Music Genre

Paul Cousins Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Ambient Features, Ambient Interviews, Features, Interviews, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , |

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Nagamag:
Which are the genres that describe your music style better?

Paul Cousins:
Ambient, Tape, Experimental


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Paul Cousins:
I'm a music producer and composer based in London. I create ambient and experimental music using reel-to-reel, tape loops, analog synthesizers and field recordings. My interest lies in the exploration of new sounds and creating soundtracks for emotions. Recently I've also been producing and collaborating with other artists, and working with brands to create sound for film.


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Paul Cousins:
After singing & playing bass in bands for a number of years I started to listen to a lot more instrumental music. I followed a trail of artists from Bowie to Eno to Tangerine Dream, which lead me to creating ambient music of my own. Once I got a few synths and started exploring sounds it became very freeing and I kind of fell in love with making music all over again.


Nagamag:
Do you have any upcoming releases?

Paul Cousins:
Yes, I have a live EP and an album planned for later on this year. It took a while to find the right direction to create an album, but once I found the right sonic palette it all fell into place. I'm looking forward to getting more music out there and sharing my explorations.


Nagamag:
Many artists listen to genres that they are not producing music for. Which track is your favorite that is NOT similar to yours?

Paul Cousins:
Sebastien Tellier "La ritournelle"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which is the track from a similar artist you admire?

Paul Cousins:
Jon Hassell "Last Night The Moon Came"

Discover & Listen to Paul Cousins

Paul Cousins on Spotify

Paul Cousins' Signature Track

Paul Cousins on Social Media

Paul Cousins' Website

The Balmer Series – Reunion (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Electronica, The Latest|Tags: , , , |

“Imagine a small pond with rays of sunlight reflecting on the crystal clear water. Then make a paper boat and let it travel across the peaceful current. This is the exact view that such music can create and the feelings from its listening could be indescribable.”

-Nagamag.com

The Balmer Series was born on a remote island in a private universe where a woman whose earth name is "Elisabeth Balmer" could only exist as an orb of light with the ability to perceive all creative possibilities. There she reunited with a faceless, fantastical humanoid who represented all she loved about being an orb of light: a ceaseless ability to explore her vast innermost realms and soar to the highest peaks, the same places where dreams are made. Upon return to her mortal body she was able to reproduce the scenes from which she came through sound, and express her love for the faceless humanoid who infinitely supports her continued journey through the cosmos.

Woulds – Even the Trees Will Sing (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Neoclassical, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , , |

“A slow building, multi-layered feast of relaxing, ambient vibes perfect for relaxation or meditation. Close your eyes and allow your imagination take you on a journey to a village somewhere in your mind, India perhaps? As the mist rises with the dawn, through the trees you can see the sun rise and hear the blacksmith already hard at work in the distance. ”

-Nagamag.com

https://www.instagram.com/wouldsmusic

Dean Evenson, Dudley Evenson – Water Lily Nymphs (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Neoclassical, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , , , |

“A calming, gentle combination of flute & harp overlaid onto a palette of nature sounds. Perfect for meditation, study, or quiet contemplation. Get yourself comfortable, or into your favourite Yoga position & allow the relaxing waves of mellow ambience wash over you. ”

-Nagamag.com

This is the second single release from the upcoming album Monet's Garden by producer and flautist Dean Evenson. This single is quintessential Dean Evenson with nature sounds, flute and harp. This track is perfect for your ambient meditation, yoga, and relaxation playlists.
https://www.instagram.com/dean.evenson/

Serge Bulat, Dai Sekiguchi – Possible Plausible Reversible (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Electronica, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , , |

“Minimalistic harmony, proportionate to the pulse of the time. A world in which an otherworldly landscape and a detached everyday life wander. It attracts your attention and grants the opportunity to embrace the immensity.”

“Минималистичная гармония, соразмерная с пульсом времени. Мир, в котором блуждает потусторонний ландшафт и отрешённая обыденность. Приковывает к себе ваше внимание и дарует возможность объять необъятное.”

-Nagamag.com

The single 'Possible Plausible Reversible' (feat. Dai Sekiguchi) from the upcoming album 'Similarities Between Fish And A Chair'

https://sergebulat.com/read

Serge Bulat announces the new album 'Similarities Between Fish And A Chair'.

Moldovan-American artist Serge Bulat returns with a new record, international collaborations, and a psychological audiovisual installation.

'Similarities Between Fish And A Chair' follows the 2020 release 'Wurmenai', the genre-bending concept album with the video game companion 'Wurroom'.

The new album is a direct continuation to 'Wurmenai', a multi-cultural sonic experience featuring notable collaborators from Katie Buckley, Nino Errera, Pavel Vit, to Dai Seikiguchi, OYME, and Hirokazu Ishida. The artists from ten countries in total have participated in the project.

'Similarities Between Fish And A Chair', takes Bulat's ambition further into experimentation, collaborations, and format challenging; the artist fuses genres, cultures, and media to achieve an eclectic and non-conformist body of work.

One of such experiments is the project 'Inkblot': Bulat's take on the standard psychological test expanded by an addition of sense - hearing. 'Inkblot' has been presented at selected festivals around the world and aimed to connect previous and upcoming albums.

According to Bulat, "...the new work deals with identity, normality, and personality; it questions reality and perception as well as imagines future".

The lead single 'Sanity Matra' features Icelandic resident, performing artist Katie Buckley with which Bulat collaborated remotely during the lockdown.

Five years in making, the project presents instrumentalists from around the world, lyrics in Romanian, Japanese, English, and indigenous Erzya, field recording taken in four countries, sound design, and NASA samples.

Serge Bulat, a multi-disciplinary artist, born in the Moldovan-Ukrainian border town under the USSR, immigrated to the USA in 2009, to pursue a career in music. Known in the electronic and avant-garde music circles for the IMA-winning LP 'Queuelbum'; the audio/visual installations 'Third World Walker'; and the experimental video game 'Wurroom'. Billed as an album in the video game format, 'Wurroom' has been exclusively designed to interact with sound. Developed in tandem with Russia's Michael Rfdshir, the game presents an immersive experience of a surreal utopia, taking the form of an exploration quest.

'Similarities Between Fish And A Chair' will be released on April 30th, 2021.

Diane Arkenstone – Safe in the Angel’s Wing (Video)

Categories: Neoclassical, The Latest, Video|Tags: , , , , , |

“A beautiful, relaxing piece of music to help you to meditate, heal or simply chill out. Perfect for background music to study to, or indeed to turn up the volume & become immersed in the virtuosity of the performance. A soft piano intro leading into gentle orchestration. Diane is without doubt an accomplished musician & this track is testimony to that.”

-Nagamag.com

Iconic songwriter, producer and business owner, Diane Arkenstone’s new instrumental single “Safe in the Angel’s Wing.” For three decades Arkenstone has been a pioneering multi-instrumentalist in the New Age genre having released a number of hugely popular albums on her own record label, Neo Pacifica since the early 90’s. She’s best known for her soulfully meditative and heartfelt instrumental recordings that have garnered millions of streams on platforms such as Amazon Music. The new album and music releasing this year continue this focus on instrumental recordings, with this new music meant to help people heal and relax.

For every project Arkenstone sets her mind to, there’s a truly sincere inspiration and with The Healing Heart, it’s a document of her journey as a heart surgery patient having endured operation after operation. Through it all she’s kept her focus on maintaining an optimistic outlook living her life based on the wellness principles she’s practiced her entire life, and that are truly reflected in her music. The term New Age is almost obsolete now, and Diane prefers to just follow her sincere artistic impulses which inevitably are centered on nurturing a sense of health and well-being.

Listen and watch the video to her new single “Safe In The Angel’s Wing” here: https://youtu.be/mP272mu57h0

The gorgeously impressionistic video is by Haley Monson—a frequent collaborator.

Says Arkenstone: “‘Safe in the Angel’s Wing’ was written after recovery from a 3rd pacemaker implant that did not go well. Minutes after the pacemaker was in, I went into cardiac arrest when one of the ventricles in the heart was not getting paced. The doctors rushed me back into the OR for more surgery, and although I was unconscious, I felt I was awake and being protected in an Angel’s Wing during the procedure. The image has stayed with me and is the inspiration for this song.”

Says Monson about the inspiration for the video: “Diane’s song led me to a thoughtful and meditative space, something that evoked the play of childhood and the mystery of the forest. By exploring pieces of the outdoors under the microscope, I was able to create a guided exploration into a world highlighted with ethereal charcoal accents. I collected moss, mushrooms, bark, stones, gems, acorns, etc. from a park I frequented in my childhood youth. I hope to create a tiny world of play and magic.

Diane’s song led me to a thoughtful and meditative space, something that evoked the play of childhood and the mystery of the forest. By exploring pieces of the outdoors under the microscope, I was able to create a guided exploration into a world highlighted with ethereal charcoal accents. I collected moss, mushrooms, bark, stones, gems, acorns, etc. from a park I frequented in my childhood youth. I hope to create a tiny world of play and magic.”

ABOUT DIANE ARKENSTONE

For well over 20 years, musician Diane Arkenstone has gained worldwide acclaim with her extensive repertoire of distinctive instrumental recordings which garnered much success within the ambient, health and wellness circles. Arkenstone has incredible success with Neo Pacifica, the independent label she launched in the late 90’s. Yet at heart, the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist–who recalls penning her first song at age three, four years before she first picked up an acoustic guitar—has always been a soulful storyteller, passionate and artful at weaving emotions through a perfect blend of graceful melodies and poetic words.

Arkenstone’s ongoing flow of songwriting energy also stems in part from a wealth of unique life experiences, including everything from the joys and heartbreaks of love to a lifetime of hardship and survival due to various medical ailments related to the complete AV block in her heart. Having recently had open heart surgery and the installation of her sixth pacemaker, and enduring 34 surgeries for heart, lung and kidneys starting in her early childhood, she is very much in tune with the sacredness of life; in 2004, she was an official spokesperson for the American Heart Association. One of the reasons Arkenstone took up guitar as a child was the fact that she could hold it close to her chest and feel the healing vibration of the strings and the wood against her body. While she trained as an opera singer and started singing in local clubs around Central California when she was 16, she ultimately chose modern instrumentals as a musical pathway because it was so “beautiful and healing for me.”

Arkenstone’s success in that genre and the related realms of Celtic, global and Native American music is unparalleled, both as a recording artist and label/owner entrepreneur. Having seen the difficulties her then-husband and frequent musical partner David Arkenstone was having being treated and compensated fairly by the labels he had signed with, Diane—without any formal business training—launched Neo Pacifica Recordings and her publishing company Mulamu Music, with the simple goal of releasing their own music.

She has never let the lines of genre stop her from exploring the depths of music and where it can take her.

For more information, visit:

www.dianearkenstone.com
https://twitter.com/dianearkenstone
https://www.facebook.com/diane.arkenstone
https://www.instagram.com/diane.arkenstone/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7tACdDgcOW9HHM1Z4T3L29?autoplay=true
https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCpJtVd687Tjo-07uAKwxn4w

Chafa Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , , , |

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Nagamag:
Which are the genres that describe your music style better?

Chafa:
Piano-led, cinematic, & ambient contemporary classical music.


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Chafa:
I began teaching myself piano when I was twelve years old, but I always loved music. Growing up in the Bay Area (California), I was introduced to several different cultures and styles of music.
It wasn't long before I felt the need to express my own thoughts and feelings through art, and piano was the instrument I felt the most connected to.

Before the pandemic, I would perform locally, but after spending time recording and releasing my music during this last year, I have my eyes set on creating music for film and potentially collaborating with other composers and orchestras.


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Chafa:
Seeing performers on the street as a kid really inspired me. Watching their music move people to dance, smile, laugh, or cry was inspiring. I wouldn't learn an instrument for several more years, but my love for music continued to grow until I felt the urge one day to sit down and play some of the songs I loved so much.


Nagamag:
Many artists listen to genres that they are not producing music for. Which track is your favorite that is NOT similar to yours?

Chafa:
Beirut "Elephant Gun"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which is the track from a similar artist you admire?

Chafa:
Max Richter "Written on the Sky"

Discover & Listen to Chafa

Chafa on Spotify

Chafa's Signature Track

Chafa on Social Media

Chafa's Website

Steven Vrancken – Existence – Solo Piano (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Neoclassical, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , |

“Lonely solo piano in -Existence- reveals something airy and vulnerable. Lively, intimate and noble nature. Ambient tone and soundscape intoxicated by the beauty that barely touches the strings. Sense of silence and appeasement.”

“Одинокое соло пиано в -Existence- нечто воздушное и такое ранимое. Живое, интимное и благородное естество. Опьянённая своей красотой едва касается струн. Эмбиентные тона и звуковой ландшафт. Идиллия. Тишина. Умиротворение.”

-Nagamag.com

Artist shared few words with us behind his inspiration:

"Yup, all the craziness out there did also affect me in several ways. That's why I was a bit out of the loop with my regular music releases. But hey, I'm back :-) Here's a slower, solo piano version with a subtle ambient touch, similar to my editorial 'The Snails Teachings II'. I love to experiment with various melody versions - exploring moods. Peaceful, uplifting nothingness are the words that pop up in my mind for this one." Steven Vrancken

https://www.instagram.com/stevenvranckenartist/

Young Collective – Begin Again (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Electronica, The Latest|Tags: , , , |

“ ‘Begin Again’ is the first track on the new album ‘Rest Repeat’ by ‘Young Collective’. A Native of Kansas City, Zane Callister, an experienced guitarist, guitarist, In response to the relentless pace of modern life. Zane has created a peaceful, relaxing, track to help the listener release the tension of the day & simply relax. Space Ambient, drone like in nature, ‘Begin Again’ will wash over you & help you to chill.”

-Nagamag.com

This is the first track on Young Collective's new album, Rest. Repeat, which was written in response to the world's continued state of hurry. Begin Again is a great example of this as it delivers a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere for the listener to sink into, allowing them rest and calmness that is not always prevalent.

https://www.instagram.com/stephenzane/

Young Collective

Kansas City native Zane Callister is no stranger to the music industry. Having toured for years as a guitarist, he now uses his musical prowess to create sonic landscapes both for himself and for others. In his solo project Young Collective, the music welcomes the listener into an ambient, dreamscape realm that is both limitless and ethereal. His music has also been placed alongside brands such as NASA, Nike, Coca-Cola, and Adidas. More recently, he has composed original scores for Vimeo Staff Picked short films, most notably Portrait of a Black Man, as well as having music featured in many Apple and Spotify playlists, including Today's Chill and Viral Top 50.

https://twitter.com/stephenzane

Tortusa, Svein Rikard Mathisen – Gå Nå (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Electronica, The Latest|Tags: , , , , |

“The world around you fades like a watercolor on canvas when you are immersed in -Bre- album. The track -Ga Na- affects the listener's subconscious, hides its own warm sound waves and picks up his looking glass forever.”

“И мир вокруг вас замирает, словно акварель на холсте, когда вы погружаетесь в альбом -Bre-. Трек -Ga Na- воздействует на подсознание слушателя, укрывает его своими тёплыми звуковыми волнами и навсегда забирает в своё зазеркалье. ”

-Nagamag.com

Ambient atmospheric song from my soloalbum out today. My music is downtempo, relaxing, electronic and acoustic. The album features musicians Arve Henriksen, Eivind Aarset, Erland Dahlen, Svein Rikard Mathisen, and more

https://www.facebook.com/tortusamusic/

Tortusa is a Norwegian ambient experimental producer. He frequently performs live in Norway, Germany and England. And has released 3 albums on Jazzland Recordings, one that was nominated for the Norwegian Grammy Award. Website: www.bishop.no

https://www.instagram.com/tortusa_music/

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