holiday greetings and a prosperous, happy new year!

From Spaceman's Transmissions to everyone riding Mothership Earth, I want to wish a very happy holiday season (Merry Christmas for some, including myself), and hoping the best for the New Year in a very joyous, prosperous, and peaceful way. Great things planned for ST, so see you all in the next year. Peace.

Turn on, tune in, sleep...


//tonepoet//

my favorite ambient releases of 2014

I'd like to just present a small list of 8 releases born in 2014 that have had a very large impact upon me. I've made many purchases, but most of them are not from this year. This represents only the ambient type music that I listen to and represent a very small amount of the music that I purchased. I did listen to quite a few mixes off of Mixcloud in my free time and this contributed to me having less time to hear anything else (I'm not complaining!). The releases are linked to where you can purchase the music. Be sure to support the artists, and keep dreaming. Peace.

• LARSVEMBER - GREATEST HITS AMBIENCE

• A WINGED VICTORY FOR THE SULLEN - ATOMOS

• BEN WOODS - HALCYON

• ABSTRACT APRILS - BLOSSOM ENDS

• VORTEX MECHANIC - AT THE EDGE OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM

• SIAVASH AMINI - WHAT WIND WHISPERED TO THE TREES

• VARIOUS ARTISTS - HIDDEN VIBES, VOL. 6

• VARIOUS ARTISTS - FUTURESEQUENCE, VOL. 8

low light mixes best ambient albums of 2014

I'm a huge fan of Dave's Low Light Mixes, and it appears that he's a bit fond of me as well. Really great that I'm placed within his list of BEST AMBIENT ALBUMS OF 2014 (album art is bottom middle). Yeah!! His lists are always worth checking out as he can find some really great music.

Follow Low Light Mixes on MIXCLOUD and of course it goes without saying that you should be checking his page for regular updates on some of the best music ever. Peace.

//tonepoet//

review: 'blossom falls' by abstract aprils

It's extremely rare when a debut release from a new artist demands so much attention as this one from ABSTRACT APRILS. It would be an amazing aural feat if there were just a few strong songs on BLOSSOM ENDS. However, Blossom Ends is very, very strong from start to finish. 

Rather than to sitting on drones, hoping for an interesting electronic effect to develop into a theme, we are greeted on the first song with a deep and moving chordal symphony that whispers and moves along. With this protocol of harmonic engagement in place, the album begins its journey into the subconscious realm that breeds positive vibe and flow. Every single song is a deeper dive into harmonic development, rich in organic sounds and carefully developed dynamic themes. If there were one release that makes me hold my breath at times as to not disturb the transitions that shift throughout, this would be it. Blossom Ends is a very careful journey that tips its hat to influences such as Sigur Ros and Hammock, but with an absolute life of its own, capable of creating an identity that rises above its influences.

a human being is a human dreaming

Hello, fellow space travelers. I'm back with a new ambient mix of some great things that I've been getting into my head lately. First off, I wanted to express the fact that I took the title for this mix from the song of the same title by Maiya Hersey from FUTURESEQUENCE8 (which is included in this mix). Great title, amazing composition. 

When the music begins to drift into your mental space, allow it to form the cloudy blanket that will encompass your good thoughts and filter out the negative turmoil. This incubating layer will form the egg that will eventually hatch your renewal into peace. The aural comfort that you seek will be placed gently upon your physical vessel (known as the human being). Allow your mind to immerse itself into the dream world that awaits. The sanctuary there will breathe new life into your soul and spur a regeneration of creative thoughts, ideas, and tranquility. This is when you truly become the human dreaming. Upon completion of this sequence, the mission will be considered a success.

swung, shaken, and stirred

If you've been following Spaceman's Transmissions for a bit and have kept your eyes on the guest mixes, you've noticed that I've hosted mixes by FACTION (Ben Selby) on a few occasions. The best part about hosting mixes is corresponding and building a rapport with people (my absolute favorite part of it all). Ben is a super-cool and ultra-knowledgeable music aficionado. He's easily one of my favorite Mixcloud artists that is capable of straddling the perfect balance between surreal and unreal. He's just as comfortable with spacey drones as he is drum 'n bass. Huge imagination, ears like a bat, and a music collection that must be beyond staggering.

