Basses sigh tirelessly in haunting correspondence with modest drum composition. A gracefully haunting tune that invokes more feeling then most contemporary rock anthems plastered on radios today. This is the composition of Moorpark drone locals, FIELDS.
FIELDS is unique in the sense that they are Ventura County’s only experimental drone band, and rightly so, a creation of a mind that is, and was, incomprehensibly unique and captivating. FIELDS was originated by Daniel Kraus, a long time Moorpark local and avid participant in audio and visual arts. Unfortunately, Daniel passed away in February of 2009 due to cystic fibrosis, a monumental event that influences the band’s music.
FIELDS started in the summer of 2008 when Kraus conceived the idea for an experimental/drone band in the vein of early genre enthusiasts like Earth and the Melvins. Responding to his interest in starting a drone group were his friends and fellow musicians, Christopher Darabi, and local drummer Garrett Randall. Before officially deciding on the name FIELDS, Daniel had considered titling the group “Aum Shinrikyo” (literally: supreme truth) named after a Japanese cult who had planned to place gigantic speakers at certain locations to send impulses, form cracks in the earth and consequently end the world. It was not long before Daniel had a change of heart about the band entirely.
“Daniel approached me about changing the name and ideology. He wanted to name ourselves after a Khanate song titled ‘Fields’ which was about a guy traveling out into the vast empty fields and burying a body in the group,” said Darabi. “He felt the name and style of music better represented his vision of our band and wanted our music to express feelings of being alone in the remote open fields of nothingness.”
Not only did the entire attitude of the band’s sound change, but they also recruited Brandon Gillichbauer to play bass for the band. Kraus changed from playing guitar to doing Vocals.
Thusly, FIELDS was born, but after having only one song written, Kraus passed away,.an extreme loss for his friends and peers in FIELDS. In reaction, the local Moorpark music scene held a benefit show in commemoration of Kraus’s contributions to the local music scene and in celebration of the accomplished life he led. This tragedy acted as both a handicap and a catalyst for FIELDS. The loss took from them the motivation to continue, but demanded that they rise to the task of creating something their creator would be proud of.
“After the show we decided to do Daniel justice and write songs that expressed our low emotions at the time”, said Darabi. “All the talk about creating a sound that was remote and desperate before became a reality that naturally came out in the songs”.
With the memories of a lost friend bearing down on them, FIELDS completed a still untitled record consisting of three songs, and clocking in at 65 minutes.
FIELDS’ debut record still remains unreleased, with the band sporadically playing live shows around the Southern California area. To listen to and find out more about the band, visit http://www.myspace.com/fieldsdrone.
