mental drift vol. 1

Greetings, voyagers. Today we'll undertake an eventful journey that is geared towards getting our minds properly adjusted for creativity and peace. All I ask you for, dear listener, is just roughly an hour of your time. If possible, the use of headphones or ear buds is recommended to separate the existing physical world (which can at times deliver too much chaos and disruption) from the cerebral world. It is within this cerebral world that you will realize your potential and emerge from your cocoon with reestablished purpose and clarity. You might not realize it, but this small space between your ears holds a galaxy that is unique and vibrant. Feed it with food of color and sound.

interview: roger goula

I was extremely fortunate to be rewarded the opportunity to interview Roger Goula who has just released a colorful journey of space meets post-classical music entitled OVERVIEW EFFECT. It has become one of my favorite releases in 2016 (which is reserved for very, very few releases). You can read the review of Overview Effect HERE. Special thanks goes to Katie (!) for giving me the unique experience to pick Roger's mind for such insightful and thorough ponderings. 

TONEPOET: Greetings, Roger. First off, I want to sincerely congratulate you on the momentous occasion of releasing Overview Effect. As an advocate and connoisseur of this particular genre, I have to say that you've really dialed in a heartfelt tip of the hat to this style of music. How did this vision come to fruition, and who or what was instrumental or influential in providing you the means to bring this project to life with such integrity in regards to this genre?

review: roger goula - overview effect

It might come to no surprise that of all of the sub-genres of ambient, I'm very fond of space music in particular, and by far my favorite mixes tend to be the ones that are space themed (ODE TO THE COSMIC VOYAGER and GAZING INTO THE INFINITE COSMIC ABYSS). I've followed the musical careers of such pioneers as Jonn Serrie and Michael Stearns, and I've witnessed the birth of stars (pun intended) within this genre such as Luca Gherardi and Vortex Mechanic. Even when I have free time, I'll manage to take in Vangelis' unbelievable footage of Mythodea Live in Greece. For me, space is the place. It's a music form that consistently seems to access a bit more thematic elements than the typical drone-based ambient, and it definitely creates a deeper field in which to be aurally lost within. When I discover a new artist in the space genre that is par with the seasoned veterans, I become that child in the candy store. Such is the case with the ROGER GOULA release of OVERVIEW EFFECT. 

soundtrack for imaginary spaces

I'm VERY happy today that I have (finally) completed a project that has taken me a year. It has a been a very difficult year trying to make the time to get ideas down, compositions written, and all of the technical details ironed out. Perseverance has fortunately paid off and I can finally deliver the strongest music that I've been able to write in the time that I've been doing this. 

This is a pay-what-you-want release. If you feel like paying, beautiful. If not, also beautiful. Even if you pay the bare minimum you will get a PDF booklet with explanations of every variation of artwork that I had considered as front covers for this release. You also get all of the artwork. If you want the music, and the artwork, but are not in a position to pay, just contact me and I'll be more than happy to send you a download code. No strings attached (no email lists, or spam or any of that other garbage, I hate that as much as anyone).

review: cloudfall - days of wind

It's not often enough that I get the chance to put my thoughts down on releases of independent artists that are relatively new to putting out music and don't have the benefits of great promotion. So it warms my heart when I actually find a very strong outing that might seemingly go unnoticed and be able to use the music in a session in hopes that it will put the artist's names out there for others to discover. CLOUDFALL is one such discovery for me. Oftentimes, I'll go on Bandcamp in search of what I can get for free so that I can sprinkle future mixes with unknown artists that happened to surface (and not end up broke from it!). I came across Cloudfall's release DAYS OF WIND, and can't sing enough praises about it. With new artists, it happens that one song stands out and the rest is filler. This is not the case with Cloudfall. I've managed to use (quite effortlessly) quite a few colors in the last three mixes (WHEN NIGHT MEETS LIGHT, MUSIC FOR STARGAZING, and ODE TO THE COSMIC VOYAGER). I got a chance to communicate with Cloudfall, and his means for creating his sonic ventures, while simple in design, are complex in delivery. This unassumingly astonishing release delivers a mountain of emotive sound that is wrapped in an honesty and intensity.

review: jóhann jóhannsson - orphée

Hello, all. I'm very pleased to be given the opportunity to put my thoughts down on a release that is equal parts inspiring and beautiful, while wrapped in an elegance that displays the highest degree of musical integrity. JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON is an Icelandic composer that has blessed us with a vibrantly organic journey that combines thoughtful melodies intertwined with a delicate minimal approach to classical music. Jóhann is a Grammy nominated and Golden Globe winning artist that has fine tuned his sense of melody and harmonic space through his film work and live performances. Much respect to an artist that is not living in the vacuum of a sterile studio environment, but rather embraces the challenges of communicating their vision in the world of live performance. His TOURING SCHEDULE can attest to his dedication of realizing the importance of performing for an audience and being sensitive to their interpretations. 

ode to the cosmic voyager

Now that we've managed to take in some new sights and sounds on our last detour, we must once again board the space pod for another dimensional thrust into galaxies of wonder and solace. Mental calibration is essential for a successful journey. Below are instructions for getting the most out of this particular session.

