Presenting ... Dronescape 043 (waag_drs043) by Cousin Silas

What makes a Christmas song or film? Is it some explicit? Is it bells ... like the bells in "All I want for Christmas?" Or is it the subject matter ... like the lyrics to "O Holy Night"? Yes and yes ... but there is also something more, something implicit, something you attach to a piece of music or to a film you watch ... "Die Hard" isn't an explicitly Christmas movie ... but it is definitely part of so many people's traditions at Christmas that it is fundamental viewing in the Advent season, mine included.

There is something magical about Cousin Silas' latest dronescape that makes me think of Christmas and I'm not entirely sure I can explain it. There is an expansive quality about the piece: an openness and a lightness that makes me think of walking in freshly fallen snow, basking in that special morning light that we only see when the sun gently reflects on the white powder ...  there is a quietness to this moment too, a peaceful muffled stillness ... just the crunch of your feet as you slowly walk along. And yet, for all the quietness, there is a sense of grandeur too ... a sense of the awesome that I find intoxicating.

For me Dronescape 043 will be remembered as Cousin Silas' "Christmas" drone, implicit as it is, and I am so grateful for it ... for, as always, it arrives exactly when it is needed. I hope you will treasure this longform piece as much as I will.

It is important to note that weareallghosts is funded through the money we receive for albums and dronescapes such as this. For us to realistically continue to put out this level of quality in the quantity that we do, we need to levy a small charge for our releases. Please help out by buying the dronescape.

That said, if you aren’t able to then please note a 320kbps version of this release will be available in the next couple of days over on Archive for free.

- Thomas

https://archive.org/details/waag_drs043

Presenting ... "Into Air (waag_rel134)" by Er Go

From the opening of “Serenity”, with the piano and synths in delightful collaboration, I knew I was onto something special ... and I was not disappointed: “Into Air (waag_rel134)” by Eric Goldberg aka Er Go is simply stunning, something truly beautiful.

Eric’s emphasis on melody and the warmth of the expansive ambient soundscapes that compliment these melodies really struck me as being very special indeed. His is a soothing, joyous, uplifting sound; the counterpoint to some of the darker ambient released on waag.

Eric is new to weareallghosts and I welcome him into the fold. His attention to detail and desire to create unique music is evident in this release, and I hope to work with him again.

Of his release, Eric said this ...

"On "Into Air (waag_rel134)" there are 7 tracks of varying lengths that meld into one another, receding from higher to lower energy, and shifting from structured compositions to free-form soundscapes. Amidst this ongoing movement is a cohesive (and slightly retro) sound palette, maintained by just a few synthesizers with piano and marimba in varied combinations. It is perhaps more melodic than most ambient music I'm used to hearing, but the slowly evolving compositional style lends itself well to this type of listening experience. Hence, I hope this album finds a unique space within listeners' environments, and offers something special to anyone willing to explore the album."

I hope you will enjoy "Into Air (waag_rel134)" as much as I have and hope it does find that unique space in your hearts. As always, I would welcome all the support you can give Eric.

A 320kbps version of this release will be available, for free, over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

- Thomas

https://archive.org/details/waag_rel134

Presenting ... Cosmic Oblivion (waag_rel133) by James Hoehl

It is with great delight that I bring to you "Cosmic Oblivion (waag_rel133)" by James Hoehl and, in doing so, welcome him into the WAAG fold.

James has been a keen supporter of weareallghosts for sometime now and I am over-the-moon with what he has created for his first release with us ... a five-track album of drifting, spacey, ambient drones that collectively speak of the vast ocean of stars that sits just beyond our horizon.

Ironically, James wasn't sure there was an audience for the music he makes but I can assure him that he, most definitely, has a home with us. I, for one, have thoroughly enjoyed the sense of weightlessness and feeling of timeless wandering that these drones conjure up.

I hope you will enjoy this album as much as I do.

As before, my thanks goes to the wonderful waag community ... for their generous support.

A 320kbps version of this release will be available, for free, over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

Thomas

---

https://archive.org/details/waag_rel133

Presenting ... Ho Katechon (waag_rel132) by Cousin Silas & Sergio Mariani

Ho Katechon (waag_rel132) by Cousin Silas & Sergio Mariani is an album that I have been very eager to share with you... 

