Artist Spotlight: Best Korea
Consisting of Dacotah Stordahl and Ray Jimenez, Best Korea is a Bozeman, Montana Electronic/Synthwave duo whose focus is producing 80s-inspired electronic dance music with a live-show-inspired ethos.
Influenced by classic artists like Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Madonna, Phil Collins, Vangelis along with modern artists like Gunship, Carpenter Brut, Perturbator, and The Midnight, the duo has also found stylistic inspiration from retro-futuristic aesthetics and classic Sci-Fi/action movies from the 1980s.
Their new single, “The Crucible,” is an instrumental track inspired by Arthur Miller’s classic play of the same name. Originally an allegory for McCarthyism, Best Korea has introduced a new spin on the idea, featuring clips from Public Service Videos on the 80’s “Satanic Panic” to serve as an updated metaphor. Using this allegory, they remind modern audiences that fear of the unknown doesn’t need to equate hate or violence.