1st Base Runner - "Night Stalker" (EP)

Following a prolific string of 4 EP releases, all within a 2 year stretch, 1st Base Runner returns with his 5th EP "Night Stalker", and it's easily his darkest and most cinematic work yet. Ambient, experimental, and downright spine-chilling, this is the vital sound of an artist following his own muse with no compromise. Lock your doors and kill the lights before exploring this visceral collection.

Massive synths swallow the listener in this brilliant electronic release from Austin, Texas based producer and multi-instrumentalist Tim Husmann of the 1st Base Runner project. 'Night Stalker ' pulls you into a surreal landscape full of masterfully crafted tension, release, and longing. As a concept EP, it towers over other releases in unapologetic fashion. The accompanying music video, directed by industry giant and long-time Radiohead creative director Dilly Gent (Son&Heir Productions), is equally enchanting in its deceivingly simple delivery. Refreshingly distinct, 1st Base Runner continues to elbow his way through the jam-packed airwaves. Known for pushing genre boundaries, this enigmatic artist is quickly creating one of his own.

As with his previous 4 releases, 1st Base Runner collaborated once again with artistic genius Matt Needle for cover artwork. Vinyl will be available shortly. 

Director Dilly Gent (former Radiohead creative director) filmed Tim Husmann of 1st Base Runner sitting high on a box inside a convertible while driving around Long Beach. His instructions were to remain statue still, despite cold conditions and the fact that he had just filmed his underwater music video, Man Overboard, earlier that day.  He most definitely became ill. He most definitely had the ride of his life. As such, Dilly Gent remains Creative Director of the 1st Base Runner project indefinitely. Along with Stephen James Moore of Independent Music Promotions and visionary art director Matt Needle, the small team continues to prove the antiquated music industry can be circumvented by artists who truly want to make art. 

Our character remains stoic and unmoving in contrast to the alien city landscape of Long Beach, suspended as an observer of a destination only he can see. The eerie, pulsing electronic soundscape pulls him through a dark drive like a puppet on a string. Will he relent upon arrival? Ominous and other-worldly, 1st Base Runner looks unphased in the passenger seat as the sky changes around him and the city lights flicker to the pulsing music, as if foreshadowing a pending cataclysmic event. And yet, throughout the strange, dreamscape-like visual, there is an all-pervasive sense of peace and acceptance amidst the frenetic, almost alien surroundings.

Directed by Dilly Gent of Son&Heir.
DP - Vern Moen.
Producer - Josiah Bultema 
Editor - Aloka Gent
Colorist - Graham Lovelis
VFX - Justin Hopkins 
1st Base Runner - "Night Stalker" (EP) 1st Base Runner - "Night Stalker" (EP) Reviewed by Michael on 12/25/2022 Rating: 5