Music from Memory

Feb, 2010

Mix originally for http://noncollective.com/

夕方の影「Evening Shadows」[Mix, 2010]

We welcome Tornado Wallace (@tornadowallace), long time friend of the label and whose record 'Falling Sun' we released through Second Circle back in 2016.  Interview (excerpt) down below.

www.musicfrommemory.com

MFM: Hey Lewie, how have you been lately?

TW: I dipped out to East Asia and Australia for the infamous Berlin winter and now I’m back ready for the euro warmth. Though it’s in no hurry to arrive here just yet.

MFM: There's a new record coming on Basic Spirit, the label you run with Jamie Tiller, and it all looks rather secretive... Can you tell us more about it Lew E? :) 

TW: I made these tracks when I was holed up sick for a week. Not being able to go to the studio I relied strictly on samples and software, which was fun to change the workflow up a little bit. I wanted to make some very club ready tracks, without any intention for a release. They (rather obviously) sample two well known tracks, but there’s a lot of new ideas too. I use a different name as it felt like a different style and approach to how I usually go about things. I think there will be more Lew E things on the horizon though :D.

MFM: Previous releases on Basic Spirit also had this '90s touch to it. What is it that you like about (music from) that era?

TW: I grew up in the 90s so a lot of the music coming out then really hits the nostalgic feels. But also, really interesting things were happening with technology, and it became a lot more affordable to put together a record. So there were a lot of - for lack of a better term - laymen releasing electronic music. Some of which had very new and out-there approaches to processes like sampling, mixing and arranging. But trends and technology all moved along so quickly that some of these sounds and ideas never had a chance to get fully fleshed out. Which is why it’s nice to pick up where some left off. People are currently very responsive to this late 90s/early 2000s sound, which is great for me because that’s a time when I really fell in love with electronic music. As a DJ, I’m playing these really personal tracks that I discovered as a teenager, and for the first time since I began playing parties/clubs 18 years ago, people seem to really understand them. It’s a very cool feeling.

MFM: You've also started a new more pop oriented project called a.s.o. together with vocalist Alia Seror O’Neill. Has it always been a dream or goal of yours to start a more band kind of project? Does it require a different writing/recording approach compared to when making dance music for the clubs?

TW: I like making music that I like listening to. And with the pandemic in full swing in 2020, I was having a little break from club music, and diving deeper into other styles of music I enjoy. Both from a listening and producing perspective. I found it to be a very different approach. It’s more melody/hook driven and focuses on getting ideas down quickly as they’re forming. A lot of the time I would use a basic keyboard and guitar to record, and Alia would add vocal melodies and harmonies on the fly. Sometimes it could get difficult when we would both want to put our fleeting ideas down at the same time! On that note, collaboration is never easy for me as I like to have full creative control of whatever it is I’m working on, and sometimes the creative paths divide and compromises have to be made. Sometimes the compromised path is thick and thorny, and sometimes it is paved gold and smells of roses.

MFM: How did you go through the selecting and recording process, any specific record or mood you had planned?

TW: I came across a bunch of really nice tracks all in a relatively similar downtempo/shoegaze style, and wanted to make a mix of music like that. For moody home/car/train etc listening. I also included a forthcoming Cousin remix of an a.s.o. single which I love and wanted to share early!

MFM Mix 049: Tornado Wallace

Continuing the series is Mancunian producer, dj and music teacher Tom Burford who just released his LP 'Elevations' with us as Contours (@contoursmusic). Interview (excerpt) down below.

www.musicfrommemory.com

MFM: Hey Tom. You just returned from a big hike, how was it?

TC: Hey! Yeah, we were able to get out on some beautiful hikes around the Anaga national park in the north of Tenerife. It’s a stunning landscape and a nice change from the overbearing grey we get in Manchester for half the year. 

MFM: Does nature play an important role in your life and music?

JC: Definitely in life, and then I guess that just seeps into my music. I grew up in a pretty rural part of Cumbria. It was very beautiful landscape but with very little to do from an entertainment perspective, so getting out in the landscape or jamming with friends always felt like the two most freeing things to do. 

