Ambient and Drone.

dankrsta · 12-30-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

BUMP

Glad I found this thread. I've been looking into Drone Music a lot recently. I started out with La Monte Young and the Theater Of Eternal Music, in particular Day of Niagara: Inside the Dream Syndicate, Vol. I - it's ok but it doesnt go on long enough in order for me to go beyond boredom and experience the 'revelation' (I hope you know what I mean?). I've checked out Conrad's work with faust - v. good. Being hugely into Krautrock I'm already acquainted with Schulze's Irrlicht, early Tangerine Dream, Mittelwinternacht etc etc. I've also listened to Steve Roach.

Basically, who can point me in the direction of some proper drone similiar to the above?? I dont want Drone-Pop, Indiedrone blah blah - I want real Mind numbing Drone.

Pauline Oliveros, one of the pioneers of electronic music, tape experimentation and hypnotic drones, probably one of the influences on Tangerine Dream, Claus Schulze etc. Here's an early piece of droning electronic music:
YouTube - Pauline Oliveros - Bye Bye Butterfly (1965)

Phill Niblock, composer and filmmaker, interested especially in textures of sound and density. He collaborated with many composers and musicians among which are also Lee Ranaldo and Thurston Moore.
YouTube - Phill Niblock - Tow By Tom (live, Hamburg, 17.04.2009)

Glenn Branca - You probably know him; dense guitar symphonies, noise and drone
YouTube - Glenn Branca: The Ascension

Windy & Carl - Not really pop or indie drone, but more like drone-like ambient/cosmic/post-rock
YouTube - Windy and Carl - 03 - Elevation

Also, I second bob's suggestion of Zoviet France and Coil, but I have to check out some of the stuff he posted too

Sneer · 12-31-2010, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.

i don't think any of these would every be considered indie anything and most certainly not pop.....but mind blowing and long and defiantly drone....a little mix....many of these example are excerpts.....most of these bands don't make tracks shorter than 20 minutes....but i figured i'd spoiler some examples for you....if you like tham but cannot find them just let me know....and i'll get a copy to you

enjoy

Pelt....was a band from the late 90's through most of the 2000's...basically it's cerebral drone music created by tradition bluegrass musicians....one of which passed a couple of years back....i strongly suggest the albums Empty Bell Ringing In The Sky, Alyahuasca and Técheöd

Spoiler for Pelt:

Dead Voices On Air is a electronic drone/ambient act which consists sole of Mark Spyby, who has also performed under that name as well as Propeller, and has many collaborations with big names such as Mick Harris and cEvin Key's Download....his tracks can create pictures of nightmarish landscapes while at the same time blanketing you and making you feel safe....check out New Words Machine, Haufted Maul, and How Hollow Heart...

Spoiler for Dead Voices On Air:

Zoviet France has well over 20 albums under their belts...but i think the best thing they ever did was 1983s Mohnomishe....the album consists of 8 untitled and interweaving and quite maddening at times tracks ranging form 4 to 14 minutes in length.....great for dark nights in dark rooms....very revolving in the sound

Spoiler for Zoviet France:

All Hail The Transcending Ghost is a collaboration between the sole member of Swedish power electronic pioneers Folkstorm and the drummer from the doom/sludge metal troop Switchblade....this is much less harsh than the ear piercing sounds of Folkstorm and often underneath the despondent drone and whispering there is a an urgent drum beat....they've released only one self titled album....and this is some very dark stuff....but well worth checking out

Spoiler for All Hail The Transcending Ghost:

Nadja hails from Toronto, Canada and is a two piece drone/doom metal band.....their music in my opinion is liquid and amazing.....great for when you lie down for bed....although it is very powerful it is also very soothing and very very mind melting.....it's also nice that they add a sort of "shoegaze"
warmth to their sound....another great thing about them is they seem to be releasing up to three albums a year

....check out Radiance Of Shadows, Under The Jaguar Sun, and Autopergamene

Spoiler for Nadja:

