Sam Prekop Stays Modular on New Synth LP Open Close

Sam Prekop dives deep into modular synth magic on Open Close, blending live energy with crafted soundscapes for a fresh electronic experience.

A Modular Journey Begins

If you’ve ever been enchanted by the eclectic sounds of Chicago’s The Sea & Cake, you’re already familiar with the distinct voice and vision of Sam Prekop. But beyond his role as frontman, Prekop has been quietly building a rich solo career shaped by modular synth explorations. His newest album, Open Close, out September 26 via Thrill Jockey, takes listeners on a mesmerizing trip through layered grooves and evolving ambient textures.

The album’s roots are fascinating: many tracks were initially crafted for live performances alongside ambient legend Laraaji. Prekop shares, “I felt it was a good idea to get this stuff recorded, because a lot of work had gone into it for it to just dissipate.” What began as live improvisations grew into a fully realized studio project where Prekop layered sounds that simply can’t be replicated on stage.

Crafting Soundscapes Beyond the Stage

Let’s talk about that studio magic. Take the track “Light Shadow.” The live version provides the skeletal framework, but in the studio, Prekop built a heavily overdubbed middle section that adds depth and intrigue. Other pieces like “Para” and “Opera” came later, crafted specifically to fill gaps he felt existed in the initial recordings.

“The main sequence/body of ‘Light Shadow’ is very minimal — for sure not more than two chords. I find sequences that work like this fascinating in that for me, I just don’t get tired of listening to them, which I take as a good sign,” he explains. This minimalist approach is a hallmark of modular synth work, where hypnotic repetition allows subtle shifts and layers to shine.

It’s a reminder that musical complexity doesn’t always mean more notes or frantic changes. In fact, Prekop tells us, “It has taken me a while to realize that a certain ‘musical’ complexity is not always the most interesting route to take. The sequence felt so malleable and seemed to work effortlessly with whatever I tried to layer above and around it.” This is the beauty of modular synths: endless possibilities wrapped in simplicity.

From Guitar to Modular Synth

Interestingly, Prekop’s journey into synths began from a place of guitar frustration. Feeling limited by his guitar skills, he found modular synths opened a whole new sonic playground. “Messing around with modular synths just opened a whole new approach and sound world for me. It did, however, take years to figure out how to make interesting music with this stuff, and, no surprise, it’s just as challenging as playing a guitar,” he admits.

This evolution from traditional instruments to electronic wizardry isn’t always easy or straightforward. Yet, for Prekop, it became a rewarding challenge that has now defined much of his solo work.

Live Chemistry with Ambient Legend Laraaji

One of the more surprising and delightful collaborations on this journey was with Laraaji, a key figure in ambient music history known for his 1980 Brian Eno-produced album Ambient 3: Day of Radiance. Prekop approached this partnership with cautious optimism: “I wasn’t really that familiar with Laraaji’s work beyond that beloved album before we teamed up. I went into it having no idea if it would work or not.”

The first moment they played together was at soundcheck, and within minutes, both knew the chemistry was real. “We were both relieved within the first five minutes — we could tell it was going to be fine and I was really quite surprised that what we do works together so well. Our performances also evolved in surprising ways,” Prekop recalls.

This live synergy breathed new life into the tracks that would become Open Close, blurring the lines between improvisation and composition.

Linking Past Works: Open Close, Comma, and Sons Of

Fans of Prekop’s solo work or his collaborations with John McEntire will notice threads weaving through his discography. Comparing Open Close to 2020’s Comma or the 2022 Sons Of album with McEntire, Prekop highlights the distinct yet connected processes behind them.

“Open Close is related to the Sons Of record with regard to process, as it was also developed from ‘live’ recordings, but John and I added a lot to it in the studio,” he says. Both albums share the sprawling nature of their long-form pieces, reflecting the ebb and flow of live performances.

By contrast, Comma took a more traditional song-based approach with a pop sensibility. “I think a big differentiation is I felt I could have sang on many of the pieces on Comma. Maybe on the next one,” Prekop teases, hinting at the possibility of more vocal work in future projects.

Looking Ahead: Live Shows and Sea & Cake Updates

To celebrate Open Close, Prekop performed a concert at New York’s Public Records, adding another chapter to his live modular synth tale. He also mentioned plans to revisit recordings from his Laraaji shows, which fans can eagerly anticipate.

As for The Sea & Cake, the band has been relatively quiet since their last album in 2018, with few live dates. Prekop candidly discusses the situation, explaining that future activity will likely depend on the schedules of John McEntire and Doug McCombs, who are busy with their other Chicago experimental band, Tortoise. Their new album, Touch, arrives October 24 via International Anthem.

“I do really miss playing in a ‘rock band’ and I have been thinking about singing more these days as well,” Prekop confesses. “It’s looking like John and Doug will be pretty busy with Tortoise for a while, but I do need time to come up with new songs, so the timing might be just right. I’m sure at some point we’ll be getting something happening again.”

The Endless Appeal of Modular Synths

In an age where electronic music often feels either polished or clinical, Prekop’s Open Close offers an organic, lived-in take on modular synths. It’s a record that invites listeners to get lost in hypnotic sequences, subtle sonic shifts, and a palpable sense of exploration.

With a foot in the atmospheric and another in groove-based minimalism, it’s a perfect record for those who love music that’s both cerebral and soulful. Sam Prekop’s journey from guitar to synth, and from bandleader to solo explorer, is one that promises even more sonic adventures in the years to come.

“The sequence felt so malleable and seemed to work effortlessly with whatever I tried to layer above and around it.” — Sam Prekop

FAQ

• What inspired Sam Prekop to focus on modular synths for Open Close? Prekop was inspired partly due to frustration with his guitar playing, which led him to explore the vast sonic possibilities of modular synths.
• How was the collaboration with Laraaji influential on the album? Their live improvisations together shaped much of the material on Open Close, blending ambient textures and synth sounds in fresh ways.
• How does Open Close differ from Prekop’s previous albums? Unlike Comma, which leaned more toward traditional songs, Open Close focuses on long-form, evolving compositions developed from live jams.
• Will Sam Prekop be singing more on future releases? Prekop hints that vocals may play a larger role in his next projects, indicating a potential shift back to more song-oriented work.
• What’s the status of The Sea & Cake? The band is currently on a low profile, partly due to members' commitments to other projects like Tortoise, but there’s optimism about new music in the future.

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