Ian Bouras is a long way from his days as guitarist/songwriter for the New York City rock/reggae band AñaVañA. His star was rising fast in the early 2000’s NYC independent/alternative scene but unexpected events irrevocably changed the trajectory of his life. Bouras’ diagnosis with a rare neurological condition called Ataxia compelled him to rethink how he played his instrument.
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It has paid off creatively. Bouras’ music transformed into something alien yet familiar and his guitar now carried elongated melodies seemingly plucked from the ether. His heavy use of guitar effects isn’t needless gloss. It invests his melodies with an appropriate amount of atmospherics without any overwrought dramatics and the artistic control necessary to pull that off is mightily impressive. It is clear Ataxia’s effects are physical; there’s no loss of artistic control.
His new single “The Accidental Artist” is the latest example of his method. This track came to be with the PVD International Looping Festival in mind and plays to some of Bouras’ greatest strengths. His penchant for utilizing effects such as looping and more standard fare like echo and reverb flavors his work with a taste unlike any other player today. It is a testament to his abiding musical vision that such an unusual approach to soundscapes nonetheless draws listeners into its web.
The structuring of the composition is revealing of his artistic process. Bouras puts down the initial melodic motif and builds from there while there are definable “movements” throughout the song. The transitions from one to the next are seamless. His production for the release only has a single instrument to capture but does so quite well. The warmth and resonance achieved by Bouras’ two guitars makes this an inviting listen.
He makes the switch between instruments far into the track. It doesn’t disrupt the flow of the performance at all and keen-eared listeners will note distinctions between each guitar. His video for the track boasts the same economy and lean focus. Bouras isn’t the sort of artist who readily succumbs to self-indulgence; everything he does has a purpose. His songwriting here and elsewhere is a compelling mix of conscious and unconscious artistry.
The consciousness is heard in its overall arch. There is an obvious dream-like ambiance lingering throughout the track derived from his compositional method and use of effects. The latter never burdens “The Accidental Artist” with the sort of heavy-handed artistic intentions other performers harbor. He allows his imagination free rein, however, and the effervescent creativity percolating throughout the release makes it one of the most rewarding instrumental experiences in recent memory.
We need this sort of unfettered creativity in our musical world. Ian Bouras’ music doesn’t confine itself to narrow boundaries or genre formulas and, instead, allows himself to follow his muse wherever it leads. “The Accidental Artist” sparkles with instrumental eloquence throughout and leaves a long-term impact on listeners. Ian Bouras is clearly far from an exhausted creative force and we can expect that we’ll hear more from him in the near future.
Chadwick Easton