AMBiENT PiNG RADiO

Download "a decade dreaming" by dreamSTATE!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:48:00 +0000

Download "a decade dreaming" by dreamSTATE for free from ping things!

I am very pleased to announce the latest net release title from ping things is "a decade dreaming" by dreamSTATE. Released to coincide with the tenth anniversary of THE AMBiENT PiNG, "a decade dreaming" features a selection of live performances by dreamSTATE spanning ten years of concerts at THE AMBiENT PiNG, celebrating both the music and the PiNG community of the last decade.

With guest performances by Eric Hopper of Sylken, Alan Bloor of Pholde/Knurl, Jim Field of Spacenoiz, James Johnson, Wally Jericho, and Cheryl O, "a decade of dreaming" is a beautiful collection of music that captures the essence of dreamSTATE and the PiNG itself. From the smooth pads of "Soundscape for Richard Wright", through the delicate melodies of "Jharna Revealed", to "Premillennial Landscape #1" and its celestial tones, "a decade dreaming" is a fabulous release that I am delighted to be able to share with you.

"a decade dreaming" is available for free download as a 110 Mb Zip file containing the full release in high quality 256kbps mp3 format along with artwork suitable for printing. The music on this release is copyright Scott M2 and Jamie Todd 1999-2009 and may not be used or reproduced without the artist's express permission. For extended liner notes from "a decade dreaming", please visit http://www.dreamstate.to/decade/

"a decade dreaming" is the latest release from the ping things net label. New releases will be added to the site on the 1st of each month. I hope that you'll enjoy this new music as much as I do, and I encourage you to let me know what you think of it by e-mailing me at rik@pingthings.com

Review this release on Earlabs.

Keep up to date with ping things through
the ping things twitter feed
the ping things facebook group
and the ping things ning group!

Celebrate the AMBiENT PiNG's 10th anniversary with selected discs by PiNG artists for only $10!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:00:00 +0000

*Cross posted from the ping things blog*

Our friends at the AMBiENT PiNG are celebrating their 10th Anniversary this month, so for a limited time selected titles from some of your favorite PiNG artists are on sale for $10. Choose from great artists like dreamSTATE, James Johnson, Pholde, Sylken and more!

Note that quantities are limited, sale prices are only in effect while supplies last.

An interview with Scott M2, Jamie Todd and Rich Baker about the AMBiENT PiNG

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 11:41:00 +0000

August 18th will see the 10th anniversary of Toronto's AMBiENT PiNG event, a live music showcase that both celebrates the Toronto ambient scene and provides a home away from home for like-minded touring acts. Over the course of it's ten year history the PiNG has hosted performances by such notable acts as Robert Rich, Aidan Baker, dreamSTATE, Sylken, Pholde, Kinder Atom, James Johnson and many, many more, establishing itself as one of the premier live ambient events in the world. Returning to it's roots in Toronto's Kensington Market, the 10th anniversary show will be happening at Supermarket located at 268 Augusta Avenue just south of College, and will feature performances by dreamSTATE, Kalte, and Wally Jericho along with lighting by General Chaos Visuals.

So to commemorate this historic occasion, let's return to an interview from 2004 with Scott M2 and Jamie Todd of the AMBiENT PiNG along with Rich Baker of ARC. I spoke with them on the eve of the release of the first PiNG AMBiENCE cd collection, and the trio were kind enough to talk to me about the origins of the PiNG and some of the shows and events that stood out to each of them.

Enjoy!

rik - ping things

-----------------

Why don't we start with a little history of THE AMBiENT PiNG? How did it start, how did it get going, what was the original intent, who were the people that got it all going?

Rich Baker : Arnold [Sprogis] started it at Garvey's (I think) in Kensington Market. There were always a fair amount of people there. I had seen ambient performances before but through rave type things, not in it's own club. It was cool to wander around a club space to ambient music.

Jamie Todd : For me it all started at a Planet of the Loops show at Holy Joes (spring 1999, I think). Scott and Steven Sauve were on the bill with Andrew Aldridge and Michael Keith and I had ventured down to show support. After Scott had passed the loop baton to Steven, he joined me in the audience and I mentioned to Scott that Steven was doing stuff that reminded me of Terry Riley's A Rainbow In Curved Air (a classic LP from the late 60s which influenced me greatly). As Scott nodded in agreement, Arnold sat down beside me and mentioned that he hadn't heard (or even seen) that LP in years and a friendship was born on that obscure reference.

That same night Arnold introduced us to Chris Hutton and spoke of the art magazine Arnold was producing (Kensington Market Artist) and that Chris was doing some articles and reviews on ambient music for the upcoming first issue of the magazine. Arnold went on to tell us about his plans to start a weekly ambient music event which later that summer would become THE AMBiENT PiNG. Naturally Scott and I jumped at the chance to play the PiNG as we were looking for places to play as dreamSTATE and c'mon, THE AMBiENT PiNG, it was too perfect of a fit, it became our home very shortly. That POL show was the catalyst for me, friendships evolved from it, ambient alliances were struck and the PiNG was born as a result.

