Tag: electronica

SOUNDWAVE : 126 : JOHAN DE REYBEKILL

Today’s guest deejay is Johan de Reybekill, AKA Phaedrus.

I discovered Johan through Quasi, the album collaborated on with Dronny Darko (listen to Dronny’s mix for Soundwave here). I was swept away by the experience and listened to Johan’s projects and concerts. Of course, I invited Johan to guest deejay on Soundwave, and he’s shared something wonderful with us.

I have a routine for my four-year-old grandkid when it’s time to sleep. I tell him a story that includes events from his day and his friends, the Little Old Mouse and Purple Monster. Then I play some ambient music for him to drift away to, usually Brian Eno, whom we call Uncle Eno. My go-to’s are Eno’s Ambient 4: On Land and The Pearl, an album he recorded with the late Harold Budd. I’ve listed to a lot of Brian Eno since becoming a Dziadzia (that’s Polish for “grandpa”), and as much as I love Eno’s music, sometimes that means switching things up. Johan doesn’t know it, but I’ve used today’s mix to send my grandkid off to Sleepytime on more than one occasion.

Johan has words about today’s mix below.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be Sunwarper.

See you then.

 

Johan de Reybekill, AKA Phaedrus
Johan de Reybekill, AKA Phaedrus

In this mix I have worked with subtle contrasts like: “noisy / minimalistic”, “melodic / droning”, “dark / gentle”, “static / volatile”. A majority of the pieces on the mix is from some of my favourite Scandinavian artists.

The process of creating the mix made me realise just how much I love listening to music in that special way, where I am actively listening to the music in depth; its composition, qualities and details.

I found myself going for long walks just to listen to the mix in its entirety, go home and make adjustments, go for another walk, and so on. I loved the process of working with my own and others’ music as an integral part of what came to be the mix. It was a pleasure and an honour to contribute to Soundwave.

Thanks, Joseph.

  1. Deru “1979 (On a Snowy February Day)”
  2. Badun “SP​-​0 (Space Leslie Lovers)”
  3. Maulex & Phaedrus “Ouatim”
  4. Phaedrus “Lnog”
  5. Fieldhead “Sky Peals”
  6. Sofie Birch “Begin Sync End”
  7. Kiloton “Disarray”
  8. Signelykke “Wetlands”
  9. ROSYAN “Retaw”
  10. Maulex “Reijka”
  11. Dronny Darko & Phaedrus “Ptolemy’s Parable”
  12. Phaedrus “Rooibos”

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SOUNDWAVE : 123 : SURVEY CHANNEL

Today’s guest deejay is Matt Donatelli, AKA Survey Channel.

I met through Francisco Dominguez. After Francisco shared his fantastic mix earlier this year, I asked him who he thought would want guest deejay on Soundwave. Francisco recommended Matt, and after doing a deep dive on Matt’s music, I wholeheartedly agreed.

If you love today’s mix, and you will, then you’ll be happy to know that Matt spins on CAMP Radio. His show is called Aural Dogma. Tune in!

Matt has some words about his mix below.

I am increasingly grateful for Soundwave. I initially launched the show to help cope with the stress and isolation of the first months of the quarantine lockdown. I told myself that I would wrap the show up once the pandemic was reasonably under control: Soundwave would have severed its purpose. But the pandemic is not done with us. Over the last few months, I’ve seen more and more people who are frayed and exhausted. I’m a bit worn out myself, and Soundwave continues offering respite and delight. I hope you feel the same.

 

The Metallic Ratio by Eva Kierten
The Metallic Ratio by Eva Kierten

Before I go, I want to let you know that Other Forms of Consecrated Life (listen to their mix for Soundwave here) just released Eva Kierten’s new album, The Metallic Ratio. Kierten continues to gently plumb emotional depths.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be John de Reybekill.

See you then.

 

Matt Donatelli, AKA Survey Channel
Matt Donatelli, AKA Survey Channel

Lately, I’ve been seeking out a variety of cleansing soundwaves in countless flavors. From the oddly contemporary sounds of “early” electronic group Syrinx, the the folksy-pivot of ex-Sneaker Pimps vocalist Kelli Ali, to the wonderfully weird Iasos. I find myself constantly visiting old favorites, as well. This mix is a snapshot in time of the tunes that spoke to me; working through me as I built it. I’ve added a few minor soundbytes to a couple of the tracks — I find the mixes with a personal touch that can tell a story to be the most successful.

Overall, I hope this mix acts as an inspiration for listeners to continue to seek out music in any genre; there is always something waiting to be heard.

