Biography
Betrayflip is the solo project of guitarist Erick Hansel, best known as a founding member and guitarist of the influential instrumental math rock band CHON. Based in Los Angeles, California, betrayflip continues and evolves Hansel’s signature intricate guitar work, blending elements of math rock, progressive rock, and experimental hyperpop textures into short, dynamic compositions.
Background
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Born and raised in the Southern California music scene, Hansel co-founded CHON in 2008 alongside Mario Camarena and others. The band gained a dedicated following for their technical yet melodic guitar-driven sound before disbanding in 2024. Following the split, Hansel channeled his creativity into betrayflip, described by fans and himself as a way to “flip” past challenges into new artistic opportunities.
Musical Style and Influences
Betrayflip’s music features complex, looping guitar lines, tight rhythms, and a mix of instrumental tracks with occasional vocal contributions (such as from Dreary on select songs). The project leans into playful, high-energy guitar etudes and more fully realized album cuts that showcase Hansel’s technical prowess and love for experimentation. Influences include the progressive and math rock traditions that shaped CHON, with added modern production twists.
Key Release
The debut full-length album The Nowhere Place was released on July 17, 2026. The 14-track project (around 30 minutes) includes standout cuts like “Like That,” “More Than a Glitch,” and the title track. It features collaborations with former CHON members in production and performance credits, along with engineering by Dylan Quick and mixing/mastering by Tonto.
Fans can find additional content, including exclusive etudes, tabs, and sample packs, through betrayflip’s active Patreon and YouTube channel, where Hansel shares playthroughs, lessons, and behind-the-scenes material.
In summary, betrayflip represents a fresh chapter for Erick Hansel, delivering the intricate guitar work his audience craves while exploring new sonic territories. The project is recommended for fans of technical rock, math rock, and forward-thinking instrumental music.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.