Bounte weaves varied motifs and techniques into darkly emotive and uniquely structured songs that give listeners much to explore. Drawing inspiration from myriad music genres, field recordings, and productions, Bounte intricately sequences flowing beats, time juxtapositions, warped guitars, sweet orchestrations, and gnarly bass. The studious tracks force internal thought to meet the outside world, examine it from odd angles, and ultimately forge a new harmony from disparate ideas.
Classified broadly as “indietronica,” Bounte tracks have been released by Positron Records, wtii, Tigersquawk Records, Zen Dozer Records, Flagrant Records, and Alfa Matrix, and featured in sync spots worldwide with clients such as ABC, MTV, Discovery Channel, Food Network, Netflix, TV3+, and Red Bull. Chicago based producer Dean Dunakin regularly invites collaborators into Bounte, and contributes to other projects in Chicago—remixing, producing, writing, and performing.
FEATURED Release
The Dichotomy
Explore the sonic duality of Bounte’s latest EP, “The Dichotomy.” Within these two instrumental tracks, Bounte expertly navigates the intersection of electronica and rock with a unique sonic palette that is unapologetically hard-hitting and intricate. “Drain Hammer” sets the tone with its relentless beats and pulsating energy, while “Lawless” takes the intensity to a new electronic level with its dynamic arrangements and edgy soundscapes.
Press
Releases
One 10 track album / 2007 / Positron! Records
Combining a breakbeat and IDM backbone with strong melodic textures and melodies, One is a unique take on the current electronic music scene. From the spacious female vocals of “Going Nowhere” and “Glide” to the skittering instrumental programming of “del Frompson,” One showcases Bounte’s musical inventiveness, all the while maintaining a current sensibility.Maximal 4 track EP / 2008 / Positron! Records
An aggressive, pounding counterpoint to Bounte’s debut album, One, dominated by grinding beats, heavy distortion, and cavernous reverb, overlaid with glitchy throbbing synth work, Maximal is an ode to the dark side of electronic music, while maintaining Bounte’s signature melodic touches and traditional Chicago house flavor.
1.5 4 track EP / 2009 / Zen Dozer Records
A contemplative instrumental transition to Bounte’s second, more vocal oriented full-length album, “Two.”
Two 10 track album / 2010 / Zen Dozer Records
A clever integration of myriad synths, beats, vocals, and ambient textures into a gripping blend of electronic, pop, jazz, and classical structures. Hard-hitting electro anthems like “Small Together” and “Zone Drone” are contrasted with delicate, mournful ballads “Unborn” and “Taking You”, while label-defying track “Thingawowzer” showcases Bounte’s musical inventiveness and creative programming.
The Desolation Test 5 track EP / 2013 / Zen Dozer Records
Bounte’s signature blend of genres are on display throughout this EP — from IDM to trip-hop to rock, even touching on disco — at times woven with intricate programming, at others cobbled together with brute-force production. The result is a slick yet emotional electronic album that calls on one to drop the self-censoring voice and trust the expression of loss, anger, confusion, frustration, desire, and bliss.
Best Man 3 track EP / 2013 / Winter Cardinal Press
On this beautifully constructed and haunting EP, Chicago’s Bounte (working with Alan Ruffin and Catcher James) takes inspiration from author Colby Cuppernull’s short story collection, Best Man, capturing both the emotional exhaustion of the characters and the picaresque misery of the stories’ setting.
Engelier 5 track EP / 2018 / Zen Dozer Records
An electronica/IDM study in bass and beats, at moments upbeat, offbeat, aggressive, moody, or light, with gnarled deep dives into low frequencies.
Bit Streams 10 track EP / 2021 / Zen Dozer Records
Throughout Bounte’s extensive sample slicing, bits inevitably get left on the cutting-room floor. In Bit Streams, the seasoned producer brings these brief pieces back to the table and works them into finished tracks. This collection explores styles ranging from piano ballads to big beat, with plenty of glitch and chill grooves in between.