Ever since I heard Mariani's self-released "Secret Place", an album I absolutely adore, and then heard that Cousin Silas intended on recording a collaboration with him, I've been rather excited to hear it ... and once I heard it, I couldn't wait to share it with you.

Ho Katechon (waag_rel132) is a truly exceptional album, filled with the kind of drifting, air, expansive ambient music that I simply adore. Its long, languid parts are unbelievably gracious and restorative ... this is music for the soul, deeply relaxing and meditative.

Ho Katechon is Latin for "He who restrains" and I felt restored rather than restrained ... I felt the busyness of my life and all the negative pressure was kept aback, restrained even, as I listened, I was able to truly relax ... and I commend Cousin Silas and Sergio Mariani for that. 

This album is simply something beautiful and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have and will in the days to come.

As before, my thanks goes to the wonderful waag community ... for their generous support. 

A 320kbps version of this release will be available, for free, over on Archive with a lossless version available here on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

Thomas

https://archive.org/details/waag_rel132

Presenting ... The Fortean Project - Phase Two (waag_rel131) by Cousin Silas & Kevin Lyons

I recently renewed my Audible subscription and have been intently listening to the audiobook I downloaded from the HP Lovecraft Historical Society's anthology, it boasts of being the complete works of HP Lovecraft and it is a most wonderful listen. The HPLHS have invested a considerable amount of time and effort to really make the stories shine, if shine be the right term for such sinister and otherworldly eldritch tales.

If I were to read these weird tales rather than listen to them then I would always seek out some aural accompaniment that would drown out any distraction from those around me. And top of the list of suitable soundtracks would be the further aural investigations of Silas & Lyons.

"The Fortean Project - Phase Two" is the follow-up to their well-regarded collaboration from December, 2018; and consists of a further selection of eerie, slightly ominous dark ambient tracks inspired by the Fortean Times, a British monthly magazine devoted to "anomalous phenomena".

It is a melancholic affair, one for late nights and dark rooms ... a collection of music that is felt as much as it is heard ... an album that is dedicated to the memory of a dear friend & advocate of experimental music, Candy Lozier, who recently passed away.

Thomas

Archive :: https://archive.org/details/waag_rel131

Presenting ... Music for Sleep (waag_rel130) by Brother Saturn

Sleep is starting to become a theme for WAAG, what with me talking about sleep for Dronescape 042 and now this cracker of an album ... "Music For Sleep (waag_rel130)" ... from long-term contributor, Drew Miller aka Brother Saturn.

There’s something magical about this album. It reminds me of old slightly wonky sleep-tapes and the glorious ambient music we are all fond of ... the music that works just as well front and centre as it does in the background ... fluid chords that shimmer and dance to form the most delightful of soundscapes.

This is an album that really does show an artist growing in both ability and confidence ... Drew has used all midi-based electronics and synth sounds, instead of his trusty guitars for the first time ... and it shows.



This album will also be released on Symbolic Insight, an avant-garde label from the North West of the United States, who are preparing a short-run physical release ... so if you dig what you hear, please keep an eye out over at symbolicinsight.bandcamp.com and support Drew by buying a CD.

Music For Sleeping (waag_rel130) will not be released on Archive.

Presenting ... Dronescape 042 (waag_drs042) by Cousin Silas

I've found myself fascinated with sleep lately, trying as I might to catch a meaningful and solid seven hours. I'm nearly there with my average over the last 28 days coming in a 6 hours and 55 minutes.

There has been a lot of emphasis on sleep, in music terms, recently too ... Max Richter's epic "Sleep" album, Hammock's "Songs for sleep" playlist on Spotify, and Sigur Ros presents Liminal Sleep ... are all music that I have listened to and gleefully consumed. I would, however, add Cousin Silas' dronescapes to this list ... especially his latest edition: Dronescape 042.

Cousin Silas' forty-second dronescape is a wonderfully relaxing affair with long, sweeping chords and an unhurried, calm countenance.

Whether you listen to this dronescape with the express purpose of catching some zzz's or not is up-to-you ... but I do know that this delightful longform piece will be something you comeback to in the days and weeks to come.

It is important to note that weareallghosts is funded through the money we receive for albums and dronescapes such as this. For us to realistically continue to put out this level of quality in the quantity that we do, we need to levy a small charge for our releases. Please help out by buying the dronescape.



