Seven questions with ... ambient musician Craig Miller aka Chelytherium

Word-of-mouth is a wonderful thing ... connections are made through conversation ... shared interests are identified and supported. We are all stronger together rather than alone.

Ambient musician Craig Miller aka Chelytherium contacted me after speaking with Andy from A Day For Strange Birds ... he thought we should connect and I am so grateful to Andy that he did. Miller's music is my kind of ambient and I look forward to featuring his music on circumambient and here on the ol' nanolog in the near future.

Anyway, as is my want these days, I asked Miller if he'd like to answer a few questions ... I'm glad he said 'yes'.

----------

1) Who are you and what do you do?
I'm Craig Miller, I make ambient/experimental/drone music as Chelytherium.


2) What are you working on at the moment?
Mostly I'm working on promoting the new album, and looking for more gig opportunities. And as ever, I've got a few demos of songs that I'm working on. I'm also in a couple of other bands, writing very different styles of music.


3) Who inspires you?
- Name an artist who has inspired you.
Whenever I hear new music that I enjoy, without even thinking about it I'll try to learn from it, and find techniques and ideas that I can apply in my own ways. Quite a recent major inspiration for me is Tim Hecker. The way his music feels quite formless, and expansive, and the way different layers drift over one another has been a big influence on some of the sounds I've made with Chelytherium.


- Name place that has inspired you.
The area I live in has some beautiful scenery, and wooded areas, that always manage to get my creativity going. Also taking trips to Scotland, and visiting the Peak District, and seeing the scenery in those places gave me plenty of ideas. Being in nature in general has been a big influence on the album, which I guess is obvious given some of the titles.


- Name some "thing" that has inspired you.
Travel always seems to inspire me, whether it's just going for a walk, or a drive, or a long train journey. It gives you time to let your mind wander, and get glimpses of different places.


4) What drives you to do what you do?
Initially, it was just wanting to try something new, to play the guitar in different ways, and to do music entirely by myself just as a learning experience. Then when I was going through tough times, I got into ambient music, and wanted to play songs that would calm me down, get out some emotion, and take my mind somewhere else. Since then, I've loved making this style of music, and I love seeing where the inspiration for a song will come from.


5) What values do you wish your creativity to express?
I don't tend to have any sort of underlying message I'm trying to convey, but I do hope that people can take different things away from my music and apply it to their own experiences. It always seems to come from the simplest idea or emotion, and then take on a life of its own.


6) What role does community play in what you do?
I'm actually really impressed, and really grateful, that I've found a community of musicians that are willing to offer advice and help each other out. It's inspiring to follow their work and see them trying out new ideas, and to be able to chat to musicians with a bit more experience than yourself. I hope I can return the favour at some point.


7) What is next for what you do?
Ideally, playing live a lot more. Continuing to write, and take my music in new directions. I've already got some ideas for another thematic collection of songs, so I'll be working on those.

----------

Thanks Craig!

'Natural Light' is the debut album from Chelytherium and is based on the theme of peacefulness and power found in nature. It features five utterly compelling soundscapes and is recommended for all ambient lovers. Have a listen below:

Levi's Commuter videos by Instrument

I found these videos for Levi's Commuter while browsing through the work of Instrument, an independent digital creative agency in Portland, Oregon.

I really like the Levi's Commuter product and found these videos ... which are, in essence, adverts for the product ... utterly fascinating.

They are short, snappy, to-the-point and portray an alternative aspirational lifestyle.

Enjoy

- Tx







For more ... http://weareinstrument.com/work/featured/commuter-2013

Unusual Spaces from PBS Digital Studios

I am currently off work with my second 'secondary infection' resulting from catching whooping cough in December. Currently my movement is restricted due to narrowed airways and asthma-like symptoms ... which means I've been doing a lot of sitting about.

I hate just sitting about. I hate being unproductive ... and whilst I've been reading and listening to music ... I've also been gorging myself on documentaries, travel shows and cookery programmes.

One documentary series that I've enjoyed is from PBS Digital Studios and is entitled 'Unusual Spaces'. It is only 2 episodes deep ... but it is fab.

The first episode looks at the transformation of the Berlin-Tempelhof Airport in Berlin ...


Berlin-Tempelhof: The Mother of All Airports from PBS Digital Studios on Vimeo.

