Ilias September Memory

Ilias, a multi-talented music creator (producer, composer, singer/songwriter), reached out to me a little while ago with his debut album Somewhere in Time. The Algerian-born, Sydney-based musician crafted his debut release over the last 10 years, releasing it earlier this year to positive reviews from a mix of sources.

While the whole album is definitely worth a listen (you can check it out in full on his Bandcamp), we'll touch on feature track "September Memory" today. When Ilias first got in touch, I told him I couldn't remember listening to music similar to this on Indie Shuffle before, perhaps something to do with the incredibly diverse range of influences he references, from the Beach Boys, to Aaliyah, to John Frusciante. Where his strength lies is in his ability to create such beautiful, haunting soundscapes -- often without vocals (or by using vocals as instruments, as he has in "September Memory") -- a by-product of his clearly considerable talent. It's also interesting to hear how he's meshed modern production sounds together with contemporary guitar.

The world is richer for musicians like this, those who don't conform to what everyone else is making, those who create music which challenges and makes you think. Thanks, Ilias.