Last updated: 1 day ago
Straddling the smokey smoothness of soul’s ‘70s heyday and the freewheeling studio experimentation of modern pop and R&B, Motenko is one of Austin music’s best kept secrets. Whether he’s front and center as a singer-songwriter or serving as a journeyman keys player for acts like Wild Child and Jade Bird, Motenko stands out with a knack for tasteful texture and groove.
Inspired by the free creativity of the modern recording process, where he exists in a state of constant play, repurposing sounds as instruments and embracing a liberal use of vocal layering, Motenko’s own recordings have become more experimental. A longtime fan of ‘70s R&B like The Meters and the milestone recordings that came out of the mythical Muscle Shoals, Motenko’s material has evolved to also embrace influences as diverse as Steve Lacy and Mac DeMarco. On the new Austin Smith-produced single “Lifted,” that diversity of sound comes through in the marriage of hip-hop grooves and sultry electric keys and organ, which then give way to a gospel-like chorus, where Motenko’s vocals are joined by members of Sir Woman.
Motenko serves as the opening act for Wild Child on their national tour this year, with time set aside to write and record new songs that further evolve his bedroom soul aesthetic. With a steadily increasing rolodex of painstakingly curated sounds and a growing suite of production and instrumental tools to expand his sonic palette, one thing is certain: Motenko’s only limit is his imagination.
Inspired by the free creativity of the modern recording process, where he exists in a state of constant play, repurposing sounds as instruments and embracing a liberal use of vocal layering, Motenko’s own recordings have become more experimental. A longtime fan of ‘70s R&B like The Meters and the milestone recordings that came out of the mythical Muscle Shoals, Motenko’s material has evolved to also embrace influences as diverse as Steve Lacy and Mac DeMarco. On the new Austin Smith-produced single “Lifted,” that diversity of sound comes through in the marriage of hip-hop grooves and sultry electric keys and organ, which then give way to a gospel-like chorus, where Motenko’s vocals are joined by members of Sir Woman.
Motenko serves as the opening act for Wild Child on their national tour this year, with time set aside to write and record new songs that further evolve his bedroom soul aesthetic. With a steadily increasing rolodex of painstakingly curated sounds and a growing suite of production and instrumental tools to expand his sonic palette, one thing is certain: Motenko’s only limit is his imagination.
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