Four dance tracks, two atmospheric pieces, and one in-between : “Oak and Ash” is a re-imagining of traditional melodies from the British Islands, quickened by energetic framedrum and tamborine rhythms, and alchemized with elements of electronic trance and ethereal atmospheres.

Opening with a bass-heavy and tribalistic take on a Scottish melody (“Strathspey Drummers”) the album has four tracks aimed at the contemporary eclectic dancefloor, including the midtempo groove of “Flitter Dance”, the pulsing and trance-like “Morning Dew”, and rollicking “Paddy on The Erie”.
A slowly-swaying and languorous version of “Apples in Winter” brings the album into the downtempo realm, and following this, there are two atmospheric tracks, the dark and Renaissance-styled “Oak and Ash”, and the tranquil low whistle of “Island Air”

Available exclusively on Bandcamp, there are five alternate mixes , all of which strip away the electronic beats to bring forward the more subtle organic and ambient dimensions of the music. There are mostly-acoustic, framedrum-driven versions of “Strathspey Drummers”, “Apples in Winter” and “Flitter Dance”, plus drumless meditative mixes of “Morning Dew” and “Island Air”

About the cover image:

A wreath of seven autumn leaves; 3 of oak and 4 of ash - two trees which are rich in associations and symbolism in northern traditions.

Oak, the sacred Druid’s tree in Celtic lore, associated with Thunor (Thor) the thunder god in Germanic traditions, and everywhere a symbol of great power and strength. Its wood could furnish the central beams of buildings or ships. 

The ash is connected with Woden; its hard (yet somewhat flexible) wood was the first choice for spears, and the the Old English Rune Poem says of Ash that it stands firm, “although it fights against many men”

The two trees have many complementary meanings, yet share the common element of strength, resilience and perseverance against adversity.

At the center is a magpie, a bird of omen and prophecy.

The symbol above the magpie’s beak is a combination (bindrune) of four staves; at the top and bottom are “Ac” and “Aesc”, the old English runes meaning oak and ash, and the lines projecting out of the left and right sides of the central vertical are the Irish Ogham characters “Duir” and “Nin”, again meaning oak and ash.

Oak and Ash

While the winter winds are still blowing, I offer you my latest single, “Wild Hunt”

The Wild Hunt is a ghostly ride through the stormy night skies of winter, said to appear in many regions of Britain and Northern Europe from late autumn to early spring. Its specific lore appears I many guises, varying by locality and culture. In my cover image, the leader of the hunt is Woden (Odin) on his 8-legged horse, accompanied by hounds, gathering up lost souls and ghosts along the way.

The track is mainly in a tribal/trance style (128 BPM) infused with ghostly wails and eerie atmospheres. There is half-time middle section which incorporates the melody of “Catherine Martin” by Turlough O’Carolan, the great Irish harper and composer (1670-1738).

The track is available now on my Bandcamp page, where a bonus ambient mix is included with the single track price. The main mix will be available on all other platforms soon!

Wild Hunt

Video on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/3AP3l5Pe3Zo?si=5gQc2HEMpNKXy2sM

Morning Star

“Into the Web” is a journey into the night-side of my musical world, a walk through otherworldly forests and tangled webs. Medieval melodies mingle with fae voices and  mist-shrouded atmosphere. Yet the pulse of the drum is always there, to guide and inspire you through your dance with the shadows…

A bonus ambient mix is available exclusively on Bandcamp, with purchase of the full EP.

The cover image:

“Wyrd Sisters”
Ink and coloured pencil on paper, 12” x 14.5”

The Wyrd Sisters are the shapers of destiny and fate, weaving a web of interconnected events and courses of action - the Web of Wyrd. Known as the three Norns in Norse cosmology, their names are Wyrd, Werdende, and Scyld (Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld).

The three are usually pictured sitting at the well and weaving the web; in my personal vision I saw them as dancers, in perpetual rhythm and motion as they spin the web - with the help of spiders (web-spinners) and ravens, the messengers of fate and prophecy.

In the Web

Sunne and Mona

Scots Branle

For the emerging new year, and new listeners... an introduction to my current musical flow.

