We started 2021 with a round of four improvisations recorded in the small hours between the 2nd and 28th of January. A few months back, we connected with Dominik Grenzler, who records as @anmoku and runs the wonderfully eclectic micro-label, EndTitles, in Zurich. We agreed to collaborate on some material, and he kindly sent us over an hour's worth of gorgeous treated piano soundscapes strange textures and hypnotic rhythms. 

One of our previous collaborators from last year's round of Lockdown collaborations, Heidi Hart, also asked if we'd collaborate again. She had been commissioned to record a new piano and vocal piece by the renowned American musicologist and composer, Lawrence Kramer. “The Convergence: Notes on the Plague Year 2020”, is set to Thomas Hardy’s poem “The Convergence of the Twain” about the sinking of the Titanic, which Kramer uses as a metaphor for the devastating impact of Covid-19. Heidi sent us the recording, which Kramer gave his blessing to use as we saw fit. It is Heidi's heavenly vocals that graces the first three improvisations at various points, with piano playing by Joshua Groffman. 

For this round of improvisations, we decided to keep other contributors to a minimum, instead relying on our own field recordings and sounds as much as possible. Lurking within the sonic textures, you'll hear the sound of heavily treated piano scrapes, rolling marbles, bubbling fat, a dishwasher and even a vibrator on a sheet of perspex, along with a whole host more...though you probably won't recognise any of them by the time we've messed with them!

We recorded about three and half hours worth of new material over the course of the four jams. We'll be posting up edits as we produce them, so please keep checking back! 

Si & Gillie 19/02/21

2021 Lockdown Collaborations

LC-20 is our latest album, released on Bandcamp in March 2021. 

It gathers the cream of our 2020 Lockdown Collaboration series of improvisations around the work of @idin-samimi-mofakham, @martyna-kosecka, @arshia-samsaminia, Michael Vallone (@taraexperiment) and Heidi Hart. 

The tracks presented here are short edits of all seven tracks on the album. If you like what you hear, why not head over to Bandcamp to hear the tracks in full and consider purchasing it!

Thanks :)

LC-20 - Short edits - full album @Bandcamp

SInce May 2021, we've been hosting  a bi-monthly experimental music show for CampFR net radio. CampFR is a residential arts centre based in the French Pyrenees, where they host workshops with the likes of BBC sound recordist Chris Watson, ambient musician Laraaji and the UK poet laureate Simon Armitage. Their net radio has an eclectic roster of established and up-and-coming artists hosting a huge variety of radio shows. 

For our show, which has been airing on a Friday afternoon (4pm UK time) every eight weeks since May 7th 2021, we've been featuring some of our favourite contemporary and classic vintage sounds from the worlds of experimental electronic, electroacoustic, contemporary classical, IDM, ambient, illbient, dubstep, D & B and just about anything off the beaten track. 

We also feature lots of our own material and since episode 3, we've included a new improvisation in the second half of the show. The tracks featured in this playlist feature around eight or nine highlights from each of these jams. They are not intended to be heard as stand-alone compositions, instead serving as a simple taster of the full jam, but if they take you on a sonic journey, head over to  http://listen.camp/#shows and scroll down to silo portem, where you'll find all our full shows archived. We've also reposted them on our mixcloud profile (https://www.mixcloud.com/silo_portem/) 

DM us if you'd like to be considered for the show.

"Sonic Soup For The Mind" CampFR Radio show improvisations - edited highlights

22/11/24 Update!

After much procrastination and adding a mountain of new unrelated material to edit over the past 18 months, we've finally got round to honouring our pledge to edit up the four Noise Vs Silence Jams that we recorded in Spring 2023 into discreet tracks, which we will then assemble into a proper album. 

Having had so long to live with the project, it would have been tempting to move on and put it permanently on the back-burner, but given the nightmare perilous state of the planet, especially in the Middle East, we feel it's incredibly important to see the project through... given the diverse contributing artists who provided with such a wealth of material, it's the perfect example of music without boundaries, both metaphoric and literal. It's especially important to us to highlight the collaboration with artists and the Noise À Noise label from Iran, a place so pilloried in the West as centre of extremist terrorism, when in fact it's such a rich vein of culture and experimental music. 