You may perhaps notice that there are gradual shifts from one color to another, with each color representing a point of interest in our journey. Embrace these transformations with your mind's eye as this will create a backdrop of creative flow and a better understanding of those situations which impede your creativity. Your pilot for this journey will relay vital information that should not so much be heard as it is felt. Adjust accordingly.

music for stargazing (a tribute to hydrogen cafe)

Quite a while ago, as a few might remember, was an amazing ambient mix blog entitled 'HYDROGEN CAFE'. Actually, it's (kind of) still there (inactivated in 2010). There was a bit of a faithful following, and it was this blog as well as LOW LIGHT MIXES that set me on my way. When I was living in Alaska, I yearned for the moments in the dead of winter in which I would play these mixes and watch the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) dance in the sky. My favorite mixes were the 'Music For Stargazing' sessions, and they accompanied in my night time slumber when I was left to exercise my stargazing sessions within my mind. 

This is my tribute to the elusive 'nrvnet' who curated the site and brought me many hours of solace and wonder. Wherever you are out there in cyberspace, thank you for your vision and inspiration. I hope that this mix will inspire you, the listener, to do something that you love and enjoy, and realize that your actions make a bigger impact upon people that seek guidance and find solace and joy within sounds and color.

review: eleven into fifteen (a 130701 compilation)

This episode of Spaceman's Transmissions features a compilation from the label 130701 (which is an imprint of FAT CAT RECORDS). 130701 is known for it's stellar post-classical offerings, and this compilation is an amazing addition to every enthusiast that craves to build the perfect bridge between a thinking man's ambient and organic post-classical tapestries. I've already managed to use some of the music from this release on my last mix session WHEN NIGHT MEETS LIGHT. I have been putting a lot of mileage on this release with no signs of slowing down.

ELEVEN INTO FIFTEEN hosts an extraordinary roster of artists that each have a unique vision within the universe that encompasses post-classical. While the most familiar composer is Max Richter (whose song ON THE NATURE OF DAYLIGHT is very well known), the newer artists all develop a remarkably strong presence on the release. With this compilation, we usher in artists such as Jóhann Jóhannsson, Resina, Ian Craig Williams, and Hauschka to name a few. Each track develops to capture the range of emotive color and builds every subsequent journey to coincide with the following track. To say that the release is consistent in its development is an understatement. Hats off to the curator of this release for realizing that track order is one of the most vital aspects in nailing the intended vibe of any release. In considering this essential element, we are rewarded with a journey that feels as though it is a soundtrack to one of the best films you've never seen. 

review: orbital planes & passenger trains vol. 1

I was graciously blessed recently with an amazingly well put together album by the SEREIN label based in Wales and I got to spend a good amount of time taking in the music presented on this release. Happily, there are some familiar faces to Spaceman's Transmissions (Olan Mill, Brambles, The Inventors Of Aircraft). But what has really gotten me into this release was the joy (!) of discovering fresh new faces that have breathed color and light into a compilation that is destined to be my absolute favorite release of 2016. And I SHOUT this fact from the highest rooftop with confidence and conviction!

It goes without saying that anytime a label releases a compilation, they do so with the intent that they display the music that represents their vision. Many times, however, compilations use the tactic of featuring a strong intro but far too often veer off course for lack of inventiveness and emotive flow. The success of compilations need to effectively pull the listener into a new world without merely surviving on the names of their artist roster. Far too often, it seems that compilations can leave one cold (excepting, in my opinion, the latter FUTURESEQUENCE releases) with meandering and an unfocused experimentation that lead nowhere. 

when night meets light

Today we're honoring those precious moments that exists between sleeping and waking. This tiny sensation might seem unimportant, but it is a very delicately balanced phenomena  that requires your investment. The mission here is to usher in the day and to wind the gears of your waking mind, while allowing a passage that melds the sleeping and waking, as well as night to day. Spaceman's Transmissions is dedicated to providing the optimal amount of aural care that is required so as to not disrupt a good mental flow that is required to set the listeners up for success.

During this session, we will move within tapestries of solace and bliss. This will simulate those moments between sleeping and waking and your reentry into the waking world will be a smooth journey. Or your money back. 

once we reach the other side

Let's prepare for a journey into the deep realm of summer by celebrating the solstice (which was, by the way, the 21st of June). It was officially the longest day of the year and the midway point in summer. This means that, unfortunately, the days will begin to get shorter. Knowing this, I've toiled in developing a colorful scene to ease you into the remaining warm months, aware of the importance of aligning and balancing your conscious thoughts within your subconscious mind. Every step was taken to assure that your entry into a mental overhaul is optimal.

Summer is by far my favorite time of the year. It brings and energy and renewal that I've been yearning for a very long time. Even with things not completely going my way, Mother Earth has a way of shining a light upon the turmoil that may exist and depletes my anguish. If there is one small tribute that I can muster, it's this. I celebrate my joy through music during this season that rewards me with cool things like fishing, throwing a Frisbee, riding bike, and flying kites.

unveiling your universe

//re..*(reboot)
::%5pac3
#:#:#...
**reb00t transm1ss1on**

Hello, fellow space travelers. The mental space pod is still in need of extreme re-calibration and its navigation system was recalled. We had wandered off course to various destinations that were setbacks in our initial mission, but were necessary to insuring that future explorations would be warranted and successful. We have now set on a course to break through the atmosphere and gravity that binds us to earthly turmoil and terrible things called responsibilities. With our new course underway, Spaceman's Transmissions seeks to circumvent any unnecessary diversions brought on by various hindrances. This is a temporary journey, but one that was required due to the extremely inspiring colors that had drifted into focus.