All tracks by Drumspyder

Time - Track (Album)

0:00 - The Birds (Sunne and Mona)
4:27 - Lovely Joan (Kenning)
8:20 - The Braes of Tullymet (Sunne and Mona)
11:58 - Bobbing Joe (Sunne and Mona)
16:04 - Wind God (Kenning)
19:53 - Battle of the Boyne (Calls from the Wood)
24:15 - Sweven (Sunne and Mona)
27:44 - The Dunmore Lasses (Kenning)
31:44 - Tralee Gaol (Sunne and Mona)
35:59 - Scots Branle (Sunne and Mona)
39:47 - Work Songs (Kenning)
43:47 - Kesh (Calls from the Wood)
47:21 - Drummond Castle (Sunne and Mona)
51:43 - Ballydesmond Polkas (Kenning)
55:42 - Winter Nights (Sunne and Mona)

Imbolc 2023 Mix

The latest chapter of my work with the Desert Dwellers: "Nomadic Ecstatic Vol.1" is out now on Black Swan Sounds and available now on their Bandcamp page along with remixes by Kaleidoscope, Banco de Gaia, Jef Stott, and Chaos Control, with more on the way!

Bandcamp

Desert Dwellers - Wandering Sadhu (Drumspyder Remix)

Dance deep in the forest with this new compilation from Mycelium Music - out on summer solstice 2014!

Ingwaz

Out now on the "Symbiotic Remixes" EP from Desert Trax - includes mixes by Kalya Scintilla, Whitebear, Temple Step + more.

Deya Dova - Symbiotic (Drumspyder Remix)

iTunes

Ice Queen

Based on a Manx dance tune. Also includes the Irish reel "Rolling in the Barrel"
The first track on my forthcoming album "Oak and Ash"

Flitter Dance

The second track on my forthcoming album "Oak and Ash"

Oak and Assh

The Morning Dew

From my forthcoming album "Oak and Ash" . Based on A.A. Cameron's strathspey and the Irish jig "Three Little Drummers"

Strathspey Drummers

Based on the Irish/American tune "Paddy on the Erie" (or "Paddy on the Railway") plus an Irish slide "The Toormore".

Paddy on the Erie / The Toormore

A slowly-swaying, deep-bass version of an Irish jig, played on low whistle.

Apples in Winter

My musical journey of the past year : 14 tracks from 2 albums, “Green Mantle” and “Oak and Ash”, plus 1 remix. I hope you enjoy the flow - blessed be!

Tracklist (All by Drumspyder unless otherwise noted)

00:00 The Morning Dew (Ambience)
01:28 Drums of the Pucas
05:43 Green Mantle
10:48 The Oak and the Ash
14:53 The Templehouse
19:04 Apples in Winter
23:26 Silver Spear
28:05 Flitter Dance
31:46 The Mooncoin
36:04 The Morning Dew
40:30 Larisa Gosla - Ancestor’s Song (Drumspyder Remix)
45:50 In the Woods & By the River
50:02 Paddy on the Erie / The Toormore
54:02 Strathspey Drummers
58:32 The Humours of Tullycrine
63:04 Island Air (Meditation Mix)

Eoster to Hallowtide : 2024 Mix

Winter Nights Revisited

While the winter winds are still blowing, I offer you my latest single, “Wild Hunt”

The Wild Hunt is a ghostly ride through the stormy night skies of winter, said to appear in many regions of Britain and Northern Europe from late autumn to early spring. Its specific lore appears in many guises, varying by locality and culture. In my cover image, the leader of the hunt is Woden (Odin) on his 8-legged horse, accompanied by hounds, gathering up lost souls and ghosts along the way.

The track is mainly in a tribal/trance style (128 BPM) infused with ghostly wails and eerie atmospheres. There is half-time middle section which incorporates the melody of “Catherine Martin” by Turlough O’Carolan, the great Irish harper and composer (1670-1738).

The track is available now on my Bandcamp page, where a bonus ambient mix is included with the single track price. The main mix will be available on all other platforms soon!

