The Wanting Creature
Iska Dhaaf
taken from Somali, translated roughly to “let it go”
In 2011 Nathan Quiroga (Mad Rad, Buffalo Madonna) and Benjamin Verdoes (Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band) left their respective Seattle-based projects behind and began collaboration on Iska Dhaaf. The band was quickly embraced for their engaging live shows, and for creating the sound of a full band by way of two people. Together as songwriters they have steadily explored production, instrumentation, and an ever-expanding narrative voice.
Their latest album, The Wanting Creature, sees the duo emerging as producers, experimenters and genre-bending artists. The new songs show an ongoing devotion to lyrical depth and composition, and the album more fully utilizes their diverse musical backgrounds.
The Wanting Creature takes the complications of loss, depression, and instability from Nathan Quiroga’s & Benjamin Verdoes’ personal lives and uses it as fuel for these new songs. The new work revolves around the theme of desire and how it manifests in each area of our lives, even our biology.
WebsiteteamMUSIC — Iska Dhaaf
Nathan Quiroga
Benjamin Verdoes
VIDEO & ART DIRECTION
Brit Zerbo
ServicesArt Direction
Videography
Animation
Year2015
During my first listen of the album I was immediately inspired by stark B&W tones and the search for the unrecognizable and abstract patterns in common surroundings. I strive for my work to feel sensorial. To make you wish you were high and in an altered state.
I created a make shift studio in my unfinished basement and was found down there most nights after putting my son to bed. Each piece was filmed using a Canon Mark III and a 100mm macro lens. I explored a wide range of subjects; grade school chemical reactions, found bug carcasses, the slowness of life underwater, the colossal strength of life above water, etc.
This project was the first freelance opportunity since the birth of my son. It was very emotional, extreme highs followed by motivating lows. I was pushed heavily in ways that I’ve never felt and ultimately grew to be a stronger artist.