Saturday, December 16, 2017

Presenting ... "New Dub Manifesto (waag_rel109)" by Cousin Silas & the Glove of Bones


Dub is not a genre of music I have explored to any great degree. I am familiar with the work of Osbourne "King Tubby" Ruddock, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Mad Professor, and Adrian Sherwood; but not really gone further than that. However, the work of Cousin Silas and the Glove of Bones has really whetted my whistle for more!

I thoroughly enjoyed their previous output - "Ornithology" and "Mabinogi" - but "New Dub Manifesto (waag_rel109)" feels so much more ... it is the realised potential that the first two releases pointed to, a glorious coming-together of two very talented chaps.

"New Dub Manifesto (waag_rel109)" is a powerfully dense and wondrous musical tsunami that knocks you off your feet and leaves you on your back with a smile affixed to your face. It is a wondrous testament to sound that will test the very best headphones and hi-fis and yet still sounds fantastic in my puny little EarPods.

There's not much more I can say about this release other than that it needs to be felt as much as it is heard. There is, at times, so much going on that it can be disconcerting but I would urge you to go with it ... give it time ... and you will be rewarded. I certainly was.

As before, my thanks goes to Cousin Silas ... Warren Daly … Kevin Lyons ... Adrian Nicholls ... Drew Miller ... and the wonderful waag community ... for their generous support.
A 320kbps version of this release will be available, for free, over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

- Thomas

https://archive.org/details/waag_rel109





Saturday, December 2, 2017

Presenting ... Tranquil Minds and other distractions (waag_rel108) by Cousin Silas and Head Joint



I've always loved the "and friends" series from Cousin Silas ... it reads like a who's who of our particular musical niche. And one such collaboration that I've always looked for is between Cousin Silas and Head Joint.

Head Joint are Victor Rivkin (who handles vocals, guitar, bass and a number of other instruments) and Michael Jobborn (with his Midi Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Guitars, Piano, and various other sound-making devices), and they make wondrously progressive instrumental music together ... throw in Cousin Silas and you really do have a treat for your ears.

From the off, you know you are in for a ride ... from the expressive psychedelia of the first part of "Trip Through The Mind" and the atmospheric ambience of "Burning Through The Atmosphere" ... through to haunting, ethereal otherness of all five parts of the "Tranquil Minds" opus and the longform delight of "The Collision with Nibiru" ... this is one belter of an album.

As for a collaboration, yes there are times when I can easily recognise Cousin Silas' trademark ambient guitar ... but, for the most part, this is something greater than the sum of the parts ... and, for me, that's what makes it so very special.

I really hope you enjoy this album as much as I do!

As before, my thanks goes to Cousin Silas ... Warren Daly Kevin Lyons ... Adrian Nicholls ... Drew Miller ... and the wonderful waag community ... for their generous support.

A 320kbps version of this release is available, for free, over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

- Thomas


https://archive.org/details/waag_rel108





Saturday, November 18, 2017

Presenting ... Beyond the Infinite (waag_rel107) by Cousin Silas & Kevin Lyons



I believe in the power of music to inspire and to heal.

That's a bit of a cheesy thing to say, I know, but I believe it to be true.

When I set out on the weareallghosts journey, it wasn't to make money or to strike it big. No, it was to give something back to the DIY music community that has nourished me over the years ... to bring some happiness into an unhappy world ... to light the proverbial candle to shine out in the darkness. I think I have achieved that.

So today, regardless of all the voices that say I am just not good enough ... regardless of all the closed doors ... regardless of what others think ... I can lift my head up and say: I made this happen! I took an idea and brought it into being ... and I did it with the help and support of people I am proud to call my friends.

I couldn't have started weareallghosts without the support of Cousin Silas and I wouldn't have kept going for over 5 years if it wasn't for the encouragement of Kevin Lyons. I am proud, so very proud, to call them dear friends and look forward to our annual meet-ups in deepest, darkest Yorkshire.

It is, then, with the greatest of pleasure to offer out a further instalment in their ongoing partnership: "Beyond the Infinite (waag_rel107)" is their sixth release as a duo and by far one of their best. Their atmospheric ambient music is the perfect accompaniment to the best in science or weird fiction, pairing effortlessly with the likes of H.P. Lovecraft. Delicate, open, and unsettling; their music makes the Cyclopean architecture of such stories as "In the Mountains of Madness" come alive for me, especially the illustrated version by I. N. J. Culbard, which I read while having my first listen to the submission.

