When people think of IDM (or braindance, as some prefer), they’re often transported mentally to an era past where giants like Aphex Twin held court with their baffling takes on a blend of genres like breakbeat, DnB, acid house, techno, beatific piano compositions, and more. But that was merely an impactful fire in a lineage of flying sparks that helped set the foundation for a vast school of fearless experimentation and hardware play that continues to break new ground and form expansive tentacles to this day.
One of the artists in this arena that is worthy of serious attention is Wicker’s Portal, who just released Sunshine and transistors, a three-track EP that blossoms with neurological storms of innovation balanced with intricate arrangements of ambient grace. This EP plays like a narrative of profound biomechanical synergy punctuated with feelings of growth intrinsic to human experience, the endurance of a natural being in constant flux with the rapid shifts of life personal and beyond.
Original Album Artwork: Tiffany Tanner
The Portal Meister
Wicker’s Portal is the IDM project of Minnesota-based producer and modular synthesist wizard Zach Wickman. While many would be hard pressed to find an instrument more alien and intimidating than the spaghetti monster of a modular setup, there are also those drawn like bees to the pollen of its apparent chaos, specifically for the sonic honey to be harvested in learning to navigate its mechanisms.
Over the course of Wickman’s eight-year modular journey, the artist has found his way into the heart of the machine to unleash a shapeshifting stream of surprising sounds that keep his fans on the edge of their ears with each release.
PC: Tiffany Tanner
Thus far, 2025 has already seen a few notable shows and releases from the producer. Wicker’s Portal started the year with a headlining show at The Black Box in Denver, which also featured the debut performance of Intellects, the artist’s bassier side project with fellow producer C.V (featured on this EP).
Soon thereafter, Wicker’s Portal shared the stage with Relativity Lounge in Chicago (with whom he released the EP Kwik Comb in May), followed by a direct support slot for experimental beats legend Daedalus in Minneapolis. Come March, we were given IDMish Pt. 2, the anticipated second part of a live mix series, and later in the summer Intellects was able to air their sound again at Love Long Beach Festival in California. Most recently, the artist brought his portal to the Treehouse Stage at Infrasound Equinox just after the release of this EP for a 90-minute journey set.
PC: Tiffany Tanner
Aside from 2023’s Evanescent, Wicker’s Portals’ official releases over the last few years have often been collaborations with other producers. Speaking with Wickman, he’s found this to be one of his favorite ways to create. In many ways, Sunshine and transistors is a collaborative EP as well, with two of the three tracks featuring other artists. What makes these tracks unique, though, is that all three came into being a single session each, and while each stands alone, there is a remarkable chain of being between all three that plays out something like the life-cycle of a plant in motion against the elements. Read on to hear our take on the magic that makes up this EP.
Sunshine and transistors starts on a combustible collusion between WP and fellow experimental artist Storm,,. This track, “Scatter”, has a meandering forest vibe, where an underbelly of light, playful wisps are soon infused with the sweet rapidity of bewildering breakcore. Aptly named, the track opens like sprouts breaking through the soil into what feels like their first kiss of sun before a gust of manic action plucks them into the air and we’re swirling around in a whirlwind of frantic dissemination.
The second track features Intellects partner C.V. With “The Orb”, we’re taken headfirst into the turbulent twist of the seer’s glass. Nothing is as it seems at first glance. Blossoming with disorienting drum patterns, gasping glitch maneuvers, and atmospheric echoes, “The Orb” transports us directly into a riotous realm of auguries and forebodings layered atop each other with inexplicable allure.
Closing the EP, we have the blissful finale: “Tfny”. Named after the producer’s partner (creator of the album’s artwork), this track is like landing from a free fall into a lush bed of grass. Dosed with resonant warps and pendulous ripples, “Tfny” embodies the easy breath and gentle caress of a warm revelation settling in, the beauty of life realized ubiquitous in the eyes of the beholder.
A Glimpse Into The Future
Speaking with Wicker’s Portal, it sounds like this EP is only the first splash in a tsunami of releases to hit the shore of listeners’ ears over the rest of the year. From a backlog of Intellects and personal work, expect some fresh sounds to fill your feed in the months ahead, and be sure to keep your ears perked for new portals opening up in the world of Colony Productions later this year.
As always, the links below will tell you everything you need to know to stay up to date with releases and show announcements to come. You never know where the portal might take you next!
