A Strangely Isolated Place
A Strangely Isolated Place
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isolatedmix 131 - Illuvia: Mauna Kea
A Strangely Isolated Place
04/19/25 • -1 min
There’s a certain feeling that creeps in when listening to Illuvia. A delicate suspension between rhythm and atmosphere, where the weight of a breakbeat never overwhelms the stillness it moves through.
Since debuting as Illuvia on ASIP with Iridescence of Clouds back in 2021, Ludvig Cimbrelius has steadily carved out his own temporal rift in the world of ambient and jungle- a sound that sidesteps nostalgia and instead uncovers a forgotten future buried deep in the recesses of our collective memory.
With such a history on the label going back to our earliest of releases and our 7th vinyl press (as Purl, alongside Lav) this is the second time Ludvig has appeared on an isolatedmix, along with the close ties and inspiration of this Portals mix from God Is No Longer A DJ.
Both across his latest release, Earth Prism, and Iridescence of Clouds, he introduced a world of ambient lovers to weightless pads combined with chopped breaks, barely tethered to gravity, and melodies that seemed to shimmer. It was both an echo of something familiar and an entirely new dialect, not strictly jungle, not wholly ambient, not liquid in the traditional sense, but unmistakably Illuvia.
This new mix is a continuation of those worlds. Or maybe a glance sideways into a parallel one. Illuvia’s approach has always been about restraint and resonance: every snare hit is softened by reverb, every progression feels like it’s been carved out of silence.
For those who have followed his trajectory through ASIP and beyond, this is another precious window into Ludvig’s meticulous and emotive world. And for those new to it, welcome.
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Illuvia: Mauna Kea
When preparing to leave what has been my home for the past three years and setting sail towards a different continent, I knew some of the old hard-drives I have been carrying around would not make the trip with me. A move like this one marks a new beginning, and when it comes to my music I usually attempt to go through what I can easily access in my archives and feel out what calls for being salvaged and shared in some form. The rest will remain disconnected from the digital cloud, destined to slowly disintegrate (perhaps to be dug up by archeologists in some distant future).
In my search, I discovered the first demo tracks I had sent to Ryan back in 2019, as well as a track called ‘Where Clouds Dissolve Into Sky’ - the first idea I took down for Illuvia’s debut on ASIP. That title eventually morphed into the album name, while the track itself remained a beautiful idea that didn’t quite reach all the way. It had something special, just like the raw demo versions that were either refined or completely reimagined on their way to release.
As some of what I found felt too radiant to fade, I began to feel for ways that these odd pieces could flow together into a continuous mix - and naturally an Isolatedmix as most of the tracks were directly or indirectly connected to my albums on ASIP. Slowly, a path emerged, leading deeper into the heart of Illuvia. It turned into quite a collage, with cut out pieces from the myriad of versions being processed and becoming background layers, adding dimension and depth to moments that seemed to call for it.
When listening to the mixed version of Mauna Kea, I was surprised by how alive the music felt to me and decided that I wanted to try to compile this work as an album too, sharing more of the near endless versions and including tracks that I had an attachment to that didn’t find their place in the mix. It turned out to be a lot harder to reach the finish line on the album, with the tracklist continuing to morph and me going deeper into the rabbit hole of mastering to make sure I gave these musical entities all the love I had to give. Letting them be the way they were created while also doing what I can for their message to translate with clarity. Now as I arrive at the moment of letting them go, it’s time for some other ears (and hopefully hearts) to continue the exploration.
– Ludvig (Peru, April 2025)
astrangelyisolatedplace ·
isolatedmix 123 - Alex Albrecht
A Strangely Isolated Place
09/09/23 • -1 min
We’re entering a busy half of the year for the label, and while we don’t always use the isolatedmix series to help tee up what’s in store, Alex Albrecht also happens to be a brilliant selector and curator of many great mixes over the years.
Yes, you did read that right, Alex will soon be gracing ASIP with a new release, to be announced in full very shortly and available at the end of September. We had hoped to get this mix out a little earlier in the year but life got in the way for us both, and after a small trip to Japan recently, Alex was able to get some answers down to a few of my questions in anticipation for his awaited release here on ASIP.
~
It's been interesting to see how you've created a very unique style and approach between your own project, with Sean as Albrecht La'Brooy and under the Melquíades guise. How would you describe the differences between them all?