That said, if you aren’t able to then please note a 320kbps version of this release is available over on Archive for free.

Presenting ... Twang 007 (waag_rrl014) by Cousin Silas

The seventh TWANG brings Cousin Silas' series of atmospheric ambient and experimental soundscapes, each recorded in a single take with no overdubs or edits, back into the deepest, darkest realms of space and place.

Once more featuring 14 tracks from the original release and 2 further "bonus" tracks for this release, Twang Seven is another exemplary continuation of and addition to the Twang series.

From the opening track - "The Crease in Time" - through to the final track - "Submerged" - this is another wonderful collection of the dark Ballardian soundscapes that Cousin Silas is renown for. "The Crease in Time", for example, had me thinking of the forest in "The Crystal Forest" ... it perfectly portrays the shiny, sparkling yet ominous feel of that crystallising expanse.

As before, my thanks goes to the wonderful waag community ... for their generous support.

A 320kbps version of this release will be available, for free, over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

Thomas

https://archive.org/details/waag_rrl014

Presenting ... Twang 006 - Structures (waag_rrl013) by Cousin Silas

The sixth TWANG - "Structures" - takes Cousin Silas' series of atmospheric ambient and experimental soundscapes, each recorded in a single take with no overdubs or edits, into a more earthy, structural realm.

Featuring 14 tracks from the original release and 2 further "bonus" tracks for this release, Twang Six is another fine continuation of and addition to the Twang series.

From the opening track - "Angled" - through to the final track - "The Silent Screams Of The Screamy Things" - this is another wonderful collection of the dark sci-fi inspired ambient soundscapes that Cousin Silas is renown for ... one that that is best consumed on headphones, preferably in a darkened room.

As before, my thanks goes to the wonderful waag community ... for their generous support. 

A 320kbps version of this release is available, for free, over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

Thomas

https://archive.org/details/waag_rrl013

Presenting ... The Glow Of An Old Valve (waag_tap001) by The Collective

"The Collective is a band at a distance. A group of like-minded folk from around the globe who coalesced in the Cousin Silas Emporium around the idea of producing a wide-ranging musical collaboration as a homage to the Byrne/Eno works of the early 70s. Given the huge diversity of talent, the end result is nothing like its inspiration, but remains gloriously original." 
- Taken from the liner notes

I'm delighted to release the first album from The Collective on weareallghosts ... it is a deep, interesting release that I hope will keep you as entertained as I have been. In fact, it has whetted my whistle for the reference material from Byrne & Eno. Too many artists on the album to thank by name ... suffice to say, however, that I am grateful to both Cousin Silas and Adrian Nicholls aka Glove of Bones for bringing their collaboration to my attention.

The Glow Of An Old Valve (waag_tap001) is also our first audio cassette release on weareallghosts ...  with 100 tapes available for purchase at £5 each (£1 more than the digital download).

I've been wanted to experiment with tape as a physical medium and I am grateful to Rob Mellor from the Submarine Broadcasting Company for all his help and advice.

If you decide to buy a tape then I am grateful. I don't know whether you have a tape player in your home to listen to the album on or if you are buying this cassette for the novelty factor and to own an artefact ... but your support is appreciated.

This album will not be made available on Archive.

- Thomas

Presenting ... "A little pieces of happiness (waag_rrl012)" by Shinpal

"I like electronic music and make it with modular synth in Japan."

This is what caught my eye when I received an email a wee while back from Japan. Shinpal, the creator of "A little pieces of happiness" had emailed me to ask if I would re-release their album on weareallghosts.

To say I was intrigued was an understatement ... I immediately followed the link provided and was blown away with the musicality of the sounds presented. I am honoured to welcome Shinpal to weareallghosts.

Please take the time to listen to this album and soak up the glorious sounds presented, modular synth sounds that include a waag exclusive track that isn't available on the original album.

Thomas

Presenting ... Cousin Silas' forty-first dronescape (waag_drs041)

It's been a ridiculously long time since the last Dronescape ... I guess I don't want them to end and am unconsciously stretching them out so they'll last longer. These post-sixty minute longform pieces have become such an important part of my life, I just don't want the series to stop.

