Portland, Oregon, USA, March 25th, 2024 — Ceremony Shadows, a synth-infused indie band from the Pacific Northwest is revolutionizing the live music scene with their innovative fusion of ritual darkwave music and stunning visual performances, powered by Imaginando’s VS – Visual Synthesizer software. Originating from Timo Kissel’s solo ambient project, the band has expanded with the addition of dual vocalists Anastasia and Jakub, crafting a sound that captivates the experimental electronic music community.
A Unique Convergence of Backgrounds
The band’s music reflects the diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds of its members, spanning Germany, Poland and the United States. This rich blend of influences is evident in their sound, which draws comparisons to artists such as Boy Harsher, Fever Ray, and Pixel Grip. Ceremony Shadows occupies a unique sonic territory, combining the emotive depth of darkwave with innovative soundscapes.
Their track “Holy Water” was notably featured at the Sonic Matter experimental music festival in Zürich, Switzerland, in 2021, and secured a Top 10 spot in the 2023 AI Song Contest broadcast on Spanish TV. Such achievements underscore the band’s creative prowess and the growing recognition of their work on an international stage.
VS: Revolutionizing Live Performances
At the heart of Ceremony Shadows’ live performances lies Imaginando’s VS – Visual Synthesizer, seamlessly merging sound and visuals to create captivating experiences. This innovative tool facilitates real-time creation of dynamic visual compositions, leveraging its multi-layered shader system and extensive modulation options. With VS, each Ceremony Shadows performance becomes an immersive journey, blending elements of sound, light, and visual artistry to offer the audience an unforgettable total art experience which Timo describes as “Gesamtkunstwerk.”
“The way the software is designed resonates with how I think as a musician,” Timo explains. “It’s not just about the technology; it’s about how it complements and enhances the musical experience. I can hear the difference in the vocalist when the visuals perfectly align with the music — the right lights, the right mood, the right energy. It elevates our performance, inspiring us to explore new ideas.”
Timo elaborates on their avant-garde technique, highlighting the transformative visual strategies they employ: “Our innovation with video projections extends beyond mere backdrops; we use them as the primary light source, directly illuminating the band to produce captivating visual effects. This approach, akin to projection mapping, not only immerses the performers in complex patterns but also creates moments where they appear almost transparent, blurring the lines between the physical and the visual realms, adding an unparalleled depth to our shows.” Such creative fusion not only captivates the audience but also elevates the performance to an immersive artistic experience.
Looking Forward
Ceremony Shadows is not slowing down. With plans for a full-length album and shows lined up, including their first performance outside of Portland in Seattle later this year, the band is poised for further growth. Their ultimate goal is to bring their unique blend of music and visuals to Europe, connecting with international audiences and exploring new territories.
Discover more about Ceremony Shadows and stay updated on their latest releases and performances by visiting their official website and following them on Instagram.
Listen to Ceremony Shadows on:
Spotify
Apple Music
Bandcamp
YouTube
For additional information on VS and its capabilities, please refer to the Imaginando website. A promotional offer is available until the end of March 2024, offering VS at a 50 percent discount.
About Imaginando
Since 2014, Imaginando has been mixing music and technology to create original products, centered on audio-visual experiences. We want to inspire artists to expand their own creativity with the innovative high-quality products that we build.We endeavor to make electronic music production accessible for as many people as possible, wherever they are and whatever they are using. Across phone, tablet, laptop and desktop, with Imaginando you can make music anywhere, with anything. Imaginando is a Portuguese company headquartered in Braga, an UNESCO Creative City in the field of Media Arts. For more information, please visit www.imaginando.pt
