Archis is a collaboration between vocalist Dia Frampton (Meg and Dia, the Voice) and composer and film scorer Joseph Trapanese (Tron). Following her time under the glaring, white washing lights of the Hollywood hills, Dia Frampton felt the need to retreat from the world of sticky sweet power pop anthems.
Dia contacted her close friend Joseph Trapanese. Dia wanted to change direction. She wanted to tap what she saw as a more authentic, more personal fount of creativity which had been stifled by the music industry's unflagging quest for eternally unoffensive ear worms. Dia wanted to explore feminine vulnerability, as well as feminine strength. There is an honesty to the dichotomy between vulnerability and strength, each trait accentuating the other.
While Dia's influence still lands the fruits of Archis' labor firmly in the pop world, Joseph Trapanese creates wonderfully textured cinematic moments. He performs his function admirably, creating a supremely emotionally stimulating soundtrack for Dia's confessions.
"Blood", the first single off Archis' upcoming EP is stunning. The first third of the song is delicate. A nine piece orchestra performs a harmonically complex dance with intertwining drones. As the drone fades, Frampton enters, her vocal melody bouncing off of a synth piano. The dark, melancholic malaise lifts as drum line style snares begin their rigid march towards more well trodden pop territory. Soon, soaring electric guitars join the wall of sound, and we are catapulted into the heart of the song. "Let's go for blood" Frampton's refrain, at once disturbing and uplifting, repeats.
I truly hope that Archis becomes a center piece, rather than hanging out in side project limbo.