Profit Prison

Profit Prison
Birth nameParker Lautenschlager
OriginSeattle, Washington, United States
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • synthesizer
  • guitar
Years active2017–present
LabelsAVANT! Records, Hospital Productions, Heavy Days, Slow Club Productions
WebsiteProfit Prison

Profit Prison is the stage name of Seattle-based dark synth music artist Parker Lautenschlager. Born in Monroe, Washington, Lautenschlager was raised in small town Western Washington. Known for his melancholic and atmospheric soundscapes, Profit Prison blends elements of darkwave, post-punk, and synthwave, exploring themes of isolation, existential struggle, and emotional turmoil.[1]

Career

Originally launching out of Seattle, Lautenschlager toured nationally and internationally with the hardcore band Marrow, death metal band Excarnated Entity, power electronics act Anteinferno, and black metal band Bhereg.[2]

Lautenschlager formed Profit Prison in 2016.[3] The project is characterized by the use of synthesizers, basslines, and vocals that contribute to its darkwave sound.[4] Its style blends atmospheric elements with influences from retro and modern synth music.[5][6]

Discography

Solo discography

  • Myra (2017 on Hospital Productions)[4]
  • Cost of Living EP (2018, Heavy Days)[7]
  • Six Strange Passions (2019 on AVANT! Records)[8][2][9][10]
  • Dreams of a Dark Building (2020 on AVANT! Records)[11][12][13][14][15][16]
  • Right to Know (2020 on Slow Club Productions)[17]
  • Faust (2022 on Hospital Productions)
  • Gilt LP (2024 on AVANT! Records)[18]
  • Feast On The Rose's Name (2024 on Hospital Productions)

Notable Singles

  • "Moment of Pleasure" (2021)
    • Collaboration with Nox Novacula.
  • "Sophia" (2023)
  • "Dreamer" (2023)

Compilations

  • Retrograde (2018 on Летпав)
    • Contributed the song "Judgement"
  • Divisive Distractions (2019)
    • Contributed the songs "120 Days" and "A Question of Etiquette"
  • Sonic Seducer Cold Hands Seduction - Vol. 222 (2020 on Sonic Seducer)
    • Contributed the single "A Premonition"
  • Year Of The Mask (2020 on AVANT! Records)
    • Contributed the song "Witnes"

Critical Reception

Profit Prison has received attention within the darkwave and synth music communities for its distinctive style and approach to dark synth music.[11][19] Critics have highlighted Profit Prison the project's emotionally impactful compositions and unique contributions to the genre.[18][20]

Alice Teeple at Post-Punk described Profit Prison as "at the forefront of dungeon synth," adding that the sound "evokes the essence of a lucid dream set against the backdrop of Studio 54’s legendary dance floor, blending the ethereal with the electric."[3]

Tyler Barney at CVLT Nation characterized Profit Prison as "captivating," describing its sound as a "dystopian brand of synthpop" that is "equal parts synthpop, Hi-NRG, and Italo disco."[4] Sean Reveron, also at CVLT Nation, stated that Profit Prison "looks to the past while pushing the genre forward."[16]

New Noise Magazine described Profit Prison's work as delivering a "political punch," highlighting the project's engagement with themes of societal critique.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Track by Track: Listen to Profit Prison's Heartrending Dark Synth Masterpiece "Dreams of a Dark Building"". Post-Punk. September 11, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "AVANT! Records: Profit Prison – Six Strange Passions". XWave Radio. June 29, 2019. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Teeple, Alice (February 2, 2024). "Dark Synth Artist Profit Prison Returns in The Video for 'Sophia'". Post-Punk. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Barney, Tyler (March 19, 2019). "Put yourself in 'A Strange Situation' with this new PROFIT PRISON video". CVLT Nation. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Harriman, Andi (March 14, 2022). "Darkwave Artists Child of Night and Profit Prison Pair Up For West Coast Tour". Post-Punk. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Keimig, Jas. "False Prophet: Ritual Veil, Profit Prison, Sharlese". EverOut. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024.
  7. ^ Mish, Chris (July 27, 2019). "Post-punk project Profit Prison releases new EP "Cost of Living"". EBM Radio. Archived from the original on December 28, 2024. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  8. ^ Teeple, Alice (March 17, 2023). "Darkwave Project Child of Night Debuts Video for Kanga Remix of "Disappear" — Announces Tour With Profit Prison". Post-Punk. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  9. ^ Kindt, Volker (April 11, 2019). "Profit Prison – Six Strange Passions". Outered Space. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  10. ^ Carrera, Rudy (April 13, 2019). "Profit Prison – Six Strange Passions". WavePress. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Southgate, Dan (March 3, 2021). "Profit Prison – Dreams of a Dark Building". DIY Conspiracy. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Herron-Wheeler, Addison (July 29, 2020). "Video Premiere: Profit Prison – '120 Days'". New Noise Magazine. Archived from the original on December 28, 2024.
  13. ^ Kindt, Volker (July 29, 2020). "Profit Prison – Dreams of a Dark Building". Outered Space. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  14. ^ "Post-Punk.com Best of 2020". Post-Punk. December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  15. ^ Harriman, Andi (August 11, 2020). "Current Synth Pop Acts You Should Know". Post-Punk. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Reveron, Sean (July 29, 2020). "Listen to the minimal wave // Dark Disco of PROFIT PRISON 120 Days + A Premonition". CVLT Nation. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  17. ^ "Post-punk project Profit Prison releases new EP "Cost of Living"". XWave Radio. November 25, 2020. Archived from the original on December 28, 2024. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Teeple, Alice (March 1, 2024). "Dark Synth Project Profit Prison Let's Slip New Single 'A Matter of Tact'". Post-Punk. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024.
  19. ^ "Concert: Secret Wilderness / Sacramence / Profit Prison / Vacuole Eyes". Rhizome. August 3, 2019. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024.
  20. ^ "Profit Prison". Record Turnover. April 24, 2024. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024.