Yes, there are beats. "Lost Horizons" is a prime example of Silas and Lyons' measured approach to percussion ... but this is, to me, more about the atmospherics. "Grey Steel Skies" and the title track, "Beyond the Infinite", are truly exemplary of music that is so much more than music, it is feeling ... an eerie, unsettling, weird feeling that I just soak up like a sponge. If that's your kind of thing then this is your kind of thing!

As before, my thanks goes to Cousin Silas ... Warren DalyKevin Lyons ... Adrian Nicholls ... Drew Miller ... and the wonderful waag community ... for their generous support.
A 320kbps version of this release will be available, for free, over on Archive with a lossless version available here on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

I really hope you enjoy the latest release from Cousin Silas and Kevin Lyons as much as I have.

- Thomas

PS: grateful thanks to Andreas Schwietzke for the use of another of his illustrations, it is so fitting and perfectly in tune with the music.







Sunday, October 22, 2017

Presenting ... Cousin Silas (waag_rel106)




Cousin Silas' music is a familiar constant in my life. His albums hold a place in my heart along with my favourite books and films; and yet I still get excited when I receive an album from him, eagerly awaiting what new direction he has taken or sound he has returned to.

Cousin Silas (waag_rel106) is a fabulous return to the ambient soundscapes of his early weareallghosts releases ... there is something of "The Path Between The Trees (waag_rel001)" in this self-titled release ... a wee sprinkling of magic that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

This is Cousin Silas' 185th release (not all with weareallghosts, may I add) and it is great to hear the magic is still there, vibrant and pregnant with possibility.

Thanks to the generous support of folks like Cousin Silas ... Warren Daly … Kevin Lyons ... Adrian Nicholls ... Drew Miller ... and the wonderful waag community ... I’m proud to be able to offer a 320kbps version of this release for free over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

I really hope you enjoy the latest release from Cousin Silas as much as I have. He's still got it and I just know you'll agree!

- Thomas

https://archive.org/details/waag_rel106






Sunday, September 24, 2017

Presenting ... "Permutations (waag_rel105)" by Cousin Silas




Permutations is the second in Cousin Silas' remix projects. As with Recrudescence (waag_rel094) our favourite Cousin has reworked his original soundscapes (the exact ones he will not divulge to me) to create something wonderfully fresh and new that will enthral all who listen.

Permutations consists of seven tracks that vary in length for approximately six and a half minutes through to nearly seventeen. They all have Cousin Silas' delightfully gentle and languid longform vibe but their conciseness and brevity, in comparison with his dronescape work, adds an extra dimension, making for a complete body of work: seven ideas that work as one with a togetherness that inspires;

Thanks to the generous support of folks like Cousin Silas ... Warren DalyKevin Lyons ... Adrian Nicholls ... Drew Miller ... and the wonderful waag community ... I’m proud to be able to offer a 320kbps version of this release for free over on Archive with a lossless version available here on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

Permutations has quickly become my reading soundtrack of choice. I hope it finds its own wee niche in your life.

- Thomas

https://archive.org/details/waag_rel105





Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Presenting ... "Ornithology (waag_rrl007)" by Cousin Silas and The Glove Of Bones


Originally released on the now defunct digitalDIZZY netlabel ... Ornithology is a delightfully dubby collaboration between Cousin Silas and Adrian Nicholls aka The Glove Of Bones. It is an album that is simply too good to languish in obscurity and one I am proud to re-release on weareallghosts.

Ornithology isn't your usual release for waag: the emphasis on field recordings and found sounds is atypical ... and the drifting dubby, electronic sounds are new to us. 

But, and it is a big but, this is Cousin Silas at his best ... wonderfully experimental and prepared to push boundaries along with his collaborator, graphic artist and card-carrying "twitcher", Adrian Nicholls aka The Glove Of Bones. As such, this is very much a waag release ... one that engages the listener and provides a wonderfully deep sonic experience. 

I don't like to see netlabels go under and I don't like to see good music lost ... I am proud to be able to give "Ornithology" a new home.