Well, Ben got with me not too long ago to return the favor of hosting his mixes, and I was invited to create a mix for BOXFREQUENCY.FM radio. The broadcast was overseen by FATPATCORD (aka Matthew Foord), who is also quite active in the scene as well and close associates with Faction (Thanks, Matthew!). While it was introduced to be somewhat along the same lines of what I currently mix (with slight variations), I decided to create a mix that was very left field for me, even though the only main restriction that I had was that the mix had to be 90 minutes. I decided to give it a name, and as I initially set out to do a spy music set, the name Swung, Shaken, And Stirred seemed appropriate. So, yeah, there you have it. There is absolutely no ambient in this mix (you are forewarned!). Nonetheless, this was a blast to create, and I essentially used a lot of music that I've been into for the last 10 years (I have a ton of electronica/trip hop/nu-jazz). No worries, Spaceman's Transmissions will continue to be what it has been prior to this. If anything, consider this a radical departure to clear the way for new amazing things in the future. Enjoy! 

guest mix: junkyard angel (part V)

It goes without saying that when Paul Simmonds creates a session, it's an aural journey that is ever so carefully and meticulously designed to enhance the senses. This is my 5th guest mix for JUNKYARD ANGEL, and they just keep getting better and better. This one came as an early Christmas present, and I welcome that. I could easily go on and on about the incredible music that Paul stirs into the pot, or how he adds a touch of madness to glue the sonic ingredients, or what-have-you. Suffice it to say that you will find peace and mental renewal within this set.

I CAN HARDLY BREATHE RIGHT NOW is a peaceful (as well as somber and reflective) trip that evolves in colorful ways from dark to light. There is no one better than JA to balance those variables with extremely careful precision. Like all of his mixes, I was drawn into its depth and reassembled as a slightly more aware human. I'm very grateful that I get to take in new music via his channeling of artistic introduction. I hope that the same sensations and sense of elation are gathered by you after taking in this colorful creation. Follow JA on MIXCLOUD and allow him to light your way to new and amazing mixes.

guest mix: the pliability effect

If there's any one person that I follow and read up on through Bandcamp, it's none other than The Pliability Effect, aka BRIAN BOURASSA. I get emails every now and then letting me know who's bought music, and Brian's name is always there. He's my go-to guy as far as getting the pulse on new ambient, and I've made a few purchases based on what I read from Brian. Before I even hear the music, Brian's reviews have already painted a beautiful picture of what's in store by way of his amazingly generous and colorful reviews. In fact, when I did the mix CAMPING UNDER THE STARS, I gave a shout out to Brian in hopes that he would help me in putting together a mix. I finally get my wish!

For some strange reason, Brian got around to contacting me and setting me up with a release that was on my wishlist on Bandcamp (thanks for that, man!). We chatted it up a bit, and I expressed the offer to host a mix for him (he had never done one). I mean, who better would be suited to drive home the point of 'Turn on, tune in, sleep...' more than a gentleman who lives and breathes drone-based ambient music (and proves this weekly to the many people that follow him on BANDCAMP). I won't lie, the first initial test mix he sent put me completely under! Brian knows how to weave, and with this mix he's shown himself to be the Pied Piper that leads your mind to that place. It's funny, but he just took me back my roots of ambient, and am I ever thankful. He's picking soundscapes from the tree of ambient, breathing life into his creation, and delicately serving up the most gentle sounds to get your head right. This mix will live bedside for a very, very long time. I asked Brian to set the record straight on his story, and being the minimalist aficionado that he is, he provided a very appropriately satisfying response without wasted thoughts or words. Truly magic.

on the threshold of letting go

I've been on tour for a bit, but I'm happy to be able to bring a new mix to the masses. I've managed to piece together an amalgamation of songs that will unlock the creative door to your mind's inner workings. This will give you greater control over the creative juices that color your life and define you as a human being.  While we may not realize it, our mind is the key to the universe. When the gravity of situations bear down upon your mind and soul, look for the pathway that leads to a door that only you can unlock. Within that mental space that only you occupy, keep the things in life that bring you peace and solace within a world that is riddled with turmoil, confusion, and anguish. Your mental universe is much bigger than the world that we know. When the weight of burden and obligation threaten to crush your creativity, energy, and willfulness, realize that you are stronger and better than the situations that surround you. 

new original tracks (and other things)

It's been a bit since I could sit down (for even 10 minutes) at a computer and write a bit. I have a few things going on, and I'm on tour for another 2 weeks so the updates have been a bit slow. Sorry about that. I have a guest mix that I'll be putting up tomorrow, and I've also spent the last few days trying out a few new sounds and recording the results. Not sure what to do with the tracks yet, or even if they are usable. Nonetheless, you can head over the my SOUNDCLOUD page and check out some tracks that I wrote for the next release I plan on getting out (as an EP). The artwork that I've come up with so far is to the left.

