Presenting ... "Into the dark (waag_rel038)" by Cousin Silas

I've released this early ... with no warning because its nice to get a surprise now and again ... and I hope to take a wee break for a few weeks over the Christmas period.

'Into the dark (waag_rel038)' is the first in a trilogy of dark, atmospheric, and rather sinister sounding ambient albums that I am proud to say I have secured for release.

I've been itching to release this album ... an album where Cousin Silas goes back to his darker ambient roots ... ever since I received it from him. It is deliciously dark and deeply atmospheric ... reminiscent of his Ballardian work ... with a healthy dose of Lovecraft thrown in for good measure.

'Into the dark (waag_rel038)' helps the mind to wander ... it conjures up alien places and Cyclopean spaces ... a playground for the imagination.

I hope you enjoy this album 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 'Into the dark (waag_rel038)' 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 'Into the dark (waag_rel038)'.

- Tx



https://archive.org/details/waag_rel038

Presenting ... Dronescape 014 by Cousin Silas

The Advent period is a very busy time for me and sometimes it feels like the run-up to Christmas is too much. When it gets to that point I take solace in the music of Cousin Silas and, in particular, his dronescapes.

The fourteenth dronescape (yes, we have released fourteen dronescapes in 2013!) is a welcome addition to his canon ... a body of work that just seems get better as time passes.

I won't say anymore other than to implore you to take the time out to go deep. I know I will.

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 014 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 014.

- Tx



https://archive.org/details/waag_drs014

Presenting ... "New Beginnings (waag_rel037)" by Stephen Briggs

I love Stephen Briggs' particular brand of looping ambient guitar-orientated soundscapes and I am proud to present his latest release - "New Beginnings (waag_rel037)".

According to Stephen, this is an album that explores themes of newness ... the newness of planted grass seed ... and of space ... the freedom of open space. Inspired by hot evenings and watching the water spraying on freshly pruned trees, "New Beginnings (waag_rel037)" is a delight from start to finish ... best enjoyed in a single sitting, this is the kind of sound that washes over you in a way that both invigorates and inspires.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have ... "New Beginnings (waag_rel037)" is a welcome addition to the weareallghosts canon.

An MP3 version of this album is available for free on Archive or a lossless version available on Bandcamp for 'pay what you want' which does include £0 (albeit paying supporters also get unlimited mobile access using the free Bandcamp listening app).

Tx

Please Note
All tracks are live improvisations using guitar and pedals. There is no overdubbing and no PC gubbins involved. It was recorded live ... mistakes, foibles and all.



https://archive.org/details/waag_rel037

Presenting ... "Curious Warnings (waag_rel036)" by Kevin Lyons

"St Bertrand de Comminges is a decayed town on the spurs of the Pyrenees, not very far from Toulouse, and still nearer to Bagnères-de-Luchon."

And so begins "Canon Alberic's Scrapbook" from Dr M. R. James' "Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" ... or at least my Penguin Books copy from May 1941 does.

I received this copy from Cousin Silas when I stayed at his house at the end of August. This was the weekend that I met Ade Hodges and Kevin Lyons, the weekend where Lyons explained his plans for a trilogy of dark ambient albums inspired by Dr M. R. James' writing.

To this point, I wasn't familiar with James' writing but was eager to know more. I am a big fan of 'weird fiction' and early 20th century sci-fi / horror ... Dr M. R. James' writing fit nicely into this list.

When Lyons told me of his intended trilogy, I was fascinated and wanted to know more - more about the music and the writer. I was not disappointed by either.

Curious Warnings (waag_rel036) is a real treat ... one that captures the deliciously uncomfortable nature of James' writing ... and translates the unsettling atmospheres into sound.

I do love some dark ambient and this album is a fine example of the genre. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

An MP3 version of this album is available for free on Archive or a lossless version available on Bandcamp for 'pay what you want' which does include £0 (albeit paying supporters also get unlimited mobile access using the free Bandcamp listening app).

Tx

PS Amazon has Dr M. R. James' "Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" (parts 1 and 2) for the Kindle for free. Recommended reading ... especially on Christmas Eve.



https://archive.org/details/waag_rel036

Presenting... "Knurled Fog | Agerich (waag_sng005)" by Red Pools

Since 2008 I have been producing and releasing music under various names, most notably electronic music under the name Artificial Sun Project. In 2013 I ended this project, and out of it's ashes came Red Pools.

This is my first double single of my new material, reflective of a new style of music, and a new direction.

Two sides of mournful techno ... with swaying, claustrophobic atmospheres that gurgle and crackle in a rather delightful manner with murky thumping, quasi-wurlizer, piano recomposition and intercepted transmissions.

Many thanks to Martha Agerich, Wolfgang Merx and Thomas Mathie.

waag_sng005 is dedicated to Steve Morton ... a true fan of music.

