Whitney Johnson, known separately and together as Matchess, delve deeper into their material history of reproduction with two new singles today: “Dafni” and “Death in Trafo (or, The Crater)", off their forthcoming alter-ego albums Hav and Stena. Two deeply enigmatic encounters from each individual, the dueling nature of these separate works from Whitney and Matchess arrive together on September 27th.

The Whitney Johnson track, “Dafni”, selects frequencies and waveforms with body-aligning level of precision, using a flow of sine waves, marimba, viola, Arp Odyssey and Halldorophone to pass psychological and emotional life over your inner ear. In the opposing track from Stena, “Death In Trafo (or, The Crater)”, field recordings and synth tones from the Matchess machine coalesce into a slow-revolving rhythm mobile, ineffably in motion, while spirit vocals hover between generations of cycling sound. “Dafni” utilises Whitney’s findings in the Solfeggio Frequencies to heal and uncoil stress, as “Death In Trafo” expands the dream-like subconscious of Matchess. You choose!

The return of Matchess, and the mirrored emergence of Whitney Johnson as a separate entity, create two unique portals worth examining for their shared origin. Much of Stena was procured from Whitney’s headspace while she mulled over considerations of biological and symbolic ancestry — so it makes perfect sense that a healing frequency believed to repair our DNA (528 Hz) would become a focal fascination on Hav, and thereafter the baseline of “Dafni”. As with 2022’s Sonescent, these two releases are both experiences for the body, so treat yours right: align with Hav and Stena on September 27, 2024!

On September 28, Whitney Johnson will be joined in performance by Circuit des Yeux’s Haley Fohr, Low’s Alan Sparhawk, Jenny Pulse, and Lula Asplund for a record release show at Chicago’s Constellation. Tickets are on sale now.

Whitney Johnson 2024 Tour Dates:

Sept. 28 - Chicago, IL @ Constellation* (Hav / Stena Release Show)
* performing w/ Jenny Pulse, Haley Fohr, Lula Asplund, Alan Sparhawk