Pastora

Pastora - Music Minus Film (Independent)
Pastora is one man: Derek Buckner. He writes, produces and performs everything on Music Minus Film, a mixed-marriage of electronica and analog instruments. The result, thanks mainly to Buckner’s melodic skills, is a satisfying collection, which brings to mind Barry Adamson’s jazzy imagined scores of the past decade, the mid-80s indie electro-pop of Matt Johnson, early Eno and Berlin based Bowie. The occasional songs are quite possibly of earth shattering importance, but there’s just enough juice running through them to strip any real meaning away. This is quite possibly a very good thing, and we’re largely left impressed with the Low-isms of “Looking For Another” or “Peach Magnet”, instead of fretting over any lyrical faux pas that might shatter the illusion. Our only real concern is that there’s not enough of it, with its running time of less than 25 minutes. Find the MySpace page here: www.myspace.com/pastoramusic
Rob F. - Leicester Bangs

...Buckner channels Mark Knopfler just a bit here, right down to a parallel subtle guitar style...) - Wildy's World

Pastora is the brainchild and creation of Derek Buckner, he writes, he produces, he plays, there is nothing really that this guy doesn’t do but the resulting sound would have you believe that Music Minus Film is a team effort on a larger scale. 80s synth, 90s trance, a variety of instrumental interludes, it’s all here on this 25 minute melodic merry-go-round. “Can You See Them” sees Buckner combine dark and granite like vocals with a strong, plodding bass line punctuated with an occasional keyboard interjection. This is one of only two tracks to feature vocals of any kind, along with "El Contador". Music Minus Film is certainly more a sprint than a marathon in terms of duration, yet the ability of Buckner to introduce such a vast array of ingredients to the musical taste buds, like a chef not wanting to over-cook the broth maybe it is a case of less equals more. - HUBBUB UK