An Unconventional Sound
If you’ve ever pondered what it might sound like if the Blair Witch had a flair for fashion and the skills to produce music using Ableton, look no further than Sematary’s impressive collection of fifteen projects. Since establishing the NorCal collective Haunted Mound in 2019, this 24-year-old rapper and producer has been relentlessly honing his unique blend of metal-infused trap. The releases from Haunted Mound serve as vibrant celebrations for underground rap enthusiasts—a dynamic fusion where Reddit sleuths and goth aficionados delight in bass-driven bravado.
Rising Star
With sold-out shows spanning across Europe and America, Sematary has collaborated with fellow underground talents like Nettspend, xaviersobased, and Che. He even managed to purchase a decommissioned slaughterhouse in rural California, which adds to his intriguing persona. His latest mixtape, Haunt-O-Holixxx, fits seamlessly into the Halloween season, delivering an homage to trap music and horrorcore. The project features beats that hit like an anvil, aggressive DJ tags, and unpredictable 808s, alongside a mix of drug-fueled party anthems, phonk-inspired metal tracks, and eerie witch house ballads.
Inspiration from the Dark Side
In a recent chat, I asked Sematary about the influences behind his work, particularly regarding his fascination with rural decay and dark Americana. He acknowledged a parallel to filmmaker David Lynch, expressing his admiration for Lynch’s exploration of American desolation. “I feel like David Lynch had a similar fascination with the underbelly of perfect America,” he explained. “But now, that dark underbelly is just America; it’s not hidden anymore.”
Escapism in Music
When discussing how these themes influence his music, Sematary noted his deep-seated interest in escapism. “I don’t really enjoy art that isn’t an escape of some kind,” he stated. While acknowledging the importance of social commentary in art, he emphasized a preference for creations that provide an escape from reality. As the world grows increasingly grim, he feels driven to create music that helps listeners persevere.
Noteworthy Samples
Listeners should pay attention to the samples featured in Haunt-O-Holixxx, particularly the flip of the Twin Peaks theme in the track “Laura.” “It doesn’t sound like there are a lot of samples, but there really is,” he explained. Collaborating with Ghost Mountain, they reached out to Wicca Phase [Springs Eternal], who contributed quickly to the project. Sematary expressed pride in incorporating elements from the David Lynch film Blue Velvet, utilizing a string layer from a pivotal scene between Laura Dern and Kyle MacLachlan. “I ripped it out of the movie and made it even spookier,” he shared, “and then built off that.”
The mixtape is rich with various samples, including nods to Memphis rap and even a Type O Negative inclusion, showcasing Sematary’s fearless approach to production.
Source inspired by international fashion publications. Adapted & edited for Maverick.
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