For all of your patient souls, I'm currently wrapping up my next mix. It's full of new music that I've been allowing to permeate my soul and become a part of my subconscious. I'm on the verge of having option anxiety with all of the new music that I've been getting lately. I'll have to do about 4 or 5 good mixes to get everything out that has been turning my mind on. 

One last thing: I've done a mix for a radio show My Favorite Things on BOXFREQUENCY RADIO. It is definitely not the normal stuff that I do, but rather an experimental departure of some trip hop/nu-jazz/ethnic electronica. I'm actually pretty excited with what I came up with, and I'm waiting of the final word of my submission. I'll post a link for the music at some point (if all goes well). Regardless of what I do on the side, I will keep Spaceman's Transmissions a very pure and ambient driven venture, no worries. The Facebook page for My Favorite Things is HERE. 

Alright, that's it. I'm out. Peace.

//tonepoet//

the slow drift (episode 034)

Every now and then I really get the bug to host something that just completely wraps me up in a cocoon created of sound, light, and depth. Without fail once again, I have to give a huge tip of the hat to Mr. Andrew Hoffman at THE SLOW DRIFT for having the delicate touch to create such an ethereal and melancholic journey into the sublime. I really can't put my finger on it, but the color and beauty in EPISODE 034 moves me in a way that a few rare mixes do. Something about the way the entire piece flows feels like a very subtle trickle that forms an ocean, all without effort or worry.

To me, Andrew defines and refines ambient radio. Taking in Andrew's mixes drive home the fact that he absolutely loves what he's surrounded by, and can find such beautiful pieces to weave into heartfelt epics. Take in more from Andrew through his MIXCLOUD page, or on THE SLOW DRIFT website. You can also stream Andrew's broadcast on Tuesdays (guest what day it is for me?) from 11:00-12:00 P.M. EST from the WRFI.ORG website. Thanks for turning colors into portraits of sound, Andrew! Turn on, tune in, sleep...

[DOWNLOAD EPISODE 034]

guest mix: the silent project (part III)

I've been dragging my feet on this way too long as I've been wrapping things up on my latest release, I've been on tour, and I'm taking a class on technical business writing that is keeping my mind humming. Now I'm ready to bring you one of the most amazing pieces of ambient- and mood-enhanced sonic pleasures brought to you by none other than THE SILENT PROJECT.

MÉANDRES by The Silent Project is the new standard by which all mixes will (and should be) measured up to. It becomes increasingly difficult for many (myself included) to not be humbled by such a perfect piece that is laid out so logically, with each color lining up to set up the next. It's almost depressing to hear something that is so above and beyond that will inevitably send me to the drawing board wondering how I could even hold a match to one of the greatest things ever. The opening is dark, and the gravitational pull of it takes in your full mental awareness, twisting your mind around and around while dropping bits of shadow and light onto it without stopping its momentum. 

headspace

Finally got this all mixed (to the best of my ability, not sure if that says much) and put out the door. I've been working on this for months, no kidding. I've learned a lot about the entire recording process (always do), and about organizing myself (biggest nightmare ever). Anyhow, to everyone, here is my gift to you. There is over an hour's worth of music on this, and I was very meticulous in creating the right sounds, getting everything to line up really nice, and having a very large diverse bit of music to satisfy every type of ambient music lover. I did post this up on Soundcloud a while back, but the songs have evolved quite a bit since then and have had much better treatment. 

Any proceeds will go towards me finally having a laptop that is less than 8 years old to create stuff on. There is a bonus download of the back cover as well as one other song. Please, if you like it (or don't), leave me some feedback. I enjoyed making this, and I hope that my labor of love comes through in the music for you. Peace.

//tonepoet//

from the darkness comes light

I've been tuning into a lot of new music lately, and catching some speeches by Neil deGrasse Tyson (whose voice appears in the intro of this mix) who is somewhat of a astronomy genius. Very deep mind. I wanted to put a bit of the new music into this mix (as well as some familiar faces that have graced Spaceman's Transmissions in the past like Ben Woods [my favorite!], Hammock, and, well, a few original compositions). I want to point you to Ben Woods' BANDCAMP page as I lean on him heavily to create the mixes that I do. Also, you can download the original compositions that I did with Petal from the Rusted Sun Collective BANDCAMP page. You may also download my latest release entitled HEADSPACE from Bandcamp (put it up today!).

guest mix: mantraman

I'm very proud to be bringing the music of MANTRAMAN to the masses for this outing on Spaceman's Transmissions. I've been digging on Mantraman's mixes for a bit now, and I finally get a chance to show the love. I've been blessed with having the opportunity to host 3 mixes. 