MFM: About jamming with friends... Your new album Elevations includes a lot of collaborations with other musicians, of which you did the recordings yourself. Can you highlight one special moment from those recording sessions?

TC: When recording Pots, I had initially written and recorded the percussion and synth parts at home and hit up Abraham to see if he wanted to add some Trumpet parts. He is based in London and so he recorded initial takes remotely and sent them through. They sounded great, but I really wanted to transform and process his parts for the track to manipulate them into sounding more synth like at points. Doing, that without him in the space felt like there was dialogue missing. In the end I went down to London and we recorded and dubbed them out in the same space at the Rhythm Section studio (shouts to Mali on engineering duties). Being able to respond to his playing and him in turn being able to respond to the dubbing of his parts felt like it was able to capture some really special elements.  

MFM: The A side of your new LP has Elevations 1, 2 and 3. Was it intentional for these tracks to end up separately or did they used to be one larger piece?

TC: When I started writing Elevations 1, 2 and 3 it just began as a series of jams and recording sessions in my flat bouncing ideas back and forth between myself, Beka, Abel and Simmy. These sessions were always just me and one other collaborator at a time, partly down to schedules, the size of the flat, but also the chance to not have to rush the process and to really dig into how we worked together. I continued building out the same project over multiple sessions so that I could have access to all the material collated in one place. Specific sections and ideas started to come together, but I liked the idea of them forging part of a wider piece. I’d previously worked in a largely self-contained track basis but had been listening to a lot of pieces like Six Marimbas, Music for 18 musicians and Tehillim by Steve Reich that build over a long period and loved the scope this gave to get completely lost in the music. I love the hypnotic nature created when polyrhythms morph over each other for a long enough period, shifting emphasis and eventually melting away.  

MFM: What can you tell about the mix you've made?

TC: I wanted to create a mix that was able to showcase the variety of sounds that influence me, both as a DJ and Producer. I love listening to mixes and radio at home and the best club experiences I’ve had have always been when a DJ is able to surprise you and really take you on a journey. The album makes heavy use of strings through the violin and cello, but also the Guzheng, a Chinese Zither and the Clàrsach a Celtic Harp. The initial three tracks of the mix focus on these sounds before skirting into more percussive and jazz focused influences and then into some deeper acid-tinged downtempo tracks and sub heavy club sounds. Hopefully this mix takes people on a journey and is something for people to get lost in.

MFM Mix 051: Contours

Taken from 'Dead Sound - Into The Void' (MFM069)
Buy Vinyl: https://www.musicfrommemory.com/
Buy Digital: https://music-from-memory.bandcamp.com/
© 2024 Music From Memory

Into The Void

Illusion

A2. Dead Sound - Illusion

From Japan here's producer, DJ and friend of the label Kunyuki Takahashi (@kuniyuki-takahashi) with a special recording of his live set during Rainbow Disco Club this year 2024. Interview (excerpt) down below.

www.musicfrommemory.com

MFM: Hey Kuni. What was growing up in Sapporo like, being quite remote from the other major cities in Japan? Via what channels/media/ways did you learn about music, art, etc? 

KT: Tokyo is most biggest scene about culture and music, but I was really looking for more out of Japan. Sapporo is more slow. I was just into music when I was teenager so everydays looking interesting music, because around 80's was crazy it' like big bung for music. My friends and i also really looking for PUNK, Industrial music, Ambient music, also of cause electric music as well at that time. It was just our like networks and channels for connect to other essence from each one. You know Teenager No need mainstream, no need TV show just believe to get some good one  from friends!

MFM: Your sound overall has a very 'organic' and 'spiritual' touch. Where does this come from? Who and what were/are your inspirations?  

KT: Both of feeling is definitely I need and my favorite things about when I touch instruments because it's nice to connect into music. So many instruments has lot's of colors so it's my inspirations come from. But to be honest i'm really bad to playing instruments....

