**The eighth installment in Geographic North’s long-running Sketch for Winter series, which highlights compositions intentionally crafted for the colder season.**
Unsung heroes of the ambient underground, Aria Rostami and Daniel Blomquist have quietly created some of the most aurally alluring sounds released in the past five years. And although that time has solidified the duo’s prowess of production and tenacity of texture, it has also shown its share of disruption and disorder. Having met and recorded all of their past works together in San Francisco, Sketch for Winter VIII: Floating Tone marks the first release made by the pair apart, with Rostami’s recent move to Brooklyn. But rather losing touch or stalling collaboration, the duo’s bond only grew stronger.
Rather than perform live improvisations in the same room, Rostami and Blomquist repeatedly passed material back and forth to be altered over time - sometimes involving extensive alterations, and others barely none. The result brings an astoundingly varied mix of melody, texture, and movement.
“The Sloping Tower” seeps into focus in a haze of pristine clatter, celestial chords, and synthetic detritus. Distant disembodied voices appear through rippling waves of melody, leaving only a tapestry of tattered sound. “The Sleeping Floor” meanders with a nocturnal melody that lulls and placates with a deft, delicate touch. A-side closer “The Guessing Hand” cultivates a seething but subtle soirée of nonchalant noir, suggesting some solemn and forgotten subterranean piano bar.
“The Running Glass” wafts in a cloud of blissful warmth, backlit with dimmed glee and neon vibrancy. “The Sinking Tone” turns the focus back to our piano, heaving in a lush and all-consuming storm of shimmering texture and noise. “The Floating Table” closes things out with utter resolve, reflecting on the receding action and dabbling in some amorphous beauty.
It’s a powerful new chapter in Rostami and Blomquist’s journey that solidifies their past and suggests endless opportunities ahead.
credits
released February 28, 2020
Recorded and mixed by Aria Rostami and Daniel Blomquist
Thank you Nasrin, Abbas, Pepper Ellett, Afshin, Ashkan, Mia, Bear, Soren, Nico, Michael, and Mark.
supported by 107 fans who also own “Sketch for Winter VIII: Floating Tone”
i bought this because it appears in jeff tobias' (sunwatchers) bandcamp collection (right beside my first solo album)... i had been speaking with an artist on my label (cloud recordings) about our mutual love of avant-garde cello, and this album really appeals to me... if you are interested in layered, morphed cello, check out the sister sai album, extempore (which is available on bandcamp). sister sai played the festival i put on, called cloud recordings festival, and was extraordinary! cloudrecordings
supported by 93 fans who also own “Sketch for Winter VIII: Floating Tone”
beautiful tones and textures all around. makes me feel like i'm observing a flock of luminous winter butterflies, soaring against a still sky with sun rays shyly piercing through a cloud barrier; all in slow, gently swaying motions. avery
supported by 73 fans who also own “Sketch for Winter VIII: Floating Tone”
Muted, greyscale ambient that aptly mimics the introspective calm and leaden stillness of winter. Hushed pads rise and curl like frosted mists, brittle rhythmic elements crunch and crack, and there's a resigned sense of solitude that permeates every second. This isn't quite as vibey and whimsical as "Only Love From Now On," but it's still a worthy addition to Villain's growing discography. PannionSeer