Scott M2 : First, some props for Arnold Sprogis: When he was planning a weekly ambient night, I suggested that quarterly or monthly might be more realistic but he insisted that weekly was important so people would always know when it was happening - as it would also be a social thing. Good call... I also suggested that this new weekly should have a name. I was expecting something more obvious, like "Soundscapes", but Arnold came up with "THE AMBiENT PiNG". Chris Hutton was a less obvious conspirator in the initial plans for the PiNG. He was also a vital part of the audience at the early shows - always utterly intent and focused on the performances - always with insightful commentary and encouragement after the sets.

Care to recall some of your most memorable nights at the PiNG?

RB : Some of the reasoning why I wanted to include many of the artists in PiNG AMBiENCE was because I had been impressed with some of their live shows in the past. And you could always just focus in on the music and the performance at the PiNG so any night could be particularly memorable.

SM2 : After being there for about 200 shows, there's many. Here's some memories that come to mind now:

After seeing Jakob Thiesen perform shows with very funky old analog synth gear and sampler, then with a laptop, discovering at our 3rd Anniversary show that he's also a dead solid drummer. At the same show, hearing guitarist Michael Rockwood go even deeper into his wonderful oceanic soundscape looping.

Seeing the vibrant enthusiasm and good humour radiating from James Johnson and Vir Unis during their performance together here.

Sara Ayers' opening vocal/loop-based piece at the PiNG just took my breath away. Her closing piece made me shiver.

When ambient artist Bruce FM played here, an old friend of his had prepared the visuals for his concert - without letting Bruce see them first. They were absolutely hilarious - poking fun at Bruce and his music in a wide variety of ways - using mocking text segments, a film of a block of ice melting - even a crazed mechanical Guru puppet which played a guitar solo. Bruce took it all with good grace. I'd love to see it again.

Experiencing Ben Grossman for the first time (or any time since) creating magnificent drones and layers from a Hurdy Gurdy with treatments.

Wally Jericho, at so many shows, creating floating or searing trumpet loops, solo or with so many other artists like Sylken, dreamSTATE or Planet Of The Loops. I remember at the PiNG's 2nd Summer Ambient Party (at an artist's warehouse studio/living space) Wally playing an all acoustic set with cellist cheryl o and Steven Sauve on grand piano, and physically twirling in circles while he played, up in the bedroom loft, to create a phasing effect.

General Chaos Visuals are always perfect for ambient music with their slowly weaving analog projections, but they really created an outstanding environment within the white walls at Art System for the Robert Rich/dreamSTATE special concert. Robert's set was beautiful and what a surprise discovering that he was touring with a huge modular synth without a travel case, just piled on top of his other gear in the back of his van. All the patch cords were still plugged in. Faster setup time!

Then there's our previous location at Po Boys Club:

Saxman Richard Underhill getting the PiNG shut down by the police after a noise complaint. (There was someone's bedroom on the other side of the wall right beside the stage.) Police had come before and always left after discovering only some placid ambient music - but at the moment they arrived, Rich had just trapped a very twisted loop in his delay pedal, which some might describe as the sound of killing a cat!

DJ Isis from Vancouver and the various screens with hypnotic analog film loops she and her crew set up throughout the club.

At the first dreamSTATE show with visuals, we had changed into white Tyvek "cleanroom" suits (at Arnold's place just down the street) to become part of the screens for the projections. We decided to enter in through the restaurant downstairs, then go up the backstairs and take to the stage from the back of the club as a little surprise. Turns out the restaurant patrons downstairs thought we were exterminators...

JT : Every night has been memorable, but on a personal note, dreamSTATE's first performance is a standout as is our year long marathon of the Drone Cycle.

We were the third act to take the PiNG's stage and it was a strange night at Garvey's in Kensington Market. After we had set up our synths and completed a sound check, a drunken Garvey regular stumbled up to Scott and myself and asked if we do requests. Scott played along and said it depends what do you want to hear expecting a request for Tangerine Dream or something along those lines and the drunk surprised us by requesting we play some Eric Clapton. Astonished I looked at the sea of wires and synths we had just left behind on the stage and replied sorry we have no guitars and we only do original stuff and in fact we basically just improvised as we played. Scott made a beeline to the bar (to argue with the barkeep/owner about why the band should get at least a couple of free beers as a matter of respect to us for filling the place with people who were buying beer) thereby leaving me stranded with the still babbling drunk who was now into a rant about why we were doing this in the first place. Did we want a record contract, if we did he had the answer. Tell them that you know what a diminished seventh is and they'll give you a contract. Just march into the record companies and tell them you know what a diminished seventh is and you'll get a contract. As he continued on this rant, I noticed that Scott had indeed convinced the barkeep and was walking away with a cold brew, but the barkeep leapt over the bar in a great rush. Scanning the room looking for the object of barkeep's rush, I noticed a short guy coming up the stairs, entering the club, but he saw the barkeep coming and he high tailed back down the stairs and out into the street. I excused myself from the babbling drunk who knew all the secrets of the record industry and joined Scott on-stage where we played to a very appreciative crowd. As we were winding down our performance the little short guy came running back up the stairs and ambushed the barkeep with a water pistol squirt to the face. While Scott and I finished up our set, the barkeep chased the little guy around the club while the little guy kept squirting the barkeep with water. After a couple of laps like this around the club, the barkeep finally managed to chase him back down the stairs and out into the street. It was a great way to end a set and start a string of performances. Soon there were less of the people who didn't get THE AMBiENT PiNG and more of the people who did get it.