  1. Ela Orleans “Beatrice”
  2. oldboy “Sun Behind the Clouds”
  3. Kelpe “Panpipe Dreams (Goodbye)”
  4. Five Nine Alaska “Calos One”
  5. Kelli Ali “Throw It to the Dogs”
  6. Ciaran Byrne “Audry Hugo”
  7. Pye Corner Audio “Sleep Chamber”
  8. Seefeel “Rupt”
  9. Casino Vs Japan “Stolen”
  10. Syrinx “Father of Light”
  11. Autechre “Slip”
  12. Jessy Lanza “Giddy”
  13. Iasos “Siren Shallows”
  14. Thom Yorke & Robert del Naja “Dead Editors”
  15. Bibio “Vidiconia I”
  16. arovane “windy wish trees”
  17. Amon Tobin / Two Fingers “Wooden Toy (Bibio Rework)”
  18. Violent Age “Alone at Noon

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SOUNDWAVE : 119 : COMPLEX HOLIDAY

Today’s guest deejay is Robert Farrugia, co-founder of Complex Holiday, an itinerant label for inside-out ambient and sound art tomfoolery.

Robert was our guest deejay last fall, and he returns to Soundwave sharing another lustrous mix.

For me, Robert’s mix captures the essence of ambient music, as explained by Brian Eno, who compared ambient music to a painting. You can enjoy a painting on two levels. On one level, you engage with the painting, looking at it, studying it, and reacting to it. But on another level, the same painting is on the periphery of your consciousness. But it’s still there, subtly affecting you.

I’d find myself immersed in Robert’s mix and then be distracted by an email or text message, lost in thought, and slowly becoming aware that Robert had shifted the territory in his sonic landscape. And then the cycle began again.

 

Robert Farrugia, Photograph by Chris Vella / Storbju
Robert Farrugia, Photograph by Chris Vella / Storbju

Robert has included a few releases from Complex Holiday on today’s show. Ben Mifsud Joslin album, New Life (Robert was involved in the recording process and performed additional instrumentation on Ben’s album), and Daniel Vujcic’s album, Palinopsia, will be released later this year. Robert himself makes an appearance with “Iota.”

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be Riz Maslen.

See you then.

  1. Warmth “Guiding Light”
  2. Robert Farrugia “Iota”
  3. Tone Color “Half-Remembered, Half-Forgotten”
  4. Ben Mifsud Joslin “New Life”
  5. Taylor Deupree “Twirl”
  6. Robert Farrugia “Digital Droplets”
  7. Daniel Vujcic “Quiblis Ark”
  8. Andrew Tasselmyer “Our Own Private Libraries”
  9. Daniel Vujcic “Volovod”
  10. David Allred “Potato”

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SOUNDWAVE : 118 : STEVE SWARTZ

Today’s guest deejay is Steve Swartz.

I met Steve through Jason Engling, who guest deejayed on Soundwave a couple of years ago. Steve shared a magical mix that I have listened to many times. Today’s show is no less resplendent in its emotions and sounds. It’s a journey.

Earlier this week, I was telling a friend about Soundwave and Steve’s mix. I explained that because Soundwave was created to help me cope with stress and isolation during the first few months of the pandemic, it is a touchstone to those fearful and uncertain times. For me, Soundwave has become a weekly meditative act of reflecting on those early days and the impact of the pandemic on nearly everything in our lives. While I go back to that emotional space weekly, my thoughts and feelings about those times have changed.

As I write this, it is a beautiful day in San Diego, and I can see the ocean from where I sit. I’ve seen this view many times, and while the view is the same, I’m not the person I was at the beginning of this pandemic. I’ve changed. We’ve all changed. I find myself asking who this person is I’ve become and what will I do? Where do I go from here? Steve’s mix provides the soundtrack for the journey.

Steve has some words about his mix below.

Join us again next week when our guest deejay will be Robert Farrugia, co-founder of Complex Holiday.

See you then.

 

Steve Swartz
Steve Swartz

I often feel misplaced. Out of tune with much of the goings on of the world around me. As a result, sound and nature have always been a source of refuge. As a child raised around fields and Great Lakes, I’m always drawn to music and sound that drifts, billows or breathes. And so it is with this mix of music. It’s intended as a reflection of my lack of place but also my sense of solitude, refuge and wonder. For me, these are the underscores of moments of abandon out on the road or a morning walk in my neighborhood. Moments of solitude where my mind surveys the landscape of hardships and joys. Spaces where my thoughts drift to someone I deeply miss. Or during the exhale at the end of a long day. To me, these pieces of music are boundless and internal. Drifting like a breeze or a trace of a memory. Something otherworldly but familiar. Nostalgic and grateful. The spirit of a land but not a place.

