Portraits

I have long been frustrated by the current system of music distribution where artists create songs or albums meant to be consumed by the masses. I've been wanting to explore more direct means of engagement with listeners and have been thinking about the artist/patron relationship as a possibility.

I am calling the project Portraits. Portraits are songs that have been created directly for individual listeners. You send me a photo or words for inspiration, I write a song, and then give it to you. It ceases to be my property. Like an artist making a painting for a patron, it is now yours to do with what you like.



I have long found music to be a solace. It soothes over the rough edges of the day and keeps me grounded in times of great stress. These are times of great stress for many. I live in Japan and I'm not much of a fighter but I can help you get through your day with music. My music could be your balm. Or it could be a way to celebrate your identity, your friends, your family. It can be whatever you need it to be.

Because I want to help, I am not asking for any money for these Portraits. Of course, if you'd like to donate money to my PayPal account, or become a patron on Patreon, that would be very much appreciated.

Thank you for listening.

Slow

Obake Radio Out Now

My new album, Obake Radio, is out today on Architects + Heroes Records. It's a beatless affair though I wouldn't really call it ambient (although you might).




I just love that cover. The same team behind the cover, Leftm Graphics, did a nice video for the track, "Drone Haze."




I can also now announce that there will be a follow-up release to this, an EP entitled Drone Haze, with a new version of "Drone Haze" plus six other tracks.

Any Time Now

The second Architects + Heroes Records sampler features my song, "Any Time Now." It's harsh and claustrophobic and a little paranoid, much like modern life.

Arthur Dent & Deeper Than Space: Drift

In 1995, together with Arthur Dent (aka Borful Tang), I released an album of miasmic ambient on the Silent Records label. Entitled Drift, it was two epic slabs of murky ambient that favored low-end tones. The album has been re-released by Architects + Heroes Records and is available for download here.



The download contains an hour-long third track, "Chindogu," which was intended to be the follow-up release. Silent Records changed hands by this time and then closed for good and the track was never released.

Obake Radio

I have a new album coming out on November 5 via Architects + Heroes Records. Until then, you can listen to the lead track from the album here.


This track will also be released as a single sometime in the future.

Also check out this cool promo video for the album.



Read more about the album at the A+H site.

The Red Slope

In the deep of winter I composed a number of songs intended for an ambient album. They eventually became The Red Slope and you can hear it and download it here.


There was a sixth song that wouldn't fit. You can download it for free here.