The Drone Cycle was memorable as it was a test of endurance for Scott and myself, but it also gave us an opportunity to play with some of our new and old friends. Our concept was to play a two-hour unrehearsed improvisational show once a month and to have a different guest and note each month as we explored the octave over the year (12 notes in the octave, 12 months in the year). Playing with friends is always fun, but this process was also challenging and educational which resulted in some fond memories and some interesting sonic explorations.

It's tough to single out other shows though as there have been so many great shows, some standouts for me though have been the first time I saw Pholde playing metal, the night Susanna Hood stroked a naked piano with a dildo and every time General Chaos have done visuals and turned the room into a psychedelic swirl. The list goes on and on. Most of all though it's every night as I always get inspired by the community and the performers.

Over the four years since it's inception the PiNG has become a very nurturing environment for musicians, a space where thoughts and ideas are free to grow, develop. What is it about THE AMBiENT PiNG that encourages that way of thinking? What has inspired that kind of space? Do you think it's the result of the environment, or the people that participate in it?

JT : It's both really. Since it's inception, the PiNG has worked hard at developing a nurturing environment, but it would be all for naught if the community and the people were not responsive. In the early days, it was mostly artists and musicians performing for other like minded artists and musicians which created a lot of exchange and communication between PiNG artists.

This attitude is still with us and on any given night there are many artists drinking in the good vibes and sounds which is inspiration in itself. As an aside I often see illustrators and visual artists regularly exploring their art while attending a PiNG event. There are so many great artists who have performed at the PiNG, that the bar just keeps getting raised and this creates an attitude that you as an artist have a responsibility to raise the level ever higher each and every time you perform.

SM2 : Artists coming to the PiNG know that no one is expecting to dance, to sing along or to hear what they've heard before. I consciously book music that is rarely heard in other clubs - and so it's a place where artists can play music that they may have previously only played at home, just for themselves, and are thrilled to find a place where people will appreciate it and judge it for what it is and not for what it isn't. Creating an environment and setting the tone makes a difference - but it's the audience and the artists who fill the space with the good vibes that encourage you to come back again and again.

Rich, you have a particular association with the PiNG in terms of your work with Arc, which I think is indicative of the type of environment that's been created, the sense of community that revolves around the PiNG. Care to retell that story?

RB : The first time I went out to the PiNG I was talking to Arnold and when he learned I was a drummer he asked me to come back the next time with a drum. So I did and he pushed me up on stage where Aidan and Chris were already playing. They didn't know me and I don't think they knew someone else was going to be playing, but we liked our performance (unfortunately it was not recorded) and decided to do more shows. I find working as an improvisory musician tremendously rewarding and Arc has enough common ground that we have continued to perform and record through improvisation.

Tell us about PiNG AMBiENCE. Would you say that it's an accurate representation of a night at the PiNG?

RB : It's not an accurate representation of a night but it gives one somewhat of an idea of what a few nights might be like.

SM2 : PiNG AMBiENCE represents some of the purer ambient and dark ambient soundscapes that are at the very heart of the Ping - though there's a wider variety of styles that I also book which might fall into chillout (with grooves) or experimental ("academic" through noise) music categories. PiNG AMBiENCE captures the feel of the PiNG for me in the Po Boys days in particular, and I think that Rich was trying to assemble a "classic" PiNG lineup for this first compilation with most artists going right back to the first year or so of performances.

Listening to it, one can't help but feel a connection between the artists in terms of sound, a sense of shared ideal. Do you think this is indicative of a PiNG sound, and if so, how would you describe that sound?

JT : Hmmm, a PiNG sound, that's hard to pin down as there have been such diverse sounds coming from the PiNG stage overall. For example, the PiNG stage has hosted classical instrumentalists, as well as jazz, rock and pop players exploring less structure and more of the music between the notes so to speak. It has also been home to many sound explorers and soundscape artists, so I guess it comes down to unique artists who bring their own experience, styles and talents to the stage as they interpret ambient music and yes Cymbl's PiNG AMBiENCE mix accurately reflects this diversity.

RB : Ooh that seems like dancing about architecture again. I'd suggest that all artists have a conception about ambient which is different but with some shared aspects, but all the artists because they have performed at the PiNG to the same sort of audience all know how far they can push the Ambient concept. I'm also sure that we have influenced each other. It might be difficult to hear how a trumpet makes a connection with a laptop but there must be approaches that artists have heard and like and share. So the PiNG sound would be the development of the artists that have played at the PiNG, but y'd have to go back and trace that development.

You've been doing it for four years now, where do you see the PiNG heading in the future? Any ideas, plans, goals, dreams you have for the next four, fourteen, forty years?

SM2 : Jamie is the one with the bigger masterplans for the future. I just want to keep the garden going and growing and enjoy the fruits as they appear. The things I've hoped for have been slowly happening: more visuals, a stable, friendly host (Cheers to C'est What!), fresh surprises from new artists, appearances by artists I've admired for years - many travelling long distances to perform in a welcoming environment, CD releases from a variety of performances, an onsite ambient CD outlet (Cheers to rik!) and now, the first compilation from PiNG artists (Cheers to Rich!).

JT : Personally I hope it doesn't end and that it will continue to grow and evolve. For the future, more concerts and performances in different environments and cities, but I'd also like to see the regular Tuesday ambient pub nights continue. PiNG AMBiENCE is the first step in taking the PiNG concept and community to the world. I'd like to tune into PiNG radio, watch the PiNG channel, read PiNG mags, comics and books . . .

RB : There are many many things that I've talked about at the PiNG with many people so it's difficult to put it into a couple of sentences. I'd like to see the PiNG garner respect as a venue for new developments in music. I'm excited by all the interaction where different artists are regularly performing and recording with other artists. Eventually all the work that all the artists have put in is going to push the development of the ambient music form itself, as there is such a pool of artists that has performed at the PiNG you could describe the PiNG as a continuous music festival (and workshop). With such interaction, open mindedness, and a constant striving to develop, THE AMBiENT PiNG is a microcosm of everything that Toronto has the potential to become.

$8 and $10 sale at ping things!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:16:00 +0000

We're having a sale at ping things to celebrate the nicer weather! CDs by Andrew Duke, Embracing the Glass, James Johnson and more are all on sale for $10! That doesn't excite you enough? Well then how about discs by Darshan Ambient, mara's torment, Synthetic Block and more for only $8?

Check out the ping things page at http://www.pingthings.com to find out more, but be sure to hurry, sale prices are only in effect while quantities last!

Phil Ogison "The Perfect City" is available now at archive.org!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sun, 31 May 2009 18:41:00 +0000

Download "The Perfect City" by Phil Ogison for free from archive.org!

In our continuing efforts to load the ping things back catalog on the archive.org server, we are pleased to reintroduce to you the second ping things release, a very wonderful set of music from a very wonderful talent. "The Perfect City" by Phil Ogison is a sparkling collection of music that captures the essence of the metropolitan ideal, painting an aural picture of a bright future in a utopian lifestyle. A fine example of melodic ambience, "The Perfect City" is a stunning disc from start to finish. Phil's guitar work throughout is a study in ambient beauty, emotive fretwork that is by turns elated, pensive, mournful and more.

"The Perfect City" by Phil Ogison is available for free download as a 104Mb Zip file containing the full release in high quality 256kbps mp3 format along with front cover and tray card art suitable for printing. The music on this release is copyright Phil Ogison 2008 and may not be used or reproduced without the artist's express permission. If you like the work of Phil Ogison, check out his website at http://www.myspace.com/ogison

Review this release at EARLabs

"Glaciations" by Kalte

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sun, 17 May 2009 12:01:00 +0000

(Something from another label that might be of interest to readers, cross posted from the mara's torment blog...)

The latest release by Kalte (featuring Deane Hughes of Akumu and rik maclean of mara's torment) is now available for free download from the Dark Winter net label. "Glaciations" can be downloaded at http://www.darkwinter.com/dw056.html

Inspired by the isolation and emptiness inherent in the Polar Night, "Glaciations" is a series of five sound environments made up of cold elements and deep darkness. Drawing from a range of organic sound sources which have been altered and reassembled, "Glaciations" immerses the listener in a space that evokes the feeling of solitude and glacial winds, where dark tones drift through the soundscape, shifting in subtle ways.

With their work in zero-bpm, music concréte and deep ambient, Deane Hughes and Rik MacLean produce eerie and expansive soundscapes by combining natural and electronic elements. "Glaciations" is the duo's latest release, building and expanding on ideas explored on their debut, “The Lanthanide Series” (Stasisfield, 2008). Hughes and MacLean are currently working on their debut full-length CD.

Spatial Correlation "Les Landes" now available at archive.org

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sun, 10 May 2009 15:09:00 +0000

Download "Les Landes" by Spatial Correlation for free from archive.org!

Over the next few weeks, I'll be migrating the ping things catalog to the archive.org site as it will provide a more stable platform for our releases as well as add a number of features like streaming content and single mp3 downloads. And by moving the releases over, I have reason to re-introduce some of the earlier ping things releases that our newer readers may have missed the first time around.

