Shortwave

Classically trained multi-instrumentalist Dave Zagar records music under the name Shortwave. He independently released his debut record 'Phased' on January 4th, 2019.

An endeavor born out of the aura of the 2017 solar eclipse, 'Phased' seeks to embody the celestial and ethereal emotions one experiences while gazing at the diverse skyscapes created by the sun and moon. Experimental and atmospheric, yet rhythmic and punchy, the record is an all-instrumental nod to 70s psychedelia and krautrock (a la Neu!, Pink Floyd) with musical cues inspired by art rock and modern classical works (Steve Reich, Radiohead).

A Chicago musician with over a decade of prior involvement in various under-the-radar bands, Zagar sought a new creative approach with Shortwave— one that married his classical expertise and indie rock experience with a newfound love for the electronic, avant-garde side of music.

“The eclipse felt symbolic of change, of trying this new approach to music creation that’s apparently been inside me all along. I’d never used a drum machine before and was just getting into analog synthesizers. It’s as if my perspective shifted as the ‘stars aligned’ for me to make this music.”

For Zagar, music began very early with violin lessons at age four. This segued into music camps, chamber music, orchestras, weddings, and other various performances in the years to follow. Guitars, synths, and drum machines later became revolving tools, but classical elements remained.

The new project started when a friend suggested Zagar bring his Roland TR-707 drum machine to work (where he begrudgingly daylights as a lawyer) and create something to accompany the masses of people expected to watch the eclipse. The 707 never made it to the office with him, but that day he went home and laid down a live track to a video recap. Jumping between drum machine and Juno-60 (synthesizer), he scored the eclipse in real-time and turned the track around in 24-hours as a self-imposed challenge. Zagar was so enamored with this previously untapped style that he turned the concept into a full album. He then composed tracks during the sunrise, sunset, and full moon— all in real-time on his apartment rooftop.

'Phased' explores the idea of calmness existing alongside disruption and panic in daily life. This is accomplished through the use of “slice of life” field recordings, division of tracks into various movements, use of syncopation and polyrhythms, etc. Each track was limited to one primary instrument specifically chosen to reflect the song’s celestial counterpart. And seeking a raw, natural feel to the record, Zagar played each instrument outright, maintaining an improvised looseness to the compositions.

Zagar produced and recorded the record himself, and worked with Jeff Zeigler (The War On Drugs, The Weather Station, Kurt Vile) for sonic treatment and mixing. 'Phased' is available on color vinyl, CD, and all streaming platforms.