Thanks to the generous support of folks like Cousin Silas ... Warren Daly … Kevin Lyons ... and the wonderful waag community ... I’m proud to be able to offer a 320kbps version of this release for free over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’ ... you can also stream it on Soundcloud.

I really hope you enjoy "Ornithology" as much as I have.

-- Thomas









Monday, August 28, 2017

Presenting ... "Apollo, Can You Hear Me?" by Brother Saturn (waag_rel104)



How do you follow up 12 hours of creative expression from a master & his friends?

By releasing the best work yet by Brother Saturn, that's how!

I was genuinely worried as to how to follow Cousin Silas' recent magnum opus (a series of recordings that have raised nearly £400 for charity at the time of my typing) but when I heard what Drew Miller aka Brother Saturn had for me, I was delighted.

"Apollo, can you hear me?" is possibly Brother Saturn's best work to date, certainly his best work on weareallghosts. It is an exploration of subtle, dreamy electronics in a languid, luscious longform ambient manner. It is as much about restraint as it is about expression, Miller has not let his wonderfully five-steps-ahead creative mind runaway but has, instead, kept it tightly constrained and, in doing so, created an engaging collection of tracks that are cohesive, coherent and downright enjoyable.

"Apollo..." is best consumed through a good pair of headphones, preferably in a darkened room so as to allow yourself to become full immersed in the otherworldliness of the soundscapes presented. Let your imagination run wild, take the cues in the music and create your own narrative and, in doing so, come to cherish this album, as I have.

Thanks to the generous support of folks like Cousin Silas ... Warren Daly … Kevin Lyons ... and the wonderful waag community ... I’m proud to be able to offer a 320kbps version of this release for free over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’

I hope you enjoy this new music from Brother Saturn as much as I have.

-- Thomas Mathie

https://archive.org/details/waag_rel104



---



Sunday, July 30, 2017

Presenting ... Silas and Friends | vi | part iii (waag_rel103)


Cousin Silas' sixth compilation of collaborations with his friends completes with the third and final part.

Over the thirty tracks featured in part iii, the variation in sound that started in the first part and is maintained with the second part just keeps on rolling: we have so many different flavours of electronic and ambient music that ensures the mixtape feel continues ... with tracks that stand on their own and really work as part of the album.

As stated before, I would encourage you to compile all the parts of Silas and Friends | vi into a playlist on your listening device of choice ... and have included a cover for the playlist along with the artwork for part iii.

All monies raised from the sale of this album will be donated to Hospice UK. I am both fortunate and grateful to work for an employer who actively matches all donations made ... so everyone purchase will be doubled for the benefit of a very worthy cause.

I really do hope you will enjoy this album as much as I have.

- Thomas

Please Note: due to the fundraising aspect of this album, it will not be added to our collection over at archive.org.

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Presenting ... Silas and Friends | vi | part ii (waag_rel102)


Cousin Silas' sixth compilation of collaborations with his friends moves forward with the second of three parts.

As before, it would be unfair to single out any one of the tracks featured ... but it is fair to say the variation in sound that started in the first part continues unabashed: we have Har's vision of sonic punk through to Stephen Briggs' long form ambience with multiple flavours of electronic and ambient music in-between. Part ii sounds like a very best of mixtapes ... a real variety that keeps the listener engaged ... with tracks that stand on their own and work as part of the greater whole.

I would encourage you to compile all the parts of Silas and Friends | vi into a playlist on your listening device of choice ... bring all the tracks together and dive deep into the most wonderful ocean of sound.

All monies raised from the sale of this album will be donated to Hospice UK. I am both fortunate and grateful to work for an employer who actively matches all donations made ... so everyone purchase will be doubled for the benefit of a very worthy cause.

I really do hope you will enjoy this album as much as I have.

- Thomas

Please Note: due to the fundraising aspect of this album, it will not be added to our collection over at archive.org.