... and the second looks at the movement to reuse an abandoned rail tunnel in Philadelphia and create a public space similar in concept to the High Line in NYC...


The Abandoned Railway below Philadelphia - UNUSUAL SPACES no. 2 from PBS Digital Studios on Vimeo.

I really love these ideas and hope they become a reality. Berlin and Philadelphia are two places I want to visit with Olly. I've been to Philly and would love to take her there. I've never been to Berlin but do think it looks amazing.

One day.

Tx

Loving ... "Dharma Rain" by Chronotope Project

I am a huge fan of Jeffrey Ericson Allen - the Oregonian composer, cellist and electronic music recording artist who works under the name of Chronotope Project.

His particular blend of progressive ambient music is a real delight to me and I've taken a real shine to his latest album - Dharma Rain. It features three longer-form tracks that have an Eastern feel to them.

The first track - Dancing Wu Li Masters - conjures up exactly that: Dancing Masters. The backing music is wonderfully rich, heady and percussive; it swirls in the conscious and provides a suitable setting for the main melody - a haunting, lilting, almost melancholic melody that I find both poignant and uplifting. The piece is interspersed with small symbols and has a decidedly Eastern feel which is both familiar and otherworldly. I loved this track from the moment I immersed myself in it. It is exceptional.

The second track - Oort Cloud - is more of a 'traditional' ambient soundscape. It is atmospheric and deeply contemplative. It builds over it's 8 minute duration with the addition of sequenced electronics, a subtle melody and the gentle suggestion of an acoustic guitar. This is the Chronotope Project I have come to know and love, and this track is a welcome addition to their canon of work.

The third and final track, and title track - Dharma Rain - is the longest of the three tracks, sitting nicely at just over 18 minutes in duration. There is an impression of moving water at the start of this piece ... it is part of the backing soundscape that underpins the most delicious of melancholic melodies, played on a synth but could have easily been played on a clarinet. Further sequenced electronics and percussion appear to further broaden the sound and add to the already rich wall-of-sound created by Allen. This is a truly immersive track that benefits from a pair of good headphones

I found Dharma Rain by Chronotope Project to be joyful and relaxing, exuberant and contemplative, hedonistic and introspective. Most of all is it an utter delight to consume ... and comes highly recommended.

Have a listen below and, if you can, please support Allen in his musical endeavours:

Seven questions with ... Snoqualmie Falls (Alicia Merz & Jeff Stonehouse)

I connected with Jeff Stonehouse recently after I spoke about Snoqualmie Falls' initial release ... we conversed on twitter and, me being me, I asked if he'd be up for answering a few questions. He went one better and spoke with his musical compadre, Alicia Merz, and they answered the questions together.

This is what they had to say ...

----------

1) Who are you and what do you do?
We are Snoqualmie Falls. We are based at opposite ends of the world and we make music that fills that space.


2) What are you working on at the moment?
We are working on our second album, which will be in a more conventional format than 'Dream Sequence' in that it will be comprised of a number of separate pieces as opposed to the long form. In a few months we will be releasing a 3 track, 10" EP on the Oscarson label.


3) Who inspires you?
- Name an artist who has inspired you.
We come from different musical backgrounds, so it is difficult to think of one artist that inspires us both. But I guess Arvo Part would fall into that category. Basinski too.

- Name place that has inspired you.
Ngarunui Beach in New Zealand.

- Name some "thing" that has inspired you.
The full moon in the star filled skies.

Our music is sometimes inspired by dreams, sometimes by life experiences, both happy and sad, but mostly by the natural world and the Universe we exist in. The chirping of cicadas in Tequesquitengo, the call of the Tui by the Waikato River, the rolling hills of the South Downs and the sound of rain in a forest.


4) What drives you to do what you do?
We love what we do. I guess that is what drives us.


5) What values do you wish your creativity to express?
We just hope that people that hear our music are nourished by it, and take something positive from the experience.


6) What role does community play in what you do?
None really. Apart from the few lovely people that have helped and supported us along the way, we tend to work in isolation.


7) What is next for what you do?
We just want to carry on working together to try and bring a little more light and beauty into the world.

----------

Thank you both for your considered responses!

This is what I say about "Dream Sequence":

All in, "Dream Sequence" by Snoqualmie Falls is a soundscape that needs to be experienced as much as heard ... it needs to be felt ... and, given time and patience, it will reward those who experience it. It has rewarded me.

