Holding the frames of infinite reflections — introducing Close Calls — the new collaboration between Jon Bernson & Michael Zapruder; photo still from the “JPEGs” visual.

Through the ever-evolving advancements of technology we find new ways to experience, observe, and document our environments. Our world is observed through populations of pixels, dotted across virtual canvases that manage a way to compress themselves through the magic of server networks that disseminate digitized packets of deliverables, memories emulated into encrypted codes, perspectives projected and pinged across antennae towers, satellites and such all across the universe. The visualization of reality is both captured and conveyed through the mechanical reproduction that allows us to both send and receive the living arts of our lives through duplicates and replications of copies that approximate the essence & aura of existence.

With all of this and more in spirit and mind, Jon Bernson & Michael Zapruder launch their collaborative new pop synthesis Close Calls with the single and visual for “JPEGs”. It’s a contemporary sci-fi love letter to the ubiquitous format that threads our connection to others, the earth, ourselves, and any bit of physical and ephemeral matter imaginable. Prolific pioneers of the influential collective and imprint Howells Transmitter, Bernson’s works spans from Ray’s Vast Basement, Window Twins, Exray’s, Higher Lows, holder of an Emmy and Peabody awards, in conjunction with fellow award-winning luminary Zapruder whose projects and developments range from contemporary classical, opera, to current work in rrunnerrss, with a composition doctorate. Together with their talents and visions combined — Close Calls is an exercise in creative concision that works to exhibit our modern day conundrum and curiosities that cuts the 3 minute traditional popular craft by half.

“JPEGs” twinkles like a synth encrusted mirror carbon copy of our world. Bernson and Zapruder present a spacy song that meditates upon the society of the scroller. Dissecting the dopamine high from endlessly rolling through the cascades of user-generated Möbius strips, pondering the objects that are assembled behind the tech scenes that are more abstract and intricate than what immediately meets and greets the senses. Close Calls make a serene and sinewy ode to the surreality of witnessing the world through the tech-warp tunnels of information displayed through varying degrees of definition and resolution.

The visual for "JPEGs" follows Jon & Michael on a communion with nature, taking a camping trip that explores that vast expanses of the natural realm of abundant earth, fire, water, air, and all the elements that enter into the auspices of the digital photo frame (ready for rapid relay, across oceans and land, coursing through block chains and computing clouds). Close Calls neatly show us the world as it is, the world that we know, the world that we share, the world that is both within and outside of the virtual pathways and places of the world wide webs.

Contemporary cosmic synth pop syntheses with Close Calls; video still courtesy of the artists.

Jon Bernson and Michael Zapruder shared the following insights on “JPEGs”:

Much like “People Take Pictures of Each Other” by The Kinks and Paul Simon's “Kodachrome”, “JPEGs” examines our evolving relationship with photographs.

In the video, [we] document the highlights of their investigation into this behavior.
Special thanks to Jacob Pritzker, Jud Bergeron, Emily Lakin, Ben Venom & The Space Program.

Purveying Polaroid pop in the deep ends of the pool with Close Calls’ Jon Bernson; photo still courtesy of the artists.

Close Calls’ album debut will arrive in 2025 which the duo describe as:

[A record that] explores the creative possibilities of very short songs.

Follow Close Calls via Instagram.

PREMIERE | Close Calls, "JPEGs"