By Linc Bradham
An artist who is no stranger to the Alchemical community – Kate Brunotts – has just released what is one of her most compelling singles yet, a collaboration with NYC-based River Hooks. The tune, “Prototype,” is borne of a story that is the stuff of 21st-century film. Brunotts and Hooks met via Bumble Friends in NYC, but both are originally from the DMV. While perhaps not intended to be overtly about their collaboration on the internet, “Prototype” speaks to a concept that is not only attributable to Brunotts’ and Hooks’ connection, but one that is all the more universal.
Says Brunotts, “Digital relationships are much more prone to becoming transactional rather than based on mutual connection. Whether it’s exchanging likes or gorging in fast fashion only to throw out the outfit after your Insta-friendly photo shoot, you’re only getting a prototype of who a person truly is.”
As the digital age continues to coalesce more and more into a singularity where digital and physical become indiscernible, “Prototype” is a timely, poignant remark on how what we see as permanent might eventually become just as ephemeral as that what it was supposed to replace. This remark can be felt no more strongly than when both Brunotts and River sing in unison, “Don’t get too attached…I’m just a prototype.” The sounds of “Prototype” might remind us of familiar acts as Grimes, Lorde, and The 1975, but the lyrics are anything but.
It is a delight to have a talent as strong as Brunotts come across Alchemical Records’ radar once again, and even more enjoyable for her to be joined by such a blossoming talent as River Hooks. Individually, Brunotts and Hooks are forces to be reckoned with.
Together, their sound is unstoppable, but whether or not their collaborations continue, “Prototype” alone makes you want to listen closely to the back-catalog of each artist all the way through. But don’t take our word for it, listen to Kate Brunotts and River Hooks here, with their single, “Prototype.” Follow our Alchemical Multigenre Mixdown playlist for more great music featured on the site.
Linc Bradham is an American multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, audio engineer, and songwriter originally from Savannah, GA. He has resided in the DMV for the last three years and has served in the active-duty Army for the last 12 years. He is in the process of switching Army careers into the Army Field Band as an audio engineering professional, with long-term goals of promoting music education in America and the Middle East.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
