Presenting ... "The Sound of Space (waag_rel034)" by Colin Blake

With "The Sound of Space (waag_rel034)", Colin Blake has expressed his love and admiration for all things 'space'.

In his intricate notes that accompanied his submission, he speaks of the birth of new stars, and of life on more than just Earth … of comets, and the songs star-clouds sing as new stars are born … of solar flares, and travel to distant galaxies; it makes for fascinating reading.

More than that, it makes for fascinating music - sci-fi orientated ambient electronic soundscapes that paint mental images of new worlds and rocket ships … of nebulae and the glow of distant suns.

I thoroughly enjoyed this album when I received it for consideration from Colin … and I have found it an album filled with surprise and wonder, like the subject matter it narrates. It fits naturally with what has come before it and couldn't wait to share it with our dedicated community … a community of which Colin is a key part. Colin is a tremendous supporter of weareallghosts and it is with delight that I return his enthusiasm with some of my own.

I must make mention here too of the artwork of Ade Hodges and his unfailing support of waag. His painting made perfect sense as a backdrop for an album with a space theme … and I am glad to share it here.

As always, an MP3 version of this album will be available for free on Archive and a lossless version available on Bandcamp for 'pay what you want' which does include £0.

If you do decide to download this album for free then all we ask in return is that you tell your friends, tweet a link or post it on Facebook, write a review and spread the word.

- Tx

Credits
Released 28 October 2013
Music by Colin Blake
Artwork by Ade Hodges



https://archive.org/details/waag_rel034

Presenting ... "The Silent Citadel (waag_rel033)" by Silas + Hodges + Lyons

In late August I travelled to deepest, darkest Yorkshire to hang out with Cousin Silas and two of his chums - musician and film geek, Kevin Lyons, and painter and music-fan, Ade Hodges - over a weekend. We filled the days with music and film; sci-fi and books; bacon sandwiches, pizza, and curry; in what was one of the nerdiest weekends I've had in ages. We filled the days so well that we failed to do what we intended: to record, package and release some music.

Instead, we dreamed fantastic sci-fi dreams … hatched plans and generally looked to the future. More practically, I worked on the artwork for Kevin's second release on waag (Seconds (waag_rel027)). We did record something … but nothing like what I, myself, had hoped for.

Thankfully, however, the chaps got their act together when I left (hmm … maybe I was the distraction???) and recorded some wonderfully vivid ambient soundscapes … that, after a bit of spit and polish from our favourite Cousin, are presented to you now for your listening pleasure.

I look back on that weekend with fondness. It was a magical weekend … one I hope to relive. I don't get the chance to talk about 70s prog rock and the cover art of pulp sci-fi novels very often … at least with folks whose eyes don't glaze over almost immediately. It was a special time and, I think, this is encapsulated in the music presented in "The Silent Citadel (waag_rel033)".

The internet is a wonderful enabler for collaboration and Silas is a wonderful collaborator. In fact, the recent "Silas & Friends vol.2 (waag_rel032)" was birthed entirely online. "The Silent Citadel (waag_rel033)", on the other hand, wasn't. It was conceived and created by three blokes sharing the same space and time … working together in such close synchronicity that it was a pleasure to watch. Whilst I didn't get to sit in on much of the actual recording … my name being attached to what was the first real track to come from the session and the only one I was witness to … I did get to experience the chemistry of the group and I can testify to it … whatever 'it' is … being something very special indeed.

I hope you enjoy these tracks as much as I do.

As always, an MP3 version of this album will be available for free on Archive and a lossless version available on Bandcamp for 'pay what you want' which does include £0.

We are currently exploring options for a physical Cousin Silas release. Any funds raised by "The Silent Citadel (waag_rel033)" will go towards this.

If you do decide to download this album for free then all we ask in return is that you tell your friends, tweet a link or post it on Facebook, write a review and spread the word.

We will post more information regarding the physical release in due course but for now ... enjoy "The Silent Citadel (waag_rel033)".

