Ambient Psy-Trance duo GRAINS OF SOUND recently released their latest triple-volume set ‘SINE LANGUAGE’ – a concept album about the transcendent power of music to communicate beyond the barriers of time and space. Each volume features a hypnotic, futuristic sound, and each explores the different styles and energy levels of dance, chill and zone.

Vol. 1 [UP] – Pulsating bass lines meld with arpeggiating synths to create psychedelic trance, both progressive and minimal, along with hints of house and breaks.

Vol. 2 [DOWN] – Lush, sweeping soundscapes wash over sub bass frequencies and deep downtempo beats, the perfect chill-out groove.

Vol. 3 [UNDER] – Vast evolving layers, organic textures and sentient sounds leave all beats behind, pure ambient intoxication.

This expanded 33-minute episode of X3 features five tracks from SINE LANGUAGE.  The album’s available now on AfterCulture Records (http://www.afterculture.com), and each volume is sold separately in MP3 or CD format at most retailers.

Special thanks to Chris and Jason Sevanick for providing the music for this weekend’s episode!

Grains of Sound official site:
http://www.grainsofsound.net

Tags: Ambient, Chillout, Electronic, Music, Trance by X3 Podcast Staff
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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’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.

Tags: Ambient, Chillout, Music by X3 Podcast Staff
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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?

Tags: Ambient, Chillout, Electronic, Ethereal Vocal, Music, Trip Hop by X3 Podcast Staff
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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?

Tags: Chillout, Music by X3 Podcast Staff
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