I originally created the Melquiades alias as a way to separate club/dancefloor music from more downtempo/ambient productions under my own name. The music I now produce under Alex Albrecht incorporates all sorts of sounds and influences and in my development, I don’t now see a reason to differentiate.
Campfire Stories by Alex AlbrechtCampfire Stories was quite the debut album, and received such a great reception it seems. It combined lovely atmospheres and house elements, with downtempo and instrumental (even jazz). How are your albums born usually?
My albums are usually created through my field recordings and recent experiences. I generally take recordings and loop/manipulate them to create a canvas and use that as the inspiration for each new track. When I see a larger album coming together I try to identify gaps in the concept and fill it with new productions.
Your own label imprint, Analogue Attic was home to much of your early work and continues to host some of your music alongside others. How did the label aspect come about?
The label was definitely created as a way to release our own music but very quickly became a medium to put out music from our friends and influences. The ambition has always been to showcase ambient music specifically made in Australia. We also hope to showcase music that does not generally conform to current trends in the global electronic scene.
Healesville by Albrecht La'BrooyAs mentioned already, your music is rich with field recordings and vivid instrumentation. What does your studio setup consist of usually? And what elements have remained a constant?
My studio has been very consistent throughout the last 6 or 7 years. It has a Nord A1R, A Blofeld, a few Yamaha digital pianos, and some eventide effect pedals. Of course, there is also the Sony PCM A10 recorder which is really an incredible piece of tech.
If your label (Analogue Attic) is any indication, the output and potential of producers in Australia seem very rich and fertile - is this true? How would you describe the "scene" for this type of music where you are?
I’d have to agree – it is certainly a fertile scene in Aus with amazing music being produced around the country. There are many artists blending strong musical themes and elements with electronic elements and many gigs/shows aim to push boundaries and do something out of the ordinary.
Your isolated mix captures your sound very well and includes a variety of styles and influences, what was your approach?
I am often commuting to work by bike and love an interesting, hypnotic mix to push me along. I have been listening to ASIP mixes for years and was compelled to dive deep into my old libraries to capture some of the nostalgia that I feel with the earliest memories of ASIP. I brought a few of these into the picture with Dousk, John Beltran, BOC and Jesse Somfay (among others) and was also really happy with how well they’ve stood the test of time.
Other than ahem, a pretty special record dropping here on ASIP soon, what can we expect from you for the remainder of 2023?
It’s unclear for now but I’m always making music and searching for inspiration. I have a huge collection of field recordings from Japan so will be surely using these in the short term to see what it inspires.
~
Stay tuned for news of Alex’s album on ASIP set to be announced very soon, and available at the end of the month.
isolatedmix 128 - Will Oirson
A Strangely Isolated Place
10/21/24 • -1 min
Willem van der Ploeg, hailing from the Netherlands, is a DJ, producer, and co-founder of the label The Something Something, alongside Rutger Paulusse. Willem has been a long-time follower of ASIP, often supporting our mixes and asking for track IDs—something that always piques my curiosity and often leads to unexpected finds. So I was delighted to stumble across another amazing cave of DJ sets through The Something Something’s Red Light Radio show, offering up sessions from recognizable guests such as Alex Albrecht, Wanderwelle and Ario, and then going on to see the fruition of the label in recent years.
Inland / Tomorrow, or till the end of time by Will OirsonAs part of The Something Something label, Willem has been gaining momentum with his own production work, leaning toward serene, textured ambient, enriched by found sounds and often shimmering, beautiful melodies. This is showcased perfectly by his 2020 EP, Inland / Tomorrow, of till the end of time, and his most recent single, Escapism.
Escapism by Will OirsonWill’s DJ sets recently earned him a spot at the prestigious Draaimolen Festival, officiating his keen curatorial ear, which will no doubt lead us all to a world of new artists to explore - a perfect requirement for the isolatedmix series and the mix at hand for #128.
"Thank you for the opportunity to create a mix for ASIP, Ryan!