Boris & Merzbow is a match made in heaven.....combining beautiful ambient rock with the structured noise of Merzbow....at time this can be a bit jarring....but very much in a good way....check out Rock Dream (Especially the opening 32 minute epic Feedbacker)

Spoiler for Boris & Merzbow:

Corrupted is an amazing funeral doom/drone band from Japan....much more on the "metal" side of things but very much still drone...this paticual track weighs in at about 41 minutes and is simply unrelenting slow guitar soaked drone....check out Paso inferior

Spoiler for Corrupted:

Wicked King Wicker is more on the "wall of noise" side of drone...but i actually feel that they produce really good noise music.....it's not quite as jarring as bands like Sutcliffe Jügend or Whitehouse....but after about 20 minutes your chest will start to tighten and your breathing may get shallow.....very good stuff but i think you defiantly have to be in that mood....check out 2009s God Is Busy.....Save Yourself

Spoiler for Wicked King Wicker:

MZ.412 is a little hard to really but a label on....there are so many different influence here....everything from power electronics to black metal can somewhat be felt in their music....."mind numbing" will defiantly come to mind as well as hypnotic....very dark ambient and yet pleasurable....look into Infernal Affairs, Burning The Temple Of God and Nordic Battle Signs

Spoiler for MZ.412:

Coil...i could go on for days about how great Coil is....they were all over the place....but in particular to what it sounds l;ike you want you must hear the album Time Machines....it consists of four songs each around 15 minutes and each named for the chemical properties of various hard psychedelics (my example is DMT).....their idea was to create drone sounds which would trick the brain into thinking that these chemicals were present....i'm sure these chemicals were involved in the creation of the music

Spoiler for Coil:

sorry for the long post

This is great, cheers dude. I know Coil quite well, but I'm familiar only with their first 3 albums. I'll definitely be checking out Time Machines. I love Boris but really dislike Merzbow... so that'll be an interesting listen. Havent heard of the other rec's so will be checking those out earnestly.

OccultHawk · 12-31-2010, 04:29 AM

I like what I've heard from Rafael Toral.

Here's a list of his stuff from the Forced Exposure website

https://www.forcedexposure.com/artis...al.rafael.html

Sneer · 12-31-2010, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dankrsta

Pauline Oliveros, one of the pioneers of electronic music, tape experimentation and hypnotic drones, probably one of the influences on Tangerine Dream, Claus Schulze etc. Here's an early piece of droning electronic music:
YouTube - Pauline Oliveros - Bye Bye Butterfly (1965)

Phill Niblock, composer and filmmaker, interested especially in textures of sound and density. He collaborated with many composers and musicians among which are also Lee Ranaldo and Thurston Moore.
YouTube - Phill Niblock - Tow By Tom (live, Hamburg, 17.04.2009)

Glenn Branca - You probably know him; dense guitar symphonies, noise and drone
YouTube - Glenn Branca: The Ascension

Windy & Carl - Not really pop or indie drone, but more like drone-like ambient/cosmic/post-rock
YouTube - Windy and Carl - 03 - Elevation

Also, I second bob's suggestion of Zoviet France and Coil, but I have to check out some of the stuff he posted too

Thanks man, yeah I know Glenn Branca, I've only got The Ascension though - pretty stunning album. Been meaning to look into Niblock.

BTW, check out Charlemagne Palestine's Schlingen-Blängen if you havent already. It's an hour-long piece based upon one single Organ note. If you can sit through the whole thing it's better than drugs.

bob. · 12-31-2010, 01:14 PM

^^^one hour piece/one organ note?....i'm one it

speaking off...a while back a few of us attempted a blog and James submitted an album by Alvin Lucier called "I Am Sitting In A Room"....find it and listen to it....it starts off a bit slow....as it is just him repeating that sentence over and over ad nausum.....but what happens is beyond words

Quote:

Originally Posted by clutnuckle

^^ Pelt is awesome, Ayahuasca is a massive album.

