THE BEAST

Photo & Cover Art: Dylan Garrett Smith


FOLIAN: Portland-based droning shoegaze/post-metal act’s LP ‘Blue Mirror’ out today; IDIOTEQ streaming full-album (w/ lyrics)

Debut album, Blue Mirror, of FOLIAN — dreamy drone-gaze/post-metal project of Portland, OR musician David Stephen Fylstra — drops today (31st Jan 2020) via Fylstra’s own imprint Anima Recordings on vinyl LP, Cassette, and digital formats. Exploring ideas such as the duality of being and the struggle for balance and clarity during a time of intense emotional struggle, the work stems from personal experiences with relationships, depression, fear, emotional dependence, and substance use. Dual meaning plays a prominent role in the album's theme and lyrics. 

IDIOTEQ writes in parts within their album premiere feature, “the well-balanced record envelops the listener on every level: compositionally, thematically, and emotionally.”

Folian’s mastermind David Fylstra offers on the album: “It is a very personal documentation of my experiences and internal struggles over recent years. There was a lot of confusion, sorrow, alcohol, doubt, regret, and love that went into the creation of this. The lyrics may reflect that, but the music as a whole probably does a better job at that. This is the album that represents the center of my world for the past five years or so. There was a point in time I might have thought it would never be finished, or even scrapped. I made this thing to help myself. I hope others might be able to look into it and find something that resonates with them.”
 

Stream Blue Mirror (w/ lyrics) at IDIOTEQ RIGHT HERE

Folian manages to merge elements of drone, shoegaze, metal, pop, and experimental noise to create a uniquely meditative and cohesive, psychedelic sonic atmosphere using a mix of guitars, vocals, synths, field recordings, and various other instruments to sculpt the sound.

Folian's architect David Fylstra is also a contributor to many heavy and experimental acts such as Ramprasad (featuring members of Lumbar, Process Black), Flood Peak (members of Lament Cityscape, Juracán), KVØID (a collaboration with artist Dylan Garrett Smith),  Canadensis (collaboration with Dragon Turtle's Tom Asselin), Bible Black Tyrant (members of Eagle Twin), and a recent collaborator with The Stargazer Lilies (Rad Cult/Graveface) and Drowse (The Flenser). He releases much of his own and others’ music on his own imprint Anima Recordings.

Folian kicks off the new decade with another tour adventure around the release of Blue Mirror, this time with the drone/ambient counterpart Shifting Harbor, who is also releasing an album.
1/16 @ Coaxial – Los Angeles, CA*
1/17 @ The Quarry – Bisbee, AZ
1/19 @ Crazy Rhythms – San Antonio, TX
1/20 @ The Volstead – Austin, TX*
1/21 @ The NASA – Corpus Christi, TX
1/22 @ Neon Rose – El Paso, TX
1/24 @ Rec Center – Los Angeles, CA
1/25 @ Golden Bull – Oakland, CA*
1/25 @ Pro Arts – Oakland, CA
1/31 @ Boathouse – Portland, OR
2/1 @ Charlie’s Chophouse – Astoria, OR
2/2 @ Gallery 1412 – Seattle, WA
(*Performing together as Canadensis) 
2/15 @ High Water Mark – Portland, OR; w/ Thief and Jason Walton (No Shifting Harbor)
Order Blue Mirror:
https://folian.bandcamp.com/album/blue-mirror
 
For More Info:
https://davidfylstra.net
https://www.facebook.com/folianpdx 
https://www.instagram.com/nehpetsdivad
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBpXJu3wIJfvydgxQ7zCBng 
https://open.spotify.com/artist/20035BudYpz2r2v1RNbquH 
https://animarecordings.net 
https://www.facebook.com/animarecordings
https://twitter.com/AnimaRecordings
https://animarecordings.bigcartel.com

PRESS
 
“Listen to it on a long winter walk and feel yourself sink deeper into the impending gray of December’s chill as waves of ambient sonic ennui ebb and flow.” — Revolver Magazine
 
“Portland-based drone purveyor Folian, thrives in the quiet moments. Spacey guitars and relaxed vocals set the mood, occasionally giving way to thunderous swells of distorted guitars and emotional screams.” — Decibel Magazine
 
“Fylstra sculpts an all-encompassing sound that feels like standing on a Gothic mountainside in the freezing cold wind.” — Gigwise
 
“The listening experience feels like an infusion of the feel of a gentle acceptance of creeping nature.” — Captured Howls
“the well-balanced record envelops the listener on every level: compositionally, thematically, and emotionally.” — IDIOTEQ
“An early contender for the most gorgeous album released in 2020.” (9/10) — GBHBL
“Without a doubt, this album will be one of the best records gracing us this year and it should serve as a soundtrack for everyone trudging through the ennui of everyday life.” — Dead Rhetoric
“an intelligent and well-crafted album . . .” — Echoes and Dust
“The various musical influences blend seamlessly together to create a meditative, psychedelic piece of art.” (8/10) — Metal Utopia
“Fylstra is able to convey an atmosphere of naturalness by incorporating shoegaze elements, some industrial sounds, field recordings, guitar work and some ethereal vocals!” — Merchants of Air
“it's clear Folian (David Fylstra) knows how to create the sound” — Deaf Sparrow