I highly recommend it ... especially for ambient fan who love their music longform. Have a listen below:

Loving ... the classic rock vibe of “if we never came down” by mylittlebrother

Every year my family go on a road trip. We’ve been holidaying in the UK for the last few years and tend to drive to where we are staying. We like to get out and about, and see the place we are staying in. Later this month we are off to Manchester and Liverpool ... and I cannot wait.

One ritual we have, as a family, is to get a CD from a charityshop and blast it during the trip. Previous CDs have included The Proclaimers and Duran Duran ... we also had a disco compilation for a trip to Fort William. The Circus by Take That, which wasn't from a charityshop, was also a fun sing-a-long album for a journey to Yorkshire.

I like The Circus’ classic rock vibe. It has bluesy, easy listening sound that has a broad appeal ... it's not too heavy and tends to have a sing-a-long vibe that helps with these long car journeys.

Other albums that come to mind that fit this criteria include “Free the Bees” by The Bees, the self-titled album by Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Far” by Regina Spektor, and the seminal “Pet Sounds” by The Beach Boys (which soundtracked a visit to Paris and her surrounding area a few years back).

I now have another album to add to this collection - “if we never came down” by mylittlebrother - self-released in April. I have a feeling this will be on the stereo when we visit Manchester & Liverpool (along with The Beatles, of course).

With “if we never came down”, mylittlebrother has captured the essence of good-time, sing-a-long, easy listening rock. It is a jaunty and delightfully upbeat journey with gentle acoustic moments such as the poignant “over the hill” and "paintwork" interspersed to provide additional colour.

Highlights include “my hypocritical friend” with it’s classic guitar vibe and immersive storytelling that draws you in, eventually leaving you wanting ... in a good way. The track has a reprise that is truly fab with really good vocal harmonies. I also loved “ if we never came down” with it’s fuzzy guitar and a chorus that would make The Bees proud ... or the instrumental “Slow Dance” that has a great Beach Boys vibe to it.

All in, I found “if we never came down” by mylittlebrother to be an utter delight. Yes it is not my usual fare but that makes it all the more special ... think of it as ginger to cleanse my palate from all the ambient, neo-classical and post-rock soundscapes I consume.

I guess the test will be when I introduce this album to my family on our upcoming road trip. I have a good feeling it will be elevated to truly ’classic’ status then.

Highly recommended. Have a listen below and, if you can, please support mylittlebrother by buying the album:

Seven questions with ... musician Scott Lawlor

Scott Lawlor is a musician I am proud to know. He features prominently on my netlabel - weareallghosts - with some seriously deep longform ambient drones, and does a sterling job over on stillstream.

I caught up with him recently and asked my seven questions ... this is what he had to say:

----------

1) Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Scott Lawlor and I am a composer of ambient music, mostly dark, conceptual  and space ambient since 2013.  I also host an internet radio show called the Blind Flight on stillstream and am a stay-at-home-dad with two little ones under the age of 5.


2) What are you working on at the moment?
 Lately, I have become quite fond of doing ambient interpretations of stories from the creepy pasta web site with the fabulous narration of Rebekkah Hilgraves.


3) Who inspires you?
For me, it's more of what inspires me and that would be space, cosmic events, and the planets themselves.  I have several releases reflecting all these inspirations.


4) What drives you to do what you do?
I have always loved music and broadcasting, indulging in both during my childhood, but moving away from them until relatively recently. It wasn't until 2008 that I rediscovered my love of broadcasting and though I began working on music in the early 90's it wasn't until last year, after being away from the creation of music for the last 14 years or so that I made the decision to return.


5) What values do you wish your creativity to express?
I hope to spark people's imaginations with my music and want to engender a sense of community by providing opportunities for people to connect with me and each other using my art as a vehicle for remixing if there's such an interest.


6) What role does community play in what you do?
The social networking sites and internet labels are vital to my art and the distribution of it and it goes without saying that I am very appreciative of the internet audience that I have for both my music and my broadcasting.  Without them, there would be no point in doing either and without internet labels, distribution of my music would be very limited if not impossible so my heartfelt thanks also goes to the people who dedicate their love and time to this endeavour as well.


7) What is next for what you do?
It's hard to say as I am always looking for new inspirations and opportunities for collaboration.

----------

Thanks Scott!