"Portentous Siren" is the first of these full track edits, which seems a somewhat apt title given the terrible situation in Gaza and Ukraine... but don't worry, the rest of the jams aren't all doom and gloom. 

What follows below was the original post for this playlist....

Four years ago, we embarked on a collaboration with Iranian contemporary classical composer, @arshia-samsaminia, using recordings of his astounding music as source material for our improvisations. Arshia in turn introduced us to  his fellow country-man @soheil-soheili, who runs the experimental music label @noiseanoise. 

Thus began an enduring relationship with the label, with contributions to several of their compilation albums, most recently, four tracks on "Noise Vs Silence", which was released in January 2023 in support of the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement.

Inspired by the wealth of sounds from all corners of the globe found on the album, we thought it'd be a great idea to expand on the project and approach all the contributing artists to see if they'd be up for us using their tracks as source material for some new improvisations. With the exception of a handful of elusive artists who proved impossible to contact and one refusal, we got an enthusiastic thumbs-up from most of the 36 contributing artists.

We recorded four improvisations between the 5th of March and 16th April 2023, resulting in around two and half hours of new material that we hope you agree, creates a fresh synergistic re-synthesis of some inspiring music, while (hopefully!) still honouring the original source material. 

This playlist gathers edited highlights from each of the four jams. We plan to release the very best moments of the material as an album on Noise À Noise Records early next year. In the meantime, you can hear the jams in full on two of our recent episodes of our experimental net radio show for CampFR, "Sonic Soup for the Mind". The first jam is on the April 7th show and also features our interview with Soheil, discussing several of the tracks from the album and the artists behind them, here:

https://www.mixcloud.com/camp_fr/silo-portem-sonic-soup-for-the-mind-07th-april-2023/

The other three shorter jams are on the June 2nd show, here: 

https://www.mixcloud.com/camp_fr/silo-portem-sonic-soup-for-the-mind-02nd-june-2023/

Special thanks to: @arshia-samsaminia, @soheil-soheili, @chemxp, Mehdi Behbudi, @nourkara, @juliette-capel, @babaksepanta, @arschan, @mohamadnikpour, @alibalighi, @alireza-amirhajebi, @kian-hossein, @ali_aghili, @ibukun-sunday, @judithhamann, @saharhomami, @balam-ronan, @shaahinpeymani, @robbert-van-hulzen, @alyaalsultani, @negar-kharkan, @saboohi, @zhoobinaskarieh, @ashkin_shabani... and probably a few more that we've overlooked (apologies if that's you!)

Noise Vs. Silence Improvisations March - April 2023, edited highlights

This playlist features short edits of all the tracks from our latest album, "Samsaminia" ,which you can hear in full and check out the backstory behind the porject here:   https://siloportem.bandcamp.com/album/samsaminia

We've decided to pull the full versions of the tracks from Soundcloud, partly to free up space for forthcoming tracks edited from our recent improvisations (see Lockdown Collaborations playlist), and partly to encourage you to check out and hopefully buy the album on Bandcamp. 

For those of you short of a penny, fear not, as we've just signed up to Soundcloud Repost Network, so touch wood, the album and other releases will be available on all your favourite streaming services from mid-July. However, like most people at the moment, we are struggling financially and so if you've enjoyed listening to our material (and judging from our stats, a lot of you are coming back for more!), we urge you to consider supporting us by buying the album on Bandcamp, instead of just streaming for free on Spotify etc. 

Thanks and stay safe :-)

Samsaminia edits - full album @bandcamp

Here's another deep and dark cut from the first session of the year, recorded on 2nd January 2021, and using some wonderful piano soundscapes kindly provided by @anmoku. We also added some great industrial/glitchy drum loops from @fl-souto, while Gillie flew in some horrible guitars Si had recorded earlier to complete the unpleasantness.