  1. William Tyler “Slow Night’s Static”
  2. Suso Saiz “Healthy Digestion”
  3. Bremer McCoy “Mit Hjerte”
  4. Hara Noda “Night Swimmer”
  5. Kenji Kihara “Flowering Quince”
  6. Björn Meyer “Provenance”
  7. Ólafur Arnalds & Nils Frahm “20:17”
  8. Carrie Carlton Quartet “City Morning Views”
  9. Benoit Pioulard “Stone In Focus”
  10. zakè “Night Shineth As The Day”
  11. Philip Wilkerson “The Edge of Being”
  12. Bark Psychosis “Pendulum Man”

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SOUNDWAVE : 117 : NANEUM

Today’s guest deejay is Jon Solo, AKA Naneum.

Jon last guest deejayed on Soundwave a year ago. Since then, he’s released a new album entitled Autumn, and it just reached #7 on the NACC Chill charts.

I just wrapped up 45 minutes of playing Halo: Reach, and I’m playing Autumn to chill out and get me in the headspace to write today’s show notes. I’m a New Englander, and Autumn is chock full of songs titled with cities in Massachusetts, such as Boston, Salem, and Swampscott, so I’m already inclined to like this album. That I love the album is a forgone conclusion because Jon’s music never fails to evoke delicate emotions and memories intimately. But it’s also transporting me to various times spent walking along the Charles River in early fall as a young man. It’s been a magical evening revisiting those memories.

Thanks, Jon.

 

Jono Solo, AKA Naneum
Jono Solo, AKA Naneum

Jon does us the favor by opening today’s show with a track from Autum. Go to Jon’s Bandcamp page if you’d like to hear more of this music. Maybe send a few dollars and pick up a few songs or albums while you’re there.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be Steve Swartz.

See you then.

  1. Naneum “Leaves”
  2. Frededrico Albanese “By The Deep Sea”
  3. Nils Frahm “Forever Changless”
  4. Hania Rani “Eden”
  5. Hidden Orchestra “Spoken”
  6. Javi Lobe “Lost Time”
  7. Ólafur Arnalds “Zero”
  8. Yann Tiersen “Ker Yegu”
  9. Eydís Evensen “Dagdraumur”
  10. Jacob David “Blåregn”

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SOUNDWAVE : 115 : YANN NOVAK

Today’s guest deejay is Yann Novak.

Yann guest deejayed on Soundwave last year, and it’s a delight to have him back on the show. And it’s not just because his mix is utterly fantastic, but because today’s show reminds me that I’ve known Yann since 2009 when I showcased his label, Dragon’s Eye Recordings, on solipsistic NATION.

Not that I know Yann besides what I see him post on social media. But when I launched Soundwave, I reached out to many people through solipsistic NATION, and Yann was one of them. I like his label, and I respect Yann’s thoughts about music. The mix he shared on Soundwave was beautiful and unexpected. Today’s show is no less lovely and surprising.

So, no, I don’t really know Yann. But it’s good to know people are creating, releasing, and sharing music because it needs to be heard.

 

Yann Novak
Yann Novak

Yann included “A Trembling of Light” in his mix, which is from his recently released album, Reflections of a Gathering Storm. It sets the tone for today’s show. If you like it, you might consider giving his album a listen, maybe even spend a few bucks on it. Maybe play it loud enough that the neighbors can hear it, like I did.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be Ishmael Cormack.

See you then.

  1. Yann Novak “A Trembling of Light”
  2. Robert Takahashi Crouch “An Emotional Rescue”
  3. Laraaji, Carlos Niño & Superposition “Infinite Sun (Instrumental)”
  4. Rafael Anton Irisarri “Vanishing Points”
  5. Leo Wolf “You Appear in Dreams”
  6. BJ Nilsen “Black Light”
  7. Ben Frost “Theory Of Machines”
  8. Aho Ssan “Blind Power (ft. The Mensah Imaginary Band)”
  9. Joel St. Julien “La Grande Finale”
  10. ROSALÍA “I See A Darkness (feat. Raül Refree)”

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SOUNDWAVE : 112 : MACHINE RECORDS

Today’s guest deejay is Dan Haines Cohen, founder of Machine Records.