Sunday, June 25, 2017

Presenting ... Dronescape 038 (waag_drs038) by Cousin Silas



Cousin Silas shows no signs of flagging as we reach his thirty-eighth ... he takes his signature longform drone sound and creates another deep, drifting soundscape with all the added flourishes that we have grown accustomed to: the waves of guitar  juxtaposed with the choral synth, the apparently random notes on the keyboard that always appear at just the right time, the flashes of brilliance that keep you coming back for more;

I can't get enough of these soundscapes: I find them both relaxing and invaluable when I want to find my flow ... and turn to them everyday. They provide me comfort, something familiar I can hold onto when every thing around me appears to be frantic and chaotic.

I really do hope you enjoy this dronescape as much as have and will ... here's to the next one!

As before, it is important to note that weareallghosts is funded through the money we receive for albums and dronescapes such as this. For us to realistically continue to put out this level of quality in the quantity that we need to levy a small charge for our releases. Please help out by buying the dronescape.

That said, if you aren’t able to then please note a 320kbps version of this release will be available in the next couple of days over on Archive for free.

- Thomas


https://archive.org/details/waag_drs038


Saturday, June 24, 2017

Presenting ... Silas and Friends | vi | part i (waag_rel101)


This is Cousin Silas' sixth compilation of collaborations with his friends ... consisting of twenty five tracks from some of the most interesting characters in the DIY ambient electronic / guitar scene, folks both known and new to weareallghosts. 

It truly amazes me when I consider that this is only the first part of a three part "triptych" ... with the second and third parts due to drop in July ... the quality of the collaborations really does whet the ol' whistle for more.

It would be unfair to single out any one of the 25 friends ... but it is a pleasure to note the variation in sound that is included: we have traditional ambient electronica, deliciously beat-infused downtempo, and feedback-laden guitar sounds all included in a compilation that demonstrates the kind of talent and ingenuity that Cousin Silas has on speed-dial.

All monies raised from the sale of this album will be donated to Hospice UK. I am both fortunate and grateful to work for an employer who actively matches all donations made ... so everyone purchase will be doubled for the benefit of a very worthy cause.

I really do hope you will enjoy this album as much as I have.

- Thomas

Please Note: due to the fundraising aspect of this album, it will not be added to our collection over at archive.org.


Sunday, May 14, 2017

Presenting ... Coefficient of variation (waag_rel100) by Cousin Silas & Øystein Jørgensen


100 releases.

I know there have been more than 100 releases on weareallghosts ... waag has released singles, dronescapes, and even rereleased albums that it was felt needed further attention ... but it has also put out 100 new, original pieces of music during the 5 years of existence.

I'm extremely proud of this fact, very proud indeed. 

I have, through weareallghosts, championed some wonderful music and this collaboration between Cousin Silas and Øystein Jørgensen is the very definition of wonderful ... it is truly extraordinary! It made me gasp when I first heard it ... and it still elates me after multiple listens.

"Coefficient of variation (waag_rel100)" is an outstanding collaboration, one where both parties are so deeply intertwined that it is hard for me to identify where one artist stops and the other begins. There is long-form ambience, Silas' deliciously decadent guitar, and the most glorious of beats ... I know it is a cliche but this is next level stuff ... and I am so proud to release it on waag and for it to be our 100th original album release. As a result, I genuinely cannot wait for Cousin Silas' next "... and friends" album ... if it is anything like "Coefficient of variation (waag_rel100)" then we will all be in for a real treat!

Thanks to the generous support of folks like Cousin Silas ... Warren Daly … Kevin Lyons ... and the wonderful waag community ... I’m proud to be able to offer a 320kbps version of this release for free over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’

I hope you enjoy this next level piece as much as I have.

-- Thomas Mathie (Motherwell, UK)




Saturday, May 13, 2017

Presenting ... Dronescape 037 by Cousin Silas



I always love it when the next dronescape arrives and I can dig deep ... I've been really busy with a new project in my day job and have thoroughly enjoyed diving into the detail with Cousin Silas' 37th longform dronescape to keep my company.

Simply put: it is a delight ... sonic healing for a heavy heart and a congested mind, aural balm for the times we can't quite focus;

Recently the Guardian did an article on ambient music ... in it they described one particular artist as "ambient for the flat white generation". It is purely coincidental that this cover for this dronescape features a flat white coffee, from a fab wee place in Glasgow, Scotland; I designed the cover a day before the article was published.

However, for me there is something there ... for I love my flat whites and I love ambient music ... I savour them both. I really hope you find this dronescape to be particularly palatable!