Wild Hunt (Ambient Mix)

Based on the Irish reel of the same title from O’Neill’s “Music of Ireland”, the track moves into ethereal chants to the goddess Eostre, underpinned by framedrum, tamborine, and a squishy downtempo groove. An additional atmospheric mix is available exclusively with the Bandcamp single.

Cover Image:
Eostre, goddess of the dawn, greets the morning star (Venus) with symbols of springtime renewal and rebirth - hares, flowers, and eggs. According to Bede (672-735), Eostre was given offerings during the lunar month of Eastremonath (roughly April or Easter-time today). 

Morning Star (Atmosphere Mix)

An Irish reel from O’Neill’s “Music of Ireland”, with minor alterations.

The Ivy Leaf

Instrumentals based on a Gregorian Chant melody, “Kyrie Orbis Factor”

Lyrics:

Nightshade
Shelter me from the darkness
Under your wings
Hold me tight
Show me where the wolves go

“Nightshade” from Shymer 2
www.ghosthack.de

Orbis Factor (2025 Mix)

Milde Moder (Gentle Mother)

A traditional English folk song - the track also incorporates the Irish slip jig “Elizabeth Kelly’s Delight”.

Lyrics:

Where are you going?
To Scarborough fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to a bonny lass there
For once she was a true lover of mine

Tell her to wash it in yonder well
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Where water ne’er sprung nor a drop of rain fell
And she shall be a true lover of mine

Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
And tie it all up with a songbird’s feather
And she shall be a true lover of mine

Tell her to gather it up in a sack
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
And carry it home on a butterfly’s back
And then she shall be a true lover of mine

Cecil Sharp, “100 English Folksongs”
(with minor alterations)

Vocals synthesized with ACE Studio
www.acestudio.ai

Scarborough Faire

Incorporates “The Ashplant”, an Irish reel.

Lyrics:

Mountains hum their mournful song,
And the river sighs as it glides along.
I lost my way, my heart, my throne,
In the realm where I once belonged.
I lost my way, my heart, my throne,
In the realm where I once called home.

“Into the Realm” from SkyRealm 2
www.ghosthack.de


Wanderer's Song

Based on two variations of a tune from George Petrie’s “Complete Irish Music”
Notated on the island of Arran, September 1857

Enchanted Valley

Based on “Jesu Cristes Milde Moder”
A two-part English medieval song from the 1200s, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

This mix will be available exclusively on Bandcamp, with purchase of the full EP.

Milde Moder (Ambient Mix)

Earlier this year Desert Dwellers released their most diverse album in the duo's long career. The Great Mystery was the first full length collaborative project between the main founders Amani Friend and Treavor Moontribe, and featured a wide range of styles and aesthetics from downtempo and psychedelic dub to tribal trance to exotic house and techno flavors.
To celebrate the special release, Desert Dwellers have curated an ambitious two-part remix album full of contributions from some of the brightest luminaries and rising talents across the underground electronic music landscape. The Great Mystery Remixes Part 1 is slated for a September 21st release, and features sonic reinterpretations from Gaudi, Liquid Stranger, Hibernation, An-ten-nae, Kaminanda, AtYya, Tribone, Twin Shape, Land Switcher, Drumspyder, and Govinda. The second part will be released in late October with contributions from Emancipator, Whitebear, Sixis, Mystral, Supersillyus, Halfred, Master Minded, and many others. With artists from across the globe and musical genres, these carefully crafting renditions of Desert Dwellers' The Great Mystery are a potent combination of immersive soundscapes that pay a loving tribute to the original compositions.

Desert Dwellers - Our Dream World (Drumspyder Remix)

A new EP of original tracks - slink and kinky beats, percussive interlacings, and flavors of ancient music from Europe and the Mediterranean. Available soon on Bandcamp, iTunes, and general distrubution.

Salamander

Forest Lovers

Video by Fem de Film with Auric Medicine + Desert Rain : https://youtu.be/m-tZbhfbEC0

The Mother Rune

Weofod (Altar)

Riding Drum

Based on the medieval melody "Tau Garco la Durendena"

Strands of the Web

My remix of @Byzantine-Time-Machine - bridging the trapatronic compositions of the 21st century with recordings of classic Turkish instruments, creating this future ancient adventure in Istanbul.