Many times in life, music helped me to overcome certain hurdles. It always gives me a feeling of escapism and on many occasions it shined a light on dark days. The same goes with this mix; I feel a sense of lightness after experiencing a big burnout a year and a half ago, in which time I’ve made a lot of music. It had no intention, it was just about frequencies and emotions. Now that I'm feeling better, I’ve started releasing tracks and even performed a dj set at Draaimolen Festival Festival featuring some of this music. This mix for A Strangely Isolated Place is about seeing light again, the overcoming of obstacles, and a rekindling of dreams.
It includes some of my favourite tracks from the past few years, such as ‘stasis__relief__’ by gab_i and 'Pillow, Mantra and Trance’ by Li Yilei. And I’m also pleased that I could slip in some amazing music by friends like Bas Dobbelaer, Ramses3000 and Brian Omen.
Please take a moment to explore the artists and labels included in this mix. They’ve created truly remarkable work, and many continue to do so.” - Will Oirson
Listen on Soundcloud the ASIP Podcast or the 9128.live iOS and Android app
Tracklist:
01. The Humble Bee - Section V Light [Astral Industries]
02. Brian Omen - 430 [The Something Something...]
03. Leo Cunningham - Dreaming In Threads [Opal Tapes]
04. Azu Tiwaline & Al Wootton - Last Scene [Livity Sound]
05. gab_i - stasis__relief__ [self released]
06. Li Yilei - Pillow, Mantra and Trance [Métron Records]
07. other joe - a cat can look at a king (ft. J) [ost]
08. Will Oirson - Doubting the Hardness of the Spider, I eat the Nest [The Something Something......
isolatedmix 127 - David Douglas & Applescal
A Strangely Isolated Place
07/27/24 • -1 min
Two familiar names step up for our next isolated mix, with a highly conceptual approach that matches their new (and similarly conceptual) collaborative album, ‘Démarrage’.
I’m unsure where I would start if I were to create an album based on a love of cycling. Weirdly enough, it wouldn’t be the first electronic album to do so (See Kraftwerk’s, Tour De France, of course), but it’s obviously a big enough inspiration to spur electronic producers David Douglas and Applescal. After listening to t‘Démarrage’, it makes total sense, in more ways than one. The energy, euphoria, drive - even the pop of color and variation in approach - an effervescent continual movement throughout its 10 tracks.
Applescal contributed an isolatedmix some twelve (!) years ago now, and it remains one of our most popular in the series. Combining multiple styles across an addictive hour of listening, the session proved Pascal is a master at developing a conceptual narrative in mix form, and now evidently in album form. David Douglas, who has made numerous appearances on Pascal’s Atmonation label, with one highlight for me being 2014’s, Moon Observation’s, is similarly a man of conceptual understanding and many undercurrents, spending time scoring music for films and commercials, while also releasing under a new alias HATY HATY, which combines electronic and indie music tendencies.
I imagined a hybrid of styles to appear on their mix submission, and I wasn’t disappointed. But for it to also match the concept of their new album, takes it up a notch. The mix, goes as slow as Chihei, with the euphoric highs of The Paradise, sudden bursts of pace in Eversines, the anguish in Bersarin Quartett, and the comforting (I can see the finish line-vibes) of Ulrich Schnauss, in an unexpecting manner that’s on par with the unexpectedness of Fourtet’s not-so-secret secret side project.
Démarrage by David Douglas & Applescal“Just like our album "Démarrage," which is essentially a long mix of interconnected tracks, we aimed to tell a broad story with this mix. We love to approach music as a continuous mix, as you can set a certain different vibe and have tracks complement each other. Our mix for ASIP begins gently, like a warm bath, with the calming sounds of Chihei Hatakeyama's "Calm Sea." Later on, we bring up the pace with the remix from Roman Flugel. We end with a return to tranquility and introspection with work from Bersarin Quartett and Skúli Sverrisson. Just like on our new album, we added a bunch of samples of cyclists to capture the emotion of the race” - David & Pascal
astrangelyisolatedplace · isolatedmix 127 - David Dougls & ApplescalListen on Soundcloud the ASIP Podcast or the 9128.live iOS and Android app
Tracklist:
01. Chihei Hatakeyama - Calm Sea
02. Tomaga - Intimate Immensity
03. Kyle Hall, Kero - 19FT
04. Unit Moebius - Dolfinarium
05. Tambo’s House - Jhe Gu Jye
06. Dusky - Metropolis
07. C.A.R - Idle eyes. (Roman Fluegel Remix) Applescal...
ASIP - Reflection on 2024
A Strangely Isolated Place
12/26/24 • -1 min
As with all my previous ‘Reflection’ year-end mixes, I begin with a collection of albums, EPs, and compilations that resonated with me over the past year. From there, I curate tracks to build the mix—a process that’s as much about omission as inclusion. Inevitably, many of my favorite tracks and albums don’t make the final cut, simply because they don’t fit the flow of the mix or get lost along the way. There are plenty of albums I played on repeat that aren’t included here, but I enjoy this process much more than creating lists.
