Deckard Croix is a multitalented artist whose diverse body of work encompasses various genres and styles. His music is characterized by elements of psychedelia, ambience, and musique concrete, with a strong emphasis on atonality, dissonance, indeterminism, and droning.
Taste and See, his first book published under the Anorak Arts umbrella, is a collection of 83 original poems that reflect the provocative lyricism of Croix’s songcraft that invites readers to traverse a complex landscape of emotion and imagery.
The title itself hints at a sensory adventure, encouraging readers to experience the work on both intellectual and visceral levels.
Spanning two decades of creative work, from 1998 to 2018, this collection presents a layered tapestry of themes and sensations.
Divided into four sections, Taste & See offers a variety of interconnected pieces, each grappling with profound existential questions, human relationships, and the dynamic between the self and the cosmos. From cosmic meditations in “Antichthon” to intimate reflections in “Freamunde,” Croix’s work shifts between sweeping philosophical themes and the nuances of personal experience.
A central theme in the collection is the interplay between isolation and connection. The poet often explores a yearning for human closeness set against a modern backdrop of disconnection.
Croix’s language is both lyrical and sharply perceptive. Minimal punctuation throughout the poems enhances fluidity, allowing thoughts to shift and expand as readers move through the text. Many poems carry the cadence of spoken word, adding an element of performance to the reading experience.
Imagery serves as a cornerstone of Croix’s work, with vivid descriptions that transport readers to lush, evocative worlds.
In “Your Paradise” and “Morisola,” natural elements merge with human emotion, creating scenes that feel intimate and vast.
In “In Can’t Nation,” Croix critiques societal indifference, urging readers to examine their own desires amid a world of automation and apathy.
In “Put Out Your Cigarette”—Croix adds depth, inviting multiple layers of interpretation.
“Bleeder” and “Once More” capture the complex dance between solitude and intimacy, respectively, showcasing the poet’s sensitivity.
In the book’s closing sections, Croix contemplates existence with a balance of melancholy and hope, leaving readers with lingering reflections long after they finish the book.
Taste & See is more than a collection of poetry; it’s an invitation to delve into life’s profound textures.
Deckard Croix’s adept navigation of both personal and universal themes makes this collection a meaningful addition to contemporary poetry.
For readers in search of depth, beauty, and thoughtful reflection, Taste & See offers a rich trove. Through each poem, Croix beckons us to savor our experiences and perceive the world in all its layered complexity.
Deckard Croix gained recognition for his associative work, notably the 2009 project “Mascara,” recorded at Michiko Studios in NYC, which featured classical acoustic instruments and experimental techniques. He released the ambitious 90-part collaborative project Bocca di Leone in 2011, celebrating Sardinian culture through sound montage, later reissued under Tachisme Records.
In 2015, he arranged the soundtrack for Martin Ronquillo’s performance art piece Melodia Sangre, incorporating lavish synth droning and bow guitar. His 2016 work, Mise en Contexte, focused on electronica and indeterministic composition techniques.
Manos
From 2012 to 2018, Croix worked as a guitarist for various projects before forming the cosmic ambient group Manos with Larry Durica and John Godshalk (Floorian, Soma Flux). Their self-titled debut album was released in 2019, leading Croix to revive his record label as Tachisme Records.
Solo Works
Following Bocca di Leone, he released Splendour + Misery in 2020, a minimalist acoustic album. His psychedelic-songwriter LPs include Cosmospine, Marquis Verdigris, and Postnatal Noise Cocoon, marked by provocative lyrics and intricate guitar work. He has also released two EPs and three singles.
Two EP’s have been released. A three-song album titled, French Diseases of the Soul (2022), featuring a psychedelic rock song bookended by two expansive dark ambient tracks. And the impromptu drone project, Noncommunication of the Cephalopods (2021).
Album Weltschmerz (2024) is the first in a series of ambient works, with L’heure Verte as the next anticipated release.
Music for Film
Croix is credited for the music and sound mix of several films. He has contributed music and sound mixing for several indie films by Matt Hendricks, including Vincent & Vincent (2008) and I’m Not Mine (2017). Hendricks has also directed music videos for two of Croix’s songs, Dreaming and Patricia’s Loose.
Spoken Word
Since 2017, Croix has produced over three dozen audiobooks for publisher Aurelia Leo, incorporating sound effects and narration.
Anorak Arts
In 2020, he launched Anorak Arts Publishing, a subsidiary of Tachisme Records, dedicated to works in the public domain, featuring stories by authors like H.P. Lovecraft and Franz Kafka.
Future Projects
Croix plans to release Mascara, emphasizing classical acoustic instruments and experimental composition techniques, further showcasing his versatility as an artist.
A book and a cup of coffee 