isolatedmix 35 – Orion & J.Shore

Like the massive spectrum of music in my head, Finnish brothers Orion and J.Shore usually sit at opposite ends on the music production front. Juska (Orion), grew up on the early 90’s hypnotic trance sound such as Cygnus X’s album “Hypermetrical” and Sven Väth’s “The Harlequin – The Robot And The Ballet-Dancer” and for the past five years has hosted a variety of electronic music on his National Finnish Radio show. In a vein I can very much relate to, these early 90’s records often contained a few ambient or downtempo tracks and Juska soon grew to love the sleepier side of electronic music as much as the ecstasy of early 90’s trance.

Younger Brother J.Shore however, had a much more straight forward introduction into the ambient/electronica genre, listening to Aphex Twin, Global Communication and Boards of Canada, he grew up to to become a very talented choir conductor and pianist. And it was on these terms that the two combined to produce music together with their first album, Brotherhood, released in 2011 – an album that I still hold in high regard, and featured at the beginning of last year.

It’s this unique collaboration that I can hear throughout each record and as hoped, within this mix. Their records often consist of live strings, guitars and pianos, and as Orion has found out, this ‘orchestral’ out-take is a perfect addition to a well composed chill-out track. For this mix Orion and J.Shore have decided to “introduce many Finnish and Scandinavian artists which we think are incredibly talented” as well as including a couple of unreleased tracks from the studio, including Orkidea’s Unity and Chris Coco’s ‘My Sunset’.

Here’s a quick intro from Juska on some of the artists and tracks featured:

“Some of the artists worth highlighting from the mix are Gorm Sørensen, who is a super talented Danish chill-out producer and Silk Sofa label A&R; Tokyo Boulevard, whose debut is one of those timeless chill-out albums; Norwegian Xerxes who releases amazing music and made a really great unofficial remix of our “Brotherhood” track; Finnish Softys, one half of the legendary Slusnik Luna, who is a very talented chill-out producer, too; Indigo, who hasn’t released too much but whose chill-out mixes in the 90s were a big inspiration for me; Planet Boelex, who made an exclusive remix of Nails for this mix only and who is easily in the Top 3 of Finnish chill-out/ambient producers; and finally Kajis and Turismo, both very very promising Finnish newcomers. Kajis delivered a beautiful orchestral track for this mix and Turismo’s remix of Architect’s Dream has exactly this oldskool vibe I love”

Orion & J.Shore have recently offered out their album ‘Brotherhood’ for remix under a creative commons license, available on their Facebook Page and as well as releasing the remixes mentioned above, will also be looking to finalise more music towards the end of the year.

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Tracklist:
1. Gorm Sørensen – ID
2. Tim Sane – Untitled
3. Lauge & Baba Gnohm – Structures
4. Orion & J.Shore – Brotherhood (Xerxes remix)
5. Stephen J. Kroos – IO
6. Orion & J.Shore – Deep Blue (Tokyo Boulevard Downtempo Remix)
7. Jani R – All The Beauty (2012 Beat Mix)
8. Softys – No More Time For Us
9. Orion & J.Shore – Architect’s Dream (Turismo Remix)
10. Indigo – Dineh
11. Orion & J.Shore – Nails (Planet Boelex remix)
12. Kajis – What Are We Doing
13. Incolumis – Cloudcage
14. Turismo – And Our Universe Was Born
15. Unfabled – Solitude
16. Orkidea – Unity (Orion & J.Shore remix)
17. Chris Coco – My Sunset (Orion & J.Shore remix)

Orion & J.Shore on Facebook | Soundcloud | iTunes (Brotherhood)

isolatedmix 34 - Anders Ilar

Ever since I heard Anders’ 2008 self-released (and free) album Twilight Rainfalls, i’ve wanted to get the Swedish maestro to do an isolatedmix. Tracks like ‘Rain In All Familiar Places’ epitomise my love of electronica – sheer beauty, melody and emotion.

Since that release, Anders has produced another four albums, and has just released his latest on Shitkatapult, ‘Elva’. Deeper, more complex and raw compared to Twilight Rainfalls, this album is yet another defining, varied piece of electronica and experimental music in Anders armoury.

For his isolatedmix, Anders has taken care to choose tracks that are very close to him, or have influenced his sound of today. It spans nearly the many genres of electronic music and is impeccably mixed and sequenced. If you remember Anders’ mix for Resident Advisor, or his more recent selection for Secret Thirteen, you’ll know you’re in for a bit of twisted journey. Here’s Anders with an introduction to the mix.

