Music

Russell E.L. Butler Announces New EP Inspired by the Oakland Ghost Ship Fire


Oakland producer Russell E.L. Butler has announced a new EP, I’m Dropping Out Of Life, inspired by the tragic Ghost Ship fire in Oakland last December. He also shared the release’s pressurized title track, which delivers driving techno staging an interplay between sonic elasticity and rigidity. The EP will arrive via Atlanta imprint CGI Records, and follows releases by the artist on labels including Opal Tapes and Black Opal.

“The title has been on my mind a lot, since I almost lost my life in the Ghost Ship fire and watched as many of my friends lost theirs,” Butler said in a statement on Bandcamp. “This release is about a commitment to life. The life that I refer to dropping out of, is a life where dreams are put on hold, where concessions are made in order to just survive. But that comes at a cost, one that is far too great for me to pay at this point.”

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The artist is set to appear on Oakland party Club Chai’s forthcoming debut compilation alongside artists including MORO, Lechuga Zafiro, and DJ Haram, as well as its founders 8ULENTINA and foozool.

I’m Dropping Out Of Life will be released on January 30 on digital and vinyl formats, and is available for preorder.

I’m Dropping Out Of Life tracklist:

1. A New Day
2. Hat Hair
3. My Cat Is An Asshole
4. I’m Dropping Out Of Life

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