MFM: That is debatable, haha. Where did you actually learn to play all those instruments, like the conga's and flute?

KT: I learnt about percussion and congas by listening to African music, and in the 90s I spent a lot of time with these. I used to listen to Peter Gabriel's Realworld record series so it's my teacher of  music! There are flute-like instruments in synthesizers and music workstations, but when I tried to use flute sounds by Synth, I couldn't feel spiritual, so I decided to try my hand at it. There is so much spiritual real instruments.

MFM: Your contribution is a recording of your live show at Rainbow Disco Club in Japan this year 2024. What can you tell us about the show? For those who had to miss it, maybe you can describe the setting a bit?

KT: Yes it was from My good friend Masa From Rainbow disco club.
I've been joined Rainbow disco club many times and always did a Dance set but he Told me “could you play live show like your album from Music from memory For RDC2024?”, and I was say “YES I would love to and if we can do then I want to do proper Music from memory live set.” So it was so exciting. Because these music from MFM was very special. It was morning time, there is nature and birds singing, and I was joined with my like bird whistle, feel windows, relaxing people waiting before making dance time. I re-created all sound patterns so it was so fun like should do make Tape sound like bit noise sound, more retro sound. Also I really remembered about what I used different Chords before in the 80's and 90's!

MFM: Your live shows seem to be improvisation based, very playful. As if you're jamming in the studio. Does playing live differ much to you from working in the studio?

KT: Yes I love like improvisations when doing live show. I'm always thinking about each party is totally different energy from music lovers. I love to get something good happen with music lovers, and yes it's totally different with Studio works. Prepare for live set also needs time and skills, so i always try to do at my studio for what can happen at the live show.

MFM Mix 052: Kuniyuki Takahashi

Taken from 'H.A.N.K. - The Big Melt' (SC021)
Buy Vinyl: https://www.musicfrommemory.com/
Buy Digital: https://music-from-memory.bandcamp.com/
© 2024 Second Circle

The Big Melt

Cruise

A1. H.A.N.K. - Cruise

We are excited to announce that our first release of 2025 will be ‘Ways to the Deep Meadow’ , an album from Ocean Moon, the alias of producer Jon Tye.

In addition to running the long-standing label Lo Recordings, Tye has recorded under various names and been involved in numerous projects over the past three decades. Keen fans of the label may also notice that this isn't Tye's first collaboration with MFM; his work during the 1990's as part of UK ambient group MLO captured our attention years ago, leading to the release of their retrospective album ‘Oumuamua’ in 2021.

Releasing archival work alongside new material from an artist has been a fundamental aspect of Music From Memory’s identity since we began the label, and is something that continues to bring us immense joy. With Jon continuing to produce work under a wide range of names to this day, the short step to releasing this new work was organic and natural. Working under the name Ocean Moon Jon carries echoes of his work with MLO into the modern day, weaving an ambient electronic music that radiates gentle positivity.

The title ‘Ways To The Deep Meadow’ is inspired by the poem ‘Universal Solar Calendar’ written by poet, mystic, shaman, and visionary Angus Maclise. Maclise began as the percussionist in an early iteration of La Monte Young's Theatre Of Eternal Music and later played with the Velvet Underground before moving to Nepal, where he wrote and published an impressive collection of poetry and music.

Side one of the album was created at a time when Tye had been exploring ideas around artificial intelligence, delving into books such as ‘The Physics Of Immortality’ by Frank J. Tippler, ‘Novacene’ by James Lovelock, and ’12 Bytes’ by Jeanette Winterson, seeking an alternative to the prevalent, negative views of AI. He was also inspired by the Buddhist perspective of AI as an integral part of consciousness evolution, as evidenced by the creation of a Buddhist robot that preaches in the Kodaiji Temple in Kyoto.