i feel so lucky to have run into this band....just by chance and speaking with a record store owner about Mike Pattons solo work....and he handed me 'Empty Bell Ringing In The Sky" and told me if i hated it he would refund me 100%....it was amazing....their music...for me at least....creates instant astral projection

Quote:

Originally Posted by dankrsta

Pauline Oliveros, one of the pioneers of electronic music, tape experimentation and hypnotic drones, probably one of the influences on Tangerine Dream, Claus Schulze etc. Here's an early piece of droning electronic music:
YouTube - Pauline Oliveros - Bye Bye Butterfly (1965)

Phill Niblock, composer and filmmaker, interested especially in textures of sound and density. He collaborated with many composers and musicians among which are also Lee Ranaldo and Thurston Moore.
YouTube - Phill Niblock - Tow By Tom (live, Hamburg, 17.04.2009)

Glenn Branca - You probably know him; dense guitar symphonies, noise and drone
YouTube - Glenn Branca: The Ascension

Windy & Carl - Not really pop or indie drone, but more like drone-like ambient/cosmic/post-rock
YouTube - Windy and Carl - 03 - Elevation

wow i really enjoyed all of those....for some reason i've never actually listened to Glen Branca's orchestral work....it was wonderful

i have to say though the first 9Pauline Oliveros) and last (Windy and Carl) on your list were truly mind numbing.....i'm looking for them now

this was the perfect mix to listen to while finishing my paperwork

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

This is great, cheers dude. I know Coil quite well, but I'm familiar only with their first 3 albums. I'll definitely be checking out Time Machines. I love Boris but really dislike Merzbow... so that'll be an interesting listen. Havent heard of the other rec's so will be checking those out earnestly.

Time Machines is unlike anything else they ever recorded....very stripped down and yet full

i actually do very much like Merzbow....although i must say i do not listen to harsh noise/power electronic like i use to.....i actually think you'll really enjoy the Boris/Merzbow stuff....they blend and accent each other very well

Mrd00d · 12-31-2010, 04:20 PM

I have a few ambient bands I enjoy, but some might not call them ambient? Anyway, here's a few of my favorites.

Easily Embarrassed - My favorite of the type. Songs like "Time Holes", "Little Trees and Mysteries", and "Final Hope, pt. 2" really must be heard. These tracks, at least, really carry me away.

Spoiler for Time Holes by Easily Embarrassed:

Solar Fields
Bluetech
Empusae (I became a fan when I heard Big Lebowski samples in a few tracks haha)

I guess they're "electronic ambient" or "Chillout" (meh)?

I don't really care too much for Altus, but it's certainly up someone's alley. Lot's of free material on their website.

Dr_Rez · 12-31-2010, 04:21 PM

Noob question here but what exactly is the difference in Drone and Ambient? Just more repetition in drone?

clutnuckle · 12-31-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RezZ

Noob question here but what exactly is the difference in Drone and Ambient? Just more repetition in drone?

Drone: "a continuous low tone produced by the bass pipes or bass strings of musical instruments."

A 'drone' is a piece that has a note/chord/etc that carries throughout the entire piece. It may become warped (Terry Riley's "Poppy Nogood and the Phantom Band" is a good example of that, even though it's more of a minimalist piece of music) but it generally resolves to the same note as before. It sort of acts as a platform for other things to happen on top of.

Ambiance is generally meant to be music of the surroundings. It is very minimal and develops slowly like drone, but it doesn't necessarily have any 'drones' in it. Most drone music is in some way ambient, but not all ambient has to be drone:

Ambient:

Ambient drone:

I'd say they're both repetitious to an equal degree, but they repeat very different things, if you will.

Dr_Rez · 12-31-2010, 04:39 PM

Cool beans, thanks for the explanation! I do like Eno I have listened to him a fair amount actually.

dankrsta · 01-01-2011, 01:39 PM

@clutnuckle - That was a perfect explanation of differences between ambient and drone. I'd like to add that ambient, like clutnuckle pointed out, is a music that gives the illusion of occupying and filling out space, since it doesn't really evolve through time, being repetitive or changing really slowly. But I always felt that real, pure drone music is timeless and spaceless (kind of out of this world).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

Thanks man, yeah I know Glenn Branca, I've only got The Ascension though - pretty stunning album. Been meaning to look into Niblock.

