Binder of Dearist/Homecamp discusses “Did We Return As Something Else”, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the art behind ambiance music, and what gets him through when times get difficult. Fans can find Homecamp at the following locations:
www.instagram.com/homecampmusic
Madness To Creation: This is a relatively new avenue for you, going more an ambiance route, take us into this Homecamp project.
Adam Binder: Yeah, I’ve been a fan of ambient and sound track based music forever, and actually when I started Dearist I imagined it closer to the vein of Homecamp then what it became, however the addition of other band members meant we redirected Dearist to be something heavier. But in the earlier 2000s I was really into the lighter side of the emo scene with bands like Jeniferever and Copeland, I’ve recently got more into stuff like Bon Iver and Julien Baker which made me want to explore a different kind of music and finally try to get something off the ground in that ilk.
Madness To Creation: Who are some of your favorite ambiance artists?
Adam Binder: I really dig an artist called Novo Amor and in particular a collab album he did with Ed Tullet called Heiress. Theres also a dude that goes by the name Haux, his stuff is so minimal, it’s gorgeous.
Madness To Creation: Ambiance music is so tranquil, what do you like about it so much?
Adam Binder: I like the imagery of it. As a style I think it goes really well with moving picture and because of that I find listening to more ambient music is great for the imagination.
Madness To Creation: Take us into the writing experience for “Did We Return As Something Else”, what was so unique about this experience?
Adam Binder: The writing process for this album went along the lines of first creating a bunch of songs ideas on one instrument, guitar or piano, those ideas could be as much as a full song structure or as little as little riff that I felt has some ‘magic’. Then I took those ideas and tried to flesh out a full arrangement in my studio. Then over the course of time I added and removed parts on various instruments until the point where I felt it was ready to add vocals (which in most parts have been brewing through the whole process). Then Will came in and added all his bass parts to the songs. I then gave them a mix and they went off to Bob Cooper to master.
Madness To Creation: How have you been coping with the Covid-19 pandemic?
Adam Binder: Personally it’s been good because its given me forced time at home to concentrate on Homecamp and finishing the record. Also I’ve just had my first child so its been great being stuck indoors with her 24/7.
Madness To Creation: What’s next for you when this is all over?
Adam Binder: Will and I have started the whole album process again, so we’ve been passing voice memos back and forth on ideas, once we have a load of ideas we move onto fleshing out those ideas in the studio.
Madness To Creation: Is Homecamp a one-off deal, or is it something that’s going to evolve into something more permanent?
Adam Binder: No Homecamp is here to stay now. I think me and Will are going to put together a live band so we can play Homecamp songs in full. Also as I said we’ve already started on the 2nd record.
Madness To Creation: What gets you through when times are difficult?
Adam Binder: Music, my wife and my daughter.
Madness To Creation: What else would you like to add in regards to Dearist or Homecamp?
Adam Binder: Look out for new music and new content from both!
And there you have it! Check out their recently released music video for “Two Doves” below:
