Based in Toronto, Polar Seas is one indie label which stands among the best in the panorama of modern avantgarde-micro tonal ambient music.
Profound meditative experience translated into sound motifs
Based in Toronto, Polar Seas is one indie label which stands among the best in the panorama of modern avantgarde-micro tonal ambient music, benefits a presence similar to other publishers such as Twice Removed, Whitelabrecs, Rural Colors et al. Solid acts and representatives of digitalized, glitch-esque home made ambient minimalism have released their efforts on this label, Michael Gordon, Celer among others. A common link between the artists is the profound meditative experience translated into sound motifs with the use of raw electro-acoustic manipulations and sparse repetitive melodies. The three late summer publications gather sound artists whose work is familiar to listeners of quiet and adventurous music.
Jeannine Schulz :: Pure — Jeannine Schulz is a a promising artisan of micro tonal sound sculptures. Her work is entirely devoted to velvety minimal structures and pulsing monotonal chords. The ambient miniatures are delicately approached and sensitive, with the presence of reverbed, emotional and bittersweet guitar lines. It is a true experimental music made with heart. Can be seen as a cross between Oren Ambarchi, loscil, Christian Fennesz and Loren Mazzacane Connors for the tender bluesy mood-micro noisy detached quality. This is a beautiful album in its flowing simplicity and emotional serenity. Can easily stand as a personal favorite from this label.
Andrew Heath & Anne Chris Bakker :: Sollia — Sollia is a collaborative effort between Andrew Heath and Anne Chris Bakker, two established sound artists that I discovered via their respective production for Shimmering Mood and Dronarivm if I remember correctly. They join force to provide an enchanting ambient and arctic soundscaping oddissey for sustained chords and stretched, expanded organic sounds. The envelopping and spacious tracks are sometimes punctuated by fragmented melodious lines obtained from the piano and other processed acoustic instruments. Gentle textural ambient reveries that will transport the listener in states of deep quietness.
IKSRE & Anthéne :: Season Shifting — Season Shifting is the creative result of IKSRE & Anthéne. First project is from Melbourne based multi-instrumentalist and vocal performer Phoebe Dubar who released a few albums in the world of micro edition. Anthéne is the project of the sound producer and owner of Polar Seas. I discovered his music back in time as my own musical material was published on the same label (Cathedral Transmissions) many years ago, in 2013. My project is a bit older and we finally took two different musical directions with a common taste for engaging experimental music with a melodic heart. Over the years this sound artist delivered recommended efforts if you are found of softly moving soundscapes drifting across a pale blue sky. This album is purely ambient in its form, its experimental and challenging facet is centered on vocal expression and sprawling minimal gestures. The whole content almost provides a sacred and deeply religious if not magical aura to the pieces. A sparkling ambient album with a sense of meditation and hope. Favorite track is the evanescent and somber “Falling Stars,” a little masterpiece in itself. A beautiful ethereal and sentimental album.
All above noted releases are available on Polar Seas.
