James Holden and Wacław Zimpel Surrender to the Sound
The British music producer and Polish clarinet virtuoso built 'The Universe Will Take Care of You' in four spontaneous London studio days, capturing the act of playing without thinking.
Ambient
A collection of some of the ambient music artists and releases featured on The Tonearm.
Clarinet Meets Circuit — Glenn Dickson and Bob Familiar's Unlikely Alliance
Two musicians from different worlds found common ground in their rejection of static electronic music. The result is 'All the Light of Our Sphere,' an album that treats improvisation as narrative and loops as living things.
Subtraction in Action — Fred Thomas's Sonic Erosion
Fred Thomas's latest release, 'Critical Violets, Dream Erosion Pt. VII,' continues his "drumless" series by embracing musical reduction as a creative philosophy, proving that stripping away familiar elements can lead to his most compelling music yet.
From Soundribbons to Shoreline Symphonies — Knox Chandler's Creative Transformation
After four decades as a collaborator for artists like R.E.M. and Cyndi Lauper, the guitarist has retreated to rural Connecticut to create his first solo work and discover what he calls "my truth."
Dirt in the Machine — Hiroki Chiba Joins Hinode Tapes for 'Ita'
Piotr Kaliński explains why the Polish trio's third album required expensive tape, cheap equipment, and a Japanese bassist who could read minds from thousands of miles away.
Ripple Effects — Chaz Underriner's Immersive Water Music
The experimental composer draws from the landscape of the American South to create a multimedia experience. His five-year project. 'Moving,' transforms environmental field recordings and modular compositions into hypnotic soundscapes that document our fragile waterways.
'Music Is My Church' — Six Missing's Ambient Refuge
With 'Gentle Breath,' TJ Dumser's ambient project turns improvisation into liturgy, crafting spaces where listeners can step "outside the stream" and find themselves within carefully constructed waveforms.
The New-Age Vibes of Greg Davis's 'Full Spectrum' Series
The experimental musician discusses his long-running ambient project, the beauty hidden in dollar-bin records, and why making peace with a slower creative pace yields his most thoughtful work.
Jeremy Gignoux Finds Music in the Method of Stillness
After a hand injury sidelined his violin playing, the Calgary-based composer created 'Odd Stillness,' an album that challenges traditional notions of performance and recording.
Shawn Mativetsky Grasps the Infinite Art of Tabla with Temporal Waves
Tabla virtuoso Shawn Mativetsky discusses the instrument's complexity, the guru-disciple tradition, and his latest album 'Temporal Waves,' which marries classical Indian percussion with synthesizer soundscapes.
Sitting with Satoshi Ashikawa's Still Way.
Okay. I'm going out on a limb this week, I hope you'll join me.
The Rise of Ambient Music: A Study of a Genre
Pioneered by Brian Eno in the 1970s, ambient music has evolved beyond its minimalist roots to influence multiple genres. Today, its meditative qualities and emphasis on sonic textures resonate with audiences seeking calm in an increasingly chaotic world.