As before, it is important to note that weareallghosts is funded through the money we receive for albums and dronescapes such as this. For us to realistically continue to put out this level of quality in the quantity that we need to levy a small charge for our releases. Please help out by buying the dronescape.

That said, if you aren’t able to then please note a 320kbps version of this release will be available over on Archive for free.

- Thomas





Monday, May 1, 2017

Presenting ... "Theme Music From The Aether (waag_rel099)" by Glenn Sogge featuring Boson Spin, Cousin Silas, and Candy L



A few months back, Wolfgang Gsell, ambient artist extraordinare and radio show host (www.modul303.com), posted a call for music for his upcoming themed shows. At first, I planned to just do a series of pieces for the shows. Then, I realized that this was a wonderful opportunity to kick-start some collaborations so I created a set of base tracks reflecting the themes listed by Wolfgang:

Winter, Holy and Silent, Memories, Weightless, and Mountains.

Some wonderful ambient composers agreed to collaborate in creating a multi-part 'suite of suites':  Boson Spin (Stan Magendanz, Brisbane, AU), Cousin Silas (Slaithwaite, UK), and Candy L (New York, USA).

Taking a clue from the Monty Python 3-sided record from back in the day, here is the collection of the versions plus the original base tracks. Feel free to build upon the original tracks if you are so inclined (they are licensed "Share Alike"). 

-- Glenn Sogge (Troutdale, OR, USA)

---

When Glenn first spoke of his "suite of suites" I was intrigued. I love the concept of collaboration and was eager to hear what he and his collaborators - Boson Spin, our own Cousin Silas, and musical polymath Candy L - would bring to the party. I was not disappointed. 

Deep, dark (in places), and deliciously enthralling this is an album of more that its constituent parts; one that works on so many levels.

I'm grateful to Glenn for bringing this album to weareallghosts, it is so in keeping with our collaborative netlabel ethos.

As a result of the generous support of folks like Kevin Lyons ... Cousin Silas ... Warren Daly … and the wonderful waag community ... I’m proud to be able to offer a 320kbps version of this release for free over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’

I hope you enjoy this "suite of suites" as much as I have.

-- Thomas Mathie (Motherwell, UK)

---



Saturday, April 1, 2017

Presenting ... "Dancers at the End of Time (waag_rel098)" by Kevin Lyons





Kevin Lyons and I were daydreaming together, earlier today ... dreaming of opening up a space called "The End of Time" where the beer was microbrewed, the coffee was always fresh and made with v60s, and the music was decidedly ambient in nature with Cousin Silas playing live; Every night there would be a sci-fi film on and the kitchen would serve the best pizzas at any time of the day.

I guess we can dream.

I love Kevin Lyons' music ... it has a special something about it that always captures my imagination. He creates wonderfully vivid soundscapes that are so easy to be caught up in, soundscapes that engage and inspire in equal measure, soundscapes that feed the soul; Whilst Kevin plays well with others ... especially Cousin Silas and Tim Jones ... it is always a pleasure to hear what he's got to say on his own, the distillation of all his nerdy loves into 70 minutes of ambient music. We are, after all, the sum total of our influences and "Dances at the End of Time" is a wonderful summation of all that is Kevin.

As a result of the generous support of folks like Mr Lyons himself ... Cousin Silas ... Warren Daly … and the wonderful waag community ... I’m proud to be able to offer a 320kbps version of this release for free over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

I really hope you will enjoy "Dancers at the End of Time" as much as I do.

- Thomas



https://archive.org/details/waag_rel098


Sunday, March 12, 2017

Presenting ... "The Moorcock Principle (waag_rel097)" by Cousin Silas & Kevin Lyons



I get really excited when I receive an album from Cousin Silas and Kevin Lyons. Theirs is a particularly vibrant collaboration, one that points to the very best of weird and science fiction. "The Moorcock Principle" is their fifth outing and the very name of it speaks of the very best in fantastical writing. I could be wrong but I'm sure track three -  Frank & Jerry's Final Confrontation - refers to Michael Moorcock's character, Jerry Cornelius.

This is my kind of ambient music: evocative and entertaining ... it provides the very best kind of soundtrack for reading or other similarly engaging endeavours. I lose myself in the waves of sound that are presented, the combination of Cousin Silas' ambient guitars and Kevin Lyons' electronics is, most definitely, a match made in the Multiverse.

