NEON PATTERN SUNDIAL SHARES DEBUT EP ‘ONE MOMENT NEVER MEANT A THING’
'Some gorgeous, rich, and layered production on this one' - Zan Rowe, Double J
'A poignant one from Ben that gives itself to you.' - Declan Byrne, Triple J
'A dreamy escapade that feels perfect to remedy the seasonal blues' - Aupium
'The expressive lyricism and melodic explorations of ‘Winter’ will have you very very ready for One Moment Never Meant A Thing’ - Livewire AU
Today, Melbourne's NEON PATTERN SUNDIAL shares the eagerly awaited debut EP One Moment Never Meant A Thing. Sonically diverse and rich in eclectic sounds and textures, the EP contrasts sparkling energy with meditative ambiance, showcasing colourful and thoughtful alt-pop which is both transportive and introspective. Working with producer Marc Scollo (Jimmy Harwood), the EP was recorded and produced over a period of 18 months in Scollo's home studio, enlisting the help of many friends including Alex Siderov (Orange Orange) and Bek Nafiz (The Rollercanes, Lemon Daze), before final mastering by Lachlan Carrick (A.B. Original, Ainslie Wills, Eilish Gilligan).
On the EP, Ben Rizio of NEON PATTERN SUNDIAL shares; 'I’d been thinking about this project and it’s debut release for about 5 years before I started it. During school and when I was in my old band (Echo Mono), I was keen to start a side-project that would be a little more true to my taste. Though when I finally had the time to really delve into it, everything I made fell short of my expectations. I cast a lot of doubt on myself and almost wanted to quit music entirely.'
With a trip to Japan in 2019 reviving Ben's enthusiasm, what began as a side-project flourished into his primary work, reflecting what he wanted to say through his music in a genuine and authentic way. He continues; 'I went through this really low period, that overlapped and influenced a lot of the initial writing. Once I’d finally come out the other side, I had this naive idea that I basically had it ‘all worked out’. But of course, the feeling would come back in small waves after that, reminding me that I still have a lot of growth to go through. That’s what this EP is to me. It’s the experiences of self-doubt and self-assurance we have while we grow and ultimately try to become better, happier people. It acts as a time capsule for the past few years of my life, specifically my own growth through that time. It’s been one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling things I’ve ever done.'
One Moment Never Meant A Thing
Out Now
1. All In Your Stride
2. Wendouree
3. Hope You Try
4. trpl (Interlude)
5. Winter
The release of One Moment Never Meant A Thing marks a culmination of the last few years, honing in on his skills while experimenting with new sounds and textures. Broadly reaching beyond the confines of any single genre, the EP features the glistening and vibrant introduction ‘All In Your Stride’, the infectious psych-tinged sounds of ‘Wendouree’, the melancholic, restrained bedroom pop of ‘Hope You Try’, the glitchy electronica of ‘trpl (Interlude)’, and the expansive soundscapes of ‘Winter' (with added visuals from Juliet Bryant).
NEON PATTERN SUNDIAL is the semi-collaborative project of Melbourne songwriter and producer Ben Rizio. From high school alternative band Echo Mono to forays into experimental SoundCloud electronica, Ben has been quietly prolific, shaping the direction of NEON PATTERN SUNDIAL through a combination of collaboration, solo endeavours and experimentation. Largely written independently by Ben, personal reflection and introspection are integral to his creative process, with the songs flourishing into a collaborative effort through the recording and production stages.
While channeling past experiences, further inspiration for the project is drawn from the guitar-laden electronic pop of The Japanese House, the intricate eclecticism of Hippo Campus and the textural electronica of Jon Hopkins. With tracks beginning as lo-fi bedroom demos before blooming into lush, multi-layered productions, Ben’s distinctive pop sensibility is subverted through unconventional structures that drive the sonic direction into unexpected territory. Underscoring this are effortlessly bright melodies, allowing to drive the lyrical themes of his work, and a striking earnestness which permeates through the gliding sounds.