Over the past 30 years or so I’ve had a deep love for electronic music. I’ll never forget when I was introduced to the music of Kraftwerk and Jean-Michel Jarre for the first time as a 7-year-old, and I was swept away. The sounds and the music opened up a new level of reality for me, transported me to a universe of enchanted worlds made of sounds. Over the decades, as the music changed and developed into various styles and genres, my personal preferences also changed with time. Always guided by a search for that sense of deep mystery and other-worldliness that the sounds inspired. Certain artists and musicians came to my attention, and their music became a big part of my life and identity. Music that has stuck with me ever since their vibrational patterns first hit my ears and fused with my mind and excited my chakras, resulting in a blissful state of awe and wonder, goosebumps often included. These tracks all have something that can only be described as magic. This mix is made up of a mere handful of tracks like this. Music that hits that special nerve. Soaking in mystery. Taking the listener for a ride through a few of my favorite magical moments in electronic music history from 1980 up until 2012. Enjoy!

Download.

Tracklist:

1. Intro – Tearjerker
2. FSOL – Just a Fuckin’ Idiot (Virgin 1994)
3. Dictaphone – Templehof (City Centre Offices 2002)
4. Rechenzentrum – Vrieshuis Amerika (Shitkatapult 2000)
5. Involution – Mango Seals (1997, Sub-Conscious Communications 2007)
6. Shrubbn!! – Echo 3|3 (Shitkatapult 2012)
7. Max Spransy – The Lights In The Sky Are Stars (Merck 2005)
8. Dictaphone – The E.song (City Centre Offices 2002)
9. Robin Guthrie – Halloween (Rykodisc 2005)
10. Skinny Puppy – Unovis on a Stick (1983, Nettwerk 1992)
11. Prothese – Couteau (1981, Art & Strategy 2004)
12. Depeche Mode – Oberkorn (Mute 1982)
13. SPK – Genetic Transmission (Thermidor 1982)
14. SPK – Post-Mortem (Thermidor 1982)
15. Dead Can Dance – The Fatal Impact (4AD 1984)
16. Tom Ellard – Traumat (1981, Sevcom 2005)
17. Skinny Puppy – The Pit (1983, Nettwerk 1992)
18. Severed Heads – In Her Hair… Guard Dog On Patrol (1982, Sevcom 2002)
19. Depeche Mode – Monument (Mute 1982)
20. The Tear Garden – Lonesome Tonight (Sub-Conscious Communications 2009)

Anders on web | Soundcloud | Facebook

isolatedmix 33 – Heathered Pearls: In Memory Form

As with all isolatedmix curators I invite into the series, they have inspired me in one way or another. Jakub Alexander, is probably the only artist that actually started off inspiring me through words; his posts, his ears and links on ISO50 have been the only longstanding articles to remain in my reader for the last three or four years, constantly unearthing new artists and brilliant music – an approach I aspire to today. Recently, it’s Jakub’s music which has took this admiration to another level.

Jakub’s latest masterpiece is set to be released on Ghostly early next month and i’ve been lucky enough to wrap my ears around it several times already. For those familiar with Heathered Pearls earlier work (‘Vaults‘, or ‘Intervene‘ for example) you would have seen the potential Jakub has been cultivating for some time now. And it’s fair to say, that ‘Loyal’ is Heathered Pearls most defining moment so far.

‘Loyal’ came to life after an introduction to ambient music by his mother ten years ago and the album is Jakub’s dedication to that moment. His love for grainy, repetitive, processed textures is a dream approach for many of us and the most simple pictures come to life with subtle looping melodies and beautifully nurtured sounds that are easily visualised, imagined and immersed in. ‘Beach Shelter for example, available as a free download, is the perfect example of Jakub’s vivid imagination coming to life through constantly crashing, looping waves, a hazy blur from a low sunset, and a slow-motion pan across a heavenly vista. There’s hints of many of our favourite artists throughout Jakub’s work, from early Wolfgang Voigt (Gas), to his self proclaimed influence, Markus Guentner, who has provided a stunning bonus remix on the album alongside the equally legendary Loscil.

Until ‘Loyal’ sees the light of day on December 11th, we’re lucky enough to have an isolatedmix from Jakub, taking us through some of his inspirations. But before you indulge, I recommend you preview ‘Loyal’ over at Ghostly, then jump back into the mix to dissect the many forms and textures that have been instrumental in shaping Heathered Pearls most perfected sound to date.

Download.

Tracknotes by Heathered Pearls:

1. Mr. Rogers Speech to Congress
My hero when I was little, I always tried to picture myself being able to deliver a speech like this, impossible.

