Finn, performing under the alias ‘Beaufort’, is a BIMM production and business student who has set out to challenge the music norms. With his upcoming EP, he strips away the digital clutter and embraces the pure and unadulterated joy of simply making noise.
Released on May 21st, his debut EP, ‘Cash Converters’, delivers a mix of indie-electronic, eight-bit (a stripped-back, low-resolution audio style defined by its raw and unpolished frequencies), and childish fun- all crafted from a collection of four restored keyboards. The EP sound is mirrored by his online presence, where the low-fi digital camera aesthetics proves the making of music doesn’t have to be overly technical.
Moving from his hometown of Leicester to Birmingham, it was a trip to Bourdeaux that inspired him to relocate to the south west, drawn in by a stranger’s tales of Bristol’s vibrant music scene. Having lived in Bristol the past few year, Finn talks fondly of the local community as he describes it as ‘mini-London’ for industry opportunities, but with a tighter, more collaborative feel. Watching small acts command local stages taught him that performing is entirely accessible, with local spots like Strange Brew, The Lanes and The Louisianna, as weekend favourites and ultimate aspiring venues.
While his music roots channel indie-electronic artists such as LCD Soundsystem and MGMT, Beaufort’s personal ethos is simpler. The same uncomplicated approach applies to his alias, rather than overthinking a grand artistic identity, he simply noticed the name on a street sign while running in Clifton. Liking the look and immediate sense of familiarity it carried, he quite literally ran with it. Much like the name itself, he refuses to overcomplicate things, letting the music speak for itself as a playground for childlike experimentations, a theme that defined the core of the new record.
This brings us to the backdrop of the EP. Stuck with writer’s block, Finn’s lecturer encouraged a hunt for new gear at the ‘Cash Converters’ in Bedminster. There he got talking to a man who gifted him a bag of broken keyboards. Despite never playing piano himself before, he decided to rescue the keys and fix them up, as they quickly became the bedrock of the project. The limitation of the 40 basic presets and raw drum samples forced Finn to be more creative, free from the pressure to overanalyse with endless digital tools. The result: a stripped down distinct sonic identity.
Yet, beneath the keyboard melodies lies a relatable theme, the art of relapse. Most prominent in the track ‘A prez’, the theme of relapse is delivered via a stream of consciousness and slightly ‘sleazy’ vocal style, the lyrics diving into the cycle of giving into bad habits and everyday procrastination. It’s a feeling most of us know all too well, making the tracks feel instantly intimate.
While, Cash converters feature a tight four track selection, the broken keyboards gave way to a stash of 30 demos. Finn is already looking to develop these further, with aspirations to churn out more music ahead of July. He plans to experiment with guitars and deeper lyricism down the line, but vows to keep the foundations of the signature keyboard intact, whilst also keeping projects firmly anchored in the purity of producing sound for fun.
Ultimately, Beaufort sees music to be about connection. Setting sights on performing at intimate Bristol spaces, eager to explore how audience energy can teach him more about the curation and performance of his music.
//Words: Poppy Harrison//