So too is their ongoing partnership with artist, Andreas Schwietzke; his art so effectively catches the gist of what they are saying with their music. Our thanks go to Andreas, once more, for the permission to use his wonderful work.

As a result of the generous support of Cousin Silas and Warren Daly … and the wonderful waag community ... I’m proud to be able to offer a 320kbps version of this release for free over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

I really hope you will enjoy "The Moorcock Principle" as much as I do ... just make sure there are no microbes on Uranus as you do.

- Thomas





Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Presenting ... Dronescape 036 (waag_drs036) by Cousin Silas



Not everyone can write longform music. It's not just a case of repeating a phrase and stretching it out for over an hour to create your drone; you have to make it interesting, and engaging ... it has to grab the listener's attention and keep it ... and it has to, dare I say, entertaining!
To make that kind of music take time and it takes talent ... and, most of all, it takes patience.

I am so glad Cousin Silas has all three!

weareallghosts are proud to present the thirty-sixth dronescape from Cousin Silas, a wonderfully imaginative seventy minute opus  that ticks all the boxes.

I regularly listen to Silas' dronescapes when I'm looking for some me time ... he's never let me down. Whether I need to zone out at work or want some peace and quiet at home or on the train to/from Glasgow ... Silas' dronescapes are a go-to choice. Dronescape 036 is a worthy addition to this rather extensive collection of longform music.

As before, it is important to note that weareallghosts is funded through the money we receive for albums and dronescapes such as this. For us to realistically continue to put out this level of quality then we need to levy a small charge for some of our releases. Please help out by buying the dronescape.

That said, if you aren’t able to pay then please note a 320kbps version of this release will be available over on Archive for free.



https://archive.org/details/waag_drs036


Saturday, February 18, 2017

Presenting ... Scenes (waag_rrl006) by Coloured Lines


Adam Greenhead aka Coloured Lines is a patient man, Scenes, his latest full length album, should have been rereleased on weareallghosts a wee while ago but, for one reason or another, it was delayed ... that is until now. I guess albums on waag are like Wizards, they are never late but arrive exactly when they are meant to. But still, thanks for your patience!

I'm proud to rerelease Scenes for two reasons ... firstly, Scenes is a cracking slice of energetic instrumental electronica that deserves a wider audience (hence it is being rereleased on waag) and secondly, Greenhead is a lovely chap who deserves to be supported in what he does ... not just as Coloured Lines ... but in his latest venture, Bad Bat Records, a netlabel dedicated to helping release and promote independent artists. He's a giver and it's great to give back to givers like him.

As to the music, well it is wonderfully energetic and upbeat electronica that wouldn't be out of place on a Ghostly Records compilation ... it is well crafted and engaging ... a delight from start to finish. It seeks to convey a story with each track tells another chapter in that story ... a story of love and loss enacted under the glare of artificial lighting.

weareallghosts has made it's name on ambient music but it will always seek to stake it's reputation on the adventurous and the out-there. Scenes fits this ... just as the work of Cousin Silas, Delicate Apparatus and Matthew VandenBrook have before it. I hope these albums give you a real taste for what is to come in 2017 from us?

As this album is a rerelease and our intention is to support Greenhead in his endeavours, a small charge will be levied ... Scenes will not be available on Archive ... and all proceeds will go to Greenhead.

Thomas


Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Presenting ... Mabinogi (waag_rel096) by Cousin Silas & The Glove Of Bones



Mabinogi
Taking it's title from the Medieval text, The Mabinogion (a loose translation of this being Juvenile Distractions), this work takes on non-narrative considerations about passing time, the joy of travel & landscape. 

Based round film and field recordings made on location in Pembroke, South Wales, this adds three new "branches" to the original stories. Each bears a Welsh language name and are broadly linked to Earth, Water & Air. 

In translation: 
1- Taith Hir (Long Road) 
2- Tonnau Araf (Slow Wave) 
3- Breuddwydion mewn carreg y Pentre Ifan (Stone Dreams at Pentre Ifan) 

The filmed materials provided the flow for the base audio, this then embellished by Cousin Silas, using light touch pads & atmospherics and further on, euphoric guitar parts. More information and the film can be found HERE.

