"Jimi Hendrix-inspired experimental methods in music composition, as portrayed by Rafiq Bhatia, that led to an Oscar nomination explain how a shaft of light, symbolizing his innovative approach, casts illumination into empty spaces in music."
In a departure from his decade-long meticulous studio work, guitarist Rafiq Bhatia has returned to an instinctual and spontaneous approach with his solo album Environments. Due for release on September 12 on Anti Records, the album showcases fully improvised tracks that capture immediacy and vulnerability, reflecting Bhatia's quest to explore “an intimacy and then a complete unfamiliarity” through sound.
Bhatia's goal with Environments was to make the guitar sound less like a guitar, pushing the boundaries of conventional guitar sound with experimental techniques and effects. One such tool he employed was the Eventide H90 Harmoniser multi-effects pedal, which he visited the factory to provide input on. To achieve his signature "ghost guitar" sound, Bhatia pitches his guitar up into a higher register, plays it through a speaker, and uses a volume pedal to activate reverb.
Bhatia's guitar of choice is a custom Flipperkaster built by Dutch luthier Flip Scipio. The Flipperkaster features a blend knob between two pickups, allowing for continuous blending of the pickup sounds. Bhatia's pedalboard also includes a Klon KTR, a Strymon Iridium amp and guitar cab simulator, and a Z.Vex Fat Fuzz Factory with a 'SUBS' switch to activate low-end rumble.
The Z.Vex Fat Fuzz Factory was chosen over a traditional octave pedal to help make the guitar sound less like a guitar. Bhatia's pedalboard setup allows him to create a sound with reverb and distortion, where the distortion only affects the reverb signal.
Bhatia's ghost guitar sound can be a very spooky feeling, but also a little silly, which was perfect for the movie Everything Everywhere All at Once. His influences include Jimi Hendrix, Madlib, Flying Lotus, A.R. Rahman, and early Wu-Tang records.
Recently, Bhatia composed for the ensemble Alarm Will Sound, along with Afrooj Aftab, Devonte Hynes (Blood Orange), and Daniel Wohl, as part of a series pairing composers with filmmakers. Bhatia views his music as an old garden growing wild, with beautiful and unpredictable things happening, while Environments is a bonsai tree with a hardened shape.
As Environments is set to release, Bhatia is headed out on tour in September and October. The album is a testament to Bhatia's ongoing interest in juxtaposition and expanding how much emotion and storytelling can be conveyed without words.
- Bhatia, during his solo album Environments, sought to make the guitar sound unconventional, experimenting with various effects and techniques.
- To realize his signature "ghost guitar" sound, Bhatia utilized an Eventide H90 Harmoniser multi-effects pedal, a tool he helped customize at the factory.
- Playing his custom Flipperkaster, a guitar crafted by Dutch luthier Flip Scipio, Bhatia manipulates the sound by pitching it up, passing it through a speaker, and employing a volume pedal for reverb.
- Beyond a traditional octave pedal, Bhatia opted for the Z.Vex Fat Fuzz Factory to further distance the guitar sound from its original form.
- Bhatia's diverse musical influences range from Jimi Hendrix and Madlib to Flying Lotus, A.R. Rahman, and early Wu-Tang records.
- Composing for ensembles like Alarm Will Sound, Bhatia sees his music as an unkempt garden, constantly evolving, while Environments is more akin to a carefully sculpted bonsai tree.
- As Environments hits shelves in September, Bhatia is embarking on a tour, showcasing the album's exploration of juxtaposition and the ability to convey emotion and storytelling without relying on words.
