An independent tape label specialising in Ambient, Drone, and Experimental Music
Continuing the game of catch up for Maker features, #43 brings the conversation to Heavy Cloud following the release of ‘How to Find My Way Home’ (RTR058). Under the name Heavy Cloud, Cornwall-based Ryan Hooper creates music inspired by memory and landscapes, often in tandem with collage-based artworks and textual explorations. Their debut album was released by James A. McDermid's Mailbox label … Continue reading The Maker #43 – Heavy Cloud
A very delayed return to posting blog features with artists releasing their wonderful music on RTR The Maker #42 with Yggdrasil. Based in Essex, south east of England, Yggdrasil is the solo project of Paul Blackburn. Combining eurorack, synths, bit-crushed keys, and field recordings, Yggdrasil focuses on representation of the relationship - and often conflict … Continue reading The Maker #42 – Yggdrasil
Things have been quiet for RTR as of late. Releasing three tapes every quarter leaves a lengthy pause with once regular features like The Maker series also dropping off. The latest instalment in this series brings the conversation to Demetrio Cecchitelli, a multi-instrumentalist and sound artist from Rimini, Italy. Demetrio's 'The Wolf's Lair' (RTR057) was … Continue reading The Maker #41 – Demetrio Cecchitelli
Joining us for the 40th instalment of The Maker, Julien Demoulin enters the conversation ahead of Monday's release day. Based in Belgium, Julien worked alongside Frédéric Dufourd to create 'Entre Chien et Loup' (RTR051); an album collecting seven tracks of layered synths, fields recordings, fragmented instrumentals, and some amazing detail across the far reaches of … Continue reading The Maker #40 – Julien Demoulin
The latest instalment of The Maker brings the conversation to Frédéric Dufourd. Based in Lausanne, Switzerland, Frédéric has been one half of the duo Donna since 1995, exploring lo-fi and experimental approaches to music making centred around a death theme. Frédéric joins Julien Demoulin to create 'Entre Chein et Loup' (RTR051), an album collecting layered … Continue reading The Maker #39 – Frédéric Dufourd
The latest instalment of The Maker brings the conversation to Bruno Pereira, an ambient artist from Lisbon, Portugal, creating and releasing music under name Tropic Noir. Before finding a home in ambient music, Bruno released music as over8, with a greater focus on beat-orientated electronic music. As Tropic Noir, Bruno has released via Fungo Label … Continue reading The Maker #38 – Tropic Noir
The first instalment of 2022 and the first in quite some time brings the conversation to Iván Muela, the multi-instrumentalist, sound artist and composer based in London. Iván's most recent album, 'Monologues' (RTR049) opened the new year for the label, featuring five tracks of generative composition, layered synths, tape loops, and effects pedal processing. Iván … Continue reading The Maker #37 – Iván Muela
neve's latest album, 'Isadora' (RTR045), was released earlier this week. Originally the first album planned 2022, the album was brought forward due to a scheduling change. There is a sense of serendipity that came with this shift in time, as the album compliments the slowly shifting seasons; gradual changes, chance encounters, and melancholy combine with … Continue reading The Maker #36 – neve
The latest instalment of The Maker comes from Argentinian musician, composer and travel enthusiast, Francisco Sonur. Currently based in Austrlia, Fran’s approach to music making is raw and honest, drawing from a wide range of influences that include family life, growth, hope and nostalgia. Fran’s most recent album, ‘Kind of Happiness’, was released on RTR earlier this … Continue reading The Maker #35 – Francisco Sonur
For the final instalment of The Maker before tomorrow's release day, Alexander Caminada joins the conversation. Alexander is a sound artist, videographer and photographer based in Stroud, and has been recording and releasing music under the project Phonsonic since 2016. Alexander is also one third of Konstruct,; alongside fellow Stroud-based musicians Andrew Heath and Simon … Continue reading The Maker #34 – Phonsonic
For this latest instalment of The Maker, Andrew Heath joins the conversation. Andrew has been featured in a number of interviews here: firstly, answering questions for The Maker #13 around the time of his album with Anne Chris Bakker was released on RTR in 2019; secondly, taking part in the Music in a time of … Continue reading The Maker #33 – Andrew Heath
This isn't the first time Stroud-based cellist and composer Simon McCorry has taken part in an interview feature for RTR. Back in 2020, Simon talked about the impact of the pandemic and creating optimism through must in 'Music in a time of Global Crisis #15', available to read here. Next week sees the release of … Continue reading The Maker #32 – Simon McCorry
Joining us for the latest instalment of The Maker feature is Anton Bogdanov. Anton has been recording, performing, and releasing music under the project name Pool Of Light since 2017, combining guitar, analogue synths, voice, and extended playing techniques to create lengthy and evolving dronescapes. Anton's latest offering under the Pool Of Light project, 'Modern … Continue reading The Maker #31 – Pool Of Light
Following a run of double album releases, RTR returns to one album each month. The first album to be released on its own comes from Oleksandr Demianenko. 'Indian memories and captured radio waves' (RTR039) from the Ukraine-born and Tbilisi, Georgia-based multimedia artist arrives tomorrow (Monday, 29th). Oleksandr's 'sound' varies in instrumentation and theme from one … Continue reading The Maker #30 – Oleksandr Demianenko
For this instalment of The Maker, Adelaide-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Lang joins the conversation. Andrew Lang will be familiar to most regular readers, having recently released his second album, 'Momentary Senses', on RTR at the beginning of December. Prior to appearing on RTR, Andrew's debut album, 'Burnt Shades', was released via Harry Towell's Whitelabrecs … Continue reading The Maker #29 – Andrew Lang
Under the project name of SELVEDGE, Kansas-based Chance Dibben released the album 'BLOOM IN RUST' via RTR in October. The album appeared in Bandcamp's Experimental Music monthly rundown for November and received an honourable mention in the Post Ambient Lux best ambient of 2020 list. Chance's work as SELVEDGE explores the darker tones of ambient … Continue reading The Maker #28 – SELVEDGE
Back in 2017, The Green Kingdom was one of the first artists to get on-board with RTR before the label was officially launched. Appearing on the first RTR sampler in January 2018 and releasing the album ‘Ephemera’ (RTR010) in that year, The Green Kingdom has been a part of RTR from the very beginning. The Green Kingdom is the solo project … Continue reading The Maker #27 – The Green Kingdom
For this instalment of The Maker, experimental musician and sound artist Stuart Bowditch joins the conversation. Stuart will be familiar to readers, having recently released his album, ‘Song’s for Wyatting’ (RTR028) on Rusted Tone Recordings in August. Stuart has released via labels such as Hibernate Recordings, Fractal Meat Cuts, and Rednetic Recordings. In addition, Stuart … Continue reading The Maker #26 – Stuart Bowditch
In this instalment of The Maker, Fernando Perales joins the conversation. The Buenos Aires-based musician has been creating and releasing music under the name of Mi Cosa de Resistance since 2017, having released music on labels including Whitelabrecs, Elm Records, Left Tapes, Aural Tethers and Nebula Science. Mi Cosa de Resistance will be joining RTR … Continue reading The Maker #25 – Mi Cosa de Resistance
Hymns57 is the recording and performance project of Ontario-based musician Steven De Taeye. Primarily focusing on electric guitar and a vast array of effects pedals to create his music, Steve also experiments with field recording and found sound from a variety of sources. The music of Hymns57 emerges from a very physical and tangible approach incorporating … Continue reading The Maker #24 – Hymns57
Joining theconversation for this instalment of The Makeris Bristol-based musicians, sound artist and label co-runner of Liquid Library, Owen Chambers. Having steadily released music under the name of Tremolo Ghosts since 2013, Owen’s more recent project,Carnivorous Plants, has delivered more frequent releases as well as covering a wider range of instruments and found sound sources. … Continue reading The Maker #23 – Carnivorous Plants
Now that the label is back up and running with physical releases again, it's time to draw the blog attention back towards the regular Maker and Listener features. Jeff Brown's album, 'Forgive the Trespass' (RTR025), was the first album to restart the label since the last tape release out way back in December 2020, coming … Continue reading The Maker #22 – Jeff Brown
This latest installment of Music in a time of Global Crisis brings the conversation to husband and wife duo, Winterwood. Zac and Holly Winterwood create the perfect blend of ambient soundscapes, expansive drones, and atmospheric folk music. Drawing on a diverse background of classical violin, opera, and sound experimentation, the duo from New Zealand have been … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #16 – Winterwood
As the UK attempts a return to normality, the Music in a time of Global Crisis will be coming to an end. Contributing to one of the final features, Stroud-based cellist and sound artist Simon McCorry weighs in on the conversation. Simon’s work explores a wide variety of sounds, influences, and multi-instrumental approaches, with his … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #15 – Simon McCorry
Hanoi-based musician and sound artist Nhung Nguyen joins the conversation on music making in a time of global crisis. Readers will be familiar with Nhung's work, not only appearing on RTR over the years as both Sound Awakener and (as one half of) Oblivia (with Gallery Six), but with an impressive discography spanning many independent … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #14 – Sound Awakener
James A. McDermid joins the conversation in the 13th instalment of Music in a time of Global Crisis. James is a musician creating within the realms of ambient, drone, electronic, and neo-classical, with a discography including Shimmering Mood Records, Cathedral Transmissions, Whitelabrecs, La Petite Chambre Records, and many more. James launched his own label, Mailbox in early 2020, the first release being … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #13 – James A. McDermid
Andrew Heath joins the conversation for this instalment of Music in a time of Global Crisis. Based in Stroud, UK, Andrew specializes in quiet, lower-case music using a combination of piano, synthesizers, guitar, and found sound. First appearing on RTR as part of the Sampler Vol. 2 with an excerpt from a collaboration with Anne Chris … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #12 – Andrew Heath
This latest instalment of Music in a time of Global Crisis brings the conversation to Neil Stringfellow. Based in Norfolk, UK, Neil is a sound artist and musician operating under the name of Audio Obscura, exploring a wide range of styles, including electro-acoustic, musique concrète, IDM, and field recordings. In addition to recently appearing on … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #11 – Neil Stringfellow – Audio Obscura
This instalment of Music in a time of Global crisis brings the conversation to Matt Atkins. In addition to appearing on RTR in 2019 with the album ‘A Garden of Solitude’, Matt will be familiar to readers through his significant contributions to experimental music. Matt runs the imprint Minimal Resource Manipulation, collecting his own releases as well … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #10 – Matt Atkins
For this instalment of Music in a time of Global Crisis, the conversation is brought to Mark Hjorthoy. Mark is a musician, producer, radio host and sound designer from Vancouver, BC, Canada, creating music across a broad range of styles including electronic, IDM, electroacoustic and drone. Mark’s solo projects include the up-tempo Little Robot Hands, … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #9 – Mark Hjorthoy
RTR regulars will be familiar with Tiago de Almeida from his appearance in one of The Listener features last year. In addition to creating and performing ambient and drone music under his own name, Tiago also runs the Berlin-based tape label Inner Space Travels, launched in early 2019. IST has released music from the likes of Luis Mielich, The Last Ambient Hero, … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #8 – Tiago de Almeida – Inner Space Travels
Nhung Nguyen joins us for this latest instalment of The Maker feature. Nhung has been performing and releasing music under the name of Sound Awakener since 2011. The Hanoi-based artist appeared first on RTR for the Casssette Store Day 2018 special split release, 'Two Haunted Pianos', alongside Tyson Swindell, combining delicate piano with processed field … Continue reading The Maker #21 – Sound Awakener
Next up for Music in a time of Global Crisis is Matt Finney. Matt is a vocalist and lyricist with an impressive discography, adding spoken word and storytelling to ambient and experimental music. Collaborations with Tehran-based Siavash Amini, Heinali, and Eye Spirit have been released on labels such as Opal Tapes and Umor Rex. As … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #7 – Matt Finney
Mi Cosa de Resistance is the post-ambient project of Buenos Aires-based musician, Fernando Perales. The project began in 2016, with Fernando first appeared with the EP ‘Hydrophicility’ in 2017, also released from Le Obscure Cafeteria. Fernando has gone on to see releases on labels such as Elm Records, Left Tapes, Aural Teathers, Nebula Science, and … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #6 – Mi Cosa de Resistance
Before reading his feature, you’re highly likely to have already enjoyed the sounds of Zach Frizzell. Creating ambient and drone music under the name of Zakè and launching the label Past Inside the Present in late 2018 alongside Isaac Helsen, Zach is incredibly busy within the contemporary ambient landscape. Healing Sound Propagandist, a digital-only sublabel … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #5 – Zakè
The 20th maker feature brings Andrew Cooke to the conversation. I met Andrew back in 2017 when A Home For Ghosts were performing together for the first time as part of the Bristol Hum Festival. In addition to performing, Andrew also curated the event alongside Neil Carter. Andrew first appeared on RTR under his SALTINGS … Continue reading The Maker #20 – SALTINGS
This next instalment of Music in a time of Global Crisis brings the conversation to Jeff Brown. The Seattle-based musician creates long-form ambient and drone soundscapes, combining guitar with drifting effects and lo-fi textures. Jeff has contributed to a number of RTR compilations and is set to release an album, 'Forgive the Trespass' (RTR027), on … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #4 – Jeff Brown
SELEVDGE is the sonic outlet of Lawrence, Kansas-based musicians Chance Dibben. Combining elements of dark ambient, drone, electronics and noise, Chance contributes to the third instalment of Music in a time of Global Crisis. Like many of the names appearing as part of this series over the next few weeks, Chance was lined up to … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #3 – SELVEDGE
This may only be the second instalment of the series, but the response so far has been very positive. I can't stress enough the severity of the situation, the importance of taking social distancing seriously, and the sincere gratitude we owe to the front-line workers who are putting themselves at risk for our health and … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #2 – Anne Sulikowski
In an effort to continue with regular content while the 2020 RTR release schedule is on hold, The Maker interview series follows up with artists who have appeared on the label over the past two years. In to releasing the album 'Weta & Weta' on RTR back in November 2018, Tampere-based musician and sound artist, … Continue reading The Maker #19 – Net
The idea behind this ongoing feature is simple: to open up a conversation amongst musicians operating within ambient, drone, and experimental styles about the current global crisis in relation to Covid-19. As a majority of us are now in a state of lockdown, I believe that music making and listening is as important as ever, … Continue reading Music in a time of Global Crisis #1 – Good Weather for an Airstrike
RTR is returning after a short break at the end of this month. As things start moving again, now feels like a good opportunity to reflect on the label's progress by looking back at some of the artists who have not been featured in The Maker series so far. The first to be featured is … Continue reading The Maker #18 – Tyson Swindell
Ahead of the final release for 2019 on RTR, 'Analog Spaces', Nick Dawson drops by to round the year off for the 17th Maker feature. Under the name of Eumig, Nick creates deeply evolving drones and synthesised soundscapes, using analogue synths and processing equipment. He's been a long-time friend of RTR and there couldn't be … Continue reading The Maker #17 – Eumig
With his latest album 'No Mind' releasing tomorrow, Nick Turner returns to the RTR blog for the 16th instalment of The Maker. The Chicago-based experimental musician previously appeared on these pages for The Listener #4 back in April; this feature comes at the end of a very busy year for Nick. Under the name of … Continue reading The Maker #16 – Tyresta
The fifteenth instalment of The Maker feature follows the release of 'A Garden of Solitude' (RTR022) by London-based improviser and experimentalist, Matt Atkins. Matt is a busy creative with a consistent output across multiple labels, including TQ N-aut, Falt, his own output, Minimal Resource Manipulation, and many others. Matt is also an accomplished and regular … Continue reading The Maker #15 – Matt Atkins
Following on from #13 with Andrew Heath, this latest instalment of The Maker features Groningen-based Anne Chris Bakker. Chris is someone I've been linked with for many years, but it wasn't until he was performing alongside Andrew Heath at the first RTR live event that we had the opportunity to meet in person. Interestingly, both … Continue reading The Maker #14 – Anne Chris Bakker
September and October so far have been very busy for label. The first RTR event took place at IKLECTIK in London on Sunday October 6th, featuring the Andrew Heath & Anne Chris Bakker, Matt Atkins, Andrew Sherwell, and Kevin Buckland. The event was planned to support the release of 'a gift for the Ephemerist' by … Continue reading The Maker #13 – Andrew Heath
RTR listeners may be familiar with Julien Demoulin; the Brussels-based electronic and experimental musician has previously appeared on the RTR Sampler Vol. 2 that kickstarted 2019 for the label. Julien self-released two brand new albums on tape earlier this month: 'Revealed' under his own name, and 'Aphantasia' under his new Pandorama project. 'Revealed' presents fourteen … Continue reading The Listener #8 – Julien Demoulin
The 12th instalment of 'The Maker' series brings Brian Barth into conversation. Under the name of his ambient project, andarctica, Brian's latest album 'buried with the bells' (RTR020) came out on Monday. Four long-form mediations on closure created with lengthy manipulated bell passages a gradually evolving loops. The Amsterdam-based musician talks about Steve Reich's 'Music … Continue reading The Maker #12 – Brian Barth
This instalment of The Listener features Dominic Razlaff. The Braunschweig-based musician has previously released works on Elm Records, Singing Birds, Kaarbanik Sound, and stuk Label under the name of DR. Now joining RTR with his latest album, 'Melancholie' (RTR019), Dominic explore low-fidelity through degraded audio and manipulated field recordings. Dominic joins us to talk about … Continue reading The Maker #11 – Dominic Razlaff
Rusted Tone Recordings 