why? grew up in Cincinnati playing kickball in the cul de sac and watching 8-bit Nintendo in his big brother's attic bedroom. The minor key melodies of religious music and the tight belt, tight-laced shoes of his soft-spoken middle childhood in part provide the impetus for why?'s candytime-dissonant, singsong-suicide style. In addition to his membership in cLOUDDEAD and reaching quiet, why? has collaborated with Hood, Fog, boombip, jel and sole; he has toured the world twice, performed two Peel Sessions under the cLOUDDEAD moniker, and is admired by Boards of Canada, Mum, Stereolab, Danielson Famile, The Notwist and Mogwai. why?'s quirky production and infectious melodies are merely sugar coating for the contents of a young man with unbuttoned lips and a gut spitting words.
oaklandazulasylum, why?'s first official self-produced full-length release, is fourteen lonely art songs recorded over two years' time. With sharp focus and visceral lyrics set in decisive production, each song maintains individuality while positioned to fulfill its unique role in the record's sequence. why?'s rapped and crooned poem parts are a grief-like laugh with the western world, and through the eyeholes of a catchy candy song mask outpour the half-empty honests of a man in moods. The audio equivalent to the slideshow presentation of a clowncar crash, oaklandazulasylum is dirty drum digital dark folk catered to the raw sensibilities of hiphop in headphones.