As I remind myself each year, this isn’t meant to be a definitive “best-of” list. Instead, it’s a snapshot of some of my favorite music from the year, distilled into one cohesive and listenable format. Compiling these mixes under self-imposed restrictions is my way of revisiting and celebrating the music I’ve loved critically, while sharing it with you in a way that’s both meaningful and accessible. For me, listening back to these mixes is like flipping through an audio photograph, capturing the essence of my year in music and invoking memories from special moments.
I encourage you to use this mix as a jumping-off point—dive into each artist, explore their albums in full, and check out the labels behind the music. You can find a Buy Music Club list linked below to help you dig deeper. If you’re curious about the broader scope of music I’ve supported this year, my Bandcamp collection is always up to date. And for the ASIP year-end label compilation, you can find the feature and mix here.
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Starting this year’s mix was no easy task. It’s been a whirlwind of a year, with my family relocating from Los Angeles back to Oregon. For a significant stretch, my ideal listening setup was in flux, and I wasn’t commuting to work as much—two key times I’d normally dive deep into the music I’d collected.
That said, I still managed to accumulate a fair share of vinyl this year (probably too much), so that became my starting point. I began shortlisting from my unsorted crate—my go-to spot for new acquisitions—despite knowing the mix would eventually be recorded digitally I always intend on ripping some vinyl-only releases. Since most of my purchases are through Bandcamp, I typically have digital files ready to go, but there are still a few frustrating cases where I’ve had to double-dip and buy the digital files separately (labels, let’s get those Bandcamp download codes in vinyl sleeves—it’s almost 2025!).
This year’s shortlist started with over 80 artists/tracks from albums I’ve loved, which I eventually narrowed down to 40 for the final mix. It’s a good representation of what’s been on heavy rotation for me. As always, I stuck to my usual self-imposed rule of no ASIP artist related tracks. I’d easily fill an entire mix with their music if that rule weren’t in place (also that’s what 9128.live is good for). I like to take this time to highlight other incredible, often overlooked releases that haven’t made the rounds in our circles, or through the usual “best of” lists.
I intended to rip some of my vinyl-only releases for this mix as a few really stood out this year, but time wasn’t on my side, and no digital was available. On the bright side, nearly all the music included here is readily available on Bandcamp for you to support.
A few callouts as you skim through the tracklist.
The latest Röyksopp album leans heavily into ambient tropes, but it’s undeniably comforting—a continuous flow reminiscent of the classic Art of Chill mixes, blending atmospheric textures with accessible pop crossovers. It nails that sweet spot, and I’m not one to turn my nose up at that.
Isabel Pine, whose demo first landed in my inbox some time ago, continues to impress—her latest release is an absolute gem. Aja’s ‘Lullaby’ is pure sweetness, so addictive I often found myself hitting repeat. C.K. didn’t drop any new ambient projects this year, but he did finally upload his phenomenal catalog to Bandcamp The track I included serves from his only 2024 release as an ambient counterpart to his more techno-focused album from this year.
Music From Memory’s Virtual Dreams compilation was a highlight for me—every track on it felt like a guaranteed vibe, no matter the mood (#1 on my HHV list
2024 Label Compilation (mixed by todos)
A Strangely Isolated Place
12/16/24 • -1 min
Handing over a year’s worth of releases to todos and watching the magic unfold is always an exhilarating experience. His ability to craft a narrative from such a rich and varied palette is unparalleled, offering fresh insights into the music and the year behind us. A true specialist in narrative witchcraft, todos continues to redefine DJ mixes with such a limited palette to build from. This year’s selection posed an increasingly complex challenge, with its mix of tempos and styles, but it’s a testament to the incredible work of the ASIP artists in 2024, all tied together under the meticulous eye of our trusted selector.
