36 - Interview

ETHEREAL.PRESS

We found your work at ETHEREAL while browsing the highest-rated ambient projects of the last three years on Rate Your Music. We found your collaboration with zakè titled, 'Stasis Sounds for Long-Distance Space Travel' (2020) and instantly fell in love with it. Can you tell us a bit about the project?

36

Thank you!

It began life in 2019, around the time I first started working with Zach and his label, Past Inside The Present. He asked me if I wanted to collaborate on some music and I agreed. He sent me some loops he'd be working on. They were minimal, but had an emotional quality I quickly connected with. I spent a couple of weeks listening to them, using them as the basis for my own production and trying to find a concept that would be interesting. It all happened quite fast and effortlessly. I've made a lot of space-themed music in the past with my solo work like Sine Dust, Tomorrow Explorers etc.. But I didn't want to simply repeat myself.

This music felt different and looked at things from a different perspective. It was gentle, understated music, that unwrapped itself slowly. Less epic, more reflective. Music made for quiet spaces. I spoke to Zach and brought up the idea of making a record that was designed to be heard in a stasis pod while on a hypothetical long-distance space flight, in the far future. Something to remind you of home while venturing out into the great unknown. He liked the idea and we took it from there.

To be honest, we were quite surprised at how positive the reaction was. Don't get me wrong, I was confident the music was strong, but it quickly became something of a quiet phenomenon, reaching people who didn't normally listen to this sort of music. It's the best selling release I've been a part of. Neither of us expected that. Looking back, I think a lot of it was due to the unique situation of the COVID pandemic, with many people stuck at home, suddenly finding themselves with a lot of free time for introspection. Some listeners told me it was their gateway into the larger world of ambient music and for that, we are immensely proud.

There's a lot to discover!

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ETHEREAL.PRESS

On 'Stasis Sounds for Long-Distance Space Travel,' the space travel phase is broken into four stages. Can you describe to us the intention behind the stage progression?

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36

I see them as a representation of the sleep cycles. Each track representing a different stage of sleep, culminating in REM. Except instead of minutes, the timescale is months or years.

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ETHEREAL.PRESS

For many, one of their favorite aspects of ambient/drone music is the feeling it evokes in the listener, often bringing their conscious attention inward, evoking feelings of relaxation or meditation. What is your favorite aspect of ambient/drone music?

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36

Music is emotion. Whether happy or sad, it's just a way of helping you deal with them and set the record straight about yourself. I know a lot of people use ambient music as a way to de-stress and that's totally fine. I do that too. But this music has the potential for so much more. It's an experimental genre by its nature and the best music in this genre pushes the boundaries, taking the listener to surprising and occasionally uncomfortable places.

If I can achieve just one thing in my career, it's to promote the endless potential this kind of music can be.

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ETHEREAL.PRESS

Your Twitter bio states, 'Releases on A Strangely Isolated Place & Past Inside The Present.' Can you elaborate on the significance of this statement?

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36

They're the two labels I release my music on, outside my own imprint. They're both run by incredible people, who care deeply about what they put out. This isn't landfill music for bland mood-based streaming playlists, or background music for your local spa. These labels are pushing boundaries and have a roster of some of the most exciting musicians operating in the genre today. I encourage your readers to explore their discographies and discover the full gamut of what ambient music and its connected genres can truly offer.

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ETHEREAL.PRESS

Can you tell us a bit about Philip Jeck (RIP) & how he inspired you creatively?

36

Yeah, that one hit hard. His music was great. A real original and he'll be greatly missed. 2022 has been a really rough year, with many artists I enjoy who have sadly passed away.

Take the time to appreciate the artists you love, because their time is limited and they'll be gone before you know it.

ETHEREAL.PRESS

If you were given the opportunity, would you travel to space?

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36

I'll always love the romantic nature of space and the promises it offers. It represents the absolute best of what humanity is capable of. Still, Earth is our home and we should do everything we can to protect it. We literally evolved with it. There won't be another. Space may well be the place, but if we can't even protect our own home, then we have no right to ruin someone else's.

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ETHEREAL.PRESS

What is next for 36?

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36

I've just released a new EP called Symmetry Systems on Past Inside The Present, which is a synthesizer-focused record, inspired by the early 90's Artificial Intelligence era I grew up listening to. Beyond that, I have many more surprises in store for the year, including what will likely be the biggest, most significant release I've ever been a part of. It'll be something of a holy grail for fans of my music and I am counting down the days until we can reveal it to everyone.

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36: BANDCAMP - INSTAGRAM