An independent tape label specialising in Ambient, Drone, and Experimental Music
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
Following his release on RTR last month, Andrew Sherwell returns to the blog for a maker feature. The London-based experimental musician has been releasing his own unique blend of ambient and drone music, using re-sampled choral performances and field recordings gathered in churches and cathedrals. Since bursting onto the contemporary ambient scene with the album … Continue reading The Maker #10 – Andrew Sherwell
Following on from the recent listener feature with Misophonia label owner, Andy Uzzell, this latest instalment brings Travis Shosa into conversation. Travis runs the Texas-based Under The Counter Tapes; launched in late-2018, the label has released music from indie rock to synth pop, including the likes of Sad Eyed Beatniks, Watergate Sandals, and The Ryne … Continue reading The Listener #7 – Travis Shosa
Andy Uzzell joins us for the latest instalment of The Listener; the man behind London-based tape label, Misophonia Records. The label itself is graciously approaching the six-month mark, kick-starting Pink Midnight's 'R-DA-Epoch', followed by released from D. Hale, SALTINGS, Ade Hodges, and generous double-tape by Kepier Widow (just finished its second rotation on the faithful … Continue reading The Listener #6 – Andy Uzzell
This instalment of The Maker brings us into conversation with Jim Wylde. The Montreal-based explores the realms of ambient, drone, and abstract sound under his own name as well sp3cters; the latter residing within the darker depths of ambient music, approaching minimalism and isolationism. Combining light with dark, Jim has an album coming out on … Continue reading The Maker #9 – Jim Wylde
We've had Alex Ruder lined up for a listener feature since before the website was launched. Alex is a Seattle native currently stationed at KEXP where he hosts the wonderful 'Pacific Notions' radio show; the early morning showcase of the latest contemporary ambient and modern classical music. In addition to part of a radio station … Continue reading The Listener #5 – Alex Ruder
In this instalment of 'The Maker', we speak to ambient musician and label owner, James Osland. James crafts gentle ambient music with an emphasis on field recordings, using music creation as a sonic journal influenced by time and place. As an artist, James has released his own music on Whitelabrecs, Shimmering Moods Records, and Flaming … Continue reading The Maker #8 – James Osland
This instalment of 'The Maker' features Wil Bolton, the London-based experimental musician whose latest album 'April Spiral' was released on RTR earlier this month. Wil is a veteran within the experimental music scene, having released music under his own name on labels such as Hibernate Recordings, Time Released Sound, Dauw, Fluid Audio, and many more … Continue reading The Maker #7 – Wil Bolton
For this instalment of 'The Listener', we chat to Nicholas Turner about Post-Rock, discovering new music, and the importance of physical formats. Nick is a multi-instrumentalist from Chicago, Illinois, with recent cassette releases on Neologist Productions, Endangered Species Tapes, and Obsolete Staircase under the name of Tyresta. Our regular listeners will have heard the sounds … Continue reading The Listener #4 – Nicholas Turner
Possibly our longest 'The Maker' instalment for a while (at least to date, as AHFG is a duo!), brings Bristol-by-Farnham-based two piece, A Home For Ghosts, into conversation with RTR. Mutual friends for years through a similar taste in ambient and experimental music, the duo of Neil Carter (Carter) and James Edward Armstrong (Slow Clinic) … Continue reading The Maker #6 – A Home For Ghosts
This instalment of The Maker presents silentwave: the ambient and minimalist solo project of Yoshinori Noguchi from Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan. Yoshinori has been on the RTR radar since the beginning, and we're thrilled to be releasing his latest album, 'The Scenery That Was Forgotten' (RTR015). Here's an interesting bit of RTR trivia: Yoshinori was the … Continue reading The Maker #5 – silentwave
Our third instalment of 'The Listener' features Tracy Perry, the curator behind Tracy's Expansion of Presence. Described as "an aural journey across genres", Tracy's EOP presents and promotes new and independent music through Spotify playlists, Mixcloud mixes, and an extensive Bandcamp collection. Tracy is a huge supporter of independent artists an labels, and it's a … Continue reading The Listener #3 – Tracy’s Expansion of Presence
For the fourth instillment of our ongoing feature, The Maker, we chat to New Jersey-based electronic musician, Lofield, ahead of his album release next week on RTR. Finding inspiration in everyday sounds, Lofield produces ambient music with recognisable influences of down-tempo and electronica, filled with organic imperfections and an undeniable sense of flow. The artist … Continue reading The Maker #4 – Lofield
Kepier Widow is the experimental music project of Manchester-based Alexander Roberts. While living in Newcastle upon Tyne, Alexander was a regular feature in the underground and experimental music scene under the name of Joseph Curwen, producing an extensive catalogue of long-form drones. Since relocating to Manchester in mid-2017, Kepier Widow was launched, exploring unconventional and … Continue reading The Maker #3 – Kepier Widow
Our second instalment of The Listener brings us into conversation with Tiago De Almeida, who performs and records music under his own name. Tiago also runs the recently established Inner Space Travels record label, based in Berlin, Germany. Working as a musician and running a label smoothly is no easy task, so we're very grateful … Continue reading The Listener #2 – Tiago de Almeida – Inner Space Travels
Andrew Sherwell joins us for our first instalment of an RTR regular feature, 'The Listener'. Similar to 'The Maker', this feature engages with the wider listening community and explores topics that aren't often represented in artist reviews. If you're reading this, chances are you have your own listening habits and unique introductions to ambient and … Continue reading The Listener #1 – Andrew Sherwell
As of yesterday (22/01/2019), RTR has been in operation for a year. In 2019 the label has been expanded to include an official website, including regular interview features with artists and listeners linked to RTR and a series of guest mixes. The latter is kickstarted by James Osland. James Osland James is a musician, photographer, … Continue reading RTR Guest Mix #1 – James Osland
The second instalment of our 'The Maker' series shines the spotlight on Michiru Aoyama. Based in Kyoto, Japan, Michiru is an artist who has been on RTR's radar for quite some time. His warm and fuzzy approach to guitar-based ambient music is unique and consistent in quality, and can be found not only through his … Continue reading The Maker #2 – Michiru Aoyama
Welcome to the first instalment of 'The Maker'; a regular interview feature with artists who have released works on RTR. There will also be a regular accompanying feature, 'The Listener', which engages with the label's listeners. To kickstart the series and celebrate the launch of the new RTR website, The Maker #1 features Spheruleus, who … Continue reading The Maker #1 – Spheruleus