Within his mixes you will find a colorful mindtrip of perfectly balanced moods, reflecting his quest for peace and solitude. Even his profile picture exudes tranquility and is the epitome of chill. When I'm in need of a deep mental massage or that escape pod that houses my turbulent mind for intergalactic travel, I look no further than Mantraman's mixes. His quest for the perfect mix to calibrate the soul is not without merit.

guest mix: faction (part II)

I got contacted recently by FACTION (Ben Selby) about a new mix that he's created. Out of all of the artists that I follow, Ben is probably one of the guys that blow my mind in the biggest way. His sonic tapestries are a huge journey into the subconscious, stopping at the various synapses which bring light and sound into focus. Given the vast amount of influences and music, Faction flawless (and consistently) pieces together the most seamless mixes ever.  I can never seem to find edits in his mixes. His canvases are a perfect blend of light and dark colors that are pleasing, challenging, and ever shapeshifting. Not only are they musically gratifying, but the work ethic that he displays is unrivaled and unparalleled.

For this guest mix, I am absolutely honored to be a part of hosting [ TIME IS WHAT KEEPS THE LIGHT FROM REACHING US ]. Make sure that you are well prepared with open ears and open mind. This will allow the music to ebb and flow into your mind's ether, penetrating the pores that drink color and taste sound. If you choose to only listen, you will miss the finer points of the mix. The best option is to experience the mix while fully disengaging distractions and fully engaging undivided attention. Upon taking in the mix, your sense of gravity will calibrate, your senses will be renewed with extreme precision, and you mental state will have increased to absolute efficiency. Or your money back.

memories of the unknown

Deja vu (sorry for the lack of correct characters over the letters) can be described as a sensation of realizing the remembrance of a certain event or place, whether you've actually experienced it or not. We see things, and we remember. We hear things, we remember. Our entire lives are based upon memories, and how they stitch us up shapes who we are. We are formed like clay from the sights and sounds that were with us longer than we can remember.

I spent a bit of time this summer at my childhood hometown, and seeing so many familiar things brought back floods of intense feelings. But for the life of me, I couldn't quite put my finger on why. Everything was very much a part of my life, but at the same time very distant from me. I tried to recapture and revive the initial moments of certain landmarks that had meant so much to me many years ago. But in the end, I gave in, retiring the fuzzy thoughts to my gray matter as balloons that I had let go so many years ago. Like most, I could spend all of my time and energy seeking the puzzle pieces that have long turned into a wind-torn memory. 

ben woods

I'm about 90% done with my next mix as I'm finishing up some transitions and searching for the last epic closer. I really wanted to share some music of a musician that I've been using a bit and that has really been drawing me in with some of the best compositions that I've been coming across. 

For those of you that dig into the track listing, you'll see that I'm been taking advantage of sharing the amazing compositions of Ben Woods, and ambient pianist that weaves pure gold. The more that I listen, the more I'm really pulled into his colorful universe of sound and light. His music is highly inspiring, soothing, and created with such honesty and intensity. The most unreal part of it all is that his music if free from BANDCAMP (above is his latest release). Highly unbelievable. Pay Ben a visit, and take in his unrivaled mastery channeled through beautiful compositions. 

Also, be sure to follow him on TWITTER and FACEBOOK as he posts new music every now and then. Like Christmas all year round. Peace.

//tonepoet//

collaboration: fading light (part I & 2)

Tonepoet: 
I can say that for me, it's a dream come true to have finally been involved in a collaboration with a mix-artist that is without a doubt one of my favorites. I've been digging on JUNKYARD ANGEL's mixes since he first started uploading mixes on Mixcloud. I've hosted his mixes here quite a bit (more than anyone else), and have had such candid and (dear I say?) brotherly contact with him despite our differences in time, culture, and location. All of his music lives on my media player, and accompanies me on my bike rides, in my car, or anywhere else that I use it (which is everywhere) for getting my fix of great new music. I save his comments, and mark his emails as 'unread' so that I can take in his wit and gather the positive vibe that he exudes again and again. 

