Recorded at The National Music Centre and at Calgary Recording Company, the albums were mixed by Sylvia Massy (Prince, Kate Bush), Mark Lawson (Arcade Fire, Owen Pallett) and Beatchild (Drake, Shad).
The two-part Fallen Woman showcases Selci’s dynamic vocal range and her broad palette as a producer. Part I features a more electro, alt-pop focus, while part II, due in the autumn of 2022, is its electro-acoustic counterpart.
Fallen Woman I is an electronic patchwork that blends ambient electronica with 90’s house and trip hop. The stylized arrangements are augmented with vintage synths and complex drum programming.
Regarding the album series, Selci stated, “‘Fallen Woman’ is a reflection on modern day relationships. It’s a breakup record where I reflect on my changing views of what a relationship should be. With honesty I want to celebrate people’s willingness to be open, to leaving behind the taboos and societal expectations that have been limiting for women, and non-cisgender people, since there has been a ‘society’.”
Selci believes it was her approach to ‘empathetic sound design’ that helped her build a world to honor ‘Fallen Woman’ of the ages. Part I is a radically passionate submission to love and lust, powered by heavy use of synths, programmed drums and hardware effects. While on part II, Selci enters a gentler electroacoustic approach to production. With the gently swirling sounds of pedal steel, double bass, strings and soft synths, we are processed into an emotive dreamland.
Selci has been collaborating and mentoring with Massy since Effervescence, in 2019. This valuable experience has been monumental in her journey as an engineer and producer in this male dominated field. Selci also works live sound and A/V at The National Music Center and The King Eddy, and engineers at The Calgary Philharmonic, among others.
Selci is a music video producer/director representing her recently launched production company Tart Media. Her experience as a classically trained singer, live audio technician and music video producer provides her with a diverse array of sonic and visual tools, evident in each release.
Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
From a very young age all I wanted to do was sing, it seemed to be the only thing I truly wanted to do. With the intent of mastering my singing I did a degree in Classical Voice. Since I had no intention of being an opera singer, I discovered experimental music. I started to learn to make some really janky live electronic set ups. I was really cut off from the technical world being a vocalist all those years. I yearned to have an understanding of sound on a deeper level so I spent a frigid Winnipeg winter studying synthesis, mixing and basic production to start. Then started to seek mentorship and ongoing independent study.
As a kid singing was always the girl’s thing to do, boys played instruments and knew about the technical stuff. I found I had so many internal biases built into my own brain because the audio world was (and is) so male dominated. It started as a genuine interest in audio and it became an exploration of my limitations. I needed to prove to myself that I could do it because it felt so unattainable for some reason. It pushed me past my mental blockages. Past the point where you tell yourself- I can’t do this, or I’m not smart enough, or everyone else knows more than me. It even became a catalyst to explore my gender identity on a deeper level because I was feeling new parts of myself opening up.
Now I identify more as a producer with my main instrument as my voice. Outside of my music as Selci, a majority of my work is in the audio world. I love doing live sound and am learning to engineer and produce records. Right now I work as a tech at The National Music Centre and am the recording assistant for The Calgary Philharmonic.
With all my rambling aside- this album Fallen Woman was my biggest commitment to songwriting and composition. I pushed myself vocally and landed in a super fulfilling place. I am super proud of my production and the detail that went in. The lyrical and symbolic landscape has also been a fascinating exploration.
What should a song or piece of art communicate in your opinion?
Whatever the artist wants it to communicate. It could be a song about a tragic breakup, internal struggle, a loss, a pick up truck or a piece of memorabilia. It could literally be about sandwiches and still be a great song.
Who were your top 3 artists last year?
I’m giving you 5… is that ok? Shygirl, Grouper, Perfume Genius, Sega Bodega, Mazzy Star!
What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired?
Water the plants, reorganize my spaces, walk Daisy, feed the fish, play the piano.
Tell us about Fallen Woman and how it came about?
Conceptually, the album came about from a pattern of bad breakups and hookups through my life. I started writing all these songs questioning dynamics in traditional relationships and pondering how it was hurting me. Studying classical music sparked my fascination (and distaste) with the Victorian era, so I started to look back into the customs at the time. The limitations placed on women and queer folks at that time were violent. I thought about how those stringent expectations are still relevant now for anyone who deviates slightly from the norm of sexuality or gender identity.
I found the term Fallen Woman in my studies about Victorian relationships and it was undeniably perfect. Fallen Woman was a common (albeit archaic) term of that placed shame on any woman caught in ‘immoral’ acts, especially provocative in nature. Initially I had a different concept name, something ridiculous and extra like “Post-modern Victorian Feminist Dadaism’ haha. The vision was to explore, embody, and destroy the concept of a Victorian woman. To glorify the Fallen Woman by freely expressing sexual freedom, gender identity and relationship preferences. But also honouring her and relating to the emotional peril.
As I continued to write and produce the record there were two distinct sounds that emerged. Fallen Woman One being all electronically driven, lots of programmed drums with a more of a pop-leaning aesthetic. The second was electroacoustic- blending synths with acoustic instruments like pedal steel and upright bass. The project split perfectly into 8 songs each and it was a really natural decision. One which represents ‘low art’, pop aesthetic, hot girls, and dance beats. The other, more refined and experimental with surrealist and rustic imagery, dreamy sonic layering and experimentation. An ode to Fallen Women of the past, when everything was so hidden. A rejection of traditional relationship norms. And an embrace and celebration of diverse relationship styles.
What are your 2022 projects and goals?
I am releasing a double album with part one coming in March and part two in Sept, so my main goal is to keep getting the music out there. I’ve been doing lots of creative videos and shoots to prepare. Production and editing is happening constantly. I just launched my music video production company Tart Media Collective. We have some fun projects lined up for this year with some Calgary locals. Lastly, I am planning to move to Toronto which is a big one!
What is something you would want to change in the music and entertainment industry?
If large corporations like Spotify would prioritize the livelihood of artists. Having more money funnelled back to each artist per play so there is potential for the average artist (not Kanye, Ariana etc.) to make a little bit of income from the platform. In some ways streaming mended the illegal downloading era but now it’s so easy to listen to music without purchasing it or connecting with the artist. People instead purchase subscriptions which pay artists extremely little per play. There has got to be another way to create an income stream that supports the livelihoods of artists on a global scale. You shouldn’t need a business major to make a living as a musician.
Can you outline your creative process?
It’s like one of those splatter paintings there you just throw paints at a canvas from across the room.
Who inspires your style and aesthetics?
Romantic paintings, rococo, surrealism, hidden symbolism,
vintage photography,
What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?
Working beside one of my heroes in the audio world, Sylvia Massy. We were in her studio in Oregon mixing my first EP together. She told me I was doing really well and on the right path as a producer. This meant the world to me especially at the time. We have continued to work together over the years and I consider her a friend and mentor.
What do you think an artist should sing about nowadays?
Whatever makes them happy or whatever they want to sing about. Music is meant to move people in so many different ways. I am all for a powerful activist anthem or lyrics that make you think deeply. But I also like music for the sake of itself or celebration and dancing!
Do you have any regrets?
I have a stick and poke tattoo on my leg that says no ragrets. I don’t regret it though…
What is some piece of advice you would give to yourself right now?
Be strong.
