Toxic Web: “I” EP – Darkwave & Dark Ambient Debut (2013)

October 4, 2013

Toxic Web: The Debut EP “I”

Overlook Hotel Records presents the debut EP from the electronic project Toxic Web, released October 4, 2013.

Overlook Hotel Records is proud to announce the release of catalog item R237-007: Toxic Web – “I”. This 4-track collection explores the darker side of electronic music, categorized as a blend of Darkwave and Dark Ambient soundscapes.

The project features the “fiendish and beautiful” vocal work of Deanna Quijada, supported by the synth wizardry of Jason Whitcomb and the rhythm section of Kevin Hartnell. The sound is often described as a mix of Darkwave and Dark Ambient, with vocals that channel the spirits of Kate Bush, Yma Sumac, and Nina Hagen.

Stream the EP

The EP is available for streaming or download.

Interview: Deanna Quijada

“Where do you get your ideas from?”

Where do you get your ideas?
Deanna Quijada
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Interview
https://overlookhotelrecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Toxic-Web-Interviews-Deanna-Quijada.mp3

“Sometimes I know what a song means to me personally, and sometimes I just have a feeling about it. And where the stuff comes from, I don’t know. Well, I will say that sometimes I have an image of my muse as being a beautiful woman who’s leading me by the hand down a very dangerous looking back alley in some weird, twisted city.

And I like to think I’m brave enough to just follow her anywhere. And most of the time I feel I am, and I’ll just go for it, because it’s nice to give yourself that freedom and not judge things too harshly while you’re creating them.

I’d say that most of it is an emotional exploration of some mental state and it can take different forms and it can take different stories and it doesn’t have to be autobiographical. It is, but I’m just walking down that weird alley, checking it out, going, wow, this is different.”

Tracklist & Credits

Tracklist:

Toxic Web (04:24)
Sunfalls (04:06)
My Hands Are Blue (03:05)
Cold Grey Eyes (03:26)

Album Credits:

Deanna Quijada: Vocals
Jason Whitcomb: Vocals, Synths, Drum Programming
Kevin Hartnell: Drums, Bass, Guitars, Synths, Drum Programming
Ty Whitcomb: Guitar on “Sunfalls”

Produced by Kevin Hartnell & Toxic Web. Mixed by Kevin Hartnell and mastered by Hector the Rat at the Overlook Hotel. Cover Art Centerpiece by Guill Quijada.

Lyrics

1. Toxic Web

Pretty eyes / By the fire light / In a veil of smoke / They won’t tell me lies
Bite your lip / Bite your tongue / Find a spine if you know one

In the toxic web / Where’s your head / Where’s the truth
All the words you have spoken
Like a fire burnin’ / They fall around on the floor
Where you stumble upon them / I stumble upon them

I act like a fool around you / So I gave up / And look at you without me
Close enough / In my own mind / I make impulsive love
Come get it / Or turn away this time / In the end it’s all fine

Black laced eyes / Filled with tears can’t control them
Bite your lip / Bite your tongue / Find a spine if you know one
In the toxic web / Where’s your head / Where’s the truth
All the words you have spoken
Burnin’ in my head / They fall around on the floor
Where you stumble upon them / I stumble upon them
Hot coals I walk on
Once again friend / Once again fire / Once again / Again / Again

2. Sunfalls

Sounds that hang above me / You’re sharing them with me
The things that you’re saying / Couldn’t mean much more to me
The absence surrounds me / I’ve nothing more to say
So come here and adore me / I wouldn’t have it any other way

Out here where the sun falls / And the sky drips endlessly down
I’ll take you before me / And make it heaven
(Repeat Chorus)

Every day with masses / I feel you in my life
With all this disaster / I’m glad that it’s all mine
I reach for your acceptance / I’m begging you to say
The things you said before me / In a special kind of way

Out here where the sun falls / And the sky drips endlessly down
I’ll take you before me / And make it heaven
(Repeat Chorus)

3. My Hands Are Blue

My hands are blue / My hands are blue

Angels are falling down / Battered and bruised
And when doors open in / Say “My God, look at you”
Look at you

Don’t tell me a lie / I won’t be alright
My hands are blue / As cold as you

4. Cold Grey Eyes

(Instrumental)

Music, Interview, News, Releases

Kevin Hartnell: “Umbra” – Dark Ambient Album (1999/2013 Re-issue)

April 16, 2013

Kevin Hartnell: “Umbra” (Dark Ambient)

Overlook Hotel Records presents the re-issue of the 1999 Dark Ambient classic “Umbra,” originally released on MP3.com.

I have just re-issued my Umbra project from Overlook Hotel Records. This collection of ambient and dark ambient compositions was born back in the late 90’s and was greatly inspired by my love of horror and science fiction film scores.

Unlike my rock projects, there are no drums on this release. Some of the music may make you feel calm and relaxed, while other tracks, like “The Pear in the Garden” or “Rue Lake,” may simply give you the creeps.

Chart Success on MP3.com

Long before modern streaming, this project found a massive audience on the original MP3.com platform.

On December 22, 2000, the opening track “Charon’s Journey” hit #1 on the MP3.com Dark Ambient / Noise Charts, topping a list of global independent artists. It remains one of my most widely distributed tracks, having been licensed for film and appearing in strange places all over the web.

Stream the Album

The album is available for free streaming or download. I have also released The Dusk Single, which features two popular ambient tracks that include rare percussion elements.

Tracklist