The aht [EP]: Peter Shear meets Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

A little about the inspiration behind the aht [EP]: 

While preparing for artist interviews I'll often hear a song, now where I don't necessarily consider myself a synaesthete but my brain goes there from time to time while looking at the art of others. The aht [EP] is where you'll find musical comparisons to the work of a previous interview guest. So please keep an ear out for the occasional appearance of these musical posts on this blog.

Here is the second installment of the series: Peter Shear meets Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

For this post I chose two of the three paintings that Peter sent along for the post. Mr. Shear's work has a certain spirit throughout. It's hard to describe but I'll attempt in a song comparison....

The song I chose is "Little Moments" by CYHSY. Based in both Philly and Brooklyn, I heard that Alec Ounsworth, the band's singer, writes mostly while commuting to and from Brooklyn, most likely to meet up with his band-mates. Anyway, the song is off the Only Run album that came out in 2014. 

Back to what I hear in Peter's work, and the song: 

Right from the track's opening we have somewhat of a drive...then the muffled, yet gentle beat moves in, almost motionless to a contrast with other instrumentation. Perhaps we could dance? Perhaps we just watch? And maybe we are taken into an 8-bit environment? Peter's paintings seem to move in a similar fashion(s). They could very well act as a soundtrack to a certain kind of video game. Fun, simple, yet sophisticated. Hypnotic, and charging no tokens in order to operate them.

Some people describe the space between notes in songs. I feel/see space in Peter's paintings in the right measure. The space vibrates, yet allows the viewer in enough to interact. One could feasibly take this invitation to move elements around, even though they are fine without us, the painted surface (if only in dreams). Perhaps what I am getting at is that the work tends to be kinetic, with a humorous delivery and destination. And let's not forget the space in-between elements. Did I mention that yet?

Also, something about the title of the song also strikes me being placed along side of the paintings. The works tend to be still shots of things that move so fast. The moments in-between what makes sense and the things that cant be defined. 

Let's be present. Let's not waste time...

Thank you for coming to check out the post. Both CYHSY's music, and Peter Shear's work have stuck with me as pals since I first interviewed Peter some time ago. I hope you enjoy this pairing. Take a look and listen below...   

Two paintings by Peter Shear:

Little Moments by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah:

For more of Peter Shear's work, please visit his website here: Peter Shear

The previously released audio interview with Peter can be found on this blog here: Peter Shear interview  

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah website: CYHSY 

Thank you for looking and listening! 

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