We've talked long about our musical interests, and lives in general. We've actually bounced a few original ideas (that we'll get to at some point) back and forth. This, hopefully, serves as a springboard for that. I have to say, that after listening to so many of his mixes repeatedly, I would definitely have to bring my 'A' game with a mix. His vision for melding the bizarre, accentuating the awe-inspiring, and conjuring the twist of fear is something that marvels me. I brought the suggestion of a sort of final swan song or opus, as I've had mostly lighthearted mixes, and I knew that he would be able to pull out his magic wand and develop such a great story. Hence the name 'fading light'. It could mean the close of a day, a final breath, a dying thought, or a moment that has expired. While I could ramble on with all of this, I'm passing the torch over to Junkyard Angel for the remainder of the narrative. One last thing: if feels good to ride on the backs of angels.

rusted sun collective

Just did a collaborative EP with 2 other musicians (Javier Bilbao and Jon Wheeler aka PETAL) in a group effort entitled RUSTED SUN COLLECTIVE. We call the release 'Communicate'. With the download comes all the artwork that tags the files (each song has a different set of artwork tagged to it). We were blessed by CARAS IONUT to be allowed to tag our song 'For The Father We Never Found' with his artwork entitled 'Fresh Air' (many, MANY thanks to him for that!). Please pay him a visit on his website! To quote the narrative from the Bandcamp page:

"Rusted Sun Collective is a collaborative effort that allows different independent musicians to gravitate towards the similar mindset of creating a common artistic output. Communicate represents the ability to ignore boundaries of time and distance, and instead focusing on the cohesion that occurs when working with colors and sound."

I will be co-managing the entire RUSTED SUN netlabel duties with Jon Wheeler. We will do more Rusted Sun Collective releases, that will feature a revolving set of musicians that contribute collaborations. I have a few more musicians lined up, and hope to have another release out before the end of the year. The music will remain free. DOWNLOAD the release, and keep up with us as we will offer more amazing compositions in the future. Peace.

//tonepoet//

mixcloud charts

It came to a bit of a surprise that recently Mixcloud started charting releases. With each tag, there is a weekly rating of how each mix is with reference to the ratio of plays to likes (or some such sorcery and math, it all confuses me). FOR THE LONELY SOULS somehow has ended up on the chart for electronic music and also for ambient music. Not only that, it's doing well (not as many plays as everything around it, but the likes per play make a huge difference, I assume). I've reached 12th on the electronic charts (with Mixmaster Morris leading the march!), and 13th on the ambient charts. Very, very happy and stoked to be supported like this from listeners in the biggest way. It really makes my day, no doubt, and I thank everyone that listens and likes. I have some great things planned this year, and glad to be a part of the Mixcloud family! Peace.

//tonepoet//

(edit: as of the 2nd of June, the mix reached 10th in the Electronic charts and 11th in the Ambient charts...........so very cool!)

for the lonely souls

Most of the time that I do my really deep music listening, it's when I'm lost within my own thoughts. I don't have to converse with others, do any sort of active reasoning on anything, or have judgments or ponder solutions. My mind is a sponge, open and dynamic, my mood and feelings shaped by oncoming colors that slowly build castles in my mind.


I created this mix for the sleepers, for those needing time to put on headphones and breathe deeply, the ones who want to hear the thoughts within their own grey matter without obstruction, the souls that want to have a soundtrack for a moment in their lives, the ones who need a backdrop for contemplative pondering.........in the end, it's for the listener that craves a bit of solace in a chaotic world, and to aid your soul searching, surrounded by the colors of peace and solitude.

guest mix: silas (part II)

It seems as though the best mixes that I come across happen when I should be in bed, and have a lot of stressful stuff on my mind. Those mixes seem to break through the ice of turmoil, keep me awake in anticipation, and cause me to drift into the scene that they've created. There are checkpoints within the flow that develop themes and alter moods on a whim. With my mind engaged, I am able to reassess the balance of negative and positive vibe, and more often than not, I realize that music is just a great big part of my life that permeates my soul like a sponge picking up water. I am the sponge. I want you to be the sponge. Or something like that.

