"Melancholic rave in VHS aesthetic" — Ben Haviour releases his debut album "Melancholy Rave" on September 29, 2023, on his own label Alien Allies.
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"Melancholic rave in VHS aesthetic"
Ben Haviour is a child of the 90s. You remember: renting VHS tapes from the video store. Recording your favourite film from the TV guide onto tape in real time. Buying skate videos at Titus and dubbing them for your friends. Spraying graffiti in the schoolyard without getting caught. Landing a 5-trick set on your skateboard at 13 because you saw it in a Zero video. All while listening to beats on your Walkman.
More than 20 years later, in the autumn of 2022, Ben Haviour retreats to a hotel room in Leipzig with a Prophet synthesizer to face his demons. Memories from childhood rise to the surface. Carefree days, restlessness, contentment, heartbreak, belonging, ecstasy. Emo haircut on the flower power dancefloor. Suit and tie to a hardcore show at the Südbahnhof in Chemnitz. Cigar and fedora at the Cube Club. Leather jacket, stud belt and sunglasses to a Jan Garbarek concert in a church. That back and forth, that tension, that paradox — that is Melancholy Rave.
Melancholy Rave is a self-embrace. It's ok to be who you are. Fight your fight and don't let anyone throw you off course. Ben Haviour's debut album surprises with its range and a handful of very personal depths.