Electric Whirlwind

This track was edited from take 2 of our current Lockdown Collaboration 2021 series of improvisations, and features a some lush atmospheres and tribal rhythms provided by @anmoku... not so dark this time, but a bit strange nonetheless!

Excitations

Here's a track that starts quite strange and mysterious before turning dark and ominous. It's taken from session 3 of our recent 2021 Lockdown Collaboration series, with some great soundscapes provided by @anmoku

The Dark Room

Here's a track edited from our fourth Lockdown '21 collaboration series, recorded live at home 28/01/21.

Most of the sounds here are highly modified field recordings of things like a washing machine, old piano strings and other things that go bump and clang! 

It starts quite dark and moody, before Gillie brings in a brighter dreamy sound half way through and things become quite serene... for a bit ;-)

One Drop

Long overdue, we've finally got back to the task of editing up more tracks pulled from our four improvisations using sounds kindly provided by @anmoku, recorded early this year. This one was taken from the fourth jam in the series, recorded 28/01/21 and unusually for us, is relatively calm and peaceful.

Castle In the Air

This track features edited highlights from our improvisation recorded on  9th July 2021, using sounds kindly provided by the multi-media artist Jeremy Bible, taken from his multi-award winning  experimental/environmental drone film "Human Savagery". 

The full improv was aired in full on 27/08/21 during our experimental music radio show, "Sonic Soup For the Mind", episode 3, which you can hear in full at www.listen.camp/#shows. We've also reposted it on our Mixcloud profile

JeremyBible Jam 09 07 21 - Edited Highlights

These clips were taken from our "Three Guitars" improvisation recorded on the 24th of September 2021. The title comes from the fact that many of the sounds featured in the jam come from sounds kindly provided by two experimental guitarist/sound designers: Roland Reinke, aka @encym, and Turu Ibe, aka @drunkenforest, from Germany and Japan respectively. Si completed the trio of guitarists with some of his own heavily treated guitars! 

The full jam was aired in the second half of Sonic Soup For the Mind 4, aired on CampFR Radio on 22/10/21. 

Hear the full jam and show at: 

https://www.mixcloud.com/camp_fr/silo-portem-sonic-soup-for-the-mind-22nd-October-2021

Three Guitars Jam (Encym & Drunken Forest Collab)- 24/09/21 - Edited Highlights

This track showcases edited highlights from the second improvisation around guitar sounds provided by @encym, @drunkenforest and from Si himself. 

Recorded on the 27th of November 2021, the full jam can be heard in the second half of episode 5 of Sonic Soup For The Mind, first broadcast on 17/12/21, archived here: www.listen,camp/#shows

Three Guitars Jam 2 (Encym & Drunken Forest Collab) 27/11/21 - Edited Highlights

This is not a track as such, but edited highlights of our first improvisation using samples exclusively taken from the compilation album "Noise Vs Silence", released by @Noiseanoise records in January 2023.

We recorded the roughly 65 minute jam on 5th March 2023, which we subsequently edited to just under an hour. You can hear the full improvisation in the second half of our bi-monthly experimental music radio show, "Sonic Soup For The Mind", for CampFR net radio here:

https://www.mixcloud.com/camp_fr/silo-portem-sonic-soup-for-the-mind-07th-april-2023/

Noise Vs Silence Jam 1 - Edited highlights

Edited highlights of our second improvisation using samples exclusively taken from the compilation album "Noise Vs Silence", released by @Noiseanoise records in January 2023.

Recorded on the 12th March 2023, you can hear the full improvisation in June's edition of our bi-monthly experimental music radio show, "Sonic Soup For The Mind", for CampFR net radio, here:

https://www.mixcloud.com/camp_fr/silo-portem-sonic-soup-for-the-mind-02nd-june-2023/

Noise Vs Silence Jam 2 - Edited Highlights

Edited highlights of our third improvisation using samples exclusively taken from the compilation album "Noise Vs Silence", released by @Noiseanoise records in January 2023.