I cannot express the feeling that I get from listening to SILAS' newest mix entitled SCORE ONE. Every song has got me digging through the track listing, searching the artists, and eager to flesh out my music collection with new sonic morsels. There are points within the mix that seem to almost dissolve, surrounding delicate sounds with dissipating clouds of tones. While it would seem like the mix could end (and it would be perfect as it was), Silas picks it up, fills it out, and brings the whole thing back to life as if he were blowing up a balloon. And the world begins anew for another ride. If Silas had just made only BREATHWORK and Score One, I would easily have said that he was above and beyond one of the best at doing what he and his peers do, but with a larger wealth of music than most, and a much better sense of how to connect the dots than the rest of us. Ah, jealousy sets in! Hahaha!

guest mix: the silent project (part II)

I've had the opportunity to host some music by THE SILENT PROJECT (which you can see HERE), and I was pretty sure that I'd have that chance to do something more in the future. Well, it's the future. I was playing one of the many things that I have in the PREVIEW PLAYLIST on my Mixcloud account, and THÉURGIE comes along that stops time completely while it's spinning. I actually had to concentrate to keep from holding my breath. There are many classical influences throughout this mix that create the tension and release of harmonic depth that pull me in. While I'm listening to this, I keep thinking 'it can't be this amazing for the entire piece of music, it has to taper off'. But luckily, I'm wrong. There is no real zenith to this mix, it keeps climbing and taking me right along with it. By the time it does end, I'm ready to listen to it again. Like a good book or movie unfolding, I never stop to look at the time or even have the urge or ability to let my mind wander. My thirst for finding the perfect mix is quenched.

pretty amazing news via low light mixes

If you've been keeping up with me (or not) on this blog, you know what a huge amount of debt that I owe to Dave Michuda at LOW LIGHT MIXES. He got me set up in every way, answering each and every one of my annoying questions in great detail about how to host MP3's, starting a site with Blogger, all about Mixcloud, and a whole slew of other great resources. He was incredibly cool about everything, and offered his extensive knowledge freely. Because of him, my bike rides are colorful with sounds, my waking moments are engulfed in taking new sounds, and my ears are enriched with fresh vibe. That's why I love to host mixes; while I can't repay him directly, I try to pay it forward and lift up others. Yep, Dave is like my Papa Bear! Ha!

Well, he recently posted on his blog a spot on MIXCLOUD FAVORITES. I don't know if he intentionally put me at the top of this list, but I'm going to take a moment to stroke my ego and imagine so. Haha! But seriously, being a mention as one of his Mixcloud favorites is HUGE to me. Kind of like Elvis calling my dad. Only not as strangely morbid. Because we all know that Elvis lives on Mars with the Bat Boy. Thanks, Dave! Peace.

**we'll get that beer we had planned, I'll make my way back at some point, I promise!**

guest mix: halftribe

I have received an incredibly amazing mix-gift from an artist known as HALFTRIBE. This will blow your mind in a very non-abrasive and tranquil sort of way. I'm really lucky to have been contacted by Halftribe (aka Ryan Bissett) asking to host a mix. Normally, I contact the DJ and am (luckily) always given a green light to host the mixes. I have to say, I was really happy to have received contact from Ryan to host this mix. It's not often that I get goosebumps from being taken in by such intense sets, but this one is one of the rare ones that did the trick. This one sits where I want, in the foreground, in the background, bathing in the aura of its intense harmonic vibe. Halftribe has been very busy, creating amazing mixes as well as churning out some original music (links for everything are below).

Halftribe got into electronic music long ago through way of New Order (1986 on CD and Technique on Vinyl), which opened a gateway to the rave scene in the UK during the late 80's and early 90's. It was at these raves that Halftribe gotten taken in by the post rave chill music, and his fascination for ambient music sparked an interest in exploring its history. As with many frustrated creative artists with an ear for music but without means to create, that path seemed to be expensive and inaccessible. When DAW's became available, Halftribe finally had the opportunity to begin producing deep house, techno, and (mainly) ambient and downtempo. He has released on VENT SOUNDS, ATRIUM DIGITAL, and ASSEMBLY FIELD. When not creating original compositions, he spends his time remixing and has been fortunate, through his links within the industry, to be asked to do a remix for Karl Hyde from UNDERWORLD for his solo album (as well as commissioned for other remix work).

deeper space (beyond the mind's eye)

Let's take a bit of time to delve into the inner workings of our cerebral cortex, to the place where sight becomes sound, color has flavor, and moods create life. We'll use this area of our minds to take in the sounds of this mix, and sail gently into the ether of peace and tranquility. Allow the sounds to rinse away the bad vibes and negative moments that plague you, as they are replaced with a renewed sense of creativity, clarity, and focus. 

