Subversive
Description
Subversive came from the mind of musician Marcus Amaker, poet laureate of Charleston, SC. Marcus set out to make a project that was inspired by words that were present in his life during the COVID shutdown: Isolation, escapism, improvisation and space. He was also inspired by the work of Moor Mother, whose afro-futurist projects provided a blueprint for the analog soundscape of the record. He produced Subversive himself using a MOOG DFAM, an OP-1 and other instruments. The film was masterfully produced by Jai-Anna Carter and Jordan Benton. A spoken word cover of Metallica’s “frantic” ends the record.
Artist Statement
I’ve always been inspired by abstract musicians; artists who make challenging work that offers many layers of interpretation. I wanted to challenge myself to do something with that energy. Something that wasn’t based in trauma. And something that was both meaningful and mysterious.
The music came fast, but the project was amplified by collaboration: Jai-Anna Carter and Jordan Benton used their talent to add new meaning to the songs. To this date, this is the project I’m most proud of. Black artists being unconventional, offbeat, symbolic and groovy.
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