Field recordings capture birdsong, the rustling of branches and leaves in the wind, gently babbling streams and the distant echoes of farm machinery.

Warm analogue keyboard tones and mellotron piano, string and woodwind loops fray and unfurl over slowly shifting and enveloping layers of modular synthesizer oscillators.

Heavily processed through pedal and modular effects, the picturesque and pastoral quality of the lyrical melodies and drones are counteracted with subtle glitches and distressed textures that reflect the harsher side of nature, the effects of time and weather that have hewn the sublime beauty of the landscape’s peaks and vales.
credits

music & photography by Wil Bolton
mastering by Andrew J Klimek

The theme is that of the individual’s personal journey from the belief that they are lost in life. As they move and travel, they search to finally reach a point where they accept that they are forever lost but paradoxically they are found, at the same time, in that moment. In this acceptance they can receive it as a gift, proceeding with no expectations.

This process however is cyclical for us all as we move, constantly finding ourselves back at the start, time and again, hopefully holding a little more wisdom than the time before.
credits

Music by Liam James Cassidy

“Liminal Space” features additional production by Leif Wyn

Mastered by Andrew J Klimek

Photo by Danny J Parkinson

This album isn’t meant to keep a listener sad or dwelling in trauma. But it can be difficult to relate to bright and joyful music when navigating a dark place. It’s my hope that ‘a wake in shadows’ will be a safe and pensive companion while dealing with grief or other heaviness or just a soundtrack at your hearthside.

Asleep in amber, a wake in shadows, reposed on the sorrow of firn…

Distant | Spirals previously released as single

Windows originally from Asleep in Amber

Pillars originally from Mercy Within

Mastered by Andrew J Klimek

Music & Artwork by Hilyard

Spanning March 2021 to June 2022, the songs languidly traverse across the spectrum of each other’s aesthetic palette; evoking somewhat familiar territory yet somehow suggesting something more. The simple approach of Machniak’s often subtly atonal, melancholic guitar lines parallels the lilting string arrangements and soaring voice of Dubar seamlessly. Often landing near a meditative and calming focal point, these building and unifying textures lend to the listener a feeling of harmony and calm, amidst a challenging and relentlessly chaotic world.

IKSRE

IKSRE (I Keep Seeing Rainbows Everywhere) is the solo moniker of Naarm/Melbourne-based multi instrumentalist, vocalist, producer and sound alchemist (dip. Sound Healing Academy, Cornwall), Phoebe Dubar. She combines field recordings from across the vast, Australian landscape with lush strings, swirling synths and vocals with ambient drone, and binaural beats to create a unique, ambient, neo-classical pop sound.

She has released five albums to date: independently, with Hush Hush Records (Seattle) and Lo Recordings (London), achieving widespread acclaim from blogs, playlists and radio (BBC Radio 6, KEXP, RTE, triple j, double j, RRR, PBS-FM). 2022–23 sees more releases on Ambientologist (NL), Past Inside the Present (USA) and Stereoscenic (USA).

Phoebe also facilitates group sound baths using a combination of Himalayan and Alchemy crystal singing bowls, gongs, hand pan, drum, chimes, Monochord and voice, including overtone singing. She also facilitates training workshops locally and abroad, and runs a private practice from her home on Boonwurrung Country.

“Her sound palette lies at the delicate intersection of the natural world in fissure with atmospheric electronics and instruments. Much like Philip Glass or Ryuichi Sakamoto, Dubar’s way with a subtle shift into an irregular rhythm, a harmonic modulation or change in articulation, tricks the listener into a trance. IKSRE is seriously slept on – it’s time to wake up.” (The Wire Magazine)

“Her signature recipe examines the dynamics of the human mind, soul and body through the deft use of verdant strings, undulating synths, and vocals, blended with ambient droning and binaural beats. In some instances it evokes the transcendence of a sound bath and in others a delightful comedown from a long and fun night out.” (Vehlinggo)

“…a blissfully soothing entry into the world of healing by sound, flawlessly arranged and recorded.” (Igloo Mag)

Party Store

Party Store began as a way for Detroit musician Josh Machniak to document solo output while playing in various live bands and musical projects during the early aughts. Now residing in Seattle, Josh continues to explore this world; presenting minimalist ambient soundscapes, angular drones and low fidelity experimental songwriting that is often informed by his own sense of subtle melancholy. In addition to releasing two full length albums (2020’s “s/t” followed by 2021’s “II”) he has issued numerous home-record EPs, singles and collections of 4-track demos scattered throughout the years.

Credits

Recorded and mixed in Melbourne and Seattle by Phoebe Dubar & Josh Machniak

Phoebe Dubar: Vocal, Viola, Moog, Sansula, Bowls, Shruti Box
Josh Machniak: Guitar, Keyboard, Sampler

Additional mixing on tracks 2, 4, 5, 6, & 7 by Andrew J Klimek
Mastered by Andrew J Klimek
Photography by Phoebe Dubar & Josh Machniak