Recorded on the 26th March 2023, you can hear the full improvisation in June's edition of our bi-monthly experimental music radio show, "Sonic Soup For The Mind", for CampFR net radio, here:

https://www.mixcloud.com/camp_fr/silo-portem-sonic-soup-for-the-mind-02nd-june-2023/

Noise Vs Silence Jam 3 - Edited Highlights

Edited highlights of our fourth improvisation using samples exclusively taken from the compilation album "Noise Vs Silence", released by @Noiseanoise records in January 2023.

Recorded on the 16th April 2023, you can hear the full improvisation in June's edition of our bi-monthly experimental music radio show, "Sonic Soup For The Mind", for CampFR net radio, here:

https://www.mixcloud.com/camp_fr/silo-portem-sonic-soup-for-the-mind-02nd-june-2023/

Noise Vs Silence Jam 4 - Edited Highlights

Here's the opening somewhat apocalyptical section of our first improvisations around the sounds found on the Noise Vs. Silence compilation album. 

Portentous Siren - Nz-À-Nz Jam 1 - 1

Second track from the first improvisation around tracks and sounds sampled from Noise Vs Silence

Opening Salvo - NzÀNz Jam 1 - 2

This track, edited from an improvisation recorded on 20th May 2019, starts off dark, eerie and mysterious, before some very nasty beats (courtesy of @fl-souto) kick in about half way through... some of our darkest material to date. 

The artwork is a still from one of Gillie's paintings incorporating found (already dead)insects.

Don't Dance On My Grave

Edit of "Waterhole" from "Samsaminia". Full track at https://siloportem.bandcamp.com/album/samsaminia

Waterhole

Here's something relatively chilled and light, taken from the first 10 minutes of our second improvisation around the work of Arshia Samsaminia

Trundlin

Following straight on from Trundlin, this also comes from our second improvisation around the work of Arshia Samsaminia, this time with a much darker feel.

Somnambulist

Following straight on from Whispering Pier, this is also edited from the first improvisation around the works of Arshia Samsaminia

Creature

Here's the very first section of our first improvisation around the works of Iranian composer Arshia Samsaminia. Contemplative and mysterious, best enjoyed with lights down and on decent headphones.

Whispering Pier

Edit of "Cord & Clouds" from "Samsaminia". Full track at https://siloportem.bandcamp.com/album/samsaminia

Cord & Clouds

Edited from Lockdown Jam 3, this short and sweet, mellow but mysterious track has a subtle rhythm and wonderful pad provided by @taraexperiment and further wonderful  contemporary classical and experimental sounds from @idin-samimi-mofakham and @martyna-kosecka.

Numinous

Here's a dreamy mysterious ghostly track edited from Lockdown Jam 4, which is the first of the lockdown jams where we've mixed together the work of a group of very talented musician friends. Listen out for beautiful piano from Heidi Hart.... and some very amazing haunting choral work from @idin-samimi-mofakham, some great eerie soprano sax from @martyna-kosecka and far out brilliant knob twiddling Michael Vallone's @taraexperiment. We hope you enjoy our appreciation of these musicians with our special mix ;-)

Ghost Throne

Here's a  strange and slightly menacing dark ambient piece taken from Lockdown Jam 5, recorded on the 28th May 2020, again mashing the wonderful pieces provided by our Lockdown collaborators, @idin-samimi-mofakham, @martyna-kosecka, @taraexperiment and Heidi Hart, but this time, adding the work of @arshia-samsaminia, the main collaborator on our 2020 album, Samsaminia.

Dark Light

This track was edited from the opening section of Lockdown Jam 6, recorded on 28/05/20. It uses the work of all five of our Lockdown collaborators @idin-samimi-mofakham, @martyna-kosecka, @arshia-samsaminia, @taraexperiment & Heidi Hart, along with some of our own field recordings and found/manipulated sounds.

It's another deep drone with a meditative feel, thanks to some of the prayer bells (assuming that's what they are!).

Sky Burial

This track was edited from Lockdown Collaboration 1, recorded live at home on the 18th April 2020, exclusively using the wonderful music of @idin-samimi-mofakham and his partner @martyna-kosecka as source material. 