The year began with new label signing Salvatore Mercatante, and his pin-point drum patterns and room-filled IDM. This was followed by an about-turn in style with a new label signing, Lihla, presenting her hypnotizing blend of spoken word and atmospheric multi-instrument talent. Lapsed Pacifist (who happens to be a good friend of todos' in the UK - another full circle moment for the label) presented his debut album, featuring 'rolling waves of lavender synths', which Pop Matters recently listed as one of its best ambient albums of 2024. Keeping things unexpected, we then presented another new artist, Theef, who released a selection of timeless deep techno cuts from a DJ mix he posted online in 2018. It was then a chance for one of ASIPs most cherished sounds to return, as Illuvia continued his monumental exploration into the deep expanse of ethereal ambient drum'n bass. By now, we were approaching the much-celebrated half-century catalog number, and who better than long-time label artist, Markus Guentner to bring it over the line, alongside eight other fantastic talents. Colombian producer OKRAA, evolved his living-and-breathing psychedelic electronics, introducing more breaks and electro to his palette, in a truly unexpected second album. And closing out the year, Hungarian artist swanasa, presented a taster of her sonic capabilities in a short EP, that shone a light on multiple approaches we hope to explore from her very soon.
Thank you for all of your support, comments, and encouragement this year. Here's to those who explore the unique, the nostalgic and the new, and those who forge their own way forward.
Join us on Friday 20th December, 12pm PST for the full mix premiere and Bandcamp listening party.
2024 | Label Compilation (mixed by todos) by A Strangely Isolated Placetodos Continuous DJ mix tracklist:
1. swanasa - Swan Song (edit)
2. Lihla - Resonance
3. Markus Guentner - Father Of Waters
4. Lapsed Pacifist - Tragic
5. Markus Guentner & Arovane - Utopian Fragments (edit) / Illuvia - A New Tomorrow (edit) / swanasa - AHO / Lihla - Becoming Human (edit)
6. OKRAA - La Gran Corriente
7. Salvatore Mercatante - Love Of Lies
8. Illuvia - Tectonic Shift
9. Markus Guentner & Abul Mogard - While Hunting Nightmares And Dreaming For Peace
10. Theef - Strange Nights
11. Salvatore Mercatante - How Many Hands
12. OKRAA - Para Desaprender (edit)
13. Theef - Odd Entity
14. Lapsed Pacifist - Almost Remembered
ASIP - Deep Breakfast Mix 267
A Strangely Isolated Place
07/20/24 • -1 min
The Deep Breakfast mix series has slowly (quite quickly compared to my isolatedmix efforts!) become one of the greatest ambient-leaning mix series around, pulling in some of the finest curators and artists to grace our small world. From well-known artists and DJs to passionate music collectors, it seems Francesco, the curator, is intent on hosting a series truly meant for every corner of the ambient spectrum.
The name of the mix series gives you an idea of what to expect, and for my submission, I battled hard with what style to attempt in order to live up to the many great mixes that have been featured before. Breakfast to me - deep or not - can often be light and uplifting - chill or even dubtechno on some mornings. But similarly, a deep breakfast may also mean the edges of light at 4 or 5am... and this is more the route I went with this mix. Look out for some of the many upcoming ASIP tracks featured in this one!
Big thanks to Francesco for the invite, and I hope you all enjoy the mix.
Deep Breakfast Series · Deep Breakfast 267 ~ ASIPListen on Soundcloud or the ASIP Podcast
Tracklist:
01. swanasa - AHO (A Strangely Isolated Place, Forthcoming)
02. Hiemal - Pays D'en Haut I (Self)
03. Thomas Koner - Nuut (Night) (Force Inc)
04. Markus Guentner & Abul Mogard - While Hunting Nightmares And Dreaming For Peace (A Strangely Isolated Place, Forthcoming)
05. Ayaavaaki & Purl - Einstein-Rosen Bridge (Passage II) (LILA)
06. LF58 - Utopia (Northern Electronics)
07. Avsluta - It's Always Lonely Being Free (Self)
08. Pete Namlook & Bill Laswell - Angel Tech (Subharmonic)
09. STBL - Carousel Of Light (Self)
10. Mikkel Rev - Lauryl (A Strangely Isolated Place, Forthcoming)
11. James Murray - Grace (Home Normal)
12. Robert Rich - Summer Thunder (Self)
13. OKRAA - Canto Luminoso a la Luna (A Strangely Isolated Place, Forthcoming)
Monument Waves 002 : ASIP
A Strangely Isolated Place
03/13/24 • -1 min
A new mix for the brilliant Monument platform, and their new series ‘Waves’ which looks to feature more of the ambient side of things, rather than the deep techno world they are known for, if the first of the series by Chris SSG is any indication.
