iLLann – Protector (2023)
The brainchild of 23-year-old Canadian Ilan Farkvam, iLLann is a musical project oozing diversity, originality and chaotic creativity. Raised in a musical community, iLLann embraced her musical talent at age 4 when she began playing the fiddle. Now, a classically trained violinist, iLLann captures the inspiring diversity of the mentors and friends who introduced and nurtured her musical prowess in her melodies. Come with us as we delve into her debut single, ‘Protector’.
Inspired by the likes of Portishead, Massive Attack, Agnes Obel and Tom Yorke, iLLann draws from many musical genres, styles and techniques. Her music is rather simplistic when you get down to the barebones approach. Using only a violin, microphone and loop pedals, there is a sense of simplicity to iLLann; however, just as there is simplicity, the soundscape is completely kaleidoscopic.
Haunting, harmonic and hypnotic are only three words that could start to describe the ambience and flow of ‘Protector’. Gracefully drawing you in with an eclectic plucking of her violin flowing upon the ambient loops, iLLann introduces herself with outstanding obscurity. As the melody progresses, a rush of violin crescendos from the whimsical arrangement. Then again, this whimsy and haziness harbour an eerie, haunted melancholy dripping from the vocals.
One element I love about iLLann is her fusing the classical violin with a more contemporary pop tone. She finds the line between electronic and orchestral to send your soul soaring on a shimmering beam of sonic light. Add her old-school soul-tinged vocals and you fall under her spell lost in the enchanting elegance. When speaking about ‘Protector’, iLLann shared that the single is her oldest song and has a special place in her heart as she grows musically and spiritually – “’Protector’ has become less about the desire for a relationship and more about the sacred containment of masculine energy; the balance between raw, chaotic creativity and clarified inner direction…”
In most cases, the debut single sets the tone for an artist’s repertoire; however, the experimental nature of ‘Protector’ shows a versatility, depth and intriguing intensity to iLLann.
For more from iLLann, check out her Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
