An Interview with Silhouette Monroe

A new single from Silhouette Monroe brings out a lush blend of alternative and dream pop that comes together in a massively cinematic soundscape that pulls you in and lets you get engulfed by everything happening.

"Flames As Witnesses" is a track that starts with this great, almost synth wave approach, utilizing classic synthesizer tones, so right off the bat, you're getting drawn in by this classic, almost vintage synth escapism, and I love that vast undertone that it creates right from the get-go.

One of the things that hits the most about this track is how it builds up to where it's going. You just get surrounded by everything, and this is a track that feels so flowing and hits with this hint of edginess lurking just beneath the surface.

Again, to me, this was very cinematic, and it has a lot to do with the overall tonality of the track itself and how it expands while still keeping that depth the entire time.

The vocals are awesome here because they are harmonizing almost the entire time, and the harmonies that they produce are part of what makes the song feel a little bit edgy, but some could take it as almost sullen.

You can clearly tell that there is some emotional drive and backbone behind this track and that it certainly feels like it came from some authentic place.

This single had a graceful performance both musically and vocally. 

I definitely dig how the vocals are tracked. There are always two or maybe even three vocal tracks happening throughout this song, and those add so many layers and this sort of beautiful texture to the track that ends up taking over.

The beat is sort of vintage to me. It sounds like an '80s pop-style beat which goes right along with those synthesizers you hear at the intro of the track.

You can hear a slew of influences throughout this track but there's definitely a lot of classic stuff involved and some old school synth-driven cinematic film music that was part of the inspiration for a song like this. Or, at least to me, it feels that way.

As the track unfolds, different key and synth sounds come into play with the same riff, and that's a classic move, but it works perfectly here, and just the combination of old and new school approaches works wonders.

This was a very full-bodied type of song, although it does feel almost minimalist in a sense.

The focus is on the lyrics, the vocals, and the overall expansive underbelly that this thing produces, and when you listen to it with headphones on, the whole thing swims around in the air surrounding you.

As I mentioned earlier, this is an engulfing track, and it doesn't take very long for you to get taken over by that soundscape.

It's also the type of song that may have a certain meaning for different listeners. I feel like everyone might take this a little differently, but for me, it had this brilliant edginess that I got locked into.

As I said, it's like a cross of dream and alternative pop, old and new approaches, and it's got something genuine about it that draws you in.

There's also this air of mystery the track produces, which brings me back to the whole cinematic thing once again.

That part is hard to explain, but there is an almost ghostly noir undertone at this boasts, and you have to listen to it to really understand that, but it's something that defines the song thematically in a sense.

You can tell that this was constructed with care and that there was plenty of attention to detail when it was built, but it never loses this sort of personality throughout the entire thing, and this may be the most important aspect of it all.

Personally, I find this to be a bit brilliant just because it was able to capture my attention so incredibly well and really keep me enveloped in the soundscape that it produces, creating an atmosphere that was all its own, and that is important.

A graceful, charismatic, slightly haunting, and beautifully flowing track, definitely take a listen to "Flames As Witnesses" to see where it takes your mind.

That's the fun of a song like this one. These kinds of tracks take you on a bit of an escape and when the song is over you have to snap yourself back to reality once again.

This, to me, is like a gift.

At any rate, check this out, and again, do it with headphones because it's absolutely, hands down, one of the best ways to soak in everything that's happening in this track.

With the release of such a deepening track, we wanted to chat with songwriter and producer Conner Marvin about the project and single.

Here is what happened.

Buzz Slayers: Let's talk about "Flames As Witness"! This was such a great blend of smooth alt-pop with elements of vintage-pop influence! Where did this track come from?

This track came from a pretty dark place. My hometown was destroyed in the LA fires, and in the middle of that destruction, I felt the urge to create something lasting. That’s where this song came from — out of the ashes, literally. 

Buzz Slayers: I'm hearing a few different approaches to this song! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

Definitely Kurt Cobain, The Weeknd and Lil Peep.

Buzz Slayers: When did this all start for you as an artist?

I’d say this started my whole life ago. But I became fully committed around 7 or 8 months back - since then, it’s been nonstop. 

Buzz Slayers: Are you performing live right now? Any touring in support of this release?

No not at the moment. I’m waiting for the right time to reveal myself on stage.

Buzz Slayers: Did you record this in a home studio setup, or did you go to a big studio for this?

I recorded it in my home studio. More time to experiment.

Buzz Slayers: Now that this is out, what's next for you as an artist?

I’m in the middle of a full rollout. The lyric video just dropped tonight on YouTube, and another release is coming in two weeks. I’m keeping it consistent and calculated.

Buzz Slayers: Who's in your headphones right now?

The Weeknd. Tory Lanez. Playboi Carti.

Buzz Slayers: This was a pretty big track! Was it a big undertaking? How long did it take to finish this?

It took about a month from start to finish. I kept refining every layer until it felt right — I don’t release anything I’m not fully proud of.

Buzz Slayers: What would you tell people they can expect on this release?

Expect to feel everything burn to ash. And finally understand what's actually left when everything else has disappeared.

Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music? 

When no one is left around to grieve - just start singing anyways.

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