After our label showcase mix I did for them a few years back, I was extremely pleased to return to Monument again and decided on a new approach for #2.
Taking inspiration from the podcast series’ title, I aimed to create a mix that focused on repetition and layers, as if staring out to sea watching blankets of waves roll in from miles out; changing in intensity, but forever calming in their unbound repetition.
The result is reflective of the many adjacent styles I enjoy from ambient, to IDM and deeper techno and some of the seconds of tracks that stand out to me, or I forever wished to be looped in my head - be it a texture, vocal or beat pattern.
Thank you Monument for the support over the years, and for inviting me to what I am sure will become a very special series.
MONUMENT · Monument Waves 002 : ASIPListen on Soundcloud or the ASIP Podcast
Tracklist:
01. Mikkel Rev - Evocation [Unreleased / A Strangely Isolated Place] (Loop/edit)
02. Chronovalve - Almost There [Home Normal] (Loop/edit)
03 . Yumi Iwaki - Nocturnal[Kankyō Records] (Loop/edit)
04. DJ Healer - Great Escape [All Possible Worlds] (Loop/edit)
05. Susumu Yokota - No Kaori [Leaf Label] (Loop/edit)
06. The National Pool - Through The Beach [Infraction] (Loop/edit)
07. Bana Haffar - Lifter [Touch] (Loop/edit)
08. Pontiac Streator - Stuck In A Cave [Motion Ward] (Loop/edit)
09. TSR - 01 [Record Union] (Loop/edit)
10. Christina Chatfield - Sutro [Mysteries of the Deep] (Loop/edit)
11. Oneohtrix Point Never - Format & Journey North [Arbor] (Loop/edit)
12. Gi Gi - Montjuic Feat. Mi Mi [Quiet Time] (Loop/edit)
13. Jonny Nash - All I Ever Need [Melody As Truth] (Loop/edit)
14. Saphileaum - Elegant Voyage [Mysteries of The Deep] (Loop/edit)
15. RQ - Hounds (Sam KDC remix) [Auxiliary] (Loop/edit)
16. Michael Stearns - In The Beginning [Continuum Montage] (Loop/edit)
17. Solar Quest - Flying Spirals [Crammed Discs] (Loop/edit)
18. Zodiac Childs - Kepler Track Two (Zodiac Wax) (Loop/edit)
19. Central Industrial - After Image [Auxiliary] (Loop/edit)
20. Intrepid Soul - Under The Sun (The Gods Planet) (Loop/edit)
21. Anatolian Weapons - Teachings In Stone [Self] (Loop/edit)
22. Theef - Sun & Smoke (Unreleased / A Strangely Isolated Place) (Loop/edit)
23. Quiet Places - Side B (A Strangely Isolated Place) (Loop/edit)
24. Courtesy - You're Not Alone [Kulør] (feat. Erika de Casier & August Rosenbaum) (Loop/edit)
25. Maxime Denuc - Ouverture [Vlek] (Loop/edit)
26. μ-Ziq - Whale Soup [Self] (Loop/edit)
27. Adam Johnson - Version 02 [Merck] (Loop/edit)
28. Autechre - Bronchusevernmx24 + Aphex Twin - On + Aleksi Perala - UK74R1406070 (edit)
29. Pub - Summer [Vertical Form] (Loop/edit)
30. Loess - Sofar [Toytronic] (edit)
31. Biosphere - Monju 1 [Touch] (Loop/edit)
32. Salvatore Mercatante - Classical [Unreleased]
33. OKRAA - La Gran Corriente [Unreleased / A Strangely Isolated Place]
34. Lihla - Becoming Human [A Strangely Isolated Place] (Loop/edit)
35. Ylia - Drifting Off into The Waves [Balmat] (Loop/edit)
36. The Eightsome Reel - A Stranger Landing [Self] (Loop/edit)
37. Terre Thaemlitz - Music is Controllable Desire You Can Own [Self]
38. Echospace - Love Always Lives [Self]
39. Bill Laswell & Pete Namlook - Telepathy II [FAX] (Loop/edit)
isolatedmix 125 - Sa Pa (Sleep In)
A Strangely Isolated Place
01/21/24 • -1 min
As someone who enjoys the process of putting together mixes- specifically more conceptual ambient leaning mixes- I often think about how I would approach playing an event designed for sleep. I’m yet to play a set like this live, but I did tackle something similar in the Portals series by roughly mixing styles that aligned to specific sleep stages (eg, REM, deep etc). But in person, sleep is never as predictable as hypothetical sleep stages in a recorded mix, let alone the idea of a room full of people mirroring these stages at the same time. To approach an in-person set designed for sleep would be a daunting undertaking, but an extremely rewarding experience for both DJ and listener - the career highlight for an ambient DJ, maybe... They say the warm-up set is the hardest test for a DJ and I would tend to agree. But I’d love to see some of the world’s best DJs execute 3.5 hours of music for a room full of people looking to do the exact opposite of dancing, or even listening, for the entire duration...
