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

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

The first album from Brother Saturn will drop this weekend.

Illustration by Adam Howie.

Tx

Presenting... "The Lost Room (waag_rel019)" by Kevin Lyons

Cousin Silas is my A&R man. He is always recommending new music to me and introducing me to some of the fabulously talent people he calls friends. Kevin Lyons is one such friend.

I was bowled over when Kevin sent through the tracks that would later form the basis of "The Lost Room (waag_rel019)", our 27th release on weareallghosts. The depth of expression contained within the 15 tracks simply stunned me … each track stood on its own merits as its own self-contained piece of beauty.

I was taken with the width on offer too … Lyons moves effortless between guitar-orientated ambient, engaging electronica and Tangerine Dream-esque soundscapes ... he does this with remarkable ease. It was and is a joy to behold. Tracks like "Monoceros" and "Leviathan" are a true pleasure to listen to … a pleasure I know will last the test of time.

I am delighted to release "The Lost Room (waag_rel019)" on weareallghosts and I genuinely hope you enjoy this record as much as I do.

As always, an MP3 version will be available for free on Archive … with a Lossless version available on Bandcamp for 'pay what you want' (see player below). Any profits will go directly to the artist. However, if you do decide to pay £0 for it, and you are more than welcome to do so, then all we ask in return is for you to tell everyone you know about Lyons' work.

Tx

Presenting... "Dronescape 004 (waag_drs004)" by Cousin Silas

"So long as the gift is not withheld, the creative spirit will remain a stranger to the economies of scarcity. Salmon, forest birds, poetry, symphonies, or Kula shells, the gift is not used up in use. To have painted a painting does not empty the vessel out of which the paintings come. On the contrary, it is the talent which is not in use that is lost or atrophies, and to bestow one of our creations is the surest way to invoke the next."

Lewis Hyde - "The Gift - How the Creative Spirit transforms the World"

This quote sums up, at least for me, the creative spirit of Cousin Silas. He does not withhold his gift. He gives it away and, in doing so, it is not used up.

We are now on our fourth 'Dronescape' and there are no signs that he is slowing down. In fact, I believe his creative spark is at an all time 'sparkiness' … his recent work for weareallghosts, for Jack Hertz' label or for Complex Silence demonstrates this.

His dronescapes have become very personal to me … they have been and are a source of strength to me in difficult times, giving me a sense of calm and focus whilst everything else seems to be going crazy. I am forever in his debt for this.

I hope you enjoy this piece as much I as have and do. As always, an MP3 version is available for free on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for 'pay what you want' … which does include £0. All we ask, if you do decide to take the music for free, is that you spread the word … tell your friends and family … and keep the gift moving.

The music of Cousin Silas is a gift worthy of continual movement. I, for one, look forward to his next piece with anticipation.

Tx

Credits
Released 18 March 2013
Music by Cousin Silas
Design and Logistics by Thomas Mathie