Original Production & Percussions by George Lawler
(In this remix : all percussion by Scott Sterling) 
Clarinet & Dulcimer by Eve Monzingo

https://fanlink.to/byzantine

https://soundcloud.com/Byzantine-Time-Machine

fanlink.to/byzantine

Adventure In Istanbul (Drumspyder Remix)

Remix of the Desert Dwellers "Bodhi Mandala" - out now on Black Swan

Bodhi Mandala (Drumspyder Remix)

Myth of the Cave Remixes

Buy all

Myth Of The Cave (Drumspyder Remix)

Riddle Drum

Drowsy Maggie

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/82tU3nytI_Y

Based on "The Man of the House (Reel)"

Crossing

Oak Tree Hex

60-minute mix of Celtic folktronica and new collaborations which first appeared on the Auditory Relaxation channel (https://www.mixcloud.com/AuditoryRelaxation/)

Track List:
Drumspyder - King of the Faeries
Ilen Halogram + Drumspyder - Further
Drumspyder - Cutting Bracken
Drumspyder - Hidden Temple
Ilen Halogram + Drumspyder - Through the Mists
Drumspyder - Oak Tree Hex
Drumspyder - May Eve
Liquid Bloom - Resonant Migration (Drumspyder Remix)
Drumspyder - Musical Priest
Drumspyder - Seafarer
Drumspyder - Drowsy Maggie
Drumspyder - Greenwood
Ilen Halogram + Drumspyder - Black & Gold

Crossing Mix

From a new Desert Dwellers remix EP, out 11/5/2012 on Beatport. 
Vocals : Nicolle Jensen

Shiva Nataraj (Drumspyder Remix)

First appeared on the Mycelium Music Compilation Vol. 2

Mycelium Music is a collective of producers from around the world that have been inspired by the mycelial networks of the Pacific Northwest. This compilation will be donating 100% of our proceeds to a very special non-profit, Amazon Mycorenewal Project. This inspired group of individuals is working to educate volunteers and indigenous people to utilize fungi in an effort to cleanse the pollution caused by the industrial petroleum extraction around the mouth of one of the most breathtaking rivers on our planet, the Amazon. 


Buy on iTunes

Caduceus

Celtic/Tribal/Pagan/Medieval Folktronica

Booking Contact: 
Scott Sterling
drumspyder@icloud.com

"Morning Star" Video:
https://youtu.be/3AP3l5Pe3Zo?si=KUWR77dfqhwdZp6p

"Wild Hunt" Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxYhZ9RoC4E

Drumspyder weaves a web of percussive rhythm, melody, and line. Framedrums, tambourines, and  low whistles mingle with bass beats and ethereal atmospheres, bringing the Celtic and British Islands traditional music into vital contemporary expression.

Scott Sterling has always followed the path of rhythm. Over the course of a long journey through diverse forms of drumming and dance music: avant-garde circus, slinky bellydance troupes, and acclaimed bass-music productions, the one constant has been the beat of the drum. 

Over the past several years he has specialised in the realm of framedrums and tambourines. Influenced by modern framedrum masters such as Glen Velez and David Kuckhermann, but also inspired by the rhythms of the Irish bodhran, he follows a distinctive path through the world of contemporary percussion: fusing his experience with cross-cultural framedrum techniques and Arabic rhythms with a new-found love of Celtic dance music. 

To this rhythmic foundation he adds traditional melodies (played on low whistles and various keyboards) drawn from the folk music of Ireland, Scotland, and England , as well as the rich repertoire of Medieval and Renaissance music from the British Isles. 

Out of the alchemy of rhythm, melody, and his long experience in dance music production, he has forged a unique approach to Celtic and Medieval fusion, where elements of trance, bass-heavy electronica, and ethereal atmospheres mingle into an intoxicating brew. His overall ambition is to connect traditional rhythms and melodies with the contemporary dancefloor.

Drumspyder

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