Alec Jeffery Koone (born April 14, 1991), better known by his former stage name Balam Acab, is an American electronic musician and producer originally from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.[2][3][4]
Balam Acab | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Alec Jeffery Koone[1] |
| Born | April 14, 1991 |
| Origin | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Electronic Witch house |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | |
Koone began creating hardcore and metal at the age of 13 with a group of musician friends.[3][4] While studying music at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York in 2009, he began to experiment with post-rock and ambient music.[4] He eventually dropped out of Ithaca College to focus on his music career.[4] His first release, the 2010 EP See Birds,[5] got him categorized as witch house according to Pitchfork.[6] He followed that up with his first full-length album, Wander/Wonder, in 2011.[7] Wander/Wonder was recorded entirely in the same bedroom he slept in as a child and heavily incorporated Creative Commons-licensed nature recordings he found on the Internet.[8] His song "See Birds," title track of the See Birds EP, was featured in a L'Oreal mascara ad starring Beyoncé in early 2011.[8][9]
After a long hiatus, Balam Acab self-released his second official album, CHILD DEATH, on December 17, 2015[10] via Bandcamp. In April 2016, the album was pressed on vinyl and released by the DIY record label Orchid Tapes.[11] Since the release of CHILD DEATH, Balam Acab has released many singles and collaborations in a variety of styles through SoundCloud[12] and Bandcamp.[13]
Among numerous side projects and aliases, Balam Acab recently teamed up with producer Goodbye to form the duo hospice_dreams, releasing the debut demo "because i am true". A full release is expected to be released late 2018.
The name "Balam Acab" was taken from a rainbow-creating deity in Maya mythology that Koone learned about in Spanish class.[8][14][15]
References edit
- ^ "AY YA YA". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ Lester, Paul (December 2, 2010). "Balam Acab (No 922)". The Guardian. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ^ a b Richards, M. T. (December 15, 2011). "Balam Acab's Alec Koone Lives With His Mom, Quietly Reviving R&B". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Lipshutz, Jason (October 19, 2011). "Balam Acab, Electronic Upstart, Preps First Live Shows Ever". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ^ Park, Dave (July 5, 2010). "Album Review: Balam Acab – See Birds". Prefix Magazine. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ^ Richardson, Mark (August 29, 2011). "Album Review: Wander/Wonder". Pitchfork Media.
- ^ Yenigun, Semi (August 28, 2011). "First Listen: Balam Acab, 'Wander / Wonder'". NPR. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ^ a b c Cooper, Duncan (August 23, 2011). "GEN F: Balam Acab". The Fader. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ^ Brandon (January 27, 2011). "L'Oreal Gets Witch House: Balam Acab Soundtr∆cks Beyoncé Commercial". Stereogum. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ^ Matthew Strauss, "Balam Acab Releases Child Death", Pitchfork, December 17, 2015
- ^ Warren Hildebrand "So Happy to be Releasing Balam Acab's New Album", Orchid Tapes Blog, April 18, 2016
- ^ "BALAM ACAB | Free Listening on SoundCloud", SoundCloud
- ^ "Music | BALAM ACAB", Bandcamp
- ^ "Balam Acab: dream out loud". Fact. February 22, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ^ "Balam Acab". The New Yorker. November 17, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
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