- Tx

Credits
Released 19 October 2013
Music by Cousin Silas, Ade Hodges & Kevin Lyons



http://archive.org/details/waag_rel033

Presenting ... "Mighty Skies (waag_sng004)" by Fragile Faith

THIS IS NOT AMBIENT

Fragile Faith were a short-lived indie rock / synth pop band from Glasgow who, to my knowledge, only recorded two tracks - "Mighty Skies" & "You Can't Leave".

I used to work with their guitarist/keyboardist, Kevin Cairns. We got talking one day about music and he told me the story of his band from the late 80's. He offered to let me hear the two tracks that remain of his time with the band and I agreed. I was blown away by their raw indie rock / synth pop sound and suggested I release the tracks as a wee free single on weareallghosts.

This is not ambient music. This is not what our community expect from waag but I decided to release it because I believe it is beneficial to mix things up every-so-often. I hope, when you have a listen, you'll hear what I hear … a golden snippet from another time and place. The music presented by Fragile Faith is simply too good to be left of Kevin's hard drive or decaying on an audio cassette.

These tracks will only be available as a free download on our Bandcamp site.

Enjoy.

- Tx




Credits:
Released 16 October 2013
Music by Fragile Faith - Recorded in April, 1988.

Vocals by Mark McLeod
Guitars & Keyboards by Beeg aka Kevin Cairns
Bass by Paul McBain
Drums by David Honeyman

Presenting ... Silas & Friends Vol 2

"Silas & Friends vol2 (waag_rel032)" is weareallghosts' fiftieth release and what a release it is … a real smorgasbord of sounds from my fave musician and his wonderfully, delightfully, fantastically eclectic group of chums … most of whom I consider friends too.

I have looked forward to this compilation for some time and I am pleased to be able to finally release it. It is an album that has taken a considerable amount of effort to compile and it stands as a testament to the driving force that is Cousin Silas. His involvement in each of these tracks is a force that brings tremendous consistency … he puts his name only to things he considers his best and this is apparent when listening to this album.

That said, Cousin Silas does not stand alone … each track is a collaboration … each track is a meeting of minds … and congratulations must go to each person involved … from the musicians who have worked with Silas through to my own collaboration with Ade Hodges & Adam Howie. Synergy is an over-used 'business bingo' word but in this case it is apt and fitting … because the synergy of each collaboration is apparent.

This release, however, marks a bittersweet moment because we are, as a community, in mourning … we have lost one of our own. Kevin Haller aka Burning Artist is no longer with us and can not share in the fruits of his labour. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as we dedicate this album to his memory.

An MP3 version of this album is available for free on Archive or a lossless version available over on Bandcamp for 'pay what you want' which does include £0. If you do decide to download this album for free then all we ask in return is that you tell your friends, tweet a link or post it on Facebook, write a review and spread the word.

- Tx



http://archive.org/details/waag_rel032

Presenting ... not one but TWO Dronescapes from Cousin Silas

Cousin Silas' dronescapes have really grown from strength to strength ... developing into something of 'must have' recording for me. I tend to listen to at least one a day and love the headspace they give me.

I know I am not alone ... and really appreciate all the comments I receive when one is released. I also value the support that some in the WAAG community provided and do not take it for granted.

So this weekend we are going to put out not one ... but TWO dronescapes - 011 and 012. I sincerely hope that you love them as much as I do.

An MP3 version of this album is available for free on Archive or a lossless version available here for 'pay what you want' which does include £0.

We are currently exploring options for a physical Cousin Silas release. Any funds raised by 011 and 012 will go towards this.

If you do decide to download this album for free then all we ask in return is that you tell your friends, tweet a link or post it on Facebook, write a review and spread the word.

We will post more information regarding the physical release in due course but for now ... enjoy 011:

- Tx

http://archive.org/details/waag_drs011



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... and 012:

http://archive.org/details/waag_drs012