Rain Rituals (Naviarhaiku 379)

More often than not, a respected label introduces me to a new artist or a project. Sometimes, a rare instance occurs in reverse, where a favourite artist appears on a previously unknown [to me] label. This is the case with the Philadelphia-based Andrew Tasselmyer, whom I’ve been a fan of for his solo ambient releases on imprints such as Shimmering Moods, Constellation Tatsu, Polar Seas, Eilean, Home Normal, and laaps, among the many, but also as a member of Hotel Neon, which I’ve been following via Past Inside the Present, Thesis, Archives, Sound in Silence, and Fluid Audio. All of those are very familiar to me – in fact, you can find most of them in my Labels Directory, but the Las Vegas-based Mystery Circles is definitely new, and I only recognise a few names on its roster. So, more for me to hear! Now, back to the release! Titled Where Substance Meets Emptiness, this 8-piece album features more than just Tasselmyer’s beautiful ambience, with some piano keys and field recordings. There are lots of sparkling and shuffling beats and percussive elements reminiscent of the early IDM era, where harmony met rhythm. The track I am premiering for you today, “Flowers in a Storm”, reminds me of those days when I would listen to Arovane, Dabrye, Metamatics, Deaf Center, and Secede. This makes me want to revisit my very own liftmuziek sessions!

"Beyond the edge of the world there’s a space where emptiness and substance neatly overlap, where past and future form a continuous, endless loop. And, hovering about, there are signs no one has ever read, chords no one has ever heard.
— Haruki Murakami (Kafka on the Shore)

Taking in the magical surrealism of the celebrated Japanese author, Tasselmyer composes music that fades in and out of reality, bridging the atmospheric world of dreams and the present moment, where we find ourselves floating and merging with all the beautiful vibrations. Featuring some sonic postcards from his friends (Steven Kemner, Dave Mantel, and Sean Galloway), Tesselymyer paints a new world to traverse – one that is as imaginary as it is real, where “ordinary methods and immediate results are ditched along with their traditional maps in order to reach uncharted places of the imagination.” It’s an absolute pleasure to wander within this open space, and I find myself pleasantly lost among its many turns and expansive pastures.

The full album is out tomorrow, January 30th, 2024, on Mystery Circles. Mastered by Taylor Deupree, it is available as a digital, CD, or cassette edition. Beautiful album cover by his brother, Michael.

Where Substance Meets Emptiness

Flowers in a Storm

TRACK PREMIERE : Andrew Tasselmyer - Flowers in a Storm

Calm Pieces is a València-based musician named Rafa Ramos Sania, who has a background in Jazz, Experimental, and Ambient music. He has collaborated with different artists and has previously released music on labels like Cuneiform Records and Archives. Some may recall Rafa’s collaboration with Edu Comelles for the 2022 Whitelabrecs album ‘de camp’ as well as double bass contributions on Edu’s 2020 album Línia Pedra Paisatge Solc. Rafa was a double bass player for the jazz trio Naima and his journey as a musician began in his teens with electric bass, followed by explorations in guitar, piano, and music production. As Calm Pieces, Rafa distils his work into softer, more ambient compositions, creating a sound that is both intimate and enigmatic.

Singles' is Calm Pieces' debut album, characterised by a serene and introspective sound, crafted through a blend of modern and traditional techniques. Rafa recorded acoustic instruments such as double bass, cello, classical guitar, and acoustic slide guitar, blending them with a digital sound palette into dynamic and textural cinematic soundscapes. Each track conveys a sense of calm and expressiveness, with melodies emerging naturally from improvisation. The album marks Rafa’s first solo physical release on a label, and Whitelabrecs is honored to share this evocative, minimalist journey with the world.

Credits:
Written and produced by Calm Pieces
Mastered by James Edward Armstrong
Cover artwork by David Linuesa
Art and design by Andrew Heath
Calm Pieces is a project by Rafa Ramos Sania.
Some of the sounds were created together with Edu Comelles

Singles

wlr176 Calm Pieces - Singles

Don't Forget To Remember to Forget This, My Friend

Nekomata

made for the naviar haiku challenge #577 https://www.naviarrecords.com/naviarhaiku577-curve-of-time/

Roland JX-3P, Nakama, Valhalla Supermassive.

fractured thoughts (naviarhaiku577)

Berlin-based drummer and producer Max von der Goltz presents his new 5-track tape-recorded ambient EP 'From a Distance' on the label.

The project translates everyday moments and habits into simplified, yet powerful compositions of analogue synthesisers and piano recordings.

Artwork by Ronja-Elina Kappl
Written, produced & mixed by Max von der Goltz
Mastered by Ioannis Nafpliotis

From a Distance

Max von der Goltz - Klmpr

@y-u-sk


‎èvia - stay
orcehstroll - velvet myst ft. heith
imryll - spinal spiral
andriy k - lybid
22vetro - offline
rec - 2
shiner & natalia - the smoke (ft innerfreekling)
ruoh - i'll sleep on it
pheek - sept tours
conna haraway - freon
lint. - no time for distance (genus aix remix)
yeyo - look at me
jjjacob - STRAYN
other joe - flawless




NOODS RADIO #19 Life as Collage w/ yusk [25 May 2025]

confrontational yet emotional. 8 tracks of dark ambient and harsh noise. made from the deepest part of my heart.

born from a wish

ambient synth + shortwave theohauntology experiments

Don't Forget To Remember to Forget This, My Friend

Pharoah Tickles The Sun

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