- Adrian Nicholls aka The Glove of Bones

--

Mabinogi, the utterly engaging collaboration between Cousin Silas & The Glove of Bones, was created to soundtrack a film by Adrian Nicholls; it features three longform ambient pieces that draw heavily on field recordings and found-sounds. 

This is headphone music, the kind that engrosses me and reminds me of the material Shaun Blezard used to issue on his seminal "Earth Monkey Productions" netlabel back in the day. Don't get me wrong, this isn't easy music ... this is dark, atmospheric and challenging, and not Cousin Silas' usual sound ... but it is also really rewarding.

Thanks to the support of Cousin Silas and Warren Daly … and the wonderful waag community ... I’m proud to be able to offer a 320kbps version of this release for free over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’. 

I really hope you will enjoy Mabinogi as much as I do. 

- Thomas



Sunday, January 29, 2017

Presenting ... Retrospective (waag_rrl005) by Delicate Apparatus



If anyone deserves a retrospective it is Chris Newman aka Delicate Apparatus. I’ve been eager to release something of his on weareallghosts ever since I heard his reworking of Cousin Silas's “In one corner of the sky”, the first track of the first album released on waag. I am delighted to feature on Newman’s reworking on this compilation along with a wide and varied selection of his music.

I find Newman’s work reminds me of Vangelis and, in particular, his seminal soundtrack to Blade Runner. Maybe it’s just me, I am known for my obsession with this soundtrack, but I really like the floaty nature of Newman’s music and see parallels that possibly others won’t. Regardless of comparison, I have throughly enjoyed getting to know the pieces contained within this selection and am proud to bring them to the waag audience.

There is real variety on display within this retrospective … from short, expressive synth ideas to deeper, longform dark ambient pieces … and it is in this variety that Newman’s talent is acknowledged.

Thanks to the support of Cousin Silas and Warren Daly … and the wonderful waag community ... I’m proud to be able to offer a 320kbps version of this release for free over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

I really hope you will enjoy this retrospective of Chris Newman’s work as much as I do.

- Thomas






Sunday, January 8, 2017

Presenting ... Oblique (waag_rel095) by Matthew VandenBrook


Oblique, the latest release by Matthew VandenBrook on weareallghosts, is a fully immersive and adventurous journey ... from the opening atmospherics of "An evolution of the path" to the closing piano of "The Transcience of Beautiful Things" ... the listener is bathed in exotic, otherworldly ambience that enthrals and engages. 

VandenBrook's use of sound is remarkable ... I have always thought this but he really has confirmed it on Oblique ... the quirky notes and electronic patterns that create engaging atmospheres, the drones that bathe the listener in light, the sounds that entertain; Oblique truly is a delight. 

I really hope there is more Matthew VandenBrook in waag's future. I love his music and have throughly enjoyed what he has released through this little netlabel.

Thanks to the support of Cousin Silas and Warren Daly … and the wonderful waag community ... I’m proud to be able to offer a 320kbps version of this release for free over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

I really hope you will enjoy Oblique as much as I do.

- Thomas




Monday, January 2, 2017

Presenting ... Recrudescence (waag_rel094) by Cousin Silas



According to the dictionary, recrudescence means ... "breaking out afresh or into renewed activity; revival or reappearance in active existence" ... and it is a fitting albeit tongue-tying title for a collection of music by Cousin Silas that he himself has remixed, rearranged and revived. 

Recrudescence means to reopen and make raw again as in to reopen a wound. I see this more as a potter remoulding their clay, reshaping it, reusing it as they see fit. Silas is the potter and his music is his clay.

Our favourite Cousin has reworked his original soundscapes (the exact ones he will not divulge to me) and created something wonderfully fresh and new that will bring delight to all who take a listen.

Recrudescence has eight parts of varying length - from seven minutes to over eleven - and at no point is the source material is identified. This ensures a new experience for even the most avid of listeners. I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Thanks to the support of Cousin Silas and Warren Daly … and the wonderful waag community ... I’m proud to be able to offer a 320kbps version of this release for free over on Archive with a lossless version available over on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

I really hope you will enjoy Recrudescence as much as I do.

- Thomas