Fractures

Melbourne producer Fractures (aka Mark Zito) seems on the cusp of great things. His debut single Twisted released earlier this year was somewhat of a sleeper hit racking up 160,000 plays on Soundcloud and getting the tick of approval from Gotye.

After an unplanned hiatus – Zito was involved in a near-fatal fall which left him confined to a neck-brace for three months – he has returned with Cadence. A down-tempo electro burner, the new cut shows off a more restrained side to Zito’s songwriting, gradually engulfing the listener rather than relying on epic builds. Underpinned by a wave of warm bass and soulful keys, Cadence recalls the work of Jamie Woon and, to some extent, James Blake. Described by Zito as a song about “unrequited lust, and a lingering longing” Cadence achieves its emotional peaks with subtle but stunning clarity.

Cadence is out now through iTunes and will feature on Fractures’ forthcoming debut EP, due for release in early 2014. He will launch the song – in his debut live performance – on Thursday, November 28 at The Workers Club in Melbourne. - The Guardian UK/FasterLouder

As you can imagine, given my line of work, I get sent a fair bit of music. A lot of it is really good (and a lot isn’t), but every now and then I come across a track which really makes me go “WOW.” Melbourne musician Fractures (Mark Zito) did exactly that with his new single “Twisted.” To make things even more remarkable, he makes all his music on his own in his home studio.

“Twisted” is a truly emotive track. Commencing with a round of icy-sharp percussion, the track opens up as soon as the heartfelt vocals are introduced. Completed with savvy production, Zito creates a beautifully dreamy landscape which you can’t help but be drawn to.

Officially to be released on March 8, 2013, “Twisted” is the first single off Fracture’s upcoming (debut) EP, which will also see him perform with a live five-piece band. If you like this one, make sure to check out his other track “Embers” on his SoundCloud. - Indie Shuffle

Hot on the heels of his the well received single ‘Twisted’, Melbourne’s Mark Zito aka Fractures is back at it, this time with a haunting love ballad entitled "Cadence". Like the park on an autumn evening, “Cadence” is full of manicured sunburst. The size of the percussion builds the perfect stage for the warm claps and rotating guitar licks, the dreamy vocals and poignant lyricism, sweeping together into something wonderful.The midway break back into the electric piano gives you just enough time to catch your breath. If you’re looking to be moved, look no further.

Zito himself says that ‘Cadence’ is a song about unfulfilled attraction. “It’s about unrequited lust, and a lingering longing – trying in vain to shut out memories and thoughts of the object of attraction.” After a serious misfortune earlier this year, when Zito broke his neck, he was bound to bed rest and had to cancel his debut show. Now after three long months, he is back and ready to get back into the studio. Fractures is slated to released his debut EP out early 2014 and now you can get a taste of it here with "Cadence". - Earmilk

Yesterday my bud, and your host of Home and Hosed, Dom Alessio, passed a tune my way. The artist was called Fractures, the song was "Twisted", and he found this gem on that great source of new, Australian music; triple j Unearthed.

From first listen I was hooked; the beautiful production recalled the best combinations of electronic and instrumental production and definitely gave a nod to Radiohead in it's warm guitar sound. Then that voice... it's fragility when it hit the high notes and just how sweetly it showcased when the beats dropped away. This is a great song. Beyond his brief Unearthed profile I don't know much, other than I like his work. "Twisted" is today's Catch. - Zan Rowe's Blog - Triple J

Mark Zito’s electronic baby FRACTURES first excited us with ‘Twisted‘, then even more with the luscious ‘Cadence‘. Having been bowled out of the performance game for much of 2013 by a nasty accident that fractured bones (oh yes, life’s irony), Melbourne was treated to a debut show at The Worker’s Club last week. And we showed up good, buying tickets until there were no more.

BIG CREATURE were worth showing up early for, as their distinctive sound and tight live presentation suggest big things ahead. “You are encouraged to get funky”, proclaimed frontman of FRACTURES only support to a sparse but attentive audience. A wall of guttural grooving guitar and off kilter vocals bounced around the half-empty space.

It wasn’t immediately obvious why the creator of deliciously downtempo electro would share a ticket with BIG CREATURES‘ experimental, drum-heavy alt-rock. Once the main man took the stage, with no less than four band members in tow, it became clear the aforementioned were the perfect pre-cursor to FRACTURES big, emotive and frankly ballsy live sound.

After a delayed start due to tech difficulties, to an increasingly fidgety crowd, Mark Zito and friends opened with a plaintive slow-burner that built chillingly to an electric crescendo. Pretty standard for FRACTURES, it turns out. Fleshy, amorphous graphics, molecular transformations and blooming visuals allowed the audience to fall into the dream space created by a polished live performance. Deep bass rivets, a voice that is almost child-like in its tonal honesty and space between sometimes left bare, sometimes busy with melodic guitar licks and dramatic keys – FRACTURES delivers.

Surprisingly, FRACTURES on stage was not a lone man, a standalone producer, mixing swoony beats behind a synth with a loop pedal. It was a fully live sound produced by a band of 5, a line-up which includes Mark’s brother Andy Zito. Plugged in are keys (Andy), two guitars (one played by Zito), bass and drums.

Melbourne may have cooled down outside but a sold-out Workers Club was a sweaty hot mess. Zito in jeans and a tee, pouring sweat, crooned his heart out for an adoring audience (and assured us that it was, by the way, sweat and not tears).

In the introduction for a song written after his grandfather died, the unassuming FRACTURES confessed he doesn’t often write songs about personal experiences. Nonetheless, onstage banter was nothing if not candid. He spoke easily of the long, arduous journey back from the injury that left him in a neck brace. He thanked his mum (NAW) and mentioned more than once how happy he is to be back playing music, fighting (relatively) fit.

FRACTURES‘ live sound is as rewarding as his SoundCloud – allowing more loudness. Distinguished by simple and poignant lyrical hooks, repeated for effect, sung with raw passion, anger, lust and pain. Striking keys that set an ambient tone, before finger-picked guitar pulls you in the other direction. Drums and bass that slip in quietly, as Zito’s voice picks up momentum and feeling. And soon enough, you’re beholden to a sometimes raucous, sometimes reticent, always raw majesty… - Purple Sneakers