"Seraphim II" by How To Disappear Completely

I am thrilled that How To Disappear Completely (previously here) has released another collection of incredible ambient drone music, "Seraphim II" which is a follow up to the equally stunning "Seraphim." Turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream...

https://htdc.bandcamp.com/

"Industry" by Harry Talin

I am currently mesmerized by this ambient, drone-y track, "Industry" by Harry Talin (previously here, as Trailblazer) from his 2015 release "The Exciter.". The layers, the overdubbing, the reverb, the trumpet...it all strikes me right. *sigh* Where are you Harry? Are you still making music?

https://harrytalin.bandcamp.com/

"Ephemera" by How To Disappear Completely

"Ephemera" is a new three-song collection just released by How To Disappear Completely. It's dreamy, ethereal, melancholy...described by the artist as:

Flowing in a state of deafening solitude. Visions of sadness murmured in dreams. We know how the end always is.

https://htdc.bandcamp.com/

"Nuit Ensemble" by Perry Frank

Exquisite, sublime ambient music from Perry Frank, "Nuit Ensemble" is a collection of 10 hypnotic, dreamy tracks.

https://www.perryfrankmusic.com/home

"Aural Stream" by How To Disappear Completely

I am thrilled that the ambient musical group How To Disappear Completely has released a new album called "Aural Stream." It is a beautiful, dim, moody, droning collection...highly atmospheric, otherworldly, soothing, penetrating.

https://www.instagram.com/htdccollective/

"Your Shadow A Pale Glow" by KAGAMI Smile

KAGAMI Smile (American-born Ryan Hill now living in China) has released several songs this year so far and this dense, hypnotizing track, "Your Shadow A Pale Glow" is a standout for me.

https://kagamismile.bandcamp.com/

"Icarus" by Shimmer

I share a lot of different kinds of music and regular readers of "Oh, By The Way..." may know that one of the genres I love is Ambient. True ambient music. And Drone music. Both of these genres can create magical states for me--and any listener--by driving Alpha brain waves to feel a light, relaxing trance.

So I am delighted to share this track "Icarus" by Shimmer, a project of musician Matthew Wigton.

"Zero" by Ólafur Arnalds

Wowsa, just take a look at this video for "Zero" by modern composer Ólafur Arnalds. I have been so interested in what drones can do for film, from a photography perspective, and did not even think of what drones can do for lighting! As the dancers move through the forest in this video, they are lit by some local stationary lights, but the motion and atmosphere come from the shifting lights overhead on a drone, making the shadows of the branches swirl around them. UTTERLY MAGICAL.

https://olafurarnalds.com/

Right Up Our Alley!

This has been making the rounds all over the internet so you've probably already seen this, but in case you haven't, watch this amazing minute and a half film advertising the Bryant-Lake Bowl & Theater, a Minneapolis restaurant supporting local and organic agriculture, a cabaret theater with shows almost every night, and a vintage bowling alley! Shot by Jay Christensen (Jaybyrdfilms) of Rally Studios, the camerawork on this drone film is jaw dropping. It's just incredible how we fly from location to location so easily, zooming right between someone's legs at one point!

Here is an equally impressive short film shot for Mann Theatres Plymouth Grand 15 in Plymouth, Minnesota.  

https://www.instagram.com/jaybyrdfilms/
https://www.rally-studios.com/
https://www.bryantlakebowl.com/
https://manntheatres.com/theatre/87/Plymouth-Grand-15

Fare Well: Edinburgh's Hogmanay Drone Shows

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the world's largest Hogmanay (New Year) celebration in Edinburgh (previously here) has moved to an online platform. These 3D drone light shows accompanied by David Tennant and others reading a new poem by Jackie Kay are stunning. The combination of the scenery, the words, the music, the lights and the images and symbols they form, and the inflection of the readers made me tear up...

FARE WELL, PART ONE
Edinburgh's Hogmanay 2020 - Online Celebration
Fare Well is a new poem by Jackie Kay that bids farewell to 2020 and wishes a better year for 2021 Narrated by David Tennant and others, Fare Well underscores the UK’s largest swarm drone display, recorded in the Scottish Highlands and cut to spectacular views above Edinburgh.

Part One of Fare Well looks at the year gone by – the funerals and weddings cancelled, the griefs and despairs which have been collective, with a feeling that the world has become a village.

FARE WELL, PART TWO
Whilst part one of Fare Well looked at the year that’s gone by, the second phase turns to look at us today and to give thanks for the many acts of community and kindness displayed by so many across the country. Jackie Kay’s narrative takes an optimistic tone, reflecting on the good of the human spirit and the sense of togetherness that has emerged from 2020.

Part two of Fare Well includes images of “WE” in the skies above Edinburgh – a message from Scotland of universality and commonality – with “WE” translated into many languages including French, Gaelic, Arabic, Greek, Korean, Mandarin and Thai.

FARE WELL, PART THREE
The final instalment of Fare Well and a message of hope for 2021!

