Vermont-based first known use is the musical project of Izze Kaukonen and Ethan Fitzpatrick, a duo whose songwriting process begins with an intriguing question about whether musicians are actually creating songs or discovering them. The pair believe that music exists independently, waiting to be found, captured and translated into something that can be shared and as such, they don’t see themselves as the original source of their material. It’s a philosophy that gives their work a unique sense of curiosity, placing exploration and interpretation at the very centre of everything they do.
They view making music as more about recognising an idea that already exists somewhere, then finding the right way to bring it into focus. This outlook shapes the project’s identity, encouraging a desire to experiment while keeping sight of the familiar qualities that make a song feel inviting. Through the constant tension between the new and the recognisable, the duo look beyond the usual creative structures while remaining drawn to sounds that offer a sense of warmth and familiarity.
Their music is inquisitive in nature but never at the expense of its emotional accessibility and that balance is reflected in the partnership between the duo which revolves around the relationship between Izze’s vocals and lyricism and Ethan’s guitar playing and arrangements. Izze brings a silky vocal delivery that can feel delicate and still assertivene, allowing her lyrics to take shape in a space between contemplation and confidence. Ethan provides a complementary energy through his laid-back style of guitar playing, building dynamic arrangements that leave room for subtle changes in mood and more adventurous musical ideas.
Neither element feels designed to dominate the other and their contrasting qualities create a shared musical language in which atmosphere, detail and expression work together. The duo have now brought that collaborative endeavour into the studio, introducing first known use with their debut single âSemanticsâ before following it with their first EP, Yielding. The new five-track release takes the perfect snapshot a project interested in the opportunities of songwriting itself, as much as the finished songs that come from it.
âSemanticsâ provides an utterly compelling introduction to the release, forming with a delicate acoustic guitar passage, the track initially plays out with an understated sense of movement. Mellow drum taps bring a gentle rhythmic pulse beneath Izze’s tender vocals, while intricate melodic layers gradually expand the arrangement. The soft quality to these opening moments creates a dreamy atmosphere that feels unhurried and carefully considered but as the arrangement develops, that initial restraint gives way to a shoegaze-inflected alternative rock climax.
“Mirage” follows with the elegant flutter of soothing guitar not and alluring vocal lines, forming a hypnotic soundscape which gently develops with the rustle of pattering drums to deliver an enticing showcase of their unique songwriting and performance flair. “Roadkill” arrives with the steady groove of muted percussion, the smokey twang of guitar and laid back vocals as the track glides through various shifts in instrumentation.
With “Synthesis,” the moody plucks of mazy guitar leads, pulse of drums and hushed vocals combine to form a brooding scene that leans into a darker side of the band’s sound while still maintaining a transportive tone. Closing track “A knife” lands with punching beats as bright guitar layers swirl and Izze’s drifting voice coalesce into a misty alternative indie outing wrapped in a fuzzy sonic fabric and peppered with glitchy flashes. Floating through passages of stripped back aesthetic and rising with atmospheric vocals and reverb-drenched instrumentation, it’s a superb musical voyage that concludes the EP in truly memorable fashion.
With Yielding, Izze Kaukonen and Ethan Fitzpatrick introduce a project whose creative philosophy is matched by a command of atmosphere and musical progression. Their belief that songs are waiting to be discovered may challenge normal ideas of authorship but the connection they forge through their performances gives those ideas a tangible form. As they continue to share more of their captivating musical vision, they’re sure to win over countless new listeners on what’s sure to be their break out year.
Listen to Yielding below
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