Effigies by Verbo Pluriel

NFTs show properties not unlike vinyl, a format well-suited to ensure high value retention for recorded music. Because NFTs can be minted in limited quantities they can replicate the powerful scarcity model of vinyl. This is how blockchain brings a new paradigm for recorded digital music : downloads don’t have to be worthless anymore as they can now benefit from secondary market valuation. A big win that finally puts the value into the hands of digital music collectors.

Enablement doesn’t stop there : with a piece from the collection, holders can stream the music directly from their wallet or browser and access high quality downloads. In addition, they allow priority minting for every next drop from the collection. Collectors are invited to join Vague Seconde Discord, a place for sharing tunes, mixtapes, production tips, events, get the latest info on the project and share info on NFT trends.

Effigies are made available in limited editions of 99 NFTs per track on Ethereum all the while being readily available on streaming platforms.

The ultimate utility for these NFTs will unlock once the collection is minted out. At that moment, a new function will be introduced : holders of certain completed releases will have the opportunity to burn the NFTs and receive their vinyl equivalent.

Trabem

Synopsis

Oscillating between lights and shadows, each opus of Effigies develops its own narrative. From the everlasting Æterna to the thunderous Zodiac, they show so many nuances that it takes a step back to consider this body of work. Fragments of a story long forgotten, they articulate like the chapters of a philosophical tale where each constitutes a piece of a great fresco.

The whole world is represented here : from the depth of the ocean (Microcosm LP) to the layers of the sky (Troposphere EP), nature plays an essential part in Effigies. In contrast, there is the society of man with its queens and monarchs (Regis Filia Ep) ruling with order (Notre Dame / Hermau Ep) and chaos (Abraxas / Ovale Ep).

Captives of their own blissful misinterpretations (Ministra Aeria Ep) or stuck in crushing limbo (Boiler room Ep), the subjects of this world are blinded by forces they barely understand (Nuba Ep). Yet there is no resolution to expect, only the absolute state of things to contemplate (Æterna Ep).

As we uncover the full picture offered by Effigies, we realize Verbo Pluriel invites us to an inner journey that is a timeless metaphor of the human condition. With only few words to take home for our own conclusions, he nudges our understanding not with verbs but with tones.

Notre Dame

Catalysts

First there is an intention. With overarching themes crossing ancient knowledge and modern tradition, the idea behind Effigies slowly unfolds with each piece bringing its own character to the patchwork. Focusing on progression with a heightened sense of space, Verbo Pluriel’s dub-techno navigates out-of-reach territories, exploring places one can only visit in their own mindspace.

Second is the device. He would only include carefully selected hardware synthesizer and effects into his rig. Tunes would be built live from the ground up, mixed and recorded in one take. He would blend analog waveforms and vinyl samples, creating his own banks and patches, layers of preparation that would ultimately shape his very own sound.

Third is the process. For three years the ritual would take place weekly, each session bringing slight variations or opening up new directions, resulting in dozens of hours of recordings. In retrospect, it was clear his sound evolved over the years but the narrative remained intact. As the pandemic was shutting the world down, he decided to take it slow and started curating the whole thing.

Around the same time he gained interest in blockchain technologies and this music would carry him through long hours of studies and experimentations. Ultimately, he decided to use NFTs as a new vector to not only put out his music but to provide his audience with much more than just tunes.

Every piece of artwork for this series has been designed by Geoffroy “Sadi” de Gorter.

Music mastering by Kirill “Ki.Mi” Kashatskikh.

Mesosphere

Clima Micro