Divide and Dissolve Announce ‘Denial (Bearcat Remix)’ | Final Installment Of The ‘Gas Lit’ Remix Ep Out Today On Invada
The heavy multidimensional duo Divide and Dissolve share a remix of ‘Gas Lit’ album track ‘Denial’ by London born, U.S based artist BEARCAT.
‘Denial (Bearcat remix)’ appears on the ‘Gas Lit’ remix EP release which is officially out today via Invada Records, and features the previously announced remixes from Chelsea Wolfe and Moor Mother.
This song is a remix between Divide and Dissolve and BEARCAT. This song envisions a Black and Indigenous future. Where we exist in our entirety. A decolonial future where Black, Indigenous people, people of colour experience freedom and liberation. This is a manifestation of our existence and an acknowledgment of the past present and future. A place where white supremacy does not exist.
DJ/producer and self-described “dancefloor therapist,” BEARCAT aims to permeate healing through music as she in turn heals herself throughout her practice, a lifelong mission as a survivor with complex trauma and ptsd. BEARCAT’s sound consists of uncompromising rhythm and bass blended with equal parts noise and chaos. For this remix of Divide and Dissolve’s ‘Denial’ BEARCAT edited the original stems and built the rest of the song using kits from native instruments.
Commenting on remixing this particular track ‘Denial’, BEARCAT says, “The sax really screamed to me, really obsessed with how Takaiya can make an instrument sound like a vocal and other instruments. The title had a big part in my choice too, denial plays a huge part in the functionality of white supremacy. I also think we are all in denial to some degree functioning under capitalism with any consciousness you’d kind of have to have to get through the days.”
BEARCAT continues, “D//D unapologetically asks that you destroy white supremacy. For me these days it’s not enough to just “not be racist”. In my eyes if you’re a white person you have to actively be undoing the work and that means being anti racist and being vocal about it too. I’m drawn to that level of fearlessness because there are a lot of consequences when it comes to doing anti racist work, especially in the music industry. There is a lot to be said about the strength their sound gives me. It is something I would compare to an adrenaline rush. There is such a rich and luxurious quality to the sound that’s also has the ability to pluck away at my heart strings and gut. There is really not much more I could ask for from a band.”
BEARCAT rounds out the supreme trifecta of this collaborative project between Divide and Dissolve and likeminded artists. Chelsea Wolfe and Moor Mother’s reworks precede today’s Remix EP release. Both artists provide lyrical content with their reimagined works, something barely heard on Divide and Dissolve’s dynamic multidimensional music. These lyrical elements blend in collaboration, a sonic strategy that aims to relieve the social plight that each artist feels so passionately about.
Released in June, Chelsea Wolfe’s remix of ‘Far From Ideal’ surprised fans by layering her captivating vocals, in which she comments:
“I envisioned Takiaya and Sylvie onstage as elemental forces that can’t be denied, empowering others with their music and presence, and their message to destroy white supremacy. “Scarlet threads” refers to biblical blood – “entire nations built & forged in cruelty” acknowledges the horrors of colonization, genocide, and forced Christianity on Indigenous peoples. The part after that is head held high, a “fuck you” to those who feel that there is any semblance of that being ok. I was overjoyed with the powerful video Amber Beaton created for this.” – Chelsea Wolfe
Divide and Dissolve feel equally passionate about Wolfe’s work, saying, “This remix envisions an Indigenous future. A decolonial future where Black, Indigenous people, people of colour experience freedom and liberation.” Amber Beaton, the indigenous music video director who brought the collaboration between Divide and Dissolve and Wolfe to the screen, says, “My main goal was to match the energy both artists brought but to also turn it into a love letter to indigenous women, particularly Māori women who are still feeling the effects of colonization and forced religion today.”
Moor Mother’s (Camae Ayewa) remix of ‘Mental Gymnastics’ speaks to the power of artists coming together and fighting for change. “I like Divide and Dissolve because they speak out about issues that are dear to me and they are a part of my sound community so it’s my duty.”
Divide and Dissolve share equal enthusiasm, saying, “Moor Mother’s work represents a future where we are alive and well.”
The remix is visualized by beautiful extreme macro footage from the Qatari-American artist, writer and filmmaker Sophia Al-Maria, who says, “There’s something about the cadence and the rhythm of Moor Mother’s recitation that makes it feel like many little approaches. Like a mystery that is revealed. I had an encounter with this vase of lilies and a spider who lives with them. The light was right and the pollen was heavy and it was sort of malevolently erotic and it finally felt like it might be thing for the track.”
“Collaborating with all of these artists resonates like a dream to us.” says Divide and Dissolve of the ‘Gas Lit’ Remix EP.
In further news, Divide and Dissolve have been announced to play Roadburn Festival in April 2022, further details here.
Headline photo: Jaimie Wdziekonski
Divide and Dissolve Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
Invada Records Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Bandcamp / YouTube
