"A long distance drive. Observations without beginning or end. Empty space explored yielding everything and nothing. A meditation on love and distance. Welcome to "for distance", the first release from Hermetic."


In the winter of 2012, I began "the Radient" an atmospheric, free flowing, and experimental project that had it's roots based loosely in avant jazz, psychelic and experimental electro. The foundation was built with G.Ladd.Richardson on electric bass and myself on drums, keys and production/engineering.

After months of working and reworking, building up and tearing down, an album emerged with an additional member, alto saxophonist Gavin Benke, taking the lead on horn. A labor of love, the resulting EP "Two Heads' Beat as One" was released in 2013 as a limited release.

Amidst all of the other musical projects I had going on, though I'd figured I was finished with the Radient, it kept poking at my musical self. While Gavin and I had moved on to another project, the Radient wanted a follow up. Returning home for Christmas in 2014 after nearly two years living in Las Vegas, it felt like the time to revisit the project. In January, G Ladd and I began meeting at the Igloo, at that time in New Jersey, and began laying down tracks for what was to be a follow up to the Radient's first EP.

After more than 5 sessions, consisting of 3 to 4 hours of recording each time, I had a considerable amount of material to begin working on. The only difference was that I was now helming the guitar on the recordings. There were no rhythm tracks. The project had evolved into a guitar/bass duo.

During the time I listened and re-listened attempting to wrap my head around the material and find direction for it. I couldn't. The songs were often beyond any type of structure. They floated aimlessly and often times sat in one place, dancing around playfully like a dragonfly on a lake's edge in summertime.

I loved what we did. I knew it needed to be heard, but I also couldn't see Gavin Benke, our saxophonist fitting into the mix. The two of us were already deep in a trip hop project and breaking him away to add horns didn't seem right. Plus the songs, even without rhythm or horns or lead of any sort, FELT complete. They were done.

But what on earth was it? Was it the Radient? It had no ingredients other than personnel for it to fit that project name. I had 8 finished songs but no framework for them.

After being in Los Angeles for a few months, one evening I couldn't sleep and went to my computer to do some writing. As I loaded up some music in my iTunes player, "Flight of Fight" came on. In one instant, I was transported back to the project and felt that I needed to finish it in some way. It was time to give it life.

In a burst of creativity in mid May, I finished a few more tracks and began tediously chopping, editing and reediting the songs. Creating the order was difficult but eventually it coalesced. I had originally titled the project "for distance" because it seemed perfect for a long or short road trip. It was music for going to space. Music to lose yourself or find yourself, or perhaps neither.

At long last, I present "for distance" by Hermetic. A labor of love, I would like to extend my deepest and heartfelt gratitude to everyone who I've passed the tracks to listen to early on as well as G.LADD.Richardson who selflessly performed on many of these tracks. Without his playing, the record would have failed to materialize. Truly one of the great players in the Central New Jersey music scene and an all around great person. Hopefully you will enjoy both his and my playing on this record.

Thanks for listening,
Eric Koons