OAKLAND—The heavy shoegaze boom shows no signs of slowing down. But while younger bands rush to clone Deftones riffs, Oakland musician Daniel Phounsavan likes to take his sweet time. Fans rejoiced today as Held announce new EP Star Falling, marking their first release in seven long years. The news left the underground community wondering how a solo artist spends nearly a decade preparing a four-track record.
1. Adjusting the pedalboard layout
Phounsavan reportedly spent three years rearranging eighteen delay pedals on a piece of plywood. He used a level tool to ensure perfect symmetry. This process did not involve plugging any of the pedals into an amplifier.
2. Staring at the floor to test neck endurance
Shoegaze requires a very specific physical posture. "Our research shows that looking at your own shoes for 45 minutes straight requires immense trapezius strength," said Dr. Helene Vasquez-Thorne, Lead Researcher at the Center for Studies That Confirm What You Already Suspected. Phounsavan allegedly spent 2018 through 2020 building up this vital neck stamina.
3. Waiting for the perfect vacuum tube to decay
As Held announce new EP Star Falling, insiders reveal the delay was partly due to hardware. Phounsavan refused to record until his vintage Marshall amplifier developed a highly specific, slightly damp smell. He achieved this by leaving the amp in a foggy Oakland basement next to a pile of wet laundry.
4. Finding the exact frequency that makes dogs sigh
The new single "Standby" features layers of dense, beautiful guitar textures. Sources close to the project claim Phounsavan spent eighteen months EQ-ing a single guitar track. He wanted to find the exact midrange frequency that makes household pets feel mildly disappointed in their owners.
5. Forgetting where the studio keys were
The most crucial step of the seven-year gap involved a lost keychain. Phounsavan reportedly spent the final two years of the hiatus looking under couch cushions. He eventually found the keys inside the battery compartment of a Boss HM-2 pedal, allowing him to finally let Held announce new EP Star Falling to the public.
