ELDRITCH PRIEST

DORMITIVE VIRTUE

Halocline Trance Records

Eldritch Priest, guitar/composer/arranger/soloist.

For the past twenty some years, this Vancouver-based composer, guitarist, author and academia scholar has been building a mind-bending reputation with his books about music. One book was released in 2013 by Bloomsbury and titled, “Boring Formless Nonsense: Experimental Music and the Aesthetics of Failure.”  The more recent “Earworm and Event: Music, Daydreams and Other Imaginary Refrains” was released in 2022 by Duke University Press. Not only does he write about music, he performs it on his guitar.  During this recording, (a ‘live’ presentation at 8East in Vancouver, Canada) he presents music in support of his authored projects.

To explain this recorded event, Eldritch Priest says in his press package:

“I began my training as a jazz guitarist, but very quickly moved away from trying to play idiomatically.  That is, I was very interested in improvisation, yet I never really wanted to play bebop or (as great as he was) sound like Jim Hall.”

Although Priest begins this album with a fuzz pedal projection of his guitar introduction, almost like a rock band might begin a concert, he quickly settles down to an experimental jazz stance.  He plays very much the bravado cowboy standing straddle legged in the middle of a dusty street, about to have a shoot-out, hands poised above the guitar strings like they are holsters.  Somehow, I know he’s got the drop on me,  even before the outcome.

During his doctorate in cultural theory (not music) his guitar became a key musical outlet for him.  Increasingly, he found freedom of expression and emotion by playing his improvisational guitar songs.  That’s when he began composing.  “Autonomic Pulchritude” was created in 2011.  Priest employed a pitch tracking software to parallel his guitar lines with MIDI sounds.  On that excursion, he was practicing.  He later refined his approach for the “Omphaloskepsis” piece that was released as a double LP by Halocline Trance back in 2022.  Still, he didn’t want to be classified as a jazz guitarist?  However, on a tune called “Supposition Engine” he sounds very much like a jazz guitarist as he presents his unusual and beautiful composition.

Eldritch Priest has established a reputation of being Canada’s most intriguing improviser.  His music has a lovely way of dragging you into it, a melodic whirl pool of ideas, imagination and technique.  This solo guitar concert, (recorded ‘live”) challenges you to love and let go.  “Dormitive Virtue” is an album that creates a shock treatment to our senses.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Order the New Book From Making a Scene

Breaking Chains – Navigating the Decentralized Music Industry

Breaking Chains is a groundbreaking guide for independent musicians ready to take control of their careers in the rapidly evolving world of decentralized music. From blockchain-powered royalties to NFTs, DAOs, and smart contracts, this book breaks down complex Web3 concepts into practical strategies that help artists earn more, connect directly with fans, and retain creative freedom. With real-world examples, platform recommendations, and step-by-step guidance, it empowers musicians to bypass traditional gatekeepers and build sustainable careers on their own terms.

More than just a tech manual, Breaking Chains explores the bigger picture—how decentralization can rebuild the music industry’s middle class, strengthen local economies, and transform fans into stakeholders in an artist’s journey. Whether you’re an emerging musician, a veteran indie artist, or a curious fan of the next music revolution, this book is your roadmap to the future of fair, transparent, and community-driven music.

Get your Limited Edition Signed and Numbered (Only 50 copies Available)  Free Shipping Included