Ultraísta: Strange Formula

Cinematic auteur and musician David Lynch adds an otherworldly lilt to electronic kraut-pop trio Ultraísta’s “Strange Formula,” taken from their forthcoming eponymous debut album and accompanied by their self-produced psychedelic video. Named after the Spanish ultraist literary movement, the band was formed by Radiohead’s producer and honorary “sixth member” Nigel Godrich with artist Laura Bettinson and multi-instrumentalist Joey Waronker, who has drummed and produced for the likes of Beck, R.E.M., Smashing Pumpkins, Eels, and Paul McCartney. Also members of Thom Yorke’s Atoms for Peace project, Godrich and Waronker bonded over a mutual love of Afrobeat, dance music, visual art and tequila, inviting Bettinson to contribute vocals to their avant-garde hooks. Lynch’s remix follows offerings by Matthew Dear and Four Tet, with the latter’s take on debut single “Smalltalk” earning fervent praise in the music press. “People hear things differently and so to have something spat back at you through someone else's eyes is usually quite interesting,” notes Godrich. Stripping away the group’s usual popiness for his contribution, Lynch distorted Bettinson’s vocals into a languid drawl and blended the guitars and synths into an ominous storm of noise. “We're honored. He is a very interesting cat indeed,” offers Godrich of the Blue Velvet director’s contribution. “I personally had no preconceptions, but it makes sense knowing his persona. It's very visual.” 

Ultraísta will perform at Lynch’s Parisian Club Silencio on Wednesday October 3.