µ-Ziq's drummer finally left, it is hard working with MikeP

one of the few tracks where the cover really matches the music

https://mikeparadinas.bandcamp.com/album/secret-garden

In Spring 2021, Mike Paradinas (µ-Ziq and the owner of Planet Mu) spoke to long time friend and past label signing Hannah Davidson (Mrs Jynx) about the therapeutic power of writing music when times are tough. Both had recently been dealing with the loss of a parent due to cancer, and fresh from writing Scurlage, Paradinas suggested a collaboration.

“I’ve always thought Hannah’s melodic sensibilities chime well with my own," says Paradinas, "and I've wanted to collaborate with her for a long time, since [her 2010 album] 'Shark Carousel' in fact, because she'd written some melodies that I wish I had.”

In a matter of weeks the two collaborated online, sending stems back and forth, each encouraging the other and fitting perfectly together. 

“After about ten days we had ten tracks we were happy with." adds Davidson, "It was exciting to hear what Mike would do with the stems I sent, and equally exciting to see what he thought of my additions to his stems.”

Overall the result is an opus of deeply personal moments of grief, depicted in a feeling of serene, misty tranquility that makes it easy to get lost in. Davidson and Paradinas settled on the title 'Secret Garden' due to the melodic vista which unexpectedly opened up before them on the final track. The album truly is a melodic exploration that is so often missed in this genre. 

There are twists and turns in mood, from the pastoral loveliness of 'Jynxiq' and 'Unheard Melodies' which fall away to the dubby beats of 'Hi Jynx'; the sadness of 'Loss' leading into the beatless forlorn 'The Ballad of Darth Vader. The album ups the pace with the muffled kicks and warm atmosphere of 'Afternoon Sunshine', which sets the tone for the happier mood of the second half. This all leads up to the album's denoeument in final track 'Secret Garden' whose naïve meandering synth melodies, orchestral accompaniment and glockenspiel end the album in happy resolution.

µ-Ziq & Mrs Jynx - The Secret Garden

Written and Produced by Brian Leeds
Featuring SIR E.U
"Plonk IX" Mixed by Chris Wang
Mastered by Anne Taegert
Design by Jonathan Castro Alejos - www.jonathancastro.pe

"Plonk IV" is taken from Huerco S.' Plonk LP
PREORDER: Vinyl 2x12"/CD/Digital:
huercosplonk.bandcamp.com/album/plonk
Out February 25th, 2022
INC-015

Huerco S.
@huercos
huercosplonk.bandcamp.com/album/plonk

Sir E.U 
@hippodramidan

Incienso
www.inciensorecs.bandcamp.com
www.instagram.com/inciensorecs
www.incienso.nyc

Huerco S. -  Plonk IX (Feat. SIR E.U)[INC-015]

µ-Ziq - 4am

Cylob – Zattrday 
Aphex Twin – end E2 
Kettel – Alacasa 
Lanark Artefax – Touch Absence 
Anstam – Observing The Patterns 
Denial of Service – Onryo 
Brainwaltzera – Mixolydian Transition 18
Steve Reich – It’s Gonna Rain 
dBridge – Rendezvous 
Luke Vibert – Don’t F**k Around

Brainwaltzera Guest Mix for Tom Ravenscroft BBC Radio 6 (September 22, 2017)

set 2023.02

Lake - C

Augmented Arturia

Disruptive Muzak Clip (out now on Death of Rave)

Buy on Bandcamp

∫ret Not [Mill enium Arrangement]

x Tape

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BOOKING: warren.morris@theplayground.co.uk

µ-Ziq - 4am

µ-Ziq

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