- Sean Cotterill aka Red Pools
redpools.bandcamp.com + weareallghosts.co.uk

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I am a big fan of Sean's music. His Artificial Sun Project was a real pleasure and I was one of a small but dedicated band who mourned the project's demise.

I was understandably delighted to hear of Red Pools rising, like a phoenix, from the ashes of ASP ... and over-the-moon when I was approached by Sean to release the first single.

Sean's description of his music - swaying, claustrophobic atmospheres - is apt and I welcome it, and him, to weareallghosts.

An MP3 version of this album is available for free on Archive or a lossless version available on Bandcamp for 'pay what you want' which does include £0 (albeit paying supporters also get unlimited mobile access using the free Bandcamp listening app).

Any monies raised will go to Sean Cotterill to keep those musical gears turning.

- Thomas

Credits
Released 25 November 2013
Music composed & recorded by Red Pools aka Sean Cotterill
Artwork by Sean Cotterill
Design & Logistics by Thomas Mathie for weareallghosts.co.uk

https://archive.org/details/waag_sng005

Presenting ... "The Space Between The Leaves / Meadows of Summer (waag_rel035)" by Scott Lawlor

Scott Lawlor is a tremendous supporter of weareallghosts, playing our music on his show on stillstream. He is part of the waag familia  and I am proud to present two longish ambient drones from him.

"The Space Between The Leaves" - is the first in a series of longer-form drones called "The Space Between" ... this is an ongoing project from Scott and I hope to bring you further instalments in the future.

"...The Leaves" is a darker, noisier drone that almost overwhelms but ultimately rewards the listener with an immersive experience.

"Meadows In Summer" is a lighter longer-form piece with a haunting and rather surprising ending which I found an utter delight when I first heard it.

An MP3 version of this album is available for free on Archive or a lossless version available on Bandcamp for 'pay what you want' which does include £0 (albeit paying supporters also get unlimited mobile access using the free Bandcamp listening app).

Tx



https://archive.org/details/waag_rel035

Presenting ... "Dronescape 013 (waag_drs013)" by Cousin Silas

It has been just over a month since we released the previous 2 instalments of Cousin Silas' Dronescape series ... and I couldn't wait to bring another one to you.

And what an instalment this is!!! The 13th Dronescape is a bold, upfront exploration of space and time through ambient sound. It is 70 minutes of sheer of unadulterated joy ... a truly immersive longform journey with an almost tangible sense of cinematic proportion ... and I, for one, love it. This series just gets better and better.

An MP3 version of this album is available for free on Archive or a lossless version available on Bandcamp for 'pay what you want' which does include £0 (albeit paying supporters on Bandcamp also get unlimited mobile access to "Dronescape 013 (waag_drs013)" using the free Bandcamp listening app).

We are currently exploring options for a physical Cousin Silas release. Any funds raised by 013 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 013.

- Tx



https://archive.org/details/waag_drs013

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

Presenting ... "Tales of Space Exploration 9-16 (waag_rel031)" by Brother Saturn

"Tales of Space Exploration 9 - 16 (waag_rel031)" marks the return of Drew Miller aka Brother Saturn to weareallghosts. Miller picks up where he left off in waag_rel020 … continuing to document his journey into the deepest realms of the galaxy through ambient music.

I hear real progression in these tracks … Miller is growing as an artist and as a musician … creating truly beautiful ambient soundscapes that speak of travel, desolation, loneliness, and the yearning of home … wherever or whatever home may be.

Once more, Adam Howie has expertly expressed these themes in his cover art. His piece - "Exploration for Survival" - is available for sale as a print at devinatArt (kimded.deviantart.com/prints/) and RedBubble (www.redbubble.com/people/lurchkimded) … and is also included as a wallpaper in the Bandcamp release. As before, I would heartily encourage you to support Howie's work by buying a print.

An MP3 version of this album is available for free on Archive or 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



http://archive.org/details/waag_rel031

Presenting ... "The Quiet Forest (waag_rel030)" by Jack Hertz and Cousin Silas

The 30th album on weareallghosts is an innovate collaboration between a couple of giants of ambient electronic music: Jack Hertz & Cousin Silas ... two chaps I am proud to call friends.

“The Quiet Forest (waag_rel030)” features six wonderfully emotive and aurally stimulating ambient soundscapes. They are the kind of visually arresting atmospheres that got me into ambient electronic music all those years ago. The minute I heard them … I knew they would make for a fitting release on weareallghosts.

The music Hertz & Silas have made here is the kind of music that holds that extra special added dimension ... theirs is the kind of music that transports the listener to far off realms and alternate realities. Field recordings underpin dark, eerie synths to create the soundtrack for one or more Lovecraftian dystopias. “South Wind”, for example, reminded me so much of “At the Mountains of Madness” that I was compelled to reread Lovecraft’s classic story.

This album is a tribute to both Jack Hertz and Cousin Silas ... whose synergistic partnership has really made something beautiful indeed.