With this in mind, I'd like to re-introduce the very first ping things release "Les Landes" by Spatial Correlation. "Les Landes" is a beautiful collection of minimal dreampop from one of my very favorite artists. On "Les Landes", Ryan Hagerman of Spatial Correlation creates pieces of great beauty and wonder where tones float together seemlessly and silence is just as important as the notes it surrounds. From the opening track "scene" with its sparse introduction and subtle use of percussion, through "edit" which sweeps and flows just underneath your perception, to the subtle charms of "breathe", one can't help but be swept away in a wave of bliss that grows and deepens as the disc continues. The delicate strains of "borealis", the hypnotic rhythms of "riga", you can't help but get lost in this disc, hypnotized, mesmerized, beguiled.

"Les Landes" by Spatial Correlation is available for free download as a 75Mb Zip file containing the full release in high quality 256kbps mp3 format along with front and back cover art suitable for printing. The music on this release is copyright Ryan Hagerman 2008. If you like the work of Spatial Correlation, check out his website at
www.myspace.com/spatialcorrelation

"Les Landes" is the first release on the ping things net label. New releases are added on the 1st of each month. I hope that you'll enjoy their music as much as I do, and I encourage you to let me know what you think of it by e-mailing me at rik@pingthings.com

Cheers!

rik - ping things

Review this release on Earlabs.

Download "Mechanism of the Soul" by Reinholt56 for free!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sat, 02 May 2009 12:20:00 +0000

Download "Mechanism of the Soul" by Reinholt56 for free

ping things is very pleased to announce the latest addition to our net release catalog. "Mechanism of the Soul" by Reinholt56 is an impressive collection of instrumental ambient works that capture the wonder and mystery of the cosmos.

"Mechanism of the Soul" is available for free download as an 112Mb Zip file containing the full 10 track release in high quality 256kbps mp3 format along with artwork and notes suitable for printing. The music on this release is copyright Reinholt56 2009 and may not be used or reproduced without the artist's express permission. For more information about Reinholt56, please visit http://www.macjams.com/artist/Reinholt56

"Mechanism of the Soul" is the latest release from the ping things net label. New releases will be added to the site on the 1st of each month. I hope that you'll enjoy this new music as much as I do, and I encourage you to let me know what you think of it by e-mailing me at rik@pingthings.com

Review this release at Earlabs

Download "Love and the Fear of Poverty" by Spatial Correlation for free!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sat, 02 May 2009 12:07:00 +0000

cross posted from the ping things blog

Download "Love and the Fear of Poverty" by Spatial Correlation for free

Spatial Correlation returns to ping things with a new release entitled "Love and the Fear of Poverty" which is now available for free download. Ranging from lo-fi bedsit experiments to lush orchestral ambience, "Love and the Fear of Poverty" captures Ryan Hagerman at his best, creating the melodic chilled ambience that has made him so well loved by his fans.

"Love and the Fear of Poverty" is available for free download as an 81Mb Zip file containing the full release in high quality 256kbps mp3 format along with artwork suitable for printing. The music on this release is copyright Ryan Hagerman, 2009 and may not be used or reproduced without the artist's express permission.

"Love and the Fear of Poverty" is the latest release from the ping things net label. New releases will be added to the site on the 1st of each month. I hope that you'll enjoy this new music as much as I do, and I encourage you to let me know what you think of it by e-mailing me at rik@pingthings.com.

Review this release on Earlabs

Download "fluctuations" by mara's torment!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 02:53:00 +0000

Download "fluctuations" by mara's torment for free!

The February release from the ping things net label comes from mara's torment and is now available for free download. "fluctuations" is a four track collection of music, exploring and expanding upon work from previous live performances resulting in new textures, new sounds, and new environments.

"fluctuations" is available for free download as an 65Mb Zip file containing the full release in high quality 256kbps mp3 format along with artwork suitable for printing. The music on this release is copyright rik maclean 2009 and may not be used or reproduced without the artist's express permission.

"fluctuations" is the latest release from the ping things net label. New releases will be added to the site on the 1st of each month. I hope that you'll enjoy this new music as much as I do, and I encourage you to let me know what you think of it by e-mailing me at rik@pingthings.com

Review this release on Earlabs

Download "Music for Travellers #2" by Panoramaroid for free!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 22:56:00 +0000

Download "Music for Travellers #2" by Panoramaroid for free!

I'm very pleased to announce the latest release from the ping things net label. "Music for Travellers #2" is a brand new collection of music from the very talented Matthew Poulakakis performing as Panoramaroid. Listeners already acquainted with Matthew's work as Automatic Fats and Salvagesound will hear a number of musical reference points, with Panoramaroid drawing style tips from both of those projects to create aural landscapes with bass-driven grooves, a travelogue of sounds that will appeal to all of you who like to explore new musical spaces.

"Music for Travellers #2" is available for free download as an 81Mb Zip file containing the full release in high quality 256kbps mp3 format along with artwork suitable for printing. The music on this release is copyright Matthew Poulakakis 2008 and may not be used or reproduced without the artist's express permission.

