[Editor’s note: RIP Dunes, a new project led by Matthew Iwanusa, released its self-titled debut on March 1st, 2024. The singer-songwriter is best known for fronting NYC band Caveman, which has received critical acclaim from publications such as NPR and Stereogum and shared stages with bands such as The War On Drugs, Jeff Tweedy, Built to Spill and Frightened Rabbit. With RIP Dunes, Iwanusa draws on influences such as Echo and the Bunnymen, The Church, and The Cure.
Below Iwanusa writes about how picking up a 12-string acoustic guitar influenced his songwriting in a new and exciting direction.]
I find myself drawn to the expressive potential of two seemingly disparate instruments: the 12-string acoustic guitar and the analog synthesizer. While one basks in the warm glow of tradition and the other revels in the ever-evolving realm of electronic manipulation, I believe they share a unique synergy, weaving a rich tapestry of timbre and texture within our musical tapestry.
The 12-string acoustic guitar, with its chorus of chiming strings, evokes a sense of nostalgia and organic richness. Its sound resonates with the history of folk and rock music, carrying a legacy of storytelling and emotional resonance. In my music, the 12-string serves as the foundation, its full-bodied voicings providing a bed of warmth and texture. It is the campfire around which my sonic explorations gather, the anchor that tethers me to the earth even as I reach for the stars.
The analog synthesizer, on the other hand, pulsates with the energy of boundless possibility. Its voltage-controlled oscillators and filters generate a vast spectrum of sounds, from the ethereal hum of distant galaxies to the pulsating bass lines of a cyberpunk dreamscape. In my music, the synth acts as a colorist, adding washes of otherworldly texture and unexpected sonic details. It is the brush that paints vivid strokes across the canvas, the voice that whispers secrets from the future.
But the magic lies not in their individualities, but in the way they converse and complement each other. The 12-string’s natural chorus finds a sympathetic partner in the synth’s ability to generate complex harmonic tapestries. The warmth of the acoustic wood balances the digital sheen of the synthesizer, creating a soundscape that is both inviting and intriguing.
Furthermore, both instruments share an inherent capacity for expressiveness. The nuanced touch of the guitarist’s fingers translates into dynamic swells and subtle timbral shifts, while the manipulation of the synth’s knobs and controls allows for a real-time sculpting of sound. This shared language of expression allows us to create moments of both intimacy and sonic grandeur, weaving a narrative that transcends the limitations of genre.
My music is not merely a juxtaposition of acoustic warmth and electronic coolness; it is a marriage of tradition and innovation, a testament to the boundless potential of sound. The 12-string acoustic guitar and the analog synthesizer, in their harmonious interplay, become more than just instruments; they become partners in a sonic conversation, pushing the boundaries of our creativity and inviting the listener on a journey of discovery.
As RIP Dunes, I am forever drawn to the possibilities that lie at the intersection of the familiar and the uncharted. In the vibrant dance between the 12-string acoustic guitar and the analog synthesizer, we find a space where tradition and innovation intertwine, where the warmth of the past illuminates the path towards a sonically vibrant future.
Matthew Iwanusa
Contributor
Matthew is best known as a the frontman of NYC-based band Caveman. He also started a new project RIP Dunes, which released its self-titled debut album March 1, 2024.