As I come home from a long 32 day tour of playing music and a lot of traveling, it is nice to have my first day blessed with amazingly sunny and warm weather (after being in states like Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and so on....). I'm greeted by birds singing outside, and the smell of the fresh sunshine-laden earth. Nothing can be better than that, and the sense of peace and joy is reflected in this mix that I present to you. While I did buy quite a bit of new music on tour, I decided to create something from what's been on my secret mixtape rather than use my new morsels (which are being saved for the next mix). It took me quite a bit of time to fully realize and bring into fruition what I've put together here, and I really hope that you like it.

happy 2nd birthday (to spaceman's transmissions)

Well, the blog made it to 2 years (and still going). I assumed that I would have wrapped things up after 1 year and said 'yeah, well, I did something different for a while'. But I'm enjoying the new music that I get to hear, the guests that I get to host that might otherwise not have a chance to have their creations heard, and basically looking at something that I did to be a bit proud of. Thanks to all that have tuned in, turned on, and slept. Or stayed awake to take in new sounds and be inspired by them. Peace.

//tonepoet//

guest mix: junkyard angel (part IV)

It goes without saying that I'm a huge fan and follower of Paul Simmonds aka JUNKYARD ANGEL. Every time I find out that he's posted a new mix, I have to plan WAY ahead to prepare the uninterrupted space in which to take in the flow of his vision. If I'm bothered in the least bit during one of his mixes, it upsets the life cycle of his mix and takes me back to square one. That's not cool. But when I do finally settle down and take it all in, he puts me in a time machine where time has stood still for my entire listening session. Voodoo? Maybe.

For the listening pleasure of those that seek an aural journey, I was blessed by JA to host this mix. Within the first few minutes, I hear many familiar sounds that are twisted, cut, and reassembled into his latest cinematic concoction entitled THE BLACK STAR TRANSMISSIONS. 

i hear the colors

Fresh and hot off the presses comes tasty new sounds for the mental space travelers that need some colorful and harmonically charged transitions and segues for their life's soundtrack. For this mix, I found a way to put together a lot of things that have been really getting my attention lately. I also worked with getting some samples from the FREESOUND site (that I've used on various original projects). 

There are many things throughout the day that we hear and take for granted. The many sounds  that we hear provide our day with color, experiences, moments, and memory. We are influenced by what we  hear our whole lives, whether it's music, communication, sounds, or what-have-you. The music here represents to the beautiful colors that I've managed to be fortunate enough to have taken in within the last few months. I'm gifting this aural experience to you, the listener.

guest mix: mote

Every so often I run across something that has me completely frozen, hanging on in anticipation of the next transition and trying to find the seams within the mixes. There are certain DJ's that seem to be able to take a very gigantic musical mixing pot, fill it up with the most diverse sounds and moods, and create a sonic template within a universe of emotion.  MOTE is one such individual. He has, to me, the same kind of twisted flair that attracts me to such DJ's like SILAS and FACTION. They just hear things differently and are able to draw upon such a large and diverse library that would seem intimidating to most, and I enjoy the sonic adventure that they weave when they throw caution to the wind. If these guys were cats, I would spend all day marveling how they land on their feet from whatever distance or direction.

Mote is based in Belgrade, Serbia. His mixes consist of deep atmospheres, laced with the laid back minimal warmth of electronic and organic sounds spiced with a wide range of field recordings and movie samples. Listening to his mixes are like watching movies unfold, and his musical guidance is creating the moods that travel in the same manner. I asked him to tell me about the method behind his madness. He provided me with this:

"I don't know how music actually works, but I'm sure that what it represents is a separate, totally autonomous reality where we can reward ourselves with incredible experiences. I like watching movies, but sometimes I only listen to them; the music, the sounds, the words. In mixing I do the opposite, trying to evoke images and movement, even dramaturgy through my audible experiences. Coming from Belgrade, Serbia where partying is a lifestyle, having slow meditative moments with music is a good thing."

camping under the stars

I've been into the BANDCAMP site for a relatively short while now, and I have to give the site a lot of credit if helping me find some great independent artists. Bandcamp is very instrumental in giving these artists a place to market their original music, and this has become a very valuable asset to those that praise independent musicians (that's me!). The creation of the DIY musician as producer/label/market is a product borne of the music industry's greed, and that benefits us in that we are awarded creations that the music industry would rather ignore. Their loss, our gain......