Side two consists of two long-form pieces, one composed for Janine Rook’s ‘Made In Dreams’ exhibition and the other for Vix Hill Ryder’s ‘Wild Edges’ film. For ‘Made In Dreams’, text from the exhibition catalogue was processed via the Holly Herndon Holly + app to create an environment that is simultaneously otherworldly and warm.

As with much of Jon’s work, this music seeks to nurture an optimistic outlook in the listener, something he achieves here with subtlety and a truly delicate touch. The immersive ambient music of ‘Ways To The Deep Meadow’ reaches out to the listener like gentle trails of light, offering it’s spells,invocations and enchantments to all who choose to listen.

‘Ways To The Deep Meadow’ will be released on 31st January 2025 on LP as well as digitally. Sleeve art and design by Michael Willis.

A1. Ocean Moon - Ways To The Deep Meadow

Taken from 'Loradeniz - SUN SHONE' (MFM075)
Buy Vinyl: https://www.musicfrommemory.com/
Buy Digital: https://music-from-memory.bandcamp.com/
© 2025 Music From Memory

A3. Loradeniz - Brick House

The MFM Mix series continues with Istanbul-born, Amsterdam-based multidisciplinary artist Deniz Omeroglu (@loradeniz), who released her debut album 'SUN SHONE' with us earlier this year. Interview (excerpt) down below.

www.musicfrommemory.com

MFM: Welcome to the series Deniz. Being from Turkey originally, what did your musical upbringing look like? 

LD: There was always music playing in our house - we even had speakers in the bathroom. My dad really enjoyed listening to music; he had an open mind and a great collection of CDs and records. It brought together Western influences, world music, and local sounds. That diversity really shaped my ears and sense of sound from early on. My brother played the piano, so classical music was also part of the atmosphere. I guess I grew up listening to almost everything except electronic dance music. That came into my life later - after graduating from the conservatory and going through my own personal rebellion. 

MFM: Comparing to West-Europe, where you live now, do you feel there's difference in how music plays a role culturally? 

LD: Totally. I think we, as a culture, tend to experience and express emotions more intensely - both internally and outwardly - compared to Northern European countries. So you can often feel that emotional depth and variation in our melodies and rhythmic forms. Just the other day, I found myself wondering... what kind of music would I be making now if I had grown up listening to Chicago house at home?

MFM: You've produced the whole album yourself. Being a classically trained pianist probably helps a lot when creating and writing new music, right? How did you go about writing the songs?

LD: In the past, my creative process was often fueled by pain and drama. But now, I don’t need those emotions to create anymore. Maybe that used to be what made my music distinctive, but now everything feels a lot more free and in flow. Coming from a classical background actually caused years of writer’s block - I often had no idea what to do next. Being classically trained means you're expected to perform everything perfectly. It took a lot of unlearning to let go of that mindset and teach myself that there’s actually more comfort in imperfection. So, rather than being a pianist specifically, it’s more about having music theory to fall back on when I feel stuck - that’s what really helps. But honestly, the most important part of writing new music for me is taking care of myself. All the self work - that’s what keeps my creativity alive.

MFM: When does a song determine if it needs your voice incorporated? And how do you then decide whether its going to be in Turkish or English?

LD: When it comes to language, it’s not really a conscious choice - it just happens naturally. I dream in both Turkish and English, and even while answering these questions, I find myself thinking in both. Sometimes it’s just easier to express something in Turkish, and other times it flows better in English. As for when I decide to use my voice in a song, it really depends. Sometimes melodies come to me while I’m just humming, and other times I feel the need to actually say something. I think of my voice as a human oscillator - just another unique textural element. I use my voice to create percussive or synth-like sounds, layering it in the same way I would with instruments, to add something personal and distinctive.

MFM: Please can you tell us a bit about your mix? 

LD: I think this mix gives off a sense of melancholia but not too much, intimacy, and cerebral energy. It’s not really representative of what I’d play out at clubs, but it’s full of tracks I love listening to, my all time and latest favorites. There’s a lot of slow burners, ghostly sensuality, and a touch of leftfield sass. my intention was to record something as much for the body as for the head in the most mfm way possible. Something light, something fun and something genuine.

