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Bluebrain is a supercomputer model of the human neural pathway system, built from the ground up. So far it has only successfully modeled a single neuron, but the stylish French scientists involved believe that they will be able to soon produce a program that completely functions like a brain. Now don’t get me wrong, this is awesome, but as far as I can tell, it’s not an artificial intelligence—it’s just going to look like a brain, firing electro bolts and passing info packets and whatever else, in massive and amazing detail. But in the meantime, I have uncovered a simultaneous project, a band also called Bluebrain. Is it possible that they are connected? Yes. Is it plausible that the musicians just got the name from the computer model? Unlikely. Is it likely that the music is somehow emanating from the computer system in some ethereal and mysterious fashion and the scientists have been recording it and don’t know what to make of it but then the computer got a hold of an internet connection and starting making spontaneous press releases?

DEFINITELY.

Supposedly brothers Ryan and Hays Holladay are the real members of Bluebrain. Supposedly they used to be the Epochs, who I have re- and inter-viewed before and we released a special remix of theirs and they are generally amazinjuice. Supposedly they have started a new project that apparently will combine their poppy Jamiroquaisms with a moodier darker Knife-like electronica. Their first show in support of their unreleased new record is this Saturday June 20^th (they’ve played around under the name before as a DJ/remix duo and torn up some sweaty house parties in the meantime), which you can only get into by RSVP. But come on, we wouldn’t do you like that would we? Scroll down to the bottom for the goodies, but first check out their fresh styles and see what they are programmed to say about each track. You know what they are going to say because they are already inside your skull. You really can’t be too careful these days what with all the computers living among us pretending to be people.

1. The Herdsman

This song was originally called ‘Black Milk’. It was a weird title and ultimately didn’t really capture what the song was about: someone making promises, putting minds at ease, corralling a flock. But as you can probably tell from the music, this person shouldn’t be trusted.

2. Cult Following

For as long as Hays and I have been playing music, we’ve shied away from guitar solos. They’ve just never been our thing. But every now and then, a song calls for one and we figure out a way to do it that is still interesting to us. Hays nailed this one, I think. It’s very short but it’s perfect. That said, I’m also proud of my doo-wop background vocals here.

3. Burgers & Fries

While we use a lot of digital recording methods for most of our music, this song was done with no bells and whistles, recorded entirely to tape. Hays played drums, which he would say isn’t his strong point, but it has a sound to it. He has his own feel. Stylistically, this song really doesn’t belong on this EP. But in another more important way, it does. You follow? I mean, we have an album coming out but it really couldn’t go on there. Besides, how many people write songs about food? There’s something both innocent and menacing about writing a peer pressure song about fast food. I’ve contacted Fudruckers about licensing opportunities but have yet to get a call back.

4. Bring Out Your Dead

Hays’ vocals at the end of this song scare the hell out of me, both the lyrics and the performance. I don’t want to keep talking about it as I’ll probably end up peeing my pants it’s so frightening.

5. Ides

Remember when you were about 8 years old, and your friend invited you to his house for a sleep over…the friend whose parents didn’t care much about what time kids went to bed, what amounts of junk food you ate, what music you listened to or what you movies you watched? He was probably the kid who had some sort of illegal fireworks and/or access to pornography. You are probably giddy with excitement because, hey, this is the luckiest kid in the world, he can do whatever he wants, and tonight he’s sharing that freedom with you. And then you’re up late and someone puts on a VHS of Nightmare on Elm Street. And it’s awesome, and dangerous and its titillating. And then. as you’re watching it, you realize this is gonna stick with you for a while, that you aren’t going to be able to sleep with the lights out anymore, that the fate of these characters could very possibly happen to you and that the world is not safe and that nothing will ever be the same again?

This song has nothing to do with that experience but it might as well.

Can synthetic brains threaten you with free association? I guess we’ll find out this weekend.

You can get info on getting into the show here.

You can download the EP here for free and for a limited time so get clickin’.

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