Whilst part one and two of Fare Well looked at the year gone by, the finale turns from the celebration of Hogmanay, the end of the year, and looks with optimism to the future. Taking inspiration from a poem by Robert Burns (Sketch New Year's Day), Scots Makar Jackie Kay echoes Burns’ question about the night of Hogmanay and asks what did ‘yesternight deliver’ and like Burns, finds that there is hope, and that it is found in nature. Burns finds hope in looking up at the skies and says that something in us never dies.

Haud Hogmanay (Happy New Year), readers.

https://www.edinburghshogmanay.com/

BEAUTY: Photography--Reuben Wu

Photographer Reuben Wu (who is also a founding member of electronic music group Ladytron!) photographed eerie rock formations at night illuminated by light-carrying drones for his arresting Lux Noctis series. I love the theatricality and heightened sense of place just by shining a bit of light on a cliff or glacier. It turns a terran landscape into something extraterrestrial. And this extraterrestrial sense is only magnified by the lines and halo patterns the lighted drones make in the air. It's magical...

https://reubenwu.com/home
http://www.ladytron.com/

"Pandora" by How To Disappear Completely

I am floating in a delicious, transcendent Alpha state listening to this phenomenal ambient/drone track called "Pandora" by How To Disappear Completely, a live collective based in Poland. The song is part of a new release called "Mer de Revs II," intended to aid in relaxation.

Their release notes say:
"Mer de Revs II - Music For Insomniacs

A study in deliberately soothing textures designed to give the listener space to find stillness and collapse into rest - late night lullabies.

How To Disappear Completely presents Mer de Revs II, second installment of our experimental sleep music project. Almost eighty minutes of new music composed and recorded over twelve month period (a song per month), 2016/2017. Recording this album we wanted to keep the same aesthetics - simple as possible, minimal amount of gear as possible. We hope you enjoy our latest release as much as we did recording it and we can't thank you all enough for your support. As always, thanks for listening.

Mer de Revs Sessions (Recorded in 2016/2017)

NOTE: The sound contained on this release is intended and specially designed to fit the headphones. All perceived silence and audio deformations were intended."

https://www.facebook.com/HTDC-319195858174808/

The Top 20 Drone Photos of 2016 From Dronestagram

Website Dronestagram, a site dedicated to the art of aerial photography by drones, has published their year-end list of the top twenty drone photographs. Users around the globe posted photos from locations familiar and exotic.

A snorkeller follows a Manta Ray, Yasawa Islands, Fiji by Droneworks NZ

Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Umbria, Italy by Fcatutto

Big Buddha, Ushiku Daibutsuby, Japan by cliechti

Bird attack in French Polynesia by Actua Drone

Bogata Forest, Romania by Calin Stan

Camels on Cable Beach, Australia by Todd Kennedy

Copacabana, Rio de janeiro, Brazil by Ulysses Padilha

Fields of Lavender in Valensole, Provence, France by jcourtial

Huia dam New Zealand by Brendon Dixon

Miedzyzdroje plaża, Poland by Drone Expert

Niagara Falls by Ryanjones

Piton de la Fournaise Volcano by DroneCopters

Red Chili Farmer, Guntur, India by Aurobird

Rock Climbing, Moab, USA by Max Seigal

Ski race, Adzhigardak, Asha, Russia by Maksim Tarasov

Stirling, Alberta, Canada by Aero Retina Optics

Summer Camp, Amadores, Gran Canaria, Spain by Karolis Janulis

Swarm of sheep, Romania by Thedon

Vernazza, cinque terre, italy by jcourtial

Wedding in Huahine, French Polynesia by Helene Havard

http://www.dronestagr.am/blog/dronestagram-top-20-pictures-2016/
http://www.dronestagr.am/

"Matilda's Dream" by Demdike Stare

I have always been a huge fan of ambient music (I heard Eno's "Music For Airports" in the late 70s and have been hooked ever since)..."Matilda's Dream" by Demdike Stare (DJ Sean Canty and producer Miles Whittaker) is completely hypnotizing. I can feel myself slipping into alpha brain waves as I listen...

"When You Sing" by School of Seven Bells

Ever since my post a few days ago about the new School of Seven Bells release, I have been on a School of Seven Bells kick. And I have been returning again and again to their amazing song "When You Sing" from their album "Ghostory." It starts in a dreamy, ambient space but launches into a driving, powerful trajectory while still retaining a gauzy drone--and the contrast between the dynamic rhythm and Alejandra Dehaza's floating, smooth, long tones is delicious.

http://www.sviib.com/

"Magic Hour" by Trailblazer

OH. MY. GOD.

I am LOVING this hypnotic new track called "Magic Hour" by Trailblazer (Coleman Guyon a.k.a. Harry Talin) from his collection "Regret." Just the right amount of reverb and distortion...dreamy, float-y, yet still with a groove... stunning.

https://harrytalin.bandcamp.com/

"Wordless In Woods" by Tara Jane O'Neil

"Wordless In Woods" by Tara Jane O'Neil.
ahhhhhh...

Happy Sunday morning.

http://www.tarajaneoneil.com/

Currently listening to...

...the ambient "Requiem For Dying Mothers Part 2" by the transcendent Stars of the Lid.

Listen to how the texture masterfully shifts from drone to strings. Truly a marvel.

http://www.brainwashed.com/sotl/