Written over the course of 18 months The Wet EP by Instant Fantasy was Gemma Syme’s first foray into creating music solo. Armed with her trusted microKORG and an Ableton login, the synth drone ego-miner delivered a masterclass in reductionist production techniques. “I tend to work with ‘feelings’ rather than deal too heavily with the technical side of things (which is also a legitimate way to work as a producer)” Syme told The Pantograph Punch in 2015.

Throughout The Wet EP's five songs, Syme utilises soft synths, sparse percussion, and hushed vocal takes. For RNZ Jim Pinckney (Stinky Jim) noted “it’s ruthlessly minimalistic and in the wrong hands that could turn tedious very quickly, but Syme coaxes colour from the subdued tones, and imprints memorable melodies on her svelte skeletons of songs.”

Reflecting on the experience of writing the The Wet EP, Syme shares “I came back to Christchurch in 2013 after living in London. It was still a wreck after the quake. I feel like I was a bit of an emotional mess, and was searching for how to deal with that, and reconnect with the city I grew up in.”

“London left me pretty disillusioned about everything, but I knew I had some songs in me that I needed to get out. I was also freshly single when I returned, so I had a lot of heartache. I searched for connection for a long time, and needed to do a lot of work to resolve the sadness.”

“I’m really proud of the songs on The Wet EP. It took me a long time and a lot of work to feel comfortable with it all but writing something so honest and by myself gave me a sense of self worth. I got to reconnect with myself as an artist. I treasure it.”