I've created this amalgamation from artists' music who I've gotten from Bandcamp (one caveat; the Phillip Wilkerson tune I got from Earth Mantra, but I absolutely love the tune and decided to slip it in this mix! I own quite a few from Phillip both by way of Bandcamp as well as Earth Mantra), and their sounds speak loud volumes. This is no means a complete list, just a current list of what I've found so far that has appealed to me. Trust me, I have not even heard a fraction of the unreal music that can be found there. It's quite the event to check back often and see beautiful sounds piling up in the queue. There are certain things that stick out for some reason to me and that comprises what's here. This mix, to me, was one of my favorites to make, as I'm standing on the shoulders of those who have created some masterpieces that really move me. Truly inspiring.

andrew hoffman with the slow drift

As a regular listener and supporter of ANDREW HOFFMAN'S THE SLOW DRIFT broadcast, I get a good fill of weekly mental overhauls. Like many of my favorite mix artists, Andrew consistently amazes me with his musical selections and his flawless transitions. I have to say, most everything that I hear coming from Andrew is new to me, and sends me on a search for the artists' other works that are represented. His latest mix, entitled simply EPISODE 023 (THE WINTER MIX) is the perfect companion for the snowy winter that we've been having here in the Northeastern US states at this time.

guest mix: jon lloyd

I've been a regular follower of JON LLOYD on Mixcloud, getting turned on by (of all things) his mix LIVED IN BARS which is a great outing. His mix THE TEXTURE OF SOUND is another that I highly recommend (you can see my comments on the mix). Jon's a consummate listener of all kinds of music, and shares his thoughts about what really vibes him when he hears it. He's managing to create mixes from whatever draws him in next, and isn't limited to a certain genre or flavor-of-the-month in favor of his own interest or intuition. I enjoy the comments that he leaves (not only for myself, but for others) as it's always evident that he dug way deep into the particular piece to really have the music exist firmly within himself. Inspirational, to say the least. I asked him if I could host a mix, and he obliged (much thanks, man!). For this particular episode, I bring you a different sort of mix that compiles a very good feeling array of positive vibe entitled ANOTHER DAY DRIFTS AWAY. This is not a mix for the sleepers (sorry!), but for the active listening participants. For me, this mix is essential headphone listening that provided me with a very good spiritual lift. While it's not so much ambient, it is an offering that gets your head right and puts you in a better place. If music were medicine (and not just therapy), Jon just filled our prescription correctly.

guest mix: sofamixes

For this episode of Spaceman's Transmissions, I'm proud to present the appropriately named SOFAMIXES. I was given this (upon request, natch) quite a long time ago, and have let its beauty saturate my mind upon many occasions. Well, now that we've had quite a bit of snow in Maryland and having spent the last few hours outside making snowballs and running around with the kids, I came in to thaw out with some hot chocolate, a hot potato, and this mix. Got to say, I'm having a very difficult time trying to figure out the best part of getting warm. I'm guessing the music.

As I stare out the window at the snow outside on this graciously clear (but cold!) day, this mix is providing the perfect backdrop to my current mental state. The picture on the left is from my dining room, overlooking a portion of the field where my kids and I build snowmen, make snow angels, and beat each other down with snowballs. Honestly, I really don't know how or why the picture is actually snowing. I shot some video, but I didn't think that it came out until I looked in my queue of pictures to post and saw this. How does that happen?

review: '=' by ylowknfe

I've recently found an amazing new release on Bandcamp that warrants an intensive listening. '=' by YLOWKNFE is to me, a breath of fresh air among all of the things that I've been watching come through the new ambient artist queue on Bandcamp, and the moment I heard the first song I was completely drawn in by rich harmonic soundscapes. According to Ylownkfe, his interest lies in creating music for films and documentaries and these releases serve as a springboard to this venture at some point. The problem all of this is that, with music this good, I would even forget to concentrate on the film and use more of my brain power to take in this incredible music.

sight becomes sound

It's pretty obvious that one thing that attracts us to music is that it's a marker for events in our lives. How many times have we heard a song from the past and been transported the that particular time and place that brands a moment to the music? There's no better way to recreate the sense of experiences than from music that surrounds particular events, so that we can recall and relive these special periods again and again. And film makers know this. They create the anxiety, elation, pride, and so on that envelopes character's actions.

With this offering, I've chosen to create a mix of offerings from films. A lot of times, I'll really tune into the music in a film, and make it a point to search the music out. I have a lot of soundtracks, and I do listen to them quite often. I didn't put a lot of things on this that I would have liked, as I tried to stick with a particular format. Some of my favorites soundtracks that didn't make the cut are Devdas, Purple Rain (I have every Prince album!), The Truth About Charlie, Sprout, Oceans Eleven or Twelve, A.I., A Beautiful Mind, Amelie, Hair, etc., and so on. I purposely tried to steer clear (as well as I could) from the very dark and orchestral heavy soundtrack music that exists more prominently, and chose pieces that ebbed and flowed with organic transitions.