Altered Zones

Last summer, I interviewed Dillon James Rego, who records under the name Alaskas, just as he was about to move from Seattle to Brooklyn. Since then, Rego has made the most of his relocation, playing out and continuing to produce music at a startling pace. He informed me via email that he recorded 100 songs in April-- some of which you can hear on his Feral mixtape and his recent Proof cassette, which is available via Bandcamp. He recently released his first 7" on Crikey Records, "Walk on Walls" b/w "The Felon." Additionally, Rego and artist Teague Smith have collaborated on a music video for "The Felon," the b-side.

One of the result of this recent flurry of activity is the above video for "Play Rough," directed by Levi Mandel and shot in one continuous take with a lengthy spoken word voice-over that abruptly turns into a live performance. We are presented with a run-down of the aspirations and shortcomings of DIY culture, with Rego's candid monologue putting to words and music the idealism as well as the banalities of poverty level cultural practice. Rego displays the unvarnished simplicity of his musical approach against a stark background, his deeply felt vocals layered and looped over a basic percussion track. His performance suggests an understanding of creative expression is always an overt act of ego, and his balance of theatricality, candor, and off-kilter charm make "Play Rough" a compelling document. --Max Burke, Visitation Rites

"Walk on Walls" b/w "The Felon" is out now on vinyl and digital from Crikey Records. A digital download of Feral is included with purchase of the record