BTW, check out Charlemagne Palestine's Schlingen-Blängen if you havent already. It's an hour-long piece based upon one single Organ note. If you can sit through the whole thing it's better than drugs.

Thanks for the recommendation, I haven't yet listened to any of his music and what you described certainly sounds like a challenge.

Speaking of Glenn Branca, I forgot to mention another composer also known for guitar symphonies and is one of many influenced by La Monte Young, Rhys Chatham. He's probably best known for his Guitar Trio and like Glenn Branca, he was really into the New York punk and No Wave scene having worked with the members of Band of Susans especially (and Branca with Sonic Youth members, we all know that). From what I've heard I think A Crimson Grail might be what you want. I have a version for 400 guitars and it has three pieces from 16 to 20 min long with very long drones, but also has some trembling quality that I find especially appealing. I found this 200 guitar version on youtube (excerpts actually, but you'll get the idea if you haven't heard it):
YouTube - Rhys Chatham: "A Crimson Grail (Version for 200 Guitars)" (Excerpts)

Speaking of this trembling quality as I called it (maybe clumsily but I can't think of a better word for now...maybe flickering or a tremor, vibrating)...where was I, yeah, I want to suggest a composer that especially made that quality his ultimate expression, György Ligeti. Now, I don't know much about music theory, but from what I understood he worked with tone clusters and was especially interested in color and texture of sound. The end result is in parts actually similar to drone: YouTube - Atmospheres-Gyorgy Ligeti (One of his several compositions Kubrick used in 2001: A Space Odyssey)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.

wow i really enjoyed all of those....for some reason i've never actually listened to Glen Branca's orchestral work....it was wonderful

i have to say though the first 9Pauline Oliveros) and last (Windy and Carl) on your list were truly mind numbing.....i'm looking for them now

this was the perfect mix to listen to while finishing my paperwork

I'm glad you liked it. Glenn Branca's work is simply wonderful imo. From what I've heard (4 'albums') my favorites are The Ascension and Symphony No. 6 (Devil Choirs at the Gates of Heaven)

12-31-2010, 04:20 PM	#26 (permalink)
Mrd00d Stoned and Jammin' Out Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Northern California; Eugene, OR; mobile Posts: 1,602	I have a few ambient bands I enjoy, but some might not call them ambient? Anyway, here's a few of my favorites. Easily Embarrassed - My favorite of the type. Songs like "Time Holes", "Little Trees and Mysteries", and "Final Hope, pt. 2" really must be heard. These tracks, at least, really carry me away. Spoiler for Time Holes by Easily Embarrassed: Solar Fields Bluetech Empusae (I became a fan when I heard Big Lebowski samples in a few tracks haha) I guess they're "electronic ambient" or "Chillout" (meh)? I don't really care too much for Altus, but it's certainly up someone's alley. Lot's of free material on their website. __________________ Mrd00d's Last.fm

12-31-2010, 04:21 PM	#27 (permalink)
Dr_Rez Registered Jimmy Rustler Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 5,361	Noob question here but what exactly is the difference in Drone and Ambient? Just more repetition in drone? __________________ Best chance of losing virginity is in prison crew Always Checks Credentials Crew nba > nfl crew Shave one of my legs to pretend its a girl in my bed crew

12-31-2010, 04:39 PM	#29 (permalink)
Dr_Rez Registered Jimmy Rustler Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 5,361	Cool beans, thanks for the explanation! I do like Eno I have listened to him a fair amount actually. __________________ Best chance of losing virginity is in prison crew Always Checks Credentials Crew nba > nfl crew Shave one of my legs to pretend its a girl in my bed crew

12-31-2010, 04:29 AM	#23 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,033	I like what I've heard from Rafael Toral. Here's a list of his stuff from the Forced Exposure website https://www.forcedexposure.com/artis...al.rafael.html