"Music for Travellers #2" is the latest release from the ping things net label. New releases will be added to the site on the 22nd of each month. I hope that you'll enjoy this new music as much as I do, and I encourage you to let me know what you think of it by e-mailing me at rik@pingthings.com

Review this release at EARlabs

Join the ping things community at ning.com!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:42:00 +0000

If you're here because you enjoy music in the ambient/electronic/darkwave/chill genres as much as we do, then you should join the ping things community at ning.com! Listen to new music from other artists, post your own music and videos and promote your own art, take part in forum discussions with other people that enjoy music as much as you do, and more! Check it all out at http://pingthings.ning.com/

Free shipping from ping things on all orders placed on December 26th and 27th!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:42:00 +0000

Happy Holidays from ping things!

Any orders placed December 26th and 27th will be sent with free shipping! Order anything from the ping things catalog at http://www.pingthings.com and it'll be mailed out to you for free!

Enjoy discs from Austere, Aidan Baker, The Circular Ruins, James Johnson, Sylken, and more, all at low prices with free shipping!

rik
ping things
http://www.pingthings.com

Download "Ensoulment" by Remora for free!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:43:00 +0000

*Cross posted from the ping things blog*

Download "Ensoulment" by Remora for free!

I'm very pleased to announce the latest release from the ping things catalog. "Ensoulment" by Remora is the latest release from Silber Media founder Brian John Mitchell. Brian has been experimenting with guitar atmospherics since 1995. "Ensoulment" marks a return to long form ambient guitar drones that have been absent from Remora’s recorded output since 1999’s Ambient Drones for One Guitar. It was recorded with one guitar (no overdubbing)split into three effect channels (loop and envelope filter; distortion, loop, and reverb; distortion, sub-octave, and reverb) and an acoustic guitar in front of an amplifier used as an ambient room mic.

On "Ensoulment" Remora throws out the idea of using the guitar as a melody instrument, approaching it instead as a sound source, as six tuned wires mounted on wood. The idea of song and melody is replaced by an increased importance on the tone and feeling of the sound. A conveying of emotion without implementing any of the common tricks of the guitarist’s trade. "Ensoulment" is one piece clocking in at over seventy minutes filled with dynamics one might feel in a restless sleep, a surrealistic soundscape full of monstrous walls and serene calm moments. It is both claustrophobic and calm. You can hear the influences to Brian’s ideas of tone and beauty from Justin Broadrick to Gyorgy Ligeti to Mike VanPortfleet as he occasionally coaxes sound out of the guitar, but more often forcefully beats it out. This is ambient music for the tarmac rather than inside the airport lobby.

"Ensoulment" is available for free download as a 126Mb Zip file containing the full release in high quality 256kbps mp3 format along with artwork suitable for printing. The music on this release is copyright Brian John Mitchell 2008 and may not be used or reproduced without the artist's express permission.

"Ensoulment" is the latest release from the ping things net label. New releases will be added to the site on the 22nd of each month. I hope that you'll enjoy this new music as much as I do, and I encourage you to let me know what you think of it by e-mailing me at rik@pingthings.com

Review this release on Earlabs.

Download "October Sky" by Building Castles Out of Matchsticks for free!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:33:00 +0000

*cross posted from the ping things blog*

Download "October Sky" by Building Castles Out of Matchsticks for free!

ping things is thrilled to present "October Sky" by Building Castles Out of Matchsticks. "October Sky" is a collection of mostly improvised works by Anne Sulikowski using guitar, pedals, voice, laptop and synthesizers to create two pieces that are a collage of sounds, and are meant to be heard as one continuous piece. The second segment "Sky" contains a cover of Corey Hart's song "Water From the Moon" from the album "The Boy in the Box".

Anne comments about the release "Fall is perhaps the most melancholy of all the seasons. Because it is so neutral, so warm and yet grey, it is easy to become absorbed in the most deepest of your memories, your feelings, and the random thoughts and the blurs between your reality and your dreams. A perfect time for a pause. Introspection. These pieces are remnants of my mind as it wanders with the autumn wind......

Nothing beats the sky just before twilight in the month of October, absolutely nothing."

Anne would like to thank ping things for the opportunity of this release. She would also like to thank all of her friends who made the October sky seem much less far.

"October Sky" by Building Castles Out of Matchsticks is available for free download as a 64.3 Mb Zip file containing the full release in high quality 192kbps mp3 format along with artwork suitable for printing. The music on this release is copyright Anne Sulikowski 2008 and may not be used or reproduced without the artist's express permission.

"October Sky" is the latest release from the ping things net label. New releases will be added to the site on the 22nd of each month. I hope that you'll enjoy this new music as much as I do, and I encourage you to let me know what you think of it by e-mailing me at rik@pingthings.com

Review this release at EARLabs

Download "tactile" by mara's torment for free!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:40:00 +0000

*cross posted from the ping things blog*

Download "tactile" by mara's torment for free!

ping things is proud to present "tactile" by mara's torment. Released as a single long form piece in four movements, "tactile" continues the studies in environment and isolation that have always been at the heart of the work of mara's torment. Crossing a wide range of emotional terrain, "tactile" is the latest net release from ping things.