Sa Pa has executed this concept flawlessly.
No stranger to the minutia and atmosphere needed to transport someone from a horizontal state into an elevated lucid dream, I can hardly think of anyone better to take control of such a situation than Berlin-based artist, Sa Pa. His latest release for Astral Industries (the undisputed label kings of lucid states, no doubt) is the perfect example of transportive and psychedelic ambient music down to the finest grain of sound, sample and texture.
AI-33: Atmospheric Fragments by Sa PaIf Sa Pa’s productions weren’t enough to demonstrate his transportive power and worldbuilding tendencies, then his recent captures from his own Absurd Lustre events, or his mix for one of our 9128.live takeovers, may have provided an additional glimpse of what to expect when he was given the reigns for an all-night sleep in event recently, in Leipzig.
“For years I've kept a mental cache of what music would I'd love to play at a sleep in, but was never really sure if there'd be a chance, so small some dreams came true that night for me too - it was a pretty rare experience I'd say especially with everyone there really taking part in the concept”.
It’s not often we get the chance to host a set from an event that by its very nature, is designed to be experienced in person, but after several trials of this mix (on a plane, going to sleep, and waking up from sleep, then all states in between), the concept translates to an outstanding headphone session and the perfect concept for a defining moment in the isolatedmix series of concepts and sounds.
“I think it was one of the deepest and most solitary DJing experiences I have ever been part of, and driving a three and half hour cloud through the pitch darkness was a beautifully liminal journey, caring for the dreams of those in the room, some 100-200 people or so”.
A 3.5hr liminal state available for your own time and place, in the gentle hands and ears of Sa Pa, displaying the very essence of horizontal ambient music designed to immerse, weave and transport. Featuring tracks from, Luc Ferrari, Zenxen, Pinkcourtesyphone, cv313, Jason Lescalleet, Yann Novak, BJ Nilsen, Robert Henke, Rod Modell, Ryoji Ikeda, Steve Roach and Sa Pa, himself.
Introduction and words from Sa Pa - ‘Diary of a Lonely DJ’:
There’s something about gazing out of a train window or being 30-thousand feet high up in the troposphere, that evokes a feeling of what we try best to describe as liminality. With this in mind, Deutsche Bahn had me scuttling toward Leipzig from Berlin on a typically stark and windy day that could of been taken right out of a Wim Wenders classic; the treetops lining Urbanstraße on the way to Hauptbahnhof looking as stripped and brittle as burnt skeletons in the snow.
Some 8-to-10 degrees warmer in Saxony, I arrived at a city shrouded in mist, with the darkness of the early afternoon somehow made a touch warmer by that first Friday-feeling of the year. Onwards to Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei - a converted cotton mill where this evening’s ‘Sleep In’ would take place - the 14 tram would rumble past the pink and lilac glow of the city’s opera house. Sleep Ins are no new thing, and to be in the arms of the proverbial morpheus with some 200 people in an industrial estate does have its abstract appeal, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a fan of the concept.
