Emancipator

Emancipator is the stage name of Doug Appling, a Portland-based downtempo electronic music producer and multi-instrumentalist whose self-released recordings and extensive touring schedule, often including music festivals, have gained him an international fan base. Emancipator’s debut album, Soon It Will Be Cold Enough, a wintry mix of intricate beats and atmospheric textures featuring violinist Cindy Kao and guest vocalist Thao Nguyen, was self-released in 2006, later re-released by Japanese label Hyde Out Recordings in 2008. Appling made his live debut in 2009 opening for Bonobo, and toured Japan the same year. Second album Safe in the Steep Cliffs arrived in 2010, featuring increased live instrumentation and more ambitious arrangements and programming. Remixes, featuring reworked versions of Emancipator tracks by Blockhead, Big Gigantic, and others, was released in 2011. Appling founded his own label, Loci Records, in 2012, releasing music by friends such as Tor and Stèv. Dusk to Dawn, Emancipator’s third album and first to feature violin from frequent live collaborator Ilya Goldberg, was released by Loci Records in 2013. Appling continued touring with a full band, Emancipator Ensemble, often co-headlining festivals with artists such as Pretty Lights and ODESZA. Live in Athens and Dusk to Dawn Remixes, as well as Emancipator’s fourth studio album, Seven Seas, were released in 2015. Baralku followed in 2017. ~ Paul Simpson