When people think of IDM (or braindance, as some prefer), they’re often transported mentally to an era past where giants like Aphex Twin held court with their baffling takes on a blend of genres like breakbeat, DnB, acid house, techno, beatific piano compositions, and more. But that was merely an impactful fire in a lineage of flying sparks that helped set the foundation for a vast school of fearless experimentation and hardware play that continues to break new ground and form expansive tentacles to this day.
One of the artists in this arena that is worthy of serious attention is Wicker’s Portal, who just released Sunshine and transistors, a three-track EP that blossoms with neurological storms of innovation balanced with intricate arrangements of ambient grace. This EP plays like a narrative of profound biomechanical synergy punctuated with feelings of growth intrinsic to human experience, the endurance of a natural being in constant flux with the rapid shifts of life personal and beyond.
The Portal Meister
Wicker’s Portal is the IDM project of Minnesota-based producer and modular synthesist wizard Zach Wickman. While many would be hard pressed to find an instrument more alien and intimidating than the spaghetti monster of a modular setup, there are also those drawn like bees to the pollen of its apparent chaos, specifically for the sonic honey to be harvested in learning to navigate its mechanisms.
Over the course of Wickman’s eight-year modular journey, the artist has found his way into the heart of the machine to unleash a shapeshifting stream of surprising sounds that keep his fans on the edge of their ears with each release.
Thus far, 2025 has already seen a few notable shows and releases from the producer. Wicker’s Portal started the year with a headlining show at The Black Box in Denver, which also featured the debut performance of Intellects, the artist’s bassier side project with fellow producer C.V (featured on this EP).
Soon thereafter, Wicker’s Portal shared the stage with Relativity Lounge in Chicago (with whom he released the EP Kwik Comb in May), followed by a direct support slot for experimental beats legend Daedalus in Minneapolis. Come March, we were given IDMish Pt. 2, the anticipated second part of a live mix series, and later in the summer Intellects was able to air their sound again at Love Long Beach Festival in California. Most recently, the artist brought his portal to the Treehouse Stage at Infrasound Equinox just after the release of this EP for a 90-minute journey set.
Aside from 2023’s Evanescent, Wicker’s Portals’ official releases over the last few years have often been collaborations with other producers. Speaking with Wickman, he’s found this to be one of his favorite ways to create. In many ways, Sunshine and transistors is a collaborative EP as well, with two of the three tracks featuring other artists. What makes these tracks unique, though, is that all three came into being a single session each, and while each stands alone, there is a remarkable chain of being between all three that plays out something like the life-cycle of a plant in motion against the elements. Read on to hear our take on the magic that makes up this EP.
What’s Inside
Sunshine and transistors starts on a combustible collusion between WP and fellow experimental artist Storm,,. This track, “Scatter”, has a meandering forest vibe, where an underbelly of light, playful wisps are soon infused with the sweet rapidity of bewildering breakcore. Aptly named, the track opens like sprouts breaking through the soil into what feels like their first kiss of sun before a gust of manic action plucks them into the air and we’re swirling around in a whirlwind of frantic dissemination.
The second track features Intellects partner C.V. With “The Orb”, we’re taken headfirst into the turbulent twist of the seer’s glass. Nothing is as it seems at first glance. Blossoming with disorienting drum patterns, gasping glitch maneuvers, and atmospheric echoes, “The Orb” transports us directly into a riotous realm of auguries and forebodings layered atop each other with inexplicable allure.
Closing the EP, we have the blissful finale: “Tfny”. Named after the producer’s partner (creator of the album’s artwork), this track is like landing from a free fall into a lush bed of grass. Dosed with resonant warps and pendulous ripples, “Tfny” embodies the easy breath and gentle caress of a warm revelation settling in, the beauty of life realized ubiquitous in the eyes of the beholder.
A Glimpse Into The Future
Speaking with Wicker’s Portal, it sounds like this EP is only the first splash in a tsunami of releases to hit the shore of listeners’ ears over the rest of the year. From a backlog of Intellects and personal work, expect some fresh sounds to fill your feed in the months ahead, and be sure to keep your ears perked for new portals opening up in the world of Colony Productions later this year.
As always, the links below will tell you everything you need to know to stay up to date with releases and show announcements to come. You never know where the portal might take you next!
Follow Wicker’s Portal:
Instagram | Bandcamp | SoundCloud
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