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ASIP - Reflection on 2023
A Strangely Isolated Place
12/20/23 • -1 min
As with all past ‘Reflection’ year-end mixes, I start with a collection of albums, EPs, and compilations I have enjoyed over the past year. Through the process of compiling a mix, tracks are selected from this extensive collection. This ultimately means many of my favorite tracks and albums are often omitted in this process, due to the organic process of compiling a mix, things don’t fit, or fall by the wayside. There are many albums I had on high rotation missing from this mix, but I have to stop somewhere. As I say every year, this isn’t a definitive ‘best-of’ list, but a selection of *some* of my favorite music from the year in one listenable format. It’s the most enjoyable way for me to boil down the music I’ve loved from the year using these self-imposed restrictions, for you to enjoy and hopefully discover more, and for me to reflect on time and time again - like a photograph that captures the year in music.
I encourage you to use the mix to explore each artist, listen to the album in full, and explore each label (and check the Buy Music Club list at the bottom). If you want to see the majority of music I’ve been supporting this year, head over to my Bandcamp collection. For the ASIP year-end label compilation, see the feature and mix here.
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Yikes, I crossed the 3-hour mark! Well, that speaks volumes to the amount of great music that was released this year, and I’m already feeling guilty about omissions from this mix. But alas, it needs to stop somewhere, the Holiday’s are coming...
This edition marks the tenth year in succession (2010 was the first mix but I skipped doing this for two years for some reason) and it is an extremely enjoyable exercise I look forward to every year. Revisiting many of the albums I’ve purchased throughout the year, and records from my shelf, then taking the time to absorb more recent releases - the process is cathartic (after the slight anxiety that builds knowing I have a beast of a mix to tackle, and hard decisions to be made).
Looking back at previous Reflection mixes, I am evidently a creature of habit and seem to gravitate to certain artists more than most over the years (we all have our faves), but I also take a lot of time to dig for new artists and approaches to music in this realm, and this year’s edition is probably the most varied in music styles since the Reflection series began. Ambient, field recordings, drone (Power-ambient, even), big saxophones (the flute revival didn’t make it ;-), Japanese left-field pop, deep techno, chugging techno, modern classical, experimental, jungle, breaks, dub and more... as you might imagine, this is a 3hr mix that feels more like a showcase than a DJ mix in the traditional sense, as I’m focusing on creating chapters of different styles, but I hope makes for an attentive listen if you’ve got 3hrs to spare.
Am I going to write about all 42 tracks? Not this time, as I don’t think there’s much I can illustrate other than ‘go listen to that entire album!’ but I will make a few observations on themes that emerged as I was going through this process.
Firstly, the far corners of Bandcamp are very much alive, so for anyone looking for alternatives given all the talk with Bandcamp this year, please don’t hit the escape button and continue to support us- I continued to find so many new labels and artists, some of which are included here such as Liis Ring, Etüüd, ǝɯǝɐ, Azu Tiwaline and not to forget a kick-ass Jungle community throwing out some lovely 90’s infused comps. Bandcamp keeps small labels and artists alive right now (only two of these tracks were physical releases and not on Bandcamp - #19 & #42).
I spent a lot of time listening to music that would work for the two shows I played in Japan earlier this year, and for those who listened back to one of the sets I posted, you may notice a few similar tracks/artists appearing here again which I’ve held in high regard since their release, such as Jo Johnson, Field Lines Cartographer and Endurance. On reflection, there was a lot of deepness for me this year that came from preparing for and inspired by those sets, sitting on the edges of techno with lots of synthesizer/Berlin school projects (as well as a couple of ...
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FAQ
How many episodes does A Strangely Isolated Place have?
A Strangely Isolated Place currently has 15 episodes available.
What topics does A Strangely Isolated Place cover?
The podcast is about Soundtrack, Techno, Drone, Classical, Music, Ambient, Podcasts and Chillout.
What is the most popular episode on A Strangely Isolated Place?
The episode title 'ASIP - Deep Breakfast Mix 267' is the most popular.
How often are episodes of A Strangely Isolated Place released?
Episodes of A Strangely Isolated Place are typically released every 45 days, 5 hours.
When was the first episode of A Strangely Isolated Place?
The first episode of A Strangely Isolated Place was released on Sep 9, 2023.
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