I recently watched Dangerous Days, the extensive—we're talking three hours—documentary about the making of Blade Runner. It seems the experience of being part of the cast and crew was as dark, fraught, and, despite it all, as awe-inspiring as the film itself. There's something of that bittersweet contradiction to Celestial Trax's "Stargate," the title track from a 4-track, fully excellent EP due this February 23rd on Rinse. That's partly because the NY-based, London-born producer's clearly been listening to the music of Blade Runner soundtrack composer Vangelis, but also because of the way Green OVA guest rappers Shady Blaze and Tynethys pit star-lit ambitions against frustrated realities: Who wanna stay broke?/ We all trying to get rich/ They don't give a fuck about you/ Everybody at the chips.
"'Startgate' was one of the first tracks I wrote after moving to New York from London," Celestial Trax told The FADER. "For me, it still captures that feeling of starry-eyed wonder and excitement. The song took a life of its own once I linked with the Sacramento rappers Shady Blaze and Tynethys, and since then it has become synonymous with the hustle and struggles I've endured in the past 12 months." If you're in Austin, Texas this spring, catch Celestial Trax performing at SXSW on March 21st.
Photo credit: Kaitlyn Hamilton