I don't know whether your noticed or not but Scott is visually impaired. I love the fact this limitation doesn't actually limit him at all. Every-so-often he asks me to describe a cover I've designed for him ... that is it! If it weren't for that, I wouldn't even know. I respect his tenacity.

I have embedded below his latest longform release on weareallghosts for your listening pleasure. Please enjoy:

Seven questions with ... Greg Moorcroft aka eyes cast down

There is something wonderfully spiritual about some forms of ambient music ... I find these forms reach into my soul like no other music. The music may be created to be spiritual and then again it may not ... but, due to its very nature, it is possible to project a spirituality onto it whether it be the deeply meditative of certain longform drones or the wildly joyful of more upbeat, trancey sounds ... this is my 'worship' music now.

One proponent of this form of ambient music is musician Greg Moorcroft aka eyes cast down. His contributions to the Free Floating winter compilations all|is|calm are exceptional. I have recently obtained a promo copy of his latest album - Divinations - and look forward to digging into that.

As is my way, I asked Moorcroft if he'd be interested in answering a few questions for this ol' blog. I'm delighted to say he agreed.

----------

1) Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Greg Moorcroft. I use the artist name “eyes cast down”. I am a composer, musician, recording artist and live performer. I work primarily - though not exclusively - in the ambient-atmospheric world.


2) What are you working on at the moment?
I’ve just released Album #2, Divinations, on my Kalindi Music label. Album #3, Pastimes of Creation, is very nearly finished, so that’s the priority now.


3) Who inspires you?
- Name an artist who has inspired you.
My main man is Steve Roach, whom I hugely enjoyed interviewing three years ago. His music provides an endlessly-deep well of inspiration.


- Name a place that has inspired you.
I love getting out into nature. The most inspiring place I’ve been to is Cranberry Lake Park in upstate New York, on a camping holiday.


- Name some "thing" that has inspired you.
Drumming. I go to a monthly group, which is tons of fun. I really should take my portable recorder next time, because some good grooves often magically appear.


4) What drives you to do what you do?
The word “drive” says it all. I have to make music. I don’t have any choice about it; it’s in my bones. I love it. I would do it for myself alone, if I had to, but being able to share it is better.


5) What values do you wish your creativity to express?
True spirituality, which requires humility; love, which can grow only from that point; the courage to undergo necessary introspection; and a delight in the amazing power of Creation, of which I aspire to be a medium.


6) What role does community play in what you do?
In this sense, “community” means “kindred spirits” who value the music as I do - as critically important, as soul-shaking, ritual, deepcore magic. It’s fantastic that such a community exists; for me, its hub is the Relaxed Machinery community.


7) What is next for what you do?
The next project is either: begin recording Album #5 (which is entirely written), or finish writing Album #6 (which is half written). After those are both recorded, I think it will be time for the Concerto for Ambient Orchestra project. That is going to be … something other.

----------

Thanks Greg.

The first four tracks of Divinations were all released on Free Floating netlabel - Conception, all|is|calm 2011, all|is|calm 2013, and all|is|calm 2012 - with the final piece, Ensō (a live laptop/softsynth improvisation with Avian and human voices added during postproduction in May 2014) originating from an art show in May 2012.

I'm glad to have all these tracks in one place and recommend you check out the album: Divinations

What I listened to ... May 2014

The big discovery in May was The Tolkien Ensemble with their 'authorised' renditions of the songs contained with Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. For a Tolkien geek like me, this was Christmas.

One thing to note:
No Cousin Silas ... why? because I've been listening exclusively to the pre-mastered tracks from 'The Sound of Silas' via Quicktime on my laptop. I cannot wait to share this album with you.

I also have been doing a lot of 'offline' listening while at home: bands like Sigur Ros, Tiny Leaves, Zenjungle, Snoqualmie Falls, Snowbird, Radiohead, Yes, Rustie, Jon Anderson, and Brian Eno ... have been consumed offline either on LP or CD.

- Tx

June 2014's Wallpaper

The wallpaper for June 2014 was taken during our Easter break, when we went to view the Burrell Collection in Glasgow. Not only does the building contain some stunning artwork, it is beautiful to look at too ... a stunning piece of modern architecture. The wallpaper is attempt at capturing the gist of this Glaswegian landmark.

Usual flavours are available below.

Tx

----------

1024x768
1280x800
1600x1200
1920x1080
1920x1200
iPhone with Calendar + iPhone without Calendar
iPad

----------