MFM Mix 053: Loradeniz

New mix made by Paris-based sound artist, radio producer, composer and DJ Elen Huynh (@nowherearu). "A soundscape of shifting emotions, reflecting a reality shaped by joy, sorrow, doubt and hope."

www.musicfrommemory.com

MFM Mix 054: Elen Huynh

Recorded live in bar Lulu in Athens at the end of 2024, Mix 055 is by long time dear friend Petit Bear (@petit_bear) from Greece. 

www.musicfrommemory.com


MFM Mix 055: Petit Bear

The System - Find It In Your Eyes (4:35)

Passive Aggressive

Photo With Grey Sky, White Clouds

A2 - Kuniyuki Takahashi - Your Home (5:11)

The last mix of 2020 comes from Jonah Sharp (@reflecto), electronic mainstay and part of 'Virtual Dreams' as Space Time Continuum. Interview (excerpt) down below.

www.musicfrommemory.com

MFM: Welcome to the series Jonah. Originally from Edinburgh, San Francisco resident since 1992, do you still live in San Francisco?

JS: Actually I recently just moved back to SF after spending most of 2020 in the UK. I had planned to be in Europe for an extended break from the US but Covid saw an end to that and my plans had to change. I miss British and European culture. I have family and friends there so I intend to be back over as soon as I can!

MFM: According to your discography the majority of your output started to shape up right after you moved abroad, in '91. How would you explain this creative outburst? 

JS: Before I arrived in San Francisco i was still figuring out how to produce the music that I wanted to make so when I got here I started to collect gear in earnest - it was a little moment in time when most people thought analog synths and drums sounded shit so I managed to find a TR-909 for $150, a Roland SH101 at the flea market and so on. So yes, suddenly having some decent gear and fun gigs to play was very inspiring! I did feel a kind of creative freedom being so far from South London and the pressures of living there as an artist. SF in the 90’s was very affordable for artists and it gave us the freedom to really focus on the music.
 
MFM: You started your own label Reflective in '93 and had quite a busy release schedule, especially during '95/'96, before it suddenly seemed to stop right after. What happened? 

JS: I started Reflective in '93, the year my first son was born. Flurescence EP was my first solo release and it got noticed around the world so that enabled me to keep putting releases out. With the momentum of the Terence McKenna collab album, things were going pretty well. But what we found was that even though there are lots of amazing labels in the US, it was actually pretty hard to sell them domestically so most of our stock was exported to Europe and Japan. We ended up pressing in the UK and running the label from SF and that presented problems so I had to put the release schedule on hold. At that time I had also signed a deal with Astralwerks so had contractual obligations to deliver albums and tour. It was a very busy time and by 1997 when our second son was born we decided to take a hiatus from the label. Not to say the label is gone forever though!
 
MFM: Flurescence, now found its way to the Virtual Dreams compilation, almost 30 years later. How does it feel that your older music is being re-released and rediscovered by newer generations?

JS: I am very happy and honored to be part of the Virtual Dreams compilation. Yes, there seems to be a bit of attention for this time period of electronic music at the moment, and the chill out thing in general. With so many online resources, everything is discoverable by anyone so all those tiny labels like Reflective that were putting out small runs of 1000 records (that was a small run then) are maybe enjoying some retroactive attention now. 
 
MFM: Does this new interest change your motivation and/or inspiration in the studio maybe?

JS: I follow my own interests and direction when it comes to making music but reaching new audiences has to gratify the artist whose work was made for sharing. My development as an electronic musician has come through thirty years of studio experimentation, initially with hardware and then incorporating digital software. When I made Fluorescence in 1993 there was no computer in my studio, but by the early 2000s San Francisco was the epicenter of computer innovation, people like my friend Josh Clayton were writing amazing software and so I went off on a long exploratory trip to integrate digital technology both in my studio and in my live rig. My aim right now in the studio is the same as always: make sounds and keep the good ones.

Music from Memory

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