Premiere: MIDNIGHTCHOIR'S "Rising Tide" and Q & A with Patrick Bobilin
New York native and raised electronic producer Patrick Bobilin has been creating music under the moniker MIDNIGHTCHOIR since 2014. MIDNIGHTCHOIR's second album, Loverboy Molotov, marks their first release since the 2016 album, THE CROWN, which was mixed and produced in collaboration with Chicago-based electronic producer Jeremiah Meece.
Since then, Bobilin has ventured into public office, spearheaded community action organizations during the social justice uprisings of 2020, and actively engaged in community organizing. His involvement even led to his arrest on two occasions during the 2020 movement for black lives, while he was organizing protests. The lyrics of the punk-infused new darkwave album, recorded in the early weeks of 2023, reflect Bobilin's experiences in social justice work, including his heated discussions with former mayor de Blasio about policing, which were broadcasted live on radio. Although he has firmly decided to step away from politics, Bobilin was compelled to address the frustrations that served as the basis for his far-left political beliefs. While Bobilin may lean on the 80’s new wave and goth influences, the autobiographical elements of his music reflect his experiences in politics and protest. The politics of the album are far left, with emotional, social, religious, and political concerns peppered throughout."Rising Tide" draws inspiration from the rise of oppressive policies and anti-LGBTQ legislation, akin to previous waves of fascism.
Q & A with Patrick Bobilin
1. What is your opinion on human nature? "People are by nature very good. Any other opinion is an attempt to sell something." 2. In what ways does being involved in counterculture movements reflect in your music and creative process? "It's a reality we all contend with. I aim to turn what drives many people into despair into something motivating and hopeful." 3. What are your thoughts on the relationship between capitalism and individualism and art and community? "By and large, art is an act in an effort to commune with others. Capitalistic individualism occurs in those it would have occurred in regardless of their medium--education, healthcare, or finance. But when we go to dance, we dance with others. When we go to a show, we sing along with others. When we look at art, we look at art along with others." 4. What does your activism look like? "I created a neighborhood mutual aid network on the upper east side which is by its nature anarchist and anti-capitalist with a horizontal hierarchy." 5. How do you nurture your own creativity?
"I express and nurture my creativity by seizing opportunities. A day off? Let's work on a song. Extra free time? Time to read in the park. A funny little melody pops into my head? I should try to turn that into a song."