"tactile" by mara's torment is available for free download as a 68.5 Mb Zip file containing the full release in high quality 256kbps mp3 format along with artwork suitable for printing. The music on this release is copyright rik maclean 2008, and may not be used or reproduced without the artist's express permission.If you enjoy the work of mara's torment, please feel free to subscribe to the mara's torment podcast.

"tactile" is the latest release from the ping things net label. New releases will be added to the site on the 22nd of each month. In the coming months you'll be able to download exclusive work from Building Castles out of Matchsticks, Remora and more. I hope that you'll enjoy their music as much as I do, and I encourage you to let me know what you think of it by e-mailing me at rik@pingthings.com

Review this release at EARLabs

Download "Where did we come from defcon?" by Ortiz for free!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:18:00 +0000

*cross-posted from the ping things blog*

Download "Where did we come from defcon?" by Ortiz for free from ping things!

I'm very pleased to announce "Where did we come from defcon?" by Ortiz is the latest release from the ping things net label. Available for free download, "Where did we come from defcon?" is an inspired collection of tracks that cover a wide range of sounds and styles. Blending familiar melodic elements with loops and processed sounds, Laurier Brown of Ortiz has crafted a fascinating and exciting set of tracks that pays homage to existing styles while simultaneously staking new ground in the electronic genre. From the chilled opening of "Comfort Setting", through the haunted looped phrases and patterns of "A Hungry Ghost Ain't Got No Love" to the closing pulse and drone of "Familiar Pattern", "Where did we come from Defcon?" is an engaging release that ping things is honored to be able to present.

"Where did we come from defcon?" by Ortiz is available for free download as a 78Mb Zip file containing the full release in high quality 256kbps mp3 format along with artwork suitable for printing. The music on this release is copyright Laurier Brown 2008, and may not be used or reproduced without the artist's express permission.

"Where did we come from defcon?" is the latest release from the ping things net label. New releases will be added to the site on the 22nd of each month. In the coming months you'll be able to download exclusive work from Building Castles out of Matchsticks, Remora and more. I hope that you'll enjoy their music as much as I do, and I encourage you to let me know what you think of it by e-mailing me at rik@pingthings.com

Review this release at EARLabs

Download "Land" by Nunc Stans for free!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:48:00 +0000

Download "Land" by Nunc Stans for free!

I am absolutely ecstatic to be able to share with you a brand new and exclusive digital EP by Nunc Stans! "Land" is the latest net release from ping things and is now available for free download. Many of you will be familiar with the work of Nunc Stans as one of the many projects from the brilliant and talented Anthony Paul Kerby, and will no doubt share in my excitement over this latest collection of tracks.

"Land" is a stunning work that captures the sound of Nunc Stans at a turning point where drone-based sensibilities blend seemlessly with melodic work to create a stunning sonic environment for the listener to explore. Influenced by the stark beauty of Northern Canada, Kerby has created a set of aural landscapes that inspires and delights from the cold drones of opener "Before the Colors Deepened", through the sparse melodies and underlying urgency of "Journey of a Thousand Days", to closing track "Ice Field" with it's beautiful humming tones and found sounds.

"Land" by Nunc Stans is available for free download as a 69Mb Zip file containing the full release in high quality 256kbps mp3 format along with front cover and tray card art suitable for printing. The music on this release is copyright Anthony Paul Kerby, 2008 and may not be used or reproduced without the artist's express permission. If you like the work of Nunc Stans, check out Anthony Paul Kerby's website at http://www.dataobscura.com/apk where you'll be able to find out more about Kerby's work.

"Land" is the latest release from the ping things net label. New releases will be added to the site on the 22nd of each month. In the coming months you'll be able to download exclusive work from Ortiz, naw, Building Castles out of Matchsticks, Remora and more. I hope that you'll enjoy their music as much as I do, and I encourage you to let me know what you think of it by e-mailing me at rik@pingthings.com

Review this release on Earlabs.

Download an ALMOST LiVE iN THE STUDiO performance by Numina!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 12:17:00 +0000

Click here to download an exclusive ALMOST LiVE iN THE STUDiO performance by Numina!

AMBiENT PiNG RADiO is pleased to present an exclusive performance by Numina for your listening pleasure! Over the last few years Jesse Sola, performing under the name of Numina, has created an impressive body of truly beautiful and moving ambient work that has earned him tremendous respect and admiration. A long time personal favorite of mine, Jesse's work captures the sounds of the cosmos, the passing of the ages, the birth and death of stars and more. A true artist and a true wonder, the music of Numina is well worth further investigation by all fans of the ambient genre.

