McDonald`s GOL! FIFA World Cup Brasil 2014

My thanks to Johnny Laird for the heads-up to this video ... it is sooooo much fun and while it is an advert it does convey something of the fun and joy of the beautiful game.

I am looking forward to the World Cup and especially I am looking forward to watching the games with a few friends.

-Tx

How to Tie a Bow Tie with Jesse Tyler Ferguson

I really fancy wearing a bow tie at work (when I *finally* get back to work) and was looking into how to tie them on YouTube.

When Wil Wheaton says this is ...

"the very best How To Tie A Bow Tie video I've seen on the Internet, and I've watched a lot of them"

... I listen.

I love Jesse Tyler Ferguson from "Modern Family" and found this video up to his usual hilarious standard. It also has a message.

Enjoy.

- Tx

Seven questions with ... experimental musician Utu Lautturi

I recently received an email from Utu Lautturi from Finland ... a self-confessed 'newcomer' to ambient / experimental music ... offering his music to me for my ambient music podcast circumambient. He had listened to the mixes uploaded, enjoyed them and wanted to be a part.

To say I was flattered was, well, an understatement. Lautturi has an EP on the Greek netlabel Etched Traumas and has actively contributed mixes to a number of sites (SoundCloud). He is my kind of creator.

As is my way, I asked him to answer my wee blog interview ... and I'm delighted to say he agreed. This is what he had to say:

----------

1) Who are you and what do you do?
In universal terms I'm a magnesium flare in a hostile universe, trying to make the most of my miniscule place and time in the shared sun.

In mundane terms I am Utu Lautturi from Finland, a newcomer in the field ambient/experimental scene. I'm a single, MGTOW - father of three beautiful children and have a day job as a primary school teacher / youth worker.


2) What are you working on at the moment?
I'm working on my debut full-length album Nielu, which will be released through Pale Noir later this year.


3) Who inspires you?
Whoa, inspiration comes from such a wide spectrum of stimuli, art and life in general.

- Name an artist who has inspired you.
If I'm forced to name one artist I feel overwhelmingly inspired by at the moment, music-wise it has to be Phil Elverum (The Microphones, Mount Eerie). The depth of emotional currents in his music are absolutely awe-inspiring. But as a visual artist I feel compelled to mention Zdzislaw Beksinski. His evocative visions are constantly looming in the root of my consciousness.

- Name place that has inspired you.
I am inspired by any large natural area unspoiled by humans but my soul has two homes, one atop a high cliff by a small lake in Nuuksio, Espoo (Finland) and the other by the raging rapids at the foothills of The Alps in Le Tardoun (France).

- Name some "thing" that has inspired you.
I'm going to interpret "thing" quite freely now. One thing that has a huge effect on every aspect of my life is the devastating picture of the future of humanity in regard to a warming climate, the annihilation of natural habitats and the indifference of people to REALLY act upon it. No one really knows what will happen in the next century but if we, the high-end consumers of industrialized nations, continue on our path of leeching off the biosphere it's quite safe to assume there will be more wide-spread suffering and distress than at any previous era in history. I know, life is now, and I am incredibly privileged to have won the lottery being born in Finland, and I'm enjoying it to the max - but at the same time I try to raise consciousness of things that matter to me wherever and whenever I can.


4) What drives you to do what you do?
I have quite a bit of mental issues because of my neurological composition, history and the choices I've made (not a good idea to start heavy psychoactive substance abuse at a young age, haha). So in essence, music and visual arts have always been a natural means to stop serious self-harming, to confront and/or escape my problems as well as a way to keep some degree of sanity that will allow me the freedom I value. I've dipped into the world of a mental institution and it's the last place I ever want to end up again. Of course I love beauty and exploration as well so it's probably a combination of necessity and adventure. But I certainly never thought anyone would be interested in what I do!


5) What values do you wish your creativity to express?
Deep question, man...what values? What do I value? I value freedom of expression, breaking the rules and attentive creativity. I value explosive tidal waves of emotion set against a serene, meditative environment. Solace in the extremes. Then there's my all-encompassing love of nature and it's dynamics...hard to say, though. I really never put that much thought into what I want to express. It's more a question of how the need to express becomes satisfied.


6) What role does community play in what you do?
I've played and performed in several bands so it's always been important for me to share the musical experience. After most of my band projects ended I was stranded for a while but then found some awesome artists through the internet. Regarding my solo music community plays a HUGE role. The different DIY circles gathered through and on the internet are very important to me. I've discovered such a wealth of amazing artists and visionaries through places like SoundCloud, Ambient Online, Relaxed Machinery and a host of blogs, tumblrs and whatnot. It is rewarding to share thoughts, comments, opinions and techniques. Most people I have contact with are doing music for music's sake and not for fame, money or anything like that. I think the fact I've been part in producing more than 20 collaborative tracks with 14 artists from around the globe in the past year alone speaks for itself. I deeply offer thanks and praise to all those who've shared this path with me. It's all very creative with no pressure. I can assure you, without the support of these communities I would not have been able to continue producing music and, well to be honest, keep on living.


7) What is next for what you do?
Next I'm leaving to a forest festival here in Finland where I'll take part in a Shibari performance.

----------

Thanks Utu for your candour ... it is appreciated.

Korpinkorva by Utu Lautturi is embedded below for your listening pleasure. All musical and vocal arrangements are by Utu Lautturi with acoustic guitar improvisation on 'Kevään syö veri' by Antti Silventoinen and spoken word on 'Näin lähden' by Jaakko Huotari. It is an eerily dark and dissonant journey but one that ultimately rewards listeners.

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: