X3-014: 3×1 – TOR LUNDVALL


Kicking off the New Year with a new feature on the X3 – we call it “3×1” cuz it sounds fancy. Three tracks from one featured artist. Today, we’re gonna hear some amazing ambient works from TOR LUNDVALL. A track from Tor’s ‘Yule’ CD was featured last episode, and we had to bring him back for more.

In this episode:

1. Scrap Yard, from the CD ‘Empty City’
2. Empty Streets, from the CD “Insect Wings, Leaf Matter & Broken Twigs”
3. 29 (Single Version), from “The Seasons Unfold” sampler

Tor Lundvall, May 2003

Tor’s compositions are often described as “dark ambient”. Of his music, Tor says, “I suppose one could call it ‘ghost ambient’! I approach my music in a visual way, starting with a very basic idea and slowly building on it. The tracks are essentially paintings with music and their titles usually reflect the contents. I have also gained a new respect for the piano over the past several years, which plays a major part in my recordings. Although I tend to use electronics and samplers, I always approach music in a natural, organic way. All samples are created at home, usually in the bedroom. I loathe patch presets and use them only rarely. In fact the process of recording is so complex, that the ‘equipment used’ section printed in my CD booklets is basically useless. I find that my recent recordings are becoming progressively more instrumental and ambient in nature, although the music still retains a strong sense of melody. As with my paintings, my music has always existed in a private world of its own.”

To top it off, Tor is also an accomplished painter, with a B.A. in studio art. His canvases often depict serene environments with an underlying sense of menace, which in fact, fit perfectly with his music!

Hear more from Tor Lundvall and be sure to check out his visual works – http://www.torlundvall.com.

X3-013: Winterize Me.


Brrrrrr. It’s gettin’ COLD out there!  Perfect weather for the tracks we’ve picked today. First up, it’s PATRICK O’HEARN with Our Temperable Host; then we slide into Ten Degrees Below Christmas, holiday ambient from PSICODREAMICS; and TOR LUNDVALL wraps it up with Fading Light from his ‘Yule’ collection, a special extended version we whipped up ’cause we like his music so much.

It’s a solitary expanse of ambient sound and texture that’ll leave you with a bit of a chill and a nagging desire for hot cocoa. Drink up kids.

ARTIST INFO:

Glaciation“Just why a Hawaiian guitar would act as catalyst to conjure up striking images of the arctic did not occur to me at first. It wasn’t until into making the record that I stopped to consider the irony: it made sense”. The album ‘Glaciation‘ continues Patrick O’Hearn’s path of evoking the sensations of different atmospheres through beautifully textured sounds. http://www.partickohearn.com


PsicodreamicsPsicodreamics
is the ambient-new age music project that reveals the unique magic, mysterious and idyllic world of musical art of Spanish composer Salva Moreno. A great part of his music world is inspired by mythology and fantasy creating a rich sanctuary of haunting and mysterious fairyworld sound, covering many genres, mainly ambient, new age, goth and chillout.
http://www.psicodreamics.com

Tor Lundvall YuleTor Lundvall’s music has evolved over the years from early pop songs, to a more ambient sound, which he personally finds difficult to describe or categorize. “I suppose one could call it ‘ghost ambient’! I approach my music in a visual way, starting with a very basic idea and slowly building on it. Although I tend to use electronics and samplers, I always approach music in a natural, organic way… All samples are created at home, usually in the bedroom. I loathe patch presets and use them only rarely… As with my paintings, my music has always existed in a private world of its own.” http://www.torlundvall.com

X3 012: Head Sixes II




Time for another entry in the X3 ‘HEAD SIX’ series: this trio of mesmerizing, trance-inducing female vox and their smoky beats is all you need for an evening of tasty digital chillaxin.

First, it’s ENDLESS BLUE featuring Laura Hillman with ‘Down’, then we glide into ‘Delorion’ by THE ATOMICA PROJECT, and BITSTREAM DREAM brings it home with vocalist ANJI BEE on ‘Love Me Leave Me.’

