Turn on, Stay in, Chill Out…
In Edition #14 of the Chill Out Tent we spoke to author Harry Sword about his book ‘Monolithic Undertow’, an epic account of the story of drone music. Inspired by that conversation we’ve curated a Spotify playlist – ‘A Beginners Guide to Drone’. It’s quite a journey, dive in…
The legendary DJ Paulette recorded the afterparty for Chill Out Tent Edition #14 at Freight Island in Manchester, it’s a great set – enjoy 🙂
He’s back, our ovine overlord of bucolic Balearic, the Chill Out Tent’s very own Chris Coco with the third edition of his now legendary #Sheepwatch mixes, this Sunday, the 30th May 2021 as part of our Edition #14 of the Chill Out Tent.
He sent this message via carrier pigeon from his secret highland pastures…
‘As everybody knows, sheep watching is a Great British Tradition that dates back to, well, the past, when the workers from our great cities would head out to the countryside to watch sheep and marvel at their animal woolliness. Here, Chris Coco continues that tradition, which is now baked into the mixed-metaphorical fabric of The Chill Out Tent, and creates a soundtrack both for the people watching the sheep and the noble beasts themselves as they go about their grazing and looking-after-the-lambs business. Musically you can expect emotional, slightly epic festival vibes. Think – lounging in a field in the sunshine with your mates, various types of alcohol, a small plastic bag, that you picked up off the grass just now, that seems to contain some sort of unidentified powdery substance, oh, and some sheep, obviously. Expect everything from ambient to Aretha to David to dub… And sheep, lots of lovely sheep…’
Join us on Mixcloud Live at 18:45 BST
Here’s the film from #Sheepwatch Edition #1
We’ll be talking to author Harry Sword this Sunday, the 30th May 2021 as part of our Edition #14 of the Chill Out Tent. Harry Sword is a Cambridge based writer. He is a contributor to The Quietus, Vice, Record Collector, Munchies and the Guardian. We’re discussing his recent book ‘Monolithic Undertow – In Search of Sonic Oblivion‘ described by Beck as
‘An inspired and intuitive navigation of the drone continuum . . . with a compass firmly set to new and enlightening psychedelic truths’
His publishers summarize this superb book thus ‘Monolithic Undertow alights a crooked path across musical, religious and subcultural frontiers. It traces the line from ancient traditions to the modern underground, navigating archaeoacoustics, ringing feedback, chest plate sub-bass, avant-garde eccentricity, sound weaponry and fervent spiritualism. From Neolithic beginnings to bawdy medieval troubadours, Sufi mystics to Indian raga masters, cone shattering dubwise bass, Hawkwind’s Ladbroke Grove to the outer reaches of Faust and Ash Ra Temple; the hash-fueled fug of The Theatre of Eternal Music to the cough syrup reverse hardcore of Melvins, seedy VHS hinterland of Electric Wizard, ritual amp worship of Earth and Sunn O))) and the many touch points in between, Monolithic Undertow explores the power of the drone – an audio carrier vessel capable of evoking womb like warmth or cavernous dread alike.‘
Some or even many of these artists may be unfamiliar to our audience, but his sonic explorations also touch on Brian Eno, the Orb, ambient and chill out too and the transcendental ambition of so much of this material shares much with the world of electronic music that may be more familiar. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Harry discuss the origins of the book, some of the amazing moments he experienced in it’s research and also his recommendations for those new to the world of drone.
Harry gives us a primer, ‘a Beginner’s Guide to Drone’ that we mixed into a 30 minute taster for the uninitiated, that we’ll play after the interview. Considering that many drone pieces will play out at 20 or more minutes per track, often considerably longer, our mini mix can only be a ‘teaser’ for the full immersive drone experience, but we hope it opens some ears to this new sonic landscape.
Here’s an extract of the book from the lovely people at the Heavenly Social to whet your appetite…
Buy Monolithic Undertow direct from the publishers White Rabbit books here.
Join us on Mixcloud Live at 18:45 BST
Tracklist…
Arthur Lyman – ‘Taboo’
Mike Oldfield – ‘Tubular Bells’
Jean Michel Jarre – ‘Souvenir Of China’
Vangelis – ‘Love Theme’
Wally Badarou – ‘The Dachstein Angels’
Propaganda – ‘La Carne, La Morte E Il Diavolo’
Software – ‘Island Sunrise’
Jorge Ben – ‘Xica Da Silva’
Elkin & Nelson – ‘Vámonos’
Ahmed Fakroun – ‘Nisyan’
Art Of Noise – ‘Moments In Love’ (7” version)
Pat Metheny – ‘Sueno Con Mexico’
We’re really pleased to welcome The Sunrise Sessions – a new video mix series from Oslo based Plastic Fantastic as part of our schedule for the Chill Out Tent Edition #14
Volume One, kicks off the new series with a mix from Plastic Fantastic. Here’s what they’ve got to say about the session;
‘This mix is very much a hats-off to José Padilla as they’ve included several records that he played at the Café Del Mar in Ibiza back in the good ol’ days. By the way, if you haven’t already watched In Memory Of José Padilla – The Godfather Of Chill on Youtube, I highly recommend seeing that first as this mix is kind of a follow-up to that.
José Padilla was and still is a huge influence on me as a DJ, particularly his late eighties to mid nineties period as resident DJ at the iconic Café Del Mar where he would provide an eclectic, emotive, chilled and yet simultaneously powerful soundtrack to the sunset. Anyone who was lucky enough to be there back in the day will eagerly testify that they experienced something special. José Padilla sadly passed away last year. His musical legacy and pioneering spirit will not be forgotten.
You may recognise some familiar records in this mix, such as Mike Oldfield’s ‘Tubular Bells’ (theme from The Exorcist) and ‘Moments In Love’ by Art of Noise alongside plenty of perhaps lesser known gems. Just to mention a few, Propaganda’s opus ‘La Carne, La Morte E Il Diavolo’, and the rather blissful ‘Island Sunrise’ by Software. The Balearic connoisseurs amongst listeners will enjoy Elkin & Nelson’s sublime latin jam-out ‘Vamonos’, and yes of course I play the record in its entirety (nine glorious minutes!). This record by the way is an absolute Ibiza classic; Alfredo would frequently drop it at Amnesia back in the 80s, truly powerful stuff. Jazz guitar virtuoso Pat Metheny’s ‘Sueno Con Mexico’ closes the mix on a dreamy note, quite literally… Fun fact, Metheny recorded the LP that particular track was taken from right here in Oslo.’
Join us on Mixcloud Live at 18:45 BST
We’re back this Sunday, the 30th May 2021 with Edition #14 of the Chill Out Tent, our monthly streaming event celebrating all things calm and chilled out. Another international selection of carefully curated film & music to share with our growing community who gather in the chat room.
More details on all this months contributors over the next few days…
19:00 – Sunrise Session #1 – Plastic Fantastic – Oslo
20:00 – Monolithic Undertow – Interview with author Harry Sword
20:30 – A Beginners Guide to Drone – Curated by Harry Sword, mixed by the Chill Out Tent
21:00 – Sheepwatch #3 – Chris Coco’s legendary ambient DJ Set returns
22:00 – Space Fabbrica Sesseti – Giorgio Alvera
22:10 – After Party – DJ Paulette – From Freight Island
Join us on Mixcloud Live at 18:45 BST
The Chill Out Tent 