This exclusive Almost Live performance is an excellent example of the Numina sound and is available for your enjoyment as a free mp3 download coded at 256kbps. If you enjoy the work of Numina, please feel free to visit ping things where you'll find a wide selection of music by Numina and other wonderful artists.

rik - ping things

Download "Aqua" by Andrew Duke for free from ping things!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:10:00 +0000

Download "Aqua" by Andrew Duke for free!

I'm thrilled to inform you that the latest net release from ping things is now available! "Aqua" by Andrew Duke is a long form abstract electronic piece exploring themes of loss and ritual. Fluid and emotive, "Aqua" is another fine work from one of Canada's premier electronic artists.

"Aqua" by Andrew Duke is available for free download as a 72Mb Zip file containingthe full release in high quality 256kbps mp3 format along with front cover and tray card art suitable for printing in both .jpg and .psd formats . The music on this release is copyright Andrew Duke 2008 and may not be used or reproduced without the artist's express permission. If you like the work of Andrew Duke, check out his website at http://www.andrew-duke.com

"Aqua" is the latest release from the ping things net label. New releases will be added to the site on the 22nd of each month. In the coming months you'll be able to download exclusive work from Nunc Stans, Ortiz, naw, Building Castles out of Matchsticks, Remora and more. I hope that you'll enjoy their music as much as I do, and I encourage you to let me know what you think of it by e-mailing me at rik@pingthings.com

Review this release on Earlabs.

Download "The Perfect City" by Phil Ogison for free from ping things!!!

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:02:00 +0000

Download "The Perfect City" by Phil Ogison for free!

ping things is proud to present the second release from the ping things net label! "The Perfect City" by Phil Ogison is a sparkling collection of music that captures the essence of the metropolitan ideal, painting an aural picture of a bright future in a utopian lifestyle. A fine example of melodic ambience, "The Perfect City" is a stunning disc from start to finish. Phil's guitar work throughout is a study in ambient beauty, emotive fretwork that is by turns elated, pensive, mournful and more.

"The Perfect City" is the latest release from the ping things net label. New releases will be added to the site on the 22nd of each month. In the coming months you'll be able to download exclusive work from Andrew Duke, Nunc Stans, Ortiz, naw, Building Castles out of Matchsticks, Remora and more. I hope that you'll enjoy their music as much as I do, and I encourage you to let me know what you think of it by e-mailing me at rik@pingthings.com

Review this release on Earlabs.

"Music for Travelers #1" by Panoramaroid

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:14:00 +0000

Click here to listen to an exclusive ALMOST LiVE performance by Panoramaroid!

AMBiENT PiNG RADIO is proud to present the debut performance by Panoramaroid! A new project by Matthew Poulakakis of Salvagesound and Noino, Panoramaroid presents a brilliant blend of smooth rhythms and textured ambience that draws the listener into a fascinating percussive environment. Entitled "Music for Travelers #1", this long form mix is an excellent introduction to an intriguing new project.

"Music for Travelers #1" by Panoramaroid

weet

watrous

sutaru

toestinder

tequicho

naw ALMOST LiVE iN THE STUDiO

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:14:00 +0000

Click here to listen to an exclusive ALMOST LiVE performance by naw!

I'm thrilled to announce that the latest update to the AMBiENT PiNG RADiO podcast features an exclusive ALMOST LiVE iN THE STUDiO performance by naw! A fascinating and engaging talent, Neil Wiernik of naw has been recording and releasing music since 1988, exploring and challenging boundaries in the world of electronic music and setting a standard that many other artists strive to attain. This exclusive podcast by naw features a long form piece written and recorded on a gloomy November evening, blending electronic and organic elements in that certain way that only Neil can.

For more information about Neil's work, visit the naw website at http://www.phoniq.net/.

The music in this podcast is copyright 2006 by Neil Wiernik and is used with permission.

Resonant Drift ALMOST LiVE iN THE STUDiO

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:27:00 +0000

Click here to listen to an exclusive ALMOST LiVE performance by Resonant Drift!

AMBiENT PiNG RADiO is happy to present a special ALMOST LiVE iN THE STUDiO presentation by the very talented Resonant Drift. Over the course of the sets forty minute length, Bill Olien of Resonant Drift has crafted an inspired collection of music featuring beautiful aural landscapes and melodic work.

If you like what you hear, check out "Flow Mingled Down" by Resonant Drift at ping things!

The music in this podcast is copyright Bill Olien 2007 and is used with permission.

Remora ALMOST LiVE iN THE STUDiO

rik@pingthings.com (rik maclean - ping things) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 21:51:00 +0000

Click here to download an exclusive ALMOST LiVE iN THE STUDiO performance by Remora!

We're very pleased to add this exclusive ALMOST LiVE set by our good friends Remora. Ranging from noise driven drones to beautiful melodic work, this guitar-based improvisation is a fine example of the post-rock greatness that is Remora and is unavailable anywhere else!

If you like what you hear, check out Remora's home on the 'net at the very cool Silber Records website where you'll find music by Remora and others including Lycia, mwvm and more!

The music in this podcast is copyright Brian John Michael 2006 and is used with permission.