Strongly influenced by the fruits of the downtempo Bristol sound of the early nineties, ENDLESS BLUE’s music spins the trip-hop style in a new direction while staying true to their roots. The group was formed by vocalist Laura Hillman and producer Nick Mitchell in 2003. Today’s episode features the track ‘Down’ from their debut release, ‘Endless Blue.’

THE ATOMICA PROJECT is a union of downtempo beats and stunning female vocals devised in 2004 by programmer/songwriter Wade Alin and vocalist Lauren Cheatham. The track ‘Delorion’ featured here is form their 2005 release ‘Metropolitan’, considered one of the best independent releases of that year.

BITSTREAM DREAM is the musical project of Canadian electronica producer, Rom di Prisco, working with a collective of vocalists and musicians from all over the globe. The band’s music encompasses many genres, including Trip Hop, Drum ‘n’ Bass, Trance, House, and Ambient. The track ‘Love Me Leave Me’ in today’s episode features Southern Cali’s ANJI BEE, vocalist, lyricist, fellow podcaster and vidcaster.

Are they really all just in your head? As long as you enjoy it, does it really matter?

X3-011: Worlds Beyond

In today’s episode: the cinematic, ethereal sound of Conscious Mind’s “Cosmic Bliss”; ambient composer Dave Luxton serves up “The Divided Line”, and Sleepthief wraps it up with one from his latest CD, “Fire King”, featuring vocals by Jody Quine. Happy Halloween. Don’t eat too much junk. And if you do, don’t tell anyone about it.

X3-010: Beat This.

Forget the RedBull. Plug in and tune in to the chilled electronic beats of AMBIENT GENERATION (Jolt), VAST DAYS (Predicament) and HOMELESS BALLOON (Communication). Goes great with added caffeine.

X3-009: Ambient-ness.

Sometimes ya just need a few good minutes of ambient goodness to break up a crazy day. Here’s WHARMTON RISE with Elder Haven, RUSS YOUNG with Meeting Leviathan, and ATOMIC SKUNK with Chronoswamp.

Enjoy…

X3-008: Crunchy Industrials

Hear that crunch? It ain’t the potato chips I’m munchin’ on – it’s electronic goodness created by today’s three artists. First up: STENDECK performs ‘Like Falling Crystals’, then it’s New York’s CYBO with ‘Outside the Room’, and finally SUBHEIM brings us ‘Ybe_76′. Turn it up and get your industrial groove on. Check ya later on the X3.

X3-007: Neuro-noise

Neurodisc Records has been a huge supporter of Radio Mystic over the years, and today we bring you three tracks from their musical arsenal: AMETHYSTIUM’s Strangely Beautiful, SLEEPTHIEF’s Eurydice, and DAKSHA’s Ascendent. Be sure to check out NEURODISC online for lots more great music like this. And watch for new albums by Neurodisc artists BLUE STONE and SLEEPTHIEF, both dropping in the next several weeks. Check out our sister-podcast, E*SCAPES, for an upcoming BLUE STONE interview.

X3-006: Loungin’ Around

It’s a lazy summer weekend, I’m hangin’ out in my pajama pants and planning on some quality time with my couch. These tracks are gonna help me a LOT. Danish/Swedish ultra-chill duo FLIPSIDE performs Feel, Magnatune’s ARTEMIS is here with Fountain of Life, and electronic composer PAUL LAWLER takes it home with White Steps. Now where’s that bag of potato chips?

X3-005: There’s a Trance in Your Pants

These beats are made to move, baby! Silver Threads (The Unraveled Mix) is LORI CUNNINGHAM remixed by ADAM AMOS; Magnatune’s DOMASED kicks in with Wild Ride, and ANDREW AVERSA (aka Zircon) mixes up the spellbinding vocals of JILLIAN GOLDIN on Breathing You In. It’s better than caffeine. Drink up kids.