Last year Machine Records celebrated 20 years of releasing new electronic/experimental music, mostly from Wales. Described as “Cardiff’s number one underground electronic imprint” (Buzz Magazine), Machine was the winner of Best Label at the Welsh Music Awards in 2005.

 

Dan Haines Cohen
Dan Haines Cohen

Dan also records as Stereo Minus One since 2001 and currently based in Wellington, New Zealand. As well as recent mixes and remixes, his eighth album will be released in June 2022.

I met Dan on Twitter. After he turned me on to new releases from his label, I asked if he’d be interested in sharing a mix on Soundwave. Happily, he said yes.

Dan’s mix showcases some recent releases and includes exclusive, as-yet-unreleased tracks. Dan’s mix also includes a new, never before heard remix by Cape Canaveral of Dan’s 2001 track “Alarums’ which features on Lodestone, as well as an exclusive track from Cape Canaveral’s upcoming new release in 2022 (“Far”).

Every morning this week, I’ve listened to Dan’s mix while drinking coffee and beginning my workday. And every morning, while Dan’s mix plays, a squirrel will sit on the railing of my roof deck, munching on nuts. Later, a blackbird will swoop down and peck through the succulents in their flower pots. We have a nice routine going.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be James Vella.

See you then.

  1. Untiled “Void Pulse III” (Unreleased)
  2. Cape Canaveral “Unknown”
  3. Stereo Minus One “Alarums (Cape Canaveral remix)”
  4. Anatomist “Drifting”
  5. James Richards “Do You still see your son?”
  6. Cape Canaveral ”Far”
  7. Stereo Minus One “Switched (John Barnes remix)”
  8. Valley Lines “Salvage”
  9. Starlings “Four”
  10. Lifting Gear Engineer “Oped”
  11. Oddskool and BitBasic “Clog”
  12. Starlings “Six-Two, Minus One (Stereo Minus One remix)”

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SOUNDWAVE : 110 : JAKOB LINDHAGEN

Today’s guest deejay is Jakob Lindhagen.

Sofia Nystrand introduced me to several fantastic musicians after sharing her Vargkvint mix on Soundwave (you can listen to it here). Jakob was one of those musicians, and after I listened to some of his releases, I invited him to guest deejay.

Jakob is an award-winning film composer based in Stockholm, Sweden. His most recent soundtrack is Ziba, a movie about an Afghan woman living in Sweden, struggling with the realisation that she has developed romantic feelings for another woman, and the consequences that will have for her marriage and family. Jakob’s soundtrack for Ziba will be released Thursday, May 12. You can listen to a single from the soundtrack here. It’s a beautiful, moving piece.

Speaking of soundtracks, I listened to Jakob’s mix while playing the Call of Cthulhu roleplaying game on Roll20. It lent atmosphere to the game and heightened the experience.

Jakob has some words about his mix below.

Before I leave you, Soundwave guest deejay Alex Haas has released his new album, STRING OF PIECES. His album has become part of my mourning routine as I start my workday. Listen to Alex’s mix for Soundwave here.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be Andrew Tasslemyer.

 

Jakob Lindhagen
Jakob Lindhagen

I’ve always found the duo constellation very interesting, as it’s so intimate. Whereas the solo work is the reflection of one vision, and a band can be everything from a fair democracy to a dictatorship, the duo is such a fascinating reflection of two combined minds, often resulting in a synergy effect. The mix contains some of the most inspiring duos I know (of), as well as a couple of examples where I myself have felt elevated by my collaborator.

  1. Aaron Martin & Dag Rosenqvist “Opening”
  2. CEEYS_Brueder Selke “Hiddensee”
  3. Jakob Lindhagen & Dag Rosenqvist “Östersjön”
  4. Hoshiko Yamane & Mikael Lind “Beyond The Hidden”
  5. AVAWAVES “Waves”
  6. Kinbrae “The River Awakens”
  7. Hydras Dream “The Little Match Girl”
  8. Jakob Lindhagen & Vargkvint “Bäckahäst”
  9. Ben Frost & Daníel Bjarnason “Simulacra II”
  10. Klangriket and Sjors Mans “Prinsengracht”
  11. Olec Mün and Michael Sarian “Manaas”
  12. John Hayes & Maxy Dutcher “Arrival”

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SOUNDWAVE : 97 : ROBOT KOCH

Today’s guest deejay is Robert Koch, AKA Robot Koch.

Robert Koch is a German, Los Angeles-based artist, composer, and record producer. Koch made a name for himself as a member of the band Jahcoozi before launching a solo artist. His electronic music sound has been called “Wonderful and strange – pop music from the future” by John Peel.

