Melbourne's very own dream-pop craftsman, Dean Valentino, the creative force behind Slowcoaching, has resurfaced after a near five-year hiatus with a captivating new single, ‘It Was Nice Meeting You’, accompanied by a rather intriguing music video. This latest offering signals the dawn of a fresh and imaginative chapter for the project, venturing into more shadowy and experimental sonic landscapes.
Crafted in the quiet hours of the early morning within the confines of Valentino's home studio, ‘It Was Nice Meeting You’ weaves together shimmering, chorus-soaked guitars with the rhythmic pulse of drum machines, all enveloped in layers of hazy reverb. The resulting soundscape occupies a restless realm where the lines between sleeplessness, detachment, and the complexities of human interaction become blurred. The track's title itself hints at Valentino's experiences of being reintroduced to people he's previously encountered, delving into feelings of being unseen and unremarkable, yet finding solace in the everyday moments, like a solitary drive home accompanied by the crackle of AM radio static.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the track, Valentino shares, "There are often times where I feel like I’m watching myself function with other people and don’t really remember places I’ve been, things I’ve done or what has been said in conversations. It’s an odd feeling that means you can’t always appreciate things in the moment, but there’s also this dark comfort in being alone and appreciating some of life’s more ordinary offerings.”
Adding a visual dimension to the single is a surreal and dreamlike music video, brought to life by the creative vision of Gina Somfleth, a long-time collaborator. The clip centres around a meticulously arranged dinner date, cleverly blurring the boundaries between reality and the absurd, playfully exploring the often-bizarre lengths we go to in our attempts to forge connections.
Valentino speaks fondly of his collaborators, stating, “Working with creative minds like James’ and Gina’s (and Aneta who did the artwork and pics) is just a dream - beautiful weirdos who see and hear the world differently. To take on dumb ideas with such enthusiasm and produce it to a scale I could never even dream of makes me so excited to unveil this new material.” James Freeman, a long-standing friend, took on the production and mixing duties, further solidifying the collaborative spirit of this new release.
After a considerable absence, ‘It Was Nice Meeting You’ signifies more than just a return for Slowcoaching. It marks the beginning of an exciting new phase, shaped by the quiet introspection of sleepless nights, the warmth of nostalgic memories, and a peaceful letting go of ego and judgement. This new single certainly leaves listeners eager to hear what other sonic explorations this revived project has in store.
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