Synapse: Collaboration seems to play a significant role in your work, notably with artists like Samuel Organ. How do these collaborations influence your creative process, and what do you gain from working with other musicians?

gorse: Sam Organ is a good friend, and I love him. The same goes for many collaborations I am part of. It is phenomenal to create stuff with friends, and/or creative people you respect. I spent many years working on my own vehemently, not wanting anybody else to taint my buzz. But in the last few years the buzz has been repeatedly tainted with wonderful input from wonderful people, and music has become a more magical part of my life than it was before. (It already was very magical, but now it is moreso).

Synapse: How do you navigate the balance between artistic evolution and maintaining continuity with your past work? Do you feel a responsibility to your earlier sound, or is each new project a chance to redefine yourself?

gorse: I used to feel a subconscious sense of responsibility, whether it be to fans of the music or my own sense of cohesive creative output, but I made a conscious effort to buck those ideas and never feel that way again. I am not cut out for that shit. I must create a racket and not worry about what it means, relative to anything else. I just want to make music and enjoy it like I’m a kid again, so that’s what I do nowadays. 

Synapse: Your work often explores complex emotions and narratives. How do you approach translating these intricate feelings into your music, and do you find that certain themes or concepts consistently reappear in your work?

gorse: I try not to be too explicit, or at least, I try not to expect anybody will feel what I’m hoping they will feel from the music I am putting out into the world. As long as I feel deeply about the stuff I do, I think that will translate in its own way to a listener. And yes, I think similar themes recur in my work. I have very few interests.

Synapse: Looking back at your earlier work, how do you feel your music has evolved? What lessons have you learned over the years that have shaped your current artistic direction? 

gorse: It was quite a slow process, but looking back on stuff I made when I was a lot younger, I realize that I didn’t have a clear vision, but I either thought I did or I wanted to. Also I would be very easily influenced by other people’s opinions on what I “should” be doing, or what was cool at the time. But in time I have learned that truly the only way I can approach this discipline is to enjoy the process and let the bigger picture come to me, and not try to force it or make it seem more cerebral than it is. Many people are cut out for different things, but I am realizing more and more that I am simply a big stinker who likes to muck around with his keyboards.

Synapse: Your music often seems to exist in a space between genres, defying easy classification. How do you perceive genre in your work, and do you intentionally strive to transcend traditional musical boundaries?

gorse: Oh I wish I could just do a genre. Just one little nice genre, and then I could tell people that’s what I do, and then people who like that genre could search online and find my music. Oh, to be a genre-doer. But no, I do not intentionally strive to transcend genres. I just do what I do, and sometimes I wish it was better. 

Synapse: What do you hope listeners take away from this new album? Are there any specific messages or emotions you want to resonate with your audience?

gorse: I can’t very easily put it into words, which I guess is why I put it into music. I hope people enjoy to listen to it, and feel something during the process. Also if you have a little dance in the living room, that’s a bonus.