As before, an MP3 version will be available over on Archive weir free with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ’pay what you want’ ... which does include £0. Don't worry if you can't pay ... I have the credits ... all I would ask, if you download “The Quiet Forest (waag_rel030)” for free, that you post about it on Twitter or Facebook and tell all your friends about the special partnership that is Hertz & Silas … oh and if you tell them about this wee netlabel too, it would be appreciated.

- Tx

credits
released 23 September 2013
Music by Jack Hertz & Cousin Silas
Photography by Dagmar Salomon



http://archive.org/details/waag_rel030

Presenting ... "Mourners (waag_rel029)" by Toaster

I'll let you into a wee secret. I don't release anything on weareallghosts unless I dig it ... I am a fan, first and foremost, and I do what I do because I am simply that ... a fan of music and, in particular, the kind of music I've been privileged to release.

It is with this in mind that I approach “Mourners (waag_rel029)” by Toaster aka Todd Elliott ... a musician whose ambient soundscapes and off-kilter techno tracks are something I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy. In particular, it is Todd’s musical adventurousness that I treasure.

I am, therefore, delighted to welcome Toaster to weareallghosts with “Mourners (waag_rel029)” ... a collection of 3 ambient soundscapes that showcase, dare-I-say, his mellower side ... a collection I totally dig and have wanted to share with you for a while now. Whilst “Mourners (waag_rel029)” isn't as frenetic as some of his self-release music is, it still holds true to his truly independent and uniquely individualistic vision. Todd makes music that he himself wants to hear and as a fan of that kind of intention, I am totally onboard.

I really do hope you enjoy “Mourners (waag_rel029)” as much as I do. Please welcome him into the weareallghosts family.

As before, an MP3 version will be available over on Archive weir free with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ’pay what you want’ ... which does include £0. Don't worry if you can't pay ... I have the credits ... all I would ask, if you download “Mourners (waag_rel029)” for free, that you post about it on Twitter or Facebook and tell all your friends about Toaster’s music and this wee netlabel.

- Tx



Archive

Presenting ... "Dronescape 010 (waag_drs010)" by Cousin Silas

I recently met Cousin Silas for the first time a couple of weeks ago and I was taken by how genuinely lovely he was … a real down-to-earth chap with a wicked sense of humour … generous to a fault and a pleasure to be with.

I say this because whilst I was down staying with him … he spoke of the Dronescape series and made particular mention of this instalment - Dronescape 010 (waag_drs010) - his tenth dronescape.

He spoke of this being his best yet. Not in a bragging kind of way because he doesn't do that … he only brags about his wife and family … but more matter-of-fact, as is his way.

I have to say I agree with him … but then I have spoken before of how his dronescapes just seem to get better and better … especially the wee details and flourishes that he adds to keep his listeners engaged, something I had noticed.

I hope you enjoy this longform piece … it is a belter … one that sits just over 80 minutes in length (a fact Cousin Silas apologises for to the folks who burn these pieces to CD).



As before, an MP3 version of this album will be available for free on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for “pay what you want”. If you do decide to download the album for free then please tell your friends about Silas’ music and this wee netlabel.

- Tx

Archive

Presenting ... "Sunset at the Yacht Club (waag_rel028)" by Clutter

Dreams do come true.

I am releasing an EP from one of my musical heroes: Shaun Blezard … the founder of Earth Monkey Productions, maker of musical malarkey under the Clutter alias, and vicious 'Words with Friends' player.

It was Shaun who introduced me to the concept of the netlabel with his seminal netlabel 'Earth Monkey Productions'. Some of the music on there is still on my iPod five years after the label went on indefinite hiatus … including a number of pieces by weareallghosts stalwart Cousin Silas.

It was on Shaun's label that Cousin Silas released the first two  of his 'Ballard Landscapes' series (emp007 and emp030, if memory serves), for example.

In fact, it was to EMP that I looked when I thought of starting weareallghosts … and it is to his legacy that I compare this humble endeavour.

To consider, therefore, that I am able to release an EP of his on waag is a dream come true … the circle is now complete, so to speak … and what an EP it is. I have caught myself wondering what I was listening to when listening to the preview copy … then experiencing a mixture of shock and pleasure when I realise it was an EP destined for my wee label.

Shaun has done me proud with soundscapes that are an utter delight. I hope you enjoy what is presented as much as I do!

As before, an MP3 version of this album will be available for free on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for “pay what you want”. If you do decide to download the album for free then please tell your friends about Shaun’s music and this wee netlabel.

- Tx

http://archive.org/details/waag_rel028



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Original material was provided by:
Frank Schultz
Scott Burland
Bill Brovold

Clutter:
Website: shaunblezard.net
Facebook: facebook.com/cluttermusic 
Twitter:  @cluttermusic

Duet For Theremin & Lap Steel
Website: duetonline.net
Facebook: facebook.com/duetforthereminandlapsteel
Twitter: @duetonline

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