2. KIDS Soundtrack – Second To Last Scene
This song always stuck with me, its one of those songs on my short list of songs I wish I made

3. Foxes In Fiction – Static Cults
Warren beautifully put together a state of in limbo in music form

4. Steve Hauschildt – The Impossible Flower
One of my favorite releases from last year, glides along with these perfect dips

5. Yagya – Rigning Níu
Yagya and a few others make up the 3% of newer trance that is well done

6. Cuppcave – Circuit Fade
I found this song to be that missing link to what I wish I made, the lo-fi silence with a pulse slowly swelling in and out, I truly wonder if it didn’t end I wonder how long i’d let it play for? 1 day? 1 week? who knows.

7. Pub – Derail
Pub is up there with Wolfgang Voigt, Erik Kowalski and Scott Morgan as my main reason I love to make music, when I first heard Derail I was soo floored by the control of how steady he kept this song, how he never used extremes but the whole song sounds like your standing in 100ft+ tall wind tunnel.

8. C V L T S – Realiser
lo-fi digital meditation zone

9. The Sight Below – Unforetold
The master of giving the ambient of shoegaze a pulse

10. Piano Magic – Halloween Boat
I have a soft spot for arpeggios and water

11. Loscil – Coyote
Scott has a way of making it okay to drop everything you’re doing and calm down, i’m sure if you were at work and your boss saw you stop working and then heard what you were listening to he’d understand and let the song finish, always powerful, heavy and genuine.

12. Heathered Pearls – Raising Our Ashes
The song title always felt a bit morbid after seeing it written down but has grown on me since thats the visual I get when I hear it again. This track was written when I wanted to imagine a song to play out that the whole venue could slowly leave the ground and it would be the last you’d ever hear because you’d just have tinnitus for the rest of your life.

13. Solar Year – Currents
These guys are my latest favorites, such a pleasure to hear vocals slowly swirling, I hope to work with them in the near future.

14. Boards Of Canada – Unknown
I got an email from Marcus once after sending BoC a package of Ghostly vinyl and cds, would it be odd to frame an email?

Heathered Pearls on Ghostly | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Bandcamp

isolatedmix 32 – Good Weather For An Airstrike

isolatedmix 32 comes from one of my favourite artists of recent years, Tom Honey, who records as Good Weather For An Airstrike; a project which was born in 2009 as a result of Tom trying to alleviate the issues of suffering caused by Tinnitus. He also holds, in my opinion, one of the best artist names there is – a name which immediately transports you to a open field, looking skyward at clear-blue skies, a glistening sun and that feeling of dizzyness as you tilt your head back that little too far – a feeling which is common through Tom’s delicate field recordings, post-rock stylings and ambient backings.

Tom is relatively new to all this but has some solid releases under his belt from the past few years; one with the prestigious hibernate recordings, Rural Colours, and an album on his own label, ‘Hawk Moon Records‘. But, if you’re looking for an intro to GWFAA, his most recent EP on the Audio Gourmet netlabel should be your starting point – a free download too. Number of releases aside, every single one has been carefully and meticulously crafted into his own signature sound, combining some of the most elegant guitars with hazy ambient field recordings to transport you into that very field I described above. He’s also branching out with his brother Rob under the alias ‘Damn Robot!’ – Tom’s moving fast and i’ve been loving every part of it so far.

The mix, is a perfect intro to Tom’s inspirations. Starting off with his more ambient side, the mix progresses through more guitar-led tracks, introducing vocals, harmonies and always retaining a blend of melody and escapism. There’s some big, epic moments in here, sat alongside some very tranquil and calming instrumentals. Fans of post-rock and shoegaze fan will enjoy this one, and hopefully many-an ambient fan finds a new solace in Tom’s love of guitars.

“A collection of tracks from signed and unsigned artists who I’ve been listening to pretty regularly over the last 6 months or so, some of whom have been pretty strong influences on Good Weather for an Airstrike and Damn Robot! material, I hope you enjoy them as much as I have been recently.”

Download

Tracklist:
01. Hammock – Ten Thousand Years Won’t Save Your Life
02. Apparat – Black Water
03. Ashtar Command – Into Dust
04. Drops – Autumn Walks
05. Good Weather for an Airstrike – Goodnight, Boogaloo (Free Download)
06. Moving Mountains – Furnace Woods (acoustic version)
07. Owen – A Bird In Hand
08. Frou Frou – Hear Me Out
09. SPC ECO – Spotlight
10. Message to Bears – Daylight Goodbye
11. Oathless – Summer Haze
12. Anathema – Untouchable, Part 2
–

GWFAA on Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud

isolatedmix 30 - Audioglider

I guess this is why I love running this site. The evolution of friendships, of musical knowledge, and being witness over the past four years or so, to numerous artists flourishing, progressing, developing their sound and finding whatever it is they’re seeking from their musical ventures.

Roberto Sodano is one of those artists. From tuning into his beautiful ‘mixtape’ series spanning ambient, electronica and shoegaze, to seeing his remixes come alive for Joey Fehrenbach; AUDIOGLIDER has now made one of the biggest steps in his career signing with with Nick Brennan’s (Tripswitch’s) label, Section Records. As always with the isolatedmix series, I reserve invitations for those who have made a significant impact on me musically, and funnily enough, I think Roberto’s only just getting started. I hear tonnes of remixes are planned, a new album, and one thing I do know for definite, a sneaky Places Series release is also on the horizon. About time Roberto stepped up to the isolatedmix series I say.

We’re going straight to the heart of the AUDIOGLIDER sound with this one. Roberto’s music is varied, progressive and always emotive, and as he goes on to describe below, this mix captures the essence of his production approach with some of his biggest inspirations. It’s a tracklist which can easily be glanced over to the untrained musical eye, but one that comes to life upon reflection. Manual features twice, as does the more recent Bristolian pioneer Stumbleine,  Ambient, electronica, shoegaze-hints of new and old, as well as an exclusive remix, this one’s got it all.

I’ll be the first to admit – I’m a bit of a music nerd – its a bug I’ve had since I was a kid – not because my parents had an amazing record collection or anything – (Demis Roussos anyone?), but the way music, sounds, sonics, audio whatever you call it, were able to connect with me, was astounding – especially to a shy kid growing up in South Wales. It became a way to escape and connect with another world of unlimited potential. And even while the present immediate availability of any music from any artist has made events like buying an album a thing of the past, I still get excited discovering new artists and music that affect my soul in the same inspirational way.

When I was asked to put together an Isolated Mix for ASIP, I thought, oh bloody hell, you’ve got to have a theme – all the best ones have a theme. I considered doing an ‘influences’ mix, but having been round the block as I have, I didn’t want it to be a trip down memory lane, or too nostalgic – I’m not really one for retrospectives, and there’s still so much new music and so many new artists for people to discover and hopefully put on the map. So i thought, try and capture the spirit of all my musical influences, all the contradictions, all the inconsistencies, and attempt to create something of a journey that reflects all of these – the ex drummer and DJ who makes music on a laptop, the ex vinyl junkie who embraced the fantastic netlabel scene, the ex shoegazer who traded in fx pedals for a 4/4 beat, a strobe, and a sub bass, the technophobe who embraced technology, the 4AD freak who…….the list goes on…….

There are a whole heap of artists on here that have blown me away with the sheer quality of their creative output, Manual, Syntaks, Stockfinster, Motionfield, ST, Dub Tractor – coincidentally all from Scandinavia – I hadn’t really thought about why all of these artists’ music resonates with me but here goes – its how their melodies and compositions manage to create warmth out of glacial sound palettes – something I strive to be able to do in my own compositions – Elsewhere we have Russian artists Slow, SEVEN, and Seaman S, who make beautifully emotional melodic ambient – I was lucky enough to get samples from one of them to create the closing track track to this Isolated Mix as a collaboration, and available exclusively here. Other recent discoveries that are on constant rotation on my headphones – are the majestically lush Horizon Fire, Stumbleine w/Essay, Arms and Sleepers and Marconi Union, and the amazingly enigmatic, chilly, deep and groovy Ghosting Season.

This list could have gone on – but I had to stop somewhere. Hope you enjoy the ride as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

Roberto / AUDIOGLIDER

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Tracklist:

1. Slow – Aura
2. Dub Tractor – And You Are Back
3. Stockfinster – Seventeen
4. Syntaks – Twentytwohundred
5. City of Satellites – Skeletons (Manual remix)
6. SEVEN – Summer Whitephone
7. ST – Rest Your Eyes
8. Horizon Fire – Plutonian Shore
9. Manual & Icebreaker International – Beacons
10. Ghosting Season – Time Without Question
11. Motionfield – Indian Summer
12. Stumbleine – Lunar
13. Essáy & Stumbleine – Rhiannon
14. Arms and Sleepers – Kepesh
15. Marconi Union – Broken Colours
16. AUDIOGLIDER v Seaman S – Lost Planet

AUDIOGLIDER on Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter