Bodywash, a duo from Montreal comprising Chris Steward and Rosie Long Decter, announces a new remix by Edmonton’s electronic artist Khotin of their 2023 track “Kind of Light,” from their album I Held the Shape While I Could. This release comes ahead of their upcoming North American tour with Airiel and Blushing this June, marking their first tour since the album’s release.
The band shared that Khotin’s Release Spirit was a constant companion on their recent tour, inspiring them with its sounds that ranged from the rugged Pacific Northwest to the bustling NJ Turnpike. They were eager for Khotin to reimagine “Kind of Light.” His remix elevates the song’s original tension and catharsis into a state of blissful euphoria, making it perfect for early morning play in a chill-out room at a rave, reminiscent of West Coast rave psychedelia and ambient influences.
Additionally, here’s a visualizer for “Kind of Light” (Khotin Remix):
Steward and Long Decter, who met in college in 2014, initially did not connect musically. Steward, a London native, was influenced by British dream pop and classic shoegaze, while Toronto-born Long Decter grew up with folk and Canadiana. They found their unique sound through a blend of airy vocals, intricate guitar work, and atmospheric synths, launching their debut EP as Bodywash in 2016, followed by their first album, Comforter, in 2019.
During the lead-up to Comforter, both members experienced significant personal changes, feeling a sense of dislocation that fueled their next creative phase. Their music took a darker, more experimental turn, yet became more invigorating compared to the mellow dream pop of Comforter. In 2021, they brought these new songs to the studio, collaborating with their longtime drummer Ryan White and recording/mixing engineer Jace Lasek of Besnard Lakes. The resulting album, I Held the Shape While I Could, explores themes of decay and renewal through its sonic landscape.
The album reflects the concept of home as a shifting notion, an ever-changing place that remains tangible and intangible. Throughout I Held the Shape While I Could, the interplay of Steward’s abstract guitar work and Long Decter’s fluid vocals creates an ambient soundscape that blurs the line between digital and organic, crafting an auditory world that is simultaneously familiar and uncharted.
Bodywash Tour Dates:
Wed. June 19 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Thu. June 20 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right
Fri. June 21 – Boston, MA @ Deep Cuts
Sat. June 22 – Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
Sun. June 23 – Montreal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz
Mon. June 24 – Toronto, ON @ The Garrison