I know the Dronescapes have built up a bit of a following and to everyone who has or will buy them, I do promise to release the remaining pieces more often. But when you hear Cousin Silas' forty-first dronescape, you'll want me to slow do too.

Dronescape 041 is a glorious piece, resplendent in its seventy minutes. It is wonderfully textured and atmospheric, with a wide-open ambience that instantly made me think of those awe-inspiring Cyclopean vistas in Lovecraft's Mountains of Madness. There are wee snippets of melody that float into perception and then disappear, replaced with more dramatic sounds that surprise me, as the listener, and keep me on edge, expectant and wanting of more.

I don't think I have heard as varied a dronescape from Cousin Silas as I have with forty-one ... and I absolutely love it. This is definitely a piece that you'll come back to, time and again.

It is important to note that weareallghosts is funded through the money we receive for albums and dronescapes such as this. For us to realistically continue to put out this level of quality in the quantity that we do, we need to levy a small charge for our releases. Please help out by buying the dronescape.

That said, if you aren’t able to then please note a 320kbps version of this release is available over on Archive (https://archive.org/details/waag_drs041) for free.

- Thomas

Presenting ... TWANGS 3 - 5

Over the weekend I rereleased three more TWANG albums from Cousin Silas ... each one features new artwork and 2 bonus tracks ...

From the opening track - "Let Darkness Prevail" - through to the final track - "Singalong!" - TWANG THREE is a wonderful collection of the deep, dark ambient soundscapes that Cousin Silas is renown for.

https://archive.org/details/waag_rrl009

---

Featuring 13 tracks from the original release and 2 further "bonus" tracks for this release, Twang Four is another fine continuation of and addition to the Twang series.

https://archive.org/details/waag_rrl010

From the opening track - "Inside The Epimethian Crystal Caves" - through to the final track - "Galaxies Like Sand" - TWANG FIVE is another wonderful collection of the sci-fi inspired ambient soundscapes that Cousin Silas is renown for.

As before, my thanks goes to the wonderful waag community ... for their generous support.

https://archive.org/details/waag_rrl011



Enjoy.

Tx

Presenting ... Ballard Landscapes 7 (waag_rel129) by Cousin Silas

I think it was the original "Ballard Landscapes" on Shaun Blezard's seminal Earth Monkey Productions imprint that introduced me to the rabbit hole that is Cousin Silas' music. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since those days and my relationship with our Cousin Dave has flourished and developed in so many ways that I could never have foreseen. In short, I am proud to call him a friend and know, with absolute certainty, that weareallghosts would not be what it is without his input. In fact, it probably would not exist considering it was our favourite Yorkshireman who inspired me to make the move. Yes, it's his fault!

I loved his Ballard Landscapes, back in the day, because I hadn't heard anything quite like them ... whilst I was familiar with Tangerine Dream and considered "Rubycon" as one of my favourite albums, this was different: it had atmosphere and space and a sense of place; it was music I could think to, dream to; it didn't interfere if I didn't want it to, and in a time before I became familiar with Brian Eno's music, it was truly ambient music;

It is with this in mind that I welcome the seventh instalment of Silas' Ballard Landscapes series, atmospheric music inspired by the writing of J. G. Ballard.

It is to my shame that I don't know enough of Ballard's writing but his work IS on my list if it does inspire his readers in such ways. I have certainly been inspired by Silas' Landscapes and am so very grateful that he agreed to release this album on waag.

As before, my thanks goes to the wonderful waag community ... for their generous support.

A 320kbps version of this release will be available, for free, over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

Thomas

https://archive.org/details/waag_rel129

Presenting ... The Emporium Project 1point5 (waag_rel128) by Cousin Silas & Friends

The Emporium Project 1.5 (waag_rel125) is the last of five albums from Cousin Silas and his Friends, and brings to an end this initial collection of collaborations.

It is a fitting end to an exceptional series and, in many ways, Cousin Silas has left the best to last with a cheeky 59 minute longform piece from the three amigos: Silas, Lyons & Jones; positioned almost nonchalantly in the middle of this set. Tracks in partnership with Jaime Munárriz and Øystein Jørgensen stand out too ... albeit it really is difficult to call out favourites from these 13 tracks. Kudos, however, must be given to Anthony Donovan whose collaboration completes this mammoth set with such a notable atmosphere. I'm sad to come to the end of the first Emporium Project but, with 64 tracks to consume over the 5 volumes, I'm not too disappointed.