This was quite early on in Lockdown, when angst and worry seemed at its peak, so perhaps unsurprisingly, the piece has come out quite dark and ominous (though not as dark and scary as Hell Hath No Fury, which immediately precedes it!).

Existential Angst

Here's another track taken from Lockdown Jam 2, recorded live at home on 25th April 2020, exclusively using the magical sounds of Michael Vallone, aka @taraexperiment. Mysterious but hopefully something calming for these scary times!

Jewel Wall

This track starts ominously but soon lightens up with a slightly haunting  strings and horn theme. 

It's taken from Lockdown Jam 3, recorded on the 27th of April 2020, using the wonderful work of @idin-samimi-mofakham, @martyna-kosecka and Michael Vallone (@taraexperiment) as source material for our improvised manipulations!

Horn Melt

This track was pulled from Lockdown Jam 4, improvised live at home on 10/05/2020, using the inspiring work of of @idin-samimi-mofakham, @martyna-kosecka and Michael Vallone (@taraexperiment), and some contemporary piano provided by Heidi Hart as source material.

It's dark mysterious feel conjures up images of a North African labyrinthine medina, hence the title! 

Unlike most of our tracks, where we do use a certain amount of remixing of the original jams, a technical issue meant we only had the master track to work with, so this an edit of the live improv as it happened!

Medina

This dark ambient track comes from the beginning of Lockdown Jam 5, recorded on the 28th May 2020, again using the inspiring work of of @idin-samimi-mofakham, @martyna-kosecka and Michael Vallone (@taraexperiment), as well reintroducing the work of our dear friend @arshia-samsaminia.

Vessels

Following on straight from "Choker", this track was edited from our final jam of our Lockdown Collaboration series, recorded live at home on June 2nd 2020.

Crown Of Light

This intense piece was taken from the opening section of our first Lockdown Collaboration with @Idin-Samimi-Mofakham and @Martyna-Kosecka, recorded early on in the first Lockdown on the 18th April 2020. Although we didn't set out to make a disturbing piece of music, it came out that way... indeed Gillie found it almost made her feel physically sick when she listened back! The track seemed to reflect the mood of fear and anxiety that everyone felt at the peak of the pandemic. The wailing strings and horns sounded like a ship being tossed about in a stormy sea, while the pounding heartbeat and high-pitched whistle sounded like someone having a cardiac arrest while being intubated (to these warped ears, at least!). 

Unleashing such a track in the midst of the peak of the first wave seemed almost too raw and close to the bone, which is one of the reasons we've waited until now to post it. But with the second wave hitting again, may be it's time to remind all the Covid deniers and anti-vaxers want a nightmare the pandemic really is!

Hell Hath No Fury

This track comes from the opening 10 minutes of our first 2021 Lockdown Collaboration improvisation, recorded on the 2nd January. Unusually for us, it features Si's guitar playing, albeit heavily treated, looped and triggered by Gillie! 

It also features some wonderful soundscapes kindly provided by  @anmoku and some ethereal vocals from our dear friend and previous collaborator, Heidi Hart.

Void Threshold

This ambient piece is something of a departure for us, being somewhat calming as opposed to our more usual dark ambient/experimental output. It comes from the opening section of our second 2021 Lockdown Collaboration jam, recorded 06/01/21. 

The main piano soundscape was kindly provided by @anmoku. We also created a film for the piece and successfully submitted it for inclusion in "Dawn" online experimental music festival, curated by Glasgow-based Sound Thought, held over the last weekend of February.

Awakening

This piece comes from the third jam of our 2021 lockdown collaboration series, recorded 12/01/21, and features extensive use of our field recordings to create a dark ominous feel to the piece.

Neptune's Lair

Sonic soup for the mind. Please listen on headphones

Head to Bandcamp for full versions of Samsaminia & Nuit albums, etc. and consider purchasing them if you regularly enjoy our music

All tracks are edited from improvisations recorded in the wee hours at our studio.....

We also make experimental films to project at our performances, some of which you can see on Vimeo and our instagram profile (see links below)

Extended edits of the improvisations are also available on Mixcloud

silo portem

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