Robert has woven a gorgeous mix that includes music from artists such as the late Harold Budd; Berlin-based musician, composer, and producer Midori Hirano; and Canadian instrumental music producer Jay Cliffen and select tracks from Robert’s new project Foam and Sand.

Foam and Sand is an ambient soundscape and visual endeavor inspired by Robert’s daily meditation habit.

The project took shape during the pandemic lockdown of 2020. Robert used tape recordings of slowed-down pianos, modular synths, and other sonic sources. The signature sound is created with loops that magnify the irregularities and imperfections of cassette recordings and that are then shaped by Robert into hazy meditative journeys. Through the process, the grainy subtleties of sound give way to vast and lush atmospheric soundscapes, making audible the complex interplay of micro and macro and highlighting the interconnectedness of these two spheres in life.

 

Robert Koch, AKA Robot Koch
Robert Koch, AKA Robot Koch

You can listen to Foam and Sand on Spotify.

You can find Robert on Instagram . You can also find his Foam and Sand project on Instagram.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be Forest Robots.

See you then.

  1. Harold Budd “Rosetti Noise”
  2. J Foerster / N Kramer “Entrance”
  3. Foam and Sand “Circle 26”
  4. Midori Hirano “Patterns (Foam and Sand Remix)”
  5. Foam and Sand “Circle 20”
  6. Rosales “Nest”
  7. Robot Koch “Movement I with Julien Marchal”
  8. Diskret “Dazed (Foam and Sand Remix)”
  9. Foam and Sand “Circle 7”
  10. Foam and Sand “Circle 5”
  11. Foam and Sand “Circle 6”
  12. Jay Cliffen “Inure“

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SOUNDWAVE : 93 : CHRISTOPH BERG

Today’s guest deejay is Christoph Berg.

Christoph is a composer and musician living and working in Berlin, focusing on chamber music and music for film. Besides releasing music on various imprints, Christoph runs his own record label Monochrome Editions. He also releases electroacoustic music as Field Rotation.

That’s all verbiage I copied and pasted from Discogs. I could use words like minimal, haunted, and mournful to describe it but you really, you need to experience Christoph’s music for yourself.

 

Christoph Berg
Christoph Berg

While writing this, I can tell you that I was listening to his Tape Anthology Vol. 1 album over my AirPods. My wife is asleep next to me, and I don’t want to disturb her. I was caught up in the emotions that Christoph was stirring in me when I began to be aware of the sounds of my stomach gurgling. But then it dawned on me that it wasn’t my stomach. It was gentle rumbling sounds within Christoph’s music. I’m sure that wasn’t Christoph’s intent, but for me, it gave an intimate and organic feel to his music. The experience endeared me to Christoph in an unexpected way.

Christoph’s mix, on the other hand, seems to capture the desolate spirit of our pandemic winter of 2022.

Everyone I know seems to have COVID. I have a dry, slight cough. It could be from the booster shot I received last week, a common cold I picked up, or the virus. And so, as part of my now monthly routine, I need to schedule yet another COVID test. But this is the shape of our lives now, so I square my shoulders and get on with it.

Christoph’s mix provides the soundtrack to what feels like it will be a very long winter.

Join us next week when our guest deejay will be Kazuya Nagaya.

See you then.

  1. Strain of Laws “Ordinary Mystique”
  2. Hildur Guðnadóttir “Gallery”
  3. Murcof “Dropped Soul/Shadow Surfing”
  4. Jasmine Guffond & Erik K Skodvin “The Burrower”
  5. Egisto Macchi “Segni Preistorici”
  6. John Wall “Stat:Unt:Dist”
  7. Tim Hecker and Daniel Lopatin “Vaccination No. 2”
  8. Black Merlin “Sibi”
  9. PDP III “Walls of Kyoto”
  10. Radiohead “The Jumbled Words of Climbing Up the Walls Read by Little Dan Clements”
  11. Makunouchi Bento “Jubokko”
  12. Meitei / 冥丁 “Jizo”
  13. Twinkle³ with Sidsel Endresen “Debris in L.E.O.”
  14. Mica Levi “Delete Beach (Japanese)
  15. Mikado Koko みかどここ “Ten Little Kuronbo”
  16. Demdike Stare x Il Gruppo Di Improvvisazione Nuova Consonanza “The Feed-Back Loop (excerpt)”
  17. Robert Millis “Only Here A Short While”

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