We continue to use this series as an opportunity to give a little back to our wider community. All monies raised from the sale of this album will be donated to Hospice UK. I am both fortunate and grateful to work for an employer who actively matches all donations made ... so every purchase will be doubled for the benefit of a very worthy cause.

I really do hope you will enjoy this album as much as I have.

- Thomas

**Please Note:** due to the fundraising aspect of this album, it will not be added to our collection over at archive.org.

Presenting ... The Emporium Project 1.4 (waag_rel127) by Cousin Silas & Friends

The Emporium Project 1.4 (waag_rel127) is the fourth of five albums from Cousin Silas and his Friends, and features another smorgasbord of amazing sounds.

From the opener, in collaboration with Mixtape Monk, through to the last track, in partnership with Scott Lawlor, 1point4 is a real tour de force that eloquently demonstrates the full extent of Cousin Silas' musical scope, which is as broad as this recording is international.

We continue to use this series as an opportunity to give a little back to our wider community. All monies raised from the sale of this album will be donated to Hospice UK. I am both fortunate and grateful to work for an employer who actively matches all donations made ... so every purchase will be doubled for the benefit of a very worthy cause.

I really do hope you will enjoy this album as much as I have.

- Thomas

**Please Note:** due to the fundraising aspect of this album, it will not be added to our collection over at archive.org.

Presenting ... The Emporium Project - 1point3 (waag_rel126) by Cousin Silas & Friends

The Emporium Project 1.3 (waag_rel126) is the third of five albums from Cousin Silas and his Friends, and features another eclectic selection of sounds, opening as it does with a 25 minute longform track entitled "Pas de la Dame Sauvage (Strone Part Three)" from Cousin Silas & Jeff Appleton that is wonderfully atmospheric and sets the scene for the remainder of the album. From there we move to something more melodic, "Mirror Family" by Cousin Silas & Darren Douglas Danahy, that I find captivating and strangely reminiscent of John Carpenter's soundtracks.

As before, I could list all the tracks, for they all mean something to me, but I would be here all day. We go from longform and experimental sounds in all their various guises to Berlin School with OneAmbient4; we have noisy and engaging and resolutely unique sounds ... suffice to say this is another belter of a compilation.

We continue to use this series as an opportunity to give a little back to our wider community. All monies raised from the sale of this album will be donated to Hospice UK. I am both fortunate and grateful to work for an employer who actively matches all donations made ... so every purchase will be doubled for the benefit of a very worthy cause.

I really do hope you will enjoy this album as much as I have.

- Thomas

**Please Note:** due to the fundraising aspect of this album, it will not be added to our collection over at archive.org.

Presenting ... Vista 2 (waag_rel125) by Eraser Ears

Eraser Ears are on a roll and I am proud to present their latest album, "Vista 2 (waag_rel125)".

"Vista 2" was recorded live at the Hybrid Festival, 21st September 2018; and features their wonderfully improvised, sonically powerful soundscapes that, in some way, remind me of
Tangerine Dream and REDSHIFT.

As I wished before, for their first outing on WAAG, I wish again: to have been there ... at Vista ... soaking up the sounds as they were presented in real time. Who knows, it may happen? But in the meantime, please enjoy parts "Uno" and "Dos".

As before, my thanks goes to the wonderful waag community ... for their generous support.

A 320kbps version of this release is available, for free, over on Archive with a lossless version available on Bandcamp for ‘pay what you want’.

---

Recorded live at the Hybrid Festival, 21st September 2018

Eraser Ears / Orejas Borradoras

Tino Varela: Orbitador, processed micro-percussion.
Richi F. Martin: Maschine, Volca FM.
David Llorente: VCV Rack.
Miguel Oliveros: PureData, Moog DFAM, KaossPad.
Jaime Munárriz: NihilÌfono, Open Tape Scratch, Microbrute, effects.

Eraser Ears is a project of LiSD/Codelab, the image and sound experimental laboratory directed by Jaime Munárriz, based at the Fine Arts faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

Artwork by Jaime Munárriz

Logistics by Thomas Mathie for weareallghosts.co.uk

---

https://archive.org/details/waag_rel125

---



---