Presenting... "Silence in the House of God (waag_rel023)" by Coloured Lines

Adam Greenhead aka Coloured Lines is a musician and educator who lives in the North of England. He plays bass in an energetic folky rock band called Sawsound and is a founding member of the New Underground Collective ... a diverse group of creatives that includes another waag alumnus - Wolfgang Merx.

I have thoroughly enjoyed his previous self-released music and have a soft spot for his band's music too ... so you can appreciate, I jumped at the chance to release this EP when it was offered to me.

The EP features four wonderfully crafted tracks which are unashamedly electronic in nature, vibrantly coherent in expression, and delightfully downtempo in their presentation.

Greenhead's music fits nicely alongside Apta and Ketsa ... and is a welcomed addition to waag's roster.

As before, a MP3 copy will be available on Archive for free with a lossless copy available for 'pay what you want' on Bandcamp. Please do what you can to support independent music in every way you can.

Tx

Presenting ... "Dronescape 006 (waag_drs006)" by Cousin Silas

Is it just me or do these drones get better with each instalment? Cousin Silas continues to astound me with this - his 6th dronescape for weareallghosts.

His ability to engage the listener in a fully immersive sonic environment truly amazes me. I have all his dronescapes on my iPhone and have been known to move from one to another when I am in need of extended periods concentration and/or escape.

As before, an MP3 version of this dronescape will be available on Archive for free … with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for 'pay what you want'. Have a wee listen below ... if you do decide to download this album for free then all we ask in return is that you tell your friends, tweet a link or post it on Facebook, write a review and spread the word.

Tx

Presenting ... Opal Sun (waag_rel022) by William Spivey

"Most of my sounds are created on a Mac using, at present, Metasynth with Architect. My work stems from experimenting with an emphasis on originality. I'm fascinated with harmonic interplay, rhythmic content & abstract sequencing. 

With 'Opal Sun' I originally intended to do a more low-key longform series; something that unfolded slower than more recent collaborations & to maintain the same general mood throughout. As usual the pieces took on a life of their own. 

While working on this in January I became aware of WAAG & it's broad spectrum of sound artists. I'm honoured to have WAAG as a home for this solo excursion!"

- William

"Opal Sun (waag_rel022) by William Spivey is my kind of ambient electronic music. It is deeply immersive and engaging … ensnaring me from the first listen. I find it particularly endearing first thing in the morning or late at night … it complements stillness very, very well.  

I am proud that William has found a home with weareallghosts. He is a talented musician and I look forward to releasing more of his solo work in the future."

- Thomas

As before … an MP3 version of this album will be available for free on Archive with a lossless version available for 'pay what you want' on Bandcamp. Have a wee listen below ... and do what you can to support truly independent music.

Presenting ... Arrive Rutledge Col - Apta Remix (waag_sng003) by Northcape

I am a big fan of Northcape's and was delighted to get the opportunity to review his upcoming album "Exploration and Ascent" on my blog.

I was aware that Apta had submitted a couple of remixes for a forthcoming supplemental album of remixes and was over-the-moon when I was given permission to release the one that didn't make it onto the album.

I believe this track needs to be heard ... not left to languish on a harddrive or buried in a compilation. That's why I wanted to release it as a single and free download ... to get it out there and get it heard. Apta has taken an already cracking track and shaped it into something wonderfully new and different ... a track that stands tall and proud on its own or as a reference to the original.

I would ask that check out the original album - "Exploration and Ascent" - from where the original track is taken ... I would also point you towards the work Apta has released on weareallghosts: "Algorithms EP (waag_rel003)" and "Visions (waag_rel007)" ... please support truly wonderful independent music!

My sincere thanks to Northcape and SunSeaSky for the permission to release this remix ... and to Apta for really stepping up when ask to remix the track.

I can't wait to hear the other remixes now.

Tx

Presenting not one but two releases from Cousin Silas ... "East (waag_rel021)" and "Future Tense (waag_sng002)"

When "Of Passing Days" commenced for the first time all those months ago and I heard those first few bars … I was overcome with the sense of the new along with that familiar feeling of the familiar … it was then that it became apparent to me that this album was going to be very special … and very special it is.

"East (waag_rel021)" is simply wonderful … my kind of wonderful … my kind of special. A double-album of music from an artist who is, in my opinion, at the top of his game.

Haunting synths, gentle lilting percussion, vibrant bass, intriguing field-recordings and vocal samples, and his guitar all come together in such an exemplary manner.

From the upbeat bearing of the title tracks - "East" - through to the mournful and melancholic longform piece - "Slow Rotations" - it is through the variety that is presented here that we can all bear witness to someone whose talent within the ambient musical genre knows no bounds.

I am very proud to have this double-album on weareallghosts and uphold it as a milestone in the label's evolution. This is our 30th release and one truly worthy of its peers. Its sits perfectly with both the overall Silas canon, his work specifically for weareallghosts and the entire body-of-work I am so delighted to have amassed under the waag banner.
Thank you, Cousin Silas.

As before, a copy of this double-album will be available in MP3 format on Archive for free, with a lossless version available here on Bandcamp for "pay what you want".

This album was uploaded to Bandcamp on the 20th April, 2013 aka Record Store Day ... the day music fans and collectors support their local Record Store. Please support independent music in all its glorious forms and, if you can with the same thought in mind, please support the work of both Cousin Silas and weareallghosts. Who knows, with your support, we may see physical releases from waag in our local Record Store in time for some future Record Store Day.

You are, however, welcome to pay £0 for this recording … all we ask is that if you do so ... you promise to tell everyone you know about it.

"Future Tense (waag_sng002)" is the second single on weareallghosts and came about purely by accident. It was meant to be on "East (waag_rel021)" but, due to an oversight on my part, it got missed off the list for uploading.

Rather than add it to the album retrospectively I thought it appropriate to give it a wee bit of its own spotlight. It is a cracking track with some seriously great guitar on there ... one of Silas' best in my opinion ... and I really hope you'll agree it deserves its own space.

So here it is ... "Future Tense (waag_sng002)".

I hope you enjoy these releases as much as I do.

Tx

Presenting... "Dronescape 005 (waag_drs005)" by Cousin Silas

Cousin Silas' dronescapes have become a remarkable consistent in my life. They are there for me when I need them … when I need to focus or, paradoxically, when I need to let my brain shut off ... when I am on the move or when I need to sit still.

They are something I am very proud of and, as such, I am delighted to release the 5th instalment in the series … a series I am convinced is getting better with each step and each repeated listen.

There is not much more I can say about this drone other than I treasure it. I sincerely hope it becomes as special to you as it is to me.

As before, an MP3 version of this dronescape is available on Archive for free … with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for 'pay what you want'. If you do decide to download this album for free then all we ask in return is that you tell your friends, tweet a link or post it on Facebook, write a review and spread the word.

Tx

Presenting ... "Tales of Space Exploration 1-8 (waag_rel020)" by Brother Saturn

I've know Drew Miller aka Brother Saturn for a wee while now. I'm a big fan of his album "Everest" recorded under his other moniker The Northern Hemisphere … and was deeply intrigued when he approached me to release his first ambient-orientated album via weareallghosts.

I was intrigued on a number of points: what would his ambient work sound like? will it fit with weareallghosts? why waag rather than self-publishing? could he wait for my schedule?

All these questions were answered when I heard "Tales of Space Exploration 1-8 (waag_rel020)" … everything became clear and I said 'Yes'.

I love this album and believe it is an excellent fit with weareallghosts. What's more … I am delighted to bring Miller's work to a new audience … and, hopefully, bring waag's roster to Miller's loyal following.

I am delighted with Miller's approach to these tracks … he has dispensed with his trademark polyrhythmic and, at times, dissonant layering for a more refined, gentler sound … and am proud to welcome him to the weareallghosts 'fold'.

Before I go, it would be remiss of me not to mention the fantastic illustration that Adam Howie provided. Unfortunately I didn't have any photos relating to space exploration in my private stock and needed help. I asked Howie and he delivered … and not just the cover art but wallpapers to adorn your digital toys. Thank you Adam.

A printed version of this illustration - entitled "Journey" - is available at devinatArt (http://kimded.deviantart.com/art/Journey-363693086) and RedBubble (http://www.redbubble.com/people/lurchkimded/works/10182022-journey) and I would heartily encourage you to support Howie's work by buying a print.

An MP3 version of this album is available for free on Archive.org (http://archive.org/details/waag_rel020) or a lossless version on Bandcamp for 'pay what you want' which does include £0. If you do decide to download this album for free then all we ask in return is that you tell your friends, tweet a